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Called Mato Paha (bear mountain) by the Lakota, Bear Butte rises suddenly out of the prairie like a giant tepee. The Lakota and Cheyenne believe it is a sacred place, and there are legends and ceremonies around it.
The Lakota and Cheyenne still make pilgrimages to this world-famous example of a laccolith, a cone-shaped pocket of once-molten rock that has been exposed by winds, rain and time.
Many Native Americans view the mountain as a place where the creator has chosen to communicate with them through visions and prayer.
Visitors may see colorful pieces of cloth and small bundles or pouches hanging from the trees. These prayer cloths and tobacco ties represent the prayers offered by individuals during their worship. Please respect these offerings and leave them undisturbed.
Hikers enjoy a 1.5-mile designated National Recreation Trail to the summit.
Bear Butte is notable for the pasqueflower, a wildflower discovered growing 600 feet up the side of the mountain by geologist Dr. Ferdinand V. Hayden in 1855.
Gen. George A. Custer also visited the butte and verified rumors of gold in the nearby Black Hills. Bear Butte then served as a landmark guiding prospectors and settlers.
The park is the terminus of the 110-mile Centennial Trail that extends to Wind Cