Strawberry Hill Fire Tower Road
Technical climb to historic Black Hills fire tower
Strawberry Hill Fire Tower Road ascends 1,400 feet in just 3.5 miles through dense ponderosa pine forest northwest of Custer, ending at one of the Black Hills’ last operational fire towers. The route features loose rock, steep grades exceeding 15%, and narrow switchbacks that demand precise vehicle control. The infamous “Rock Garden” section near mile 2 has claimed undercarriages from overconfident drivers attempting it without proper clearance.
This is technical territory requiring 4WD with low range, skid plates, and aggressive tires. Summer and early fall provide the best conditions – winter access is closed. The 60-foot fire tower at the summit offers 360-degree views across the Black Hills, making the challenging climb worthwhile. Popular with serious 4×4 enthusiasts but not for novices or stock vehicles. No camping at the tower, but dispersed camping available along lower sections of the road.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Scenic, Technical |
| Length (miles) | 7 mi / 11.3 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6200 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD with low-range and skid plates |
| Nearest town | Custer, South Dakota |
| Land manager | US Forest Service - Black Hills National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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