Temporary Climbing Closures Around Sylvan Lake, CSP

Climbing Closure Announcement

This is a temporary closure of climbing areas behind Sylvan Lake due to trail improvement projects by Custer State Park. Portions of the Sunday Gulch Trail and Sylvan Lake Trail Loop are undergoing enhancements, which means access to certain climbing areas will be restricted until the project is complete. Estimated completion is spring of 2025. 

The following climbing formations are included in the closures: Beginner's Rock, Amorphous, Doc's Rock, Tiki, Moot Point, Dam Rocks, Homestar Boulder, Old Man's Rock, Rapa Nui, Not Stonehenge, Disco Wall, Stonehenge, Crazyhorse, Water Horse, Sunday Gulch Rock, Baldpate View, Damn, Tinker

These formations are numbered on the map as #1-12 and #17-22.

Important: Please do not access these areas from the Sylvan Lake Loop Trail, including the "old road" that branches off the Loop Trail before you reach the chockstone tunnel. The areas to avoid are highlighted in red on the map. The approach trail on the map is highlighted in green for your convenience. Please refer to the map for a better understanding of how to reach these areas while avoiding restricted zones.

Custer State Park has generously provided an alternative route for climbers. We ask that you park at the top of the hill in the Sylvan Lake Lodge Parking Lot and walk down the service road leading to the Outlets Climbing area. This road is off-limits to vehicles, and there will be construction equipment present. Please avoid this equipment at all costs to ensure your safety and preserve our access to the area.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this temporary closure. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the BHCC for further information.

Happy Climbing, 

Black Hills Climbers Coalition