Custer Peak Fire Lookout

Custer Peak Fire Lookout rises above the northern Black Hills near Lead, offering sweeping 360-degree views from one of the region’s most scenic summits. Still actively used by the Forest Service, the historic tower dates back to the early 1900s, with the current structure built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1940s. Visitors can reach the lookout by hiking or by driving most of the way, depending on vehicle type. The full hike is about 4.6 miles round trip from the lower trailhead near Highway 385, gaining roughly 800 feet, while shorter options (as little as 0.5 miles round trip) are possible from higher access points. A gravel forest road leads close to the summit, but the final stretch is typically a short walk to the tower. Trailheads are accessed via Custer Peak Road off Highway 385, about 10 miles south of Lead.