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Glam Journal

How high is Harney Peak?

Author

Matthew Shields

Updated on March 17, 2026

How high is Harney Peak?

7,244′
Black Elk Peak/Elevation

How long does it take to hike Harney Peak?

4-5 hours
Distance: 7 miles roundtrip (out and back). Elevation gain: 5,166 ft. Duration: 4-5 hours.

Is Harney Peak the highest peak in South Dakota?

Black Elk Peak, also called Harney Peak, highest point (7,242 feet [2,207 metres]) in the Black Hills and in South Dakota, U.S., and the highest point in North America east of the Rocky Mountains.

Why did they change Harney Peak to Black Elk Peak?

The federal board acknowledged that the name was of concern to the Lakota, and its spokesman said, “In this case, the board felt that the name was derogatory or offensive, being that it was on a holy site of the Native Americans.” In a decision published August 11, 2016, the United States Board on Geographic Names …

Is Black Elk Peak the same as Harney Peak?

After several years of study and debate, the U.S. agency that oversees the official names of places—the U.S. Board on Geographic Names—has ruled in favor of Native American groups, ordering that South Dakota’s Harney Peak now be known as Black Elk Peak. The U.S. board voted unanimously on the change August 11.

Where is the highest point in Minnesota?

Eagle Mountain Trail
Eagle Mountain Trail is a 3 1/2 mile hike to the top of Eagle Mountain, which at 2301 feet is the highest point in Minnesota.

Can you climb Harney Peak?

Starting at about 6,200 feet, the Harney Peak trail gains 1,100 feet in elevation over the 3.5 mile hike to the summit. The Harney Peak trail requires no technical climbing skills. The typical hike along the Harney Peak Trail is about four to five hours round trip.

How many miles is Black Elk Peak hike?

One of the best things about taking this hike to the top of Black Elk Peak is the moderate-to-easy skill rating of the hike. While it is relatively long—nearly seven miles round trip—it’s a very manageable hike. The trail also seems to have the perfect built-in “rest stops”—rocky open platforms that beckon a selfie.

What is the tallest point in South Dakota?

Black Elk Peak
It was the first vision to ever come to Black Elk, and it all happened on the peak that now bears his name. At 7,242 feet, Black Elk Peak isn’t just South Dakota’s highest point. It’s also the highest elevation between the Rocky Mountains in the western United States and the Pyrenees Mountains in France.

What’s the highest elevation in South Dakota?

7,242 feet

How many states can you see from Harney Peak?

four states
On a clear day, one can see four states – South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and Nebraska. There is an old stone tower that was used as a fire lookout on the summit. It is no longer in use but is open to hikers.

Can you drive up Harney Peak?

Surrounded by the Black Elk Wilderness Area, there are no roads leading directly to Harney Peak. Accessible only on foot or horseback, Harney Peak is about 3.3 miles from the nearest road. The most common trailhead to Harney Peak is located at Sylvan Lake Resort in Custer State Park.

Where is the Harney Peak trailhead?

The Harney Peak Trailhead #9 is located in the northwest corner of the parking lot just beyond Sylvan Lake. From there, the hike is very straight forward – the beginning of the trail is very moderate, being slightly flat with a few ups and downs along the way.

Does South Dakota still have a peak named ‘Harney Peak’?

The state still has the option of leaving the peak named “Harney Peak” on state maps. Only time will tell the direction of this issue in South Dakota. The directions below are from Rapid City. For the Sylvan Lake approach, take Highway 16 west for about 30 miles to Hill City, SD.

However, the name was officially changed to Black Elk Peak on August 11, 2016. This change has generated great controversy in South Dakota, due to the fact such a large percentage of the citizens expressed their desires to have the name remain as “Harney Peak”.