Bear Butte State Park

Bear Butte State Park just east of Sturgis and north of Highway 34 is dominated by the large laccolith mountain that Native Americans of several tribes consider sacred. Basically a volcano that cooled off before erupting, the mountain looks somewhat like a sleeping bear from a distance.

The park includes a campground, lake and hiking trails to the top of the mountain.

Here are several angles on the mountain, including sunrise from Interstate 90 near Whitewood, where Bear Butte just peaks above other ridge lines -


From a gravel road to the east of the Butte with the Black Hills in the background -


From the south, just at the park entrance -


This view is from several miles east near the almost-ghost town of Bear Butte on Highway 34. Late afternoon sun is peeking through smoke from a Wyoming forest fire in the distant west.


I've been to the top, but it's been years and unfortunately I don't have photos to show here. It's on my list of things to do soon.

More information on visiting Bear Butte can be found here - Bear Butte State Park.

Black Hills photographer Les Voorhis recently published a book on the butte. It can be purchased at his Focus West Gallery in Spearfish and many gift shops throughout the region. Focus West Gallery