Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin
Lookout Tower
Main Cabin
Fire Tower

Featured amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Bedrooms Bedrooms

About Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin

Summit Ridge Cabin is located near the border of Wyoming in Southwestern South Dakota on the Black Hills National Forest, providing a perfect setting for guests seeking recreation and relaxation. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's, the cabin was originally used as housing for personnel that staffed the adjacent forest fire lookout tower. The cabin is available for reservation throughout the year when accessible. At an elevation of 6.1 ft, it can receive considerable snowfall. The roads to the cabin are not plowed, so generally it is not accessible from December through March.  NOTE: Check with local office for snow conditions during winter months.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Bedrooms Bedrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
  • Fire Pit

Cabin Interior

  • Toilet Type
  • Bedrooms
  • Heating
Missing information?

001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT

🏠 Cabin
  • 15 guests
  • Pet Friendly

Site Details

Up to 15 guests
Shade
Surface: Gravel
Driveway entry: Back-In
Campfire
Pet Friendly
View Site Details

Reviews (90)

What Guests Are Saying

Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin offers a beautiful, cozy retreat in a peaceful, wooded setting, perfect for small groups and hiking. Guests appreciated the cleanliness of the outhouse and the effectiveness of the woodstove. However, some noted issues with the solar power system and a lack of information about ongoing improvements, as well as occasional ATV traffic nearby.

Review Summary

4.2
90 reviews
5
53.3%
48
4
28.9%
26
3
11.1%
10
2
2.2%
2
1
4.4%
4

MIchael W

Verified

October 21, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT

5

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

Verified

October 21, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT

5

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

Verified

October 14, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT

3

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

Verified

October 14, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT

3

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.

Dakota B

Verified

May 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT

5

Cabin was wonderful! We will be back —

Dakota B

Verified

May 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT

5

Cabin was wonderful! We will be back —

Al P

Verified

April 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT

4

The 6 of us had a great time chasing turkeys in the snow.

Al P

Verified

April 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT

4

The 6 of us had a great time chasing turkeys in the snow.

Katie F

Verified

April 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT

4

We loved our stay at this cabin. I gave it a 4-star review because I feel like there was some missing information about what we needed to bring. For example, we did bring propane, but we didn't bring the right size (bring your propane from your outdoor grill). There were also some repair issues with the cabin like flooring that needs a little TLC. However, our stay was wonderful. The wood stove kept us nice and warm, and there was plenty of space to hang out with our kids. We enjoyed walking around the woods to explore. The roads were in better condition than I expected, but I'm still glad we brought an AWD SUV as they could be a little slushy or rough in spots. The cabin was easy to find. Make your reservation expecting a very rustic cabin in one of the most peaceful places I've been in the Black Hills. It may be busier in the summer but it was a quiet place to stay in the spring. I would definitely come back for a couple's weekend or with my kids.

Katie F

Verified

April 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: SUMMIT RIDGE LOOKOUT

4

We loved our stay at this cabin. I gave it a 4-star review because I feel like there was some missing information about what we needed to bring. For example, we did bring propane, but we didn't bring the right size (bring your propane from your outdoor grill). There were also some repair issues with the cabin like flooring that needs a little TLC. However, our stay was wonderful. The wood stove kept us nice and warm, and there was plenty of space to hang out with our kids. We enjoyed walking around the woods to explore. The roads were in better condition than I expected, but I'm still glad we brought an AWD SUV as they could be a little slushy or rough in spots. The cabin was easy to find. Make your reservation expecting a very rustic cabin in one of the most peaceful places I've been in the Black Hills. It may be busier in the summer but it was a quiet place to stay in the spring. I would definitely come back for a couple's weekend or with my kids.

Location & Directions for Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin

Hell Canyon Ranger District, 1019 North 5th Street, Custer, SD 57730 United States

Elevation: 1,858 ft

Getting There

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.
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From Newcastle,...

Nearest town

Custer, SD - 39 mi

About over 1 hr (79 min) to downtown

Highway access

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.

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.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 20, 2026

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Explore Custer, SD

Population: 2,341

Nearby city: Rapid City, SD

Approx. 44 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 5,315 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service