Family Nature Summits: Black Hills Summit

3.0 mile, 375 foot total climb "moderate" one-way hike; 5 min. drive out, 26 min. back.

The park's #1 oasis, we'll hit all six ponds dammed in the 1930s by the CCC. Midway, we'll briefly meet Matt Hays' Photo Hike. Our hike will be at a more brisk pace through this beautiful shaded valley named not after President Coolidge but for his wife Grace. One crossing requires a bit of rock hopping. We'll have time to relax at Center Lake at the hike's end. Poison ivy is rampant, but presents no threat as this popular trail is wide enough. The entire hike is in one of Custer State Park's two designated natural areas (horses prohibited).  

Especially with the ongoing (mid-June) extreme drought in this region, this hike (and Matt Hays' concurrent photography-themed hike) are the only ones to have 3 miles with this much water and this many ponds.  The local wildlife also knows this, and bison encounters have increased here in May-June 2026.  We'll keep an absolute minimum of 50 yards away from bison and we'll stay together as a group throughout.