Dispersed (out of a designated site) camping is NOT allowed within the boundaries of Mount Rushmore  National Memorial or Custer State Park.  Dispersed camping IS generally allowed in the Black Hills National Forest.  General Forest guidelines for dispersed camping include:

• At least 100 feet from any designated roadway or water source.

• Open fires are prohibited anywhere within the Black Hills Fire Protection District. Use a campstove when cooking.

• Use a toilet or cathole human waste at least 6’’ deep. Carry out toilet paper and food scraps. 

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Wrinkled Rock Through interagency cooperation and the Black Hills Climbing Coalition a “Climbers” campground has been established adjacent to the west entrance of Mount Rushmore National Memorial known as Wrinkled Rock Trailhead:  Wrinkled Rock is a semi-primitive campsite area. This area is designed for tent camping or a bivouac.  This area does not allow for the use of Trailers, RVs or generators.  Please do your part to minimize your impacts while using this facility.  Your cooperation is vital to keeping this campground open.

¨        Off Road travel is prohibited.  This area is part of the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve.  Special travel rules apply.  Motorized use is not allowed off designated roads.  Foot and Horse travel is allowed.  Please use the established trails when possible.

¨        Camping is free.  Stay limit is 14 days.  To minimize congestion park your vehicles in the parking area provided, not along the loop road.  Keep the area clean.

¨        Camp in established sites. Do not “create” a new site farther in the forest or create your own trails.  This damages vegetation and accelerates the erosion process.

Please do your part to minimize impacts on the area.  Help take care of your backcountry and the crags by following these guidelines. Leave No Trace.

• EDUCATE YOURSELF. It is important to know the local regulations before you inadvertently break a rule or an established practice.  Read the signs, ask a local, visit a shop, call a land management agency.
• TRAVEL ON DURABLE SURFACES. Always use established roads and trails en route to climbs.  Do not cut switchbacks or create your own trails.  This damages vegetation and speeds erosion.
• CONCENTRATE USE IN POPULAR AREAS. When you unpack your gear at the crag, choose a durable location for your staging area rather than trying to create one.  Look for flat sites devoid of vegetation or on rock or gravel.
• PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT. Scraps of tape, food wrappers, cigarette butts, visible human and pet waste, and the like can be prevented with a little care.  Pack out all trash and toilet paper!
• BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHER USERS. Control your pet.  Dogs must be on a leash or under strict voice control.  Choose to maintain a cooperative spirit.  If you wish to follow a party up a climb do not rush or harass the party in front of you.
• RESPECT WILDLIFE. Do not feed or otherwise interfere with wildlife.  View animals from a distance.  Store food and trash securely.

Climbing depends on the preservation of the vertical environment and the wildlands around it.  The personal responsibility, judgment and self-reliance that climbing demands make the climbing experience.

RULES & REGS. at the CRAGS

OBEY THE RULES TO AVOID FINES AND KEEP THESE AREAS OPEN TO CLIMBING.

Climbing and hiking on Mount Rushmore massive is restricted. A perimeter around the carving of the four presidents is closed to climbing and hiking and is marked or signed. Before you go hiking off trail or climbing it is your responsibility to know where what areas are closed. During special events and official High Alert Security Levels, travel and climbing closures also apply to Emancipation Rockphormation and Reardon Rock.

There are registration boxes at the climbing area trailheads, please register before you go climbing. 

• Bolting and fixed anchors are allowed.
• The use of power drills is prohibited.
• Power drills will be allowed for use by permit for administrative use (route repair, SAR.)
• No camping or overnight use allowed.
• All wheeled vehicles, including bicycles, are prohibited except on established roadways.
• No pets allowed in the backcountry.
• Open fires are prohibited.
   

Most climbing occurs near Needles Hwy. 87 in the State Park. The Cathedral Spires Trail  is a one-way trail leading to the Spires area about one mile off the highway.

• Bolting and fixed anchors are allowed.
• The use of power drills is prohibited.
• The use of power drills is allowed by special permit for route maintenance only.
• Pets need to be on a leash no longer than 10 feet.
• Open fires are prohibited.
   

The most popular crags on Forest Service land are located adjacent to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, in the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve and the Black Elk Wilderness. Other areas include Spearfish Canyon. Many other smaller crags are sprinkled throughout the Forest.

·        Open fires are prohibited anywhere on the Black Hills National Forest.

GENERAL FOREST - NON- WILDERNESS & NON-NORBECK

• Bolting and fixed anchors are allowed.
• There are no restrictions or permitting processes for the use of power drills, assuming the user is adhering to all other Black Hills National Forest regulations.

NORBECK WILDLIFE PRESERVE

• Voluntary ban on the use of power drills for new route construction.
• Maintenance of existing routes will be allowed with either hand or power drills.

BLACK ELK WILDERNESS

• The use of power drills is prohibited.
• Fixed anchors will be allowed in the Black Elk Wilderness during the rule-making process (last agency guidelines Dec. 2001).