Bear Butte State Park
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- $10 per dayAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- gfp.sd.gov(605) 347-5240
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Covering about 1,549 acres, Bear Butte State Park lies in Meade County, about 4 miles northeast of Sturgis.
Popular activities here are horseback riding, historic sites, boating, fishing, and hiking. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp and a fishing pier. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites and equestrian camping.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Year-round. Between Oct. 1 and April 30, flush toilets and other water systems may be closed. Please contact the park directly for current status. Vault toilets usually remain open. | ||
Official wording
Year-round. Between Oct. 1 and April 30, flush toilets and other water systems may be closed. Please contact the park directly for current status. Vault toilets usually remain open.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Denver).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Daily (resident) | $10 · day |
| $15 for nonresidents (nonresident) | $15 |
| Annual (resident) | $40 · year |
| $60 for nonresidents (nonresident) | $60 |
| Campsites - non-electrical | $16 · night |
Official wording
Daily: $10 for residents $15 for nonresidents Annual: $40 for residents $60 for nonresidents Campsites - non-electrical: $16 per night
South Dakota park passes
- Annual park entrance license — $40 resident / $60 nonresident. Vehicle entrance to all state parks and recreation areas Details
- Daily park entrance license — $10 resident / $15 nonresident. Daily vehicle entrance Details
- Custer State Park temporary license — $25 per vehicle / $20 per motorcycle (1-7 days). Custer State Park Details
- George S. Mickelson Trail pass — $5 daily / $20 annual per person Details
From the South Dakota state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Camping
- Not required
- Booking system
- Go Outdoors South Dakota (Brandt)
- Phone
- 1.800.710.2267
15 non-electric campsites, 4 non-electric horse campsites and middle camp non-electric campsites; available on first-come, first served basis
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campsites 15 non-electric campsites, 4 non-electric horse campsites and middle camp non-electric campsites; available on first-come, first served basis | — | — |
Camping details from the park
15 non-electric campsites, 4 non-electric horse campsites and middle camp non-electric campsites; available on first-come, first served basis
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BoatingFishingHikingHistoric sites and toursHorseback ridingPicnickingCamping
Trails
Hiking, Hiking Trail(s), Horse Trail(s)
Boating and paddling
Boating, Boat Ramp(s)
Fishing
Fishing, Fishing Pier(s), Shore Fishing Access
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Vault or pit toilets
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
Water
- Boat ramp
- Fishing pier
Camping
- Tent camping
- Equestrian camping
Recreation
- Horse trails
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
- Fishing Pier(s)
- Visitor Center(s)
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 20250 Hwy 79, PO Box 688
Sturgis, SD 57785 - Nearest town
- Sturgis — about 4 mi northeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 44.4599, -103.4509
- Phone
- (605) 347-5240
- BearButte@state.sd.us
Google Maps directionsApple Maps
Directions from the park
Located 6 miles northeast of Sturgis off SD Highway 79
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- South Dakota State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Oct 8, 2025
- GFP 'Find a State Park' map JSON
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology