Escape Your Comfort Zone: Backpacking Mount Rushmore

4 Days of Solo Backpacking, Hiking & Camping in the Black Hills National Forest of South Dakota.

For this late summer backpacking adventure, I decided check out two places I had never been to before – the Mount Rushmore Memorial and the adjacent Black Elk Wilderness within the Black Hills National Forest.

I was surprised to discover that there’s actually a trailhead right at the base of Mount Rushmore, so it seemed like to perfect opportunity to create a unique backpacking experience.

Speaking of those looming presidential faces, I should make an important point – While the Mount Rushmore statue, parking lot and visitor center, etc. is a National Memorial (managed by the National Park Service), the surrounding area is National Forest, so dispersed camping is all good!

With that in mind, I mapped out a roughly 30 mile hiking loop using the available trails, packed my tent, sleeping pad and some backpacking food into my backpack, and got a ride from my wife to the trailhead.

Due to the close proximity to the National Monument, the trailhead parking lot is closed off to overnight parking. This probably makes this a lesser used starting point for backpackers, but it’s well worth it if you have someone nice enough to drop you off and pick you up after a few days of camping in the Black Elk Wilderness.

For an easier read, more info and GPS data, check out my blog post

Trailhead Used: Mount Rushmore Blackberry Trailhead, 43°52’24.5″N 103°27’15.9″W
Mount Rushmore, SD 57751

Trails Used, Day 1

Blackberry Trail
Left (west) on Centennial Trail
Setup Camp along Centennial Trail.
This is a nice campsite tucked off the trail with water readily available from nearby Grizzly Bear Creek. There are two flat grassy clearing separated by some trees that make for easy camping. Note: campfires are not permitted in the Black Elk Wilderness.

Day 1 Mileage: 1.07 Miles
Day 1 Elevation Gross Gain: 2′
Day 1 Elevation Gross Descent: 337′

Trails Used, Day 2

Backtrack on Centennial Trail
At the intersection, continue Centennial Trail
Left (North) on Harney Trail
Setup camp along Harney Trail.
This is a small spot tucked back in the boulders along the trail. This is a dry campsite. Water is available 1 mile downhill on the Willow Creek Trail. My stats below include the roundtrip to go get water after setting up camp.

Day 2 Mileage: 11.22 Miles
Day 2 Gross Elevation Gain: 2,219′
Day 2 Gross Descent: ‘1,609

Trails Used, Day 3

Backtrack on Harney Trail
At the intersection, continue on Harney Trail
Spur Trail to Black Elk Peak and back
Formerly Harney Peak, with an elevation of 7,244 feet, this is the tallest peak in South Dakota and the Midwest.
Norbeck Trail
Grizzly Bear Creek Trail
Setup camp along Grizzly Bear Creek.
This is an awesome campsite with expansive views and opportunities for a couple tents or hammocks. Water is available from small stream hidden in the tall grass along the trail a short distance before arriving at the campsite. If the spot is occupied, there’s a heard path at the back of the site heading up hill to more options.

Day 3 Mileage: 8.33 Miles
Day 3 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,990′
Day 3 Gross Descent: 2,057′

Trails Used, Day 4

Continue on Grizzly Bear Creek Trail
Centennial Trail
Blackberry Trail
Return to Mt Rushmore Blackberry Trailhead

Day 4 Mileage: 6.84 Miles
Day 4 Gross Elevation Gain: 814′
Day 4 Gross Descent: 1,020′

Grand Total Mileage: 27.46 Miles
Grand Total Elevation Gain: 5,025′

Caltopo Map for this trip

[brandiconn]

would love to see more videos with you and Sarah camping, and traveling the trails together!

[adamend]

As a beginning backpacker who just found your channel yesterday, I wanted to drop a quick note to say how much I love your videos. Hearing you explain your thinking and planning, and showing the random little things is a huge boost to confidence getting out in the wilderness. Thanks for doing what you do!

[VelcorHF]

Good guy Syntax, bringing his bad luck rainstorms to drought stricken areas.

[thalor]

That RV is from a town close to Hamburg/Germany. I absolutely love these Allroad-RVs. They are often based on former military trucks.

[peppernc]

The Black Hills give a haunted vibe!
Great hike, maybe one of my favorites! Thanks for taking the world along!

[OldPackMule]

I know that feeling when you finally find water. Yes!

[redwhiteblue]

Great trip... Hiking in that heat not knowing where exactly the water is really a crappy feeling. History is always interesting to learn where you are hiking or places you are familiar with, then learn the history. Enjoyed watching. Take care sintax77

[mikemorris]

Yea! A new Sintax77 video made my day. Thanks Shawn!

[johnnySMALLpepper]

fun trip. love the birches at the end. cheers

[JaredHikes]

Another epic adventure! Taco flavored Doritos, I had no idea they were still available, that's bringing back a classic. 🖖

[Lennymcgra]

On board since the turnpike days, keep up the good work boss.

[JohnBurdette-orif]

I can’t believe you would not walk through the grassy field, grass wasn’t even knee-high lol ! Well, you didn’t suck it up you chickened out !

Beautiful scenery…

[mandellapcarona]

I am home sick in bed today and was just thinking I could stand to watch a new Sintax adventure, and lo and behold... does look like Maine in parts!

[shaneflickinger]

Used to work for the Forest Service out there. Definitely miss those hills. Thanks for the awesome video.

[lomino]

Always a good day when a syntax video drops 👍

[jeffp]

A great trip to one of my favorite states! If work and family wasn't next door in Iowa, I'd be living near the Black Hills. We honeymooned there and have been back a few times.

[DanielBrown-njth]

Still remember Mike singing the karate kid song when you guys were second guessing camping in the bitter cold in the Whites. Your the best around nobody gonna bring you down 😂

[harald_in_wv]

In case no one said it yet, the RV or camping truck is from Germany. I have seen RVs from the Netherlands, as well as the UK here recently. They usually ship them over via cargo ship, and pick them up at the cargo terminal or whatever they enter as the destination.

[uptrail]

We hiked in the Black Hills area 7 years ago. It's a cool area and also the Badlands. I'm still going to get you up to my area someday. 👍

[codyhubbeling]

Cool to see you in my neck of the woods. Hope you enjoyed the hills