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Black Elk Peak (Harney Peak), formerly known as Harney Peak, was renamed in 2016 to honor Nicolas Black Elk and highlight the significance of the summit to Native Americans, for whom the peak is a sacred site. You can find out what it feels like to stand on the highest point (7,242 feet) in South Dakota by tackling the four-mile hike to the summit, which will reward you with sweeping views over the Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park.

You can find the trailhead near Lake Sylvan in Custer State Forest. Expect the round-trip hike to take you around four to five hours along a well-marked and well-traversed trail that starts off gently, but becomes quite steep closer to the summit.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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