Sheep Mountain Road

Sheep Mountain Road climbs 8 miles from Forest Road 231 to a fire lookout tower offering 360-degree views of the Black Hills and prairie beyond. The route starts as maintained gravel but transitions to two-track around mile 4, with a series of switchbacks carved into the mountainside that require steady nerves and good brakes. The final push to the 6,400-foot summit involves navigating through scattered granite boulders and a gate that’s usually unlocked during fire season, leading to the active lookout tower where rangers still scan for smoke.

This easy-to-moderate route welcomes stock SUVs with decent ground clearance, though a few rocky spots demand careful tire placement. Best accessed May through October when snow doesn’t block the higher elevations. No permits required, but respect the working fire lookout by staying quiet and not interfering with operations. Custer is the nearest fuel and supplies, about 25 miles away. The summit offers primitive camping opportunities and some of the finest sunset views in the Black Hills—just be prepared for wind that can shake your rig all night long.