Mountain Range

Black Hills summits

Named peaks, snowpack stations, streamflow gauges and watersheds in the Black Hills. Built for climbers, hikers, anglers, paddlers, and anyone curious about how the range is faring this season.

Named summits
5
Highest peak
7,242ft
SNOTEL stations
8
USGS gauges
30
Open the Black Hills on the map Every peak, gauge, and SNOTEL station overlaid on terrain.
Open the map →
June
8
2026
Range overview
The Black Hills mountain range is located in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming. The range is sacred to the Lakota Sioux tribe and is home to the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The highest peak in the range is Black Elk Peak, standing at 7,242 feet. Other notable peaks include Harney Peak and Terry Peak. The range is also home to several hydrological features, including Rapid Creek and the Belle Fourche River. The Black Hills are rich in natural resources, including gold, which led to the Black Hills Gold Rush in the late 1800s. The area is also home to various species of wildlife, including bison, elk, and mountain lions. In addition to its natural beauty, the Black Hills offer several outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, and skiing.
Black Hills at a glance

Range-wide overview

The Black Hills in four data points -- summits, climate stations, and water-flow coverage.

Highest peak

Harney Peak 7,242 ft

Most prominent named summit in the range.

Average elevation

Across 5 summits 4,621 ft

Mean of every named peak Snoflo tracks here.

Climate stations

SNOTEL + USGS gauges 8 + 30

Real-time snowpack and streamflow coverage.

Watersheds drained

HUC sub-basins touched 4

Hydrologic sub-basins the range feeds.

Summit inventory

Black Hills named peaks

Every named summit Snoflo tracks in the Black Hills, sorted by elevation. Elevation is heat-mapped to highlight the alpine zone. Tap any peak for its full report.

5 peaks
Peak Elevation
Harney Peak 7,242 ft
Mount Rushmore 5,275 ft
Bear Butte 4,426 ft
Piedmont Butte 3,882 ft
Rattlesnake Butte 2,284 ft
Climate signal

Snowpack & streamflow in the Black Hills

Live readings from every SNOTEL station and USGS streamgauge feeding the range's drainages.

SNOTEL snowpack

Station Snowpack SWE Elev
Custer · · 5,558ft
Hill City · · 4,987ft
Hot Springs · · 3,547ft
Elm Springs 3ese · · 2,680ft
Belle Fourche - Kbfs Radio · · 3,022ft
Fort Meade · · 3,330ft
Hereford 12sw 4.0 in · 2,799ft
Fort Yates 13.0 in 3.562 in 1,644ft

USGS streamflow

Gauge Flow Gage Elev
Cheyenne R Below Angostura Dam Sd 0.59 cfs 2.85ft 3,065.0ft
Fall R At Hot Springs Sd 36.5 cfs 0.82ft 3,430.0ft
Beaver Cr Near Buffalo Gap Sd 3.87 cfs 4.56ft 3,161.0ft
Cheyenne R Near Buffalo Gap Sd 46.1 cfs 2.17ft 2,820.0ft
Beaver Creek Near Pringle, Sd 4.78 cfs 8.05ft 4,140.0ft
Cheyenne River At Redshirt, Sd 62.9 cfs 9.52ft 2,670.0ft
French Cr Above Fairburn Sd 2.48 cfs 0.63ft 3,825.0ft
Battle Cr Below Hermosa Sd 1.71 cfs 2.27ft 2,810.0ft
Grace Coolidge Cr Nr Game Lodge Nr Custer Sd 0.46 cfs 6.63ft 4,125.0ft
Battle Cr At Hermosa Sd 2.27 cfs 2.59ft 3,284.0ft
Battle Cr Near Keystone Sd 0.56 cfs 3.32ft 3,815.0ft
Spring Cr Near Keystone Sd 4.45 cfs 4.11ft 3,898.0ft
Cheyenne River Near Wasta,Sd 115.0 cfs 0.52ft 2,269.0ft
Boxelder Cr Near Nemo Sd 12.8 cfs 1.79ft 4,334.0ft
Elk Cr Nr Rapid City Sd 0.07 cfs 5.07ft 2,949.0ft
Elk Cr Near Elm Springs Sd 1.41 cfs 3.64ft 2,322.0ft
Elk Cr Near Roubaix Sd 7.27 cfs 6.38ft 4,888.0ft
Bear Butte Creek Near Deadwood, Sd 3.46 cfs 3.76ft 4,753.0ft
Deadwood Creek At Central City, Sd 0.51 cfs 3.58ft 4,877.0ft
Belle Fourche River Near Elm Springs 171.0 cfs 4.72ft 2,180.0ft
Outdoor recreation

What to do in the Black Hills

Climbing, hiking, fishing, paddling, and more -- everything Snoflo tracks for the range.

