About Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin
Number of accommodations: 1
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT
Site Details
Reviews (86)
What Guests Are Saying
Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin offers a beautiful and cozy retreat in a peaceful wooded setting, ideal for relaxation and outdoor activities. Guests appreciated the well-kept cabin and the fantastic woodstove, though some noted the need to bring their own bedding and water, as well as the cabin's ongoing improvements and limited solar power. Overall, it's recommended for those seeking a rustic camping experience at an affordable price.
What Guests Are Saying
Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin offers a beautiful and cozy retreat in a peaceful wooded setting, ideal for relaxation and outdoor activities. Guests appreciated the well-kept cabin and the fantastic woodstove, though some noted the need to bring their own bedding and water, as well as the cabin's ongoing improvements and limited solar power. Overall, it's recommended for those seeking a rustic camping experience at an affordable price.
Review Summary
Alyssa L
VerifiedJuly 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT
The cabin is amazing and remote! After camping at Custer State Park it was nice to have some quiet space to relax. Even though there was no running water, electricity, and barely a cell signal, the kids had the best time there. We will definitely be back.
Alyssa L
VerifiedJuly 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT
The cabin is amazing and remote! After camping at Custer State Park it was nice to have some quiet space to relax. Even though there was no running water, electricity, and barely a cell signal, the kids had the best time there. We will definitely be back.
Joseph N
VerifiedMay 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT
Overall, the place is very good. I have stayed there 4 times and loved the experience each time!
Joseph N
VerifiedMay 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT
Overall, the place is very good. I have stayed there 4 times and loved the experience each time!
Corey J
VerifiedDecember 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT
Enjoyed the stay. The batteries for the solar system only held about an hour's worth of light (we only used one light). Probably need to be changed out to hold a little more charge. Minor issue, though. We had lanterns.
Corey J
VerifiedDecember 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT
Enjoyed the stay. The batteries for the solar system only held about an hour's worth of light (we only used one light). Probably need to be changed out to hold a little more charge. Minor issue, though. We had lanterns.
MIchael W
VerifiedOctober 21, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT
I stayed in two different cabins in two different states during a recent roadtrip. Summit Ridge was the cleanest of both! It was very clean and well-kept. I only spent the night in Summit Ridge and left before sunrise due to time constraints, not the facilities.
They mean it when they say the site has no supplies. There aren't even chairs in the cabin (there is one small table). Bring camping chairs! There was TP, though (but bring your own, just in case). The beds are solid wood, which is harder than sleeping on the ground. Bring extra bedding.
There are two roads labeled 265 in Google Maps and they don't connect. Be sure to follow the directions provided on the site. They are accurate, at least if you're coming from Newcastle direction.
Take your time on Boles Canyon Road. It is very rippled in some places and may rattle your tooth-fillings out!
MIchael W
VerifiedOctober 21, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT
I stayed in two different cabins in two different states during a recent roadtrip. Summit Ridge was the cleanest of both! It was very clean and well-kept. I only spent the night in Summit Ridge and left before sunrise due to time constraints, not the facilities.
They mean it when they say the site has no supplies. There aren't even chairs in the cabin (there is one small table). Bring camping chairs! There was TP, though (but bring your own, just in case). The beds are solid wood, which is harder than sleeping on the ground. Bring extra bedding.
There are two roads labeled 265 in Google Maps and they don't connect. Be sure to follow the directions provided on the site. They are accurate, at least if you're coming from Newcastle direction.
Take your time on Boles Canyon Road. It is very rippled in some places and may rattle your tooth-fillings out!
Merissa A
VerifiedOctober 14, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT
We've loved the cabins that we've stayed at so far from the Forest Service and we were happy with how developed the site was. However the cabin was very dirty when we arrived which was disappointing. Not the fault of the forest service but of other campers. We had also wished that the description was a little clearer. One part of it said there was beds, another that you needed to bring all bedding. There are no mattresses and although we brought sleeping bags we ended up having to sleep on the hard plywood.
It's a nice place but has a lot of room for improvement, especially compared to other places we've stayed.
Merissa A
VerifiedOctober 14, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT
We've loved the cabins that we've stayed at so far from the Forest Service and we were happy with how developed the site was. However the cabin was very dirty when we arrived which was disappointing. Not the fault of the forest service but of other campers. We had also wished that the description was a little clearer. One part of it said there was beds, another that you needed to bring all bedding. There are no mattresses and although we brought sleeping bags we ended up having to sleep on the hard plywood.
It's a nice place but has a lot of room for improvement, especially compared to other places we've stayed.
Location Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin
Address:
Hell Canyon Ranger District, 1019 North 5th Street
Custer, SD, 57730
United States
Entrance into the cabin is by combination lock. Prior to your arrival please contact the Hell Canyon Ranger District, Monday - Friday between 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Mountain Time, at 605-673-9200 to obtain the combination.
From Newcastle, Wyoming, travel east on US Highway 16 for approximately 9 miles to Forest Service Road 117, Boles Canyon Road. Go North on Boles Canyon Road for approximately 12 miles and turn left on Forest Service Road 265, Summit Road. Follow Summit Road for approximately three miles to the Summit Ridge Cabin which is on the left.
Note that Boles Canyon Road and Summit Road do not receive any maintenance during winter months, including snow plowing.
The nearest major road is US Highway 16, located approximately 9 miles to the west of the cabin. Access to the cabin is via Boles Canyon Road, which connects to US Highway 16.
Latitude & Longitude: 43.8542 / -104.052
Elevation: 1858 feet
Policies & Rules
General
- NOTICE; We are currently making cabin improvements. Thank you for your understanding, We hope you have a great stay.
- Check out time is at 11:00 a.m. and check in time is 2:00 p.m. Please be considerate of other renters, arrive and leave the cabin at appropriate times.
- Entrance into the cabin is by combination lock; Call the district office at 605-673-9200 Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. except on weekends and governement holildays. Refunds will not be approved for failing to get cabin combination after business hours or on weekends or hoilidays.
- Walk-up stays are never available at this facility. Advanced reservations only, minimum three days before arrival
- Fire restrictions may apply to outdoor fire ring use; check current fire restrictions prior to arrival
- Keep the building and grounds clean to deter squirrel, mice, rats,and other wildlife from area
- Clean the cabin and pack out all trash, Including food
- Doors and windows should be locked and all personal items removed upon departure
- The cabin is a no-smoking facility
- Learn more about Black Hills National Forest.
- Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
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Last updated: June 4, 2026
