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Elk Mountains (South Dakota) facts for kids

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This article is about Elk Mountains (disambiguation)|Elk Mountains. For other uses, see Elk Mountains (South Dakota) (disambiguation).
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Elk Mountains
Elk Mountain Range
Photo of Elk Mountains western slope from the prairie near Dewey, South Dakota
The Elk Mountains seen from the dry prairie near Dewey.
Highest point
Peak Elk Mountain
Elevation 1,726 m (5,663 ft) at the Elk Mountain Lookout Tower
Dimensions
Length 55 km (34 mi) NW-SE
Width 6 km (3.7 mi)
Geography
Map of South Dakota with Elk Mountains marked
Map of South Dakota with Elk Mountains marked
Elk Mountains
Location in South Dakota
Country United States
Parent range Black Hills
Geology
Age of rock Early Cretaceous
Type of rock Inyan Kara rock

The Elk Mountains are a small group of mountains. You can find them in western South Dakota. They make up the southwest part of the Black Hills. These mountains are special because of how they formed. They are like a giant tilted slab of rock.

The Elk Mountains are different from the rest of the Black Hills. They have a "racetrack" area of red stone between them. The top ridge of the Elk Mountains is made of strong sandstones. The east side of these mountains is a steep cliff. It is about 300-to-800-foot (91 to 244 m) tall. But the west side slopes down gently. This side has many deep canyons.

Most of the Elk Mountains used to be part of the Harney National Forest. This was a protected area. In 1954, it joined the Black Hills National Forest. Today, most of the mountains are in South Dakota. This part is in the Hell Canyon District. A smaller part is in Wyoming. This bit is in the Bearlodge District. The Elk Mountains are one of three mountain ranges in the Black Hills area. The others are the Black Hills themselves and Wyoming's Bear Lodge Mountains.

Elk Mountain is the highest point in this range. It has a lookout tower at its very top. Other important peaks include Pilger Mountain and Sullivan Peak.

Not many people live in or near the Elk Mountains. The closest town is Edgemont, South Dakota. It is to the south. Tiny Dewey and the old ghost town of Burdock are to the west. About ten miles northwest is Newcastle, Wyoming.

Nature and Plants

The main trees you will see here are Pinus ponderosa, also known as Ponderosa pine. Underneath these trees, you will find a lot of Carex heliophila. This is a type of grass-like plant.

Images for kids

  • Elk Mountains (South Dakota) 04

    Elk Mountain from prairie

  • Elk Mountain fire lookout tower 02

    Elevation sign at lookout tower

  • Elk Mountain fire lookout tower 01

    Elk Mountain fire lookout tower

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