Veteran’s Peak

From Sturgis, travel southwest 5.5 miles on Vanocker Canyon Road from Interstate 90. Turn onto FSR 139 and almost immediately the road forks — take the left branch, marked FSR 139.1C, which leads to the summit. There’s no formal parking area at the junction, so pull off to the side of the dirt road before the fork, making sure your vehicle won’t obstruct traffic. A 4WD or high-clearance vehicle is recommended, as the road is rocky with some washed-out sections. The hike to the summit is just under one mile with approximately 330 feet of elevation gain — a steady but manageable climb through mostly shaded ponderosa pine forest. Plan on roughly 90 minutes round trip. At the summit, views extend to Black Elk Peak, Terry Peak, and Custer Peak, with glimpses of Sturgis and Bear Butte visible through the trees. Veterans Peak also serves as one of three trailheads for the Sturgis Trail System, connecting to 23 miles of singletrack through Vanocker Canyon and Deadman Mountain. Dogs are welcome on leash.