Slim Buttes Backcountry Loop

The Slim Buttes Backcountry Loop traces a 28-mile circle through some of South Dakota’s most isolated high country, where these ancient sandstone towers rise 500 feet above the surrounding plains like sentinels from another age. Starting near Reva, the route follows old ranch roads and game trails through buffalo grass and juniper breaks, passing the historic Reva Gap trading post site before climbing onto the butte tops themselves. The highlight is Eagle Nest Rock, a natural arch formation where archaeological evidence suggests Native Americans used this vantage point for centuries to watch for buffalo herds and enemies alike.

This moderate route requires high-clearance 4WD and careful navigation since many of the roads aren’t marked and GPS can be unreliable in the breaks. Wet weather turns the bentonite clay sections into wheel-sucking gumbo that’ll stop any vehicle, so stick to dry conditions. Late spring through early fall provides the best access, and dispersed camping is allowed on Forest Service land with incredible night skies far from any light pollution. It’s a journey into the kind of empty, ancient country that makes you understand why the Lakota fought so hard to keep it.