Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin
Black Hills National Forest — lakeside, hiking
Location: CUSTER, SD, SD
Price: From $75 per night
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (43 reviews)
Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Camp Host, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/summit-ridge-lookout-cabin to be notified when sites open up.
Historic Civilian Conservation Corps cabin from the 1930s at 6,096 feet elevation in the Black Hills National Forest offers a unique alternative to traditional camping. Google reviewers praise the picturesque location and well-maintained outhouse facilities, with a 4.6/5 rating from 18 reviews.
Wildlife alert: Least Chipmunk, Mountain Bluebird, Western Tanager, Red Crossbill, Dusky Flycatcher, and Red-sided Garter Snake documented in the area. Early spring visitors should expect fly season.
Insider tips for Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin: Contact Hell Canyon Ranger District at 605-673-9200 (Mon-Fri, 8 AM-4:30 PM Mountain Time) before arrival to obtain cabin access combination lock code Bring a comfy camping pad or air mattress as cabin provides bare bones accommodations Book early as this is a Federal campground with only 1 site
Skip Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin if: You need RV hookups — only suitable for self-contained RVs with no hookups available. You require year-round access — seasonal operations Memorial Day through Labor Day. You cannot tolerate insects — early spring fly season is expected in the area.
Best time to visit Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin: Late May to Early September — Campground operates Memorial Day through Labor Day; high elevation may receive considerable snow outside this window.
Nearby campgrounds: Redbank Spring Campground (SD), Ditch Creek Campground (Hill City, SD), Beaver Creek Campground (SD), Whitetail (Rapid City, SD).
Cell Phone Coverage at Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin
Cell signal at Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin (CUSTER, SD): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryContact Hell Canyon Ranger District at 605-673-9200 (Mon-Fri, 8 AM-4:30 PM Mountain Time) before arrival to obtain cabin access combination lock code
Bring a comfy camping pad or air mattress as cabin provides bare bones accommodations
Book early as this is a Federal campground with only 1 site
Campground operates Memorial Day through Labor Day; high elevation may receive considerable snow outside this window
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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. 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
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Black Hills National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Black Hills National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin cost per night?+
What season is Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin open?+
Does Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin?+
How do I make reservations at Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin?+
What is the cell service like at Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin?+
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●Data sources on this page
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