Mountain activities

1. Hiking: The Black Hills offer a plethora of hiking trails for all skill levels, from easy strolls to challenging treks. Some popular hiking destinations include the Cathedral Spires Trail, Black Elk Peak Trail, and Sylvan Lake Trail.

2. Rock Climbing: The granite formations in the Black Hills provide excellent opportunities for rock climbing. The Needles Highway area is a popular spot for climbers, with routes ranging from beginner to advanced.

3. Mountain Biking: The Black Hills have a wide variety of mountain biking trails, including the 109-mile long George S. Mickelson Trail, which passes through diverse landscapes such as forests, meadows, and streams.

4. Fishing: Anglers can enjoy fishing in the many lakes, rivers, and streams in the Black Hills. Some popular fishing spots include Sylvan Lake, Pactola Reservoir, and Spearfish Creek.

5. Camping: The Black Hills offer numerous campgrounds and backcountry camping opportunities for those looking to spend a night under the stars. Custer State Park and Black Hills National Forest are popular camping destinations.

6. Horseback Riding: Horseback riding is a popular activity in the Black Hills, with several outfitters offering guided trail rides through the scenic landscapes of the region.

7. Wildlife Viewing: The Black Hills are home to a variety of wildlife, including bison, elk, deer, and pronghorn. Visitors can spot these animals while hiking, biking, or driving through the area.

8. Scenic Drives: The Black Hills are crisscrossed with scenic byways, such as the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road, that offer stunning views of the landscape and unique rock formations. These drives are perfect for sightseeing and photography.
FAQ

About the Black Hills

How many named peaks are in the Black Hills?

Snoflo tracks 5 named summits in the Black Hills. The highest is Harney Peak at 7,242 feet.

Where does the elevation data come from?

Peak elevations are pulled from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and Snoflo's named-summit registry. Snowpack readings come from the NRCS SNOTEL network; streamflow from USGS gauges in the range's drainages.

Are these all walk-up summits?

No. The list ranges from drive-up overlooks to technical alpine objectives. Tap any peak for its full report, route notes, and trip-planning data. Always check weather, avalanche, and trip-report sources before heading out.

How often is the data updated?

Peak elevation is static reference data. Snowpack and streamflow readings refresh continuously from the NRCS and USGS public feeds throughout the day.

Can I get alerts for stations in this range?

Yes. Save any SNOTEL station or USGS gauge as a favorite in the Snoflo iOS app, set a threshold (snowpack inches, discharge cfs), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.

Explore more ranges

Beyond the Black Hills

Browse every mountain range Snoflo tracks across the U.S.

Absaroka Range 5 peaks Adirondacks 16 peaks Alaska Range 17 peaks Alaska/Yukon Ranges 73 peaks Aleutian Range 3 peaks Allegheny Mountains 4 peaks Appalachian Mountains 91 peaks Blue Ridge Mountains 26 peaks Brooks Range 2 peaks Cascade Range 307 peaks Catskill Mountains 2 peaks Central American Ranges Central And Southern California Ranges 17 peaks Central Appalachian Ridges 2 peaks Central Colorado Ranges 11 peaks Central Montana Rockies 32 peaks Chugach Mountains 23 peaks Colorado Plateau 17 peaks Columbia Mountains 1 peak Columbia Plateau 14 peaks Elk Range Area 15 peaks Far Northern Rockies 1 peak Flat Tops Area 1 peak Front Range 30 peaks Great Basin Ranges 17 peaks Great Plains 3 peaks Green Mountains 4 peaks Idaho-Bitterroot Rockies 11 peaks Intermountain West 70 peaks Kenai Mountains 7 peaks Longfellow Mountains 5 peaks Midwest-Great Lakes Area 3 peaks New England Upland 5 peaks North American Plains 22 peaks Northern Appalachian Ridges 5 peaks Northwest U.S. Coast Ranges 3 peaks Olympic Mountains 25 peaks Ozark Highlands 1 peak Pacific Ranges 436 peaks Rocky Mountains 236 peaks Saint Elias Mountains 4 peaks San Juan Mountains 20 peaks Sangre De Cristo Range 28 peaks Sawatch Range 24 peaks Sierra Nevada 77 peaks Southern Appalachian Ridges 5 peaks Southern Wyoming Ranges 1 peak Southwest Basins And Ranges 18 peaks Talkeetna Mountains 3 peaks Teton Range - Yellowstone Area 13 peaks Uinta Range 6 peaks Wasatch Range 17 peaks White Mountains 18 peaks Wind River Range 6 peaks Wrangell Mountains 6 peaks