Black Elk Wilderness facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Black Elk Wilderness
IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
View looking towards the Black Elk Wilderness. Horsethief Lake, on the edge of the wilderness area, is seen in the foreground.
Black Elk Wilderness Location in the United States
Location	Pennington / Custer counties, South Dakota, USA
Nearest city	Rapid City, SD
Area	13,426 acres (54.33 km2)
Established	1980
Governing body	U.S. Forest Service

The Black Elk Wilderness is a special natural area located in South Dakota, a state in the United States. It was set aside as a wilderness area by the United States Congress in 1980. This beautiful region covers about 13,426 acres (54 square kilometers) and is managed by the United States Forest Service. It's part of the larger Black Hills National Forest.

Discover the Black Elk Wilderness

A Special Place in South Dakota

This wilderness is very important to Native Americans in the United States, especially the Sioux. It is named after Black Elk, who was a wise and holy man of the Oglala Sioux tribe.

The wilderness is located near some famous landmarks. The Mount Rushmore National Memorial, with its giant carved faces, is right next to its northern border. Many other protected lands, managed by state and federal groups, also border the wilderness.

Exploring Black Elk Peak

Inside the Black Elk Wilderness, you'll find Black Elk Peak. This mountain is the tallest point in South Dakota, reaching 7,242 feet (2,207 meters) high. From its top, you can see into four different states!

The area has rugged peaks and rocky slopes. These are mixed with different kinds of trees like ponderosa pine, spruce, and fir. This mix creates a rich and varied natural home for many creatures.

Plants and Animals You Might See

The Black Elk Wilderness is home to a variety of wildlife. On the steep mountain slopes, you might spot mountain goats and bighorn sheep. In the forested valleys, mule deer, whitetail deer, and elk are more common.

The skies above the wilderness are also busy. A good number of hawks and falcons live here, soaring high above the trees.

Rules of the Wilderness

Wilderness areas in the U.S. have special rules to keep them wild. This means you won't find any roads or buildings here. You also cannot use motorized vehicles like cars or ATVs. Even bicycles are not allowed.

While you can't drive through, you can still enjoy activities like camping and fishing. You just need to make sure you have the right permit. To protect the natural environment, there is no logging (cutting down trees) or mining allowed. This follows the rules of the 1964 Wilderness Act. If a wilderness area is within a National Forest, like Black Elk, hunting is also allowed during certain seasons.

Protecting the Trees

In 2010, a big challenge faced the wilderness. About 80 percent of the trees in the area were killed by tiny insects called the Mountain pine beetle. Efforts are made to help the forest recover from this natural event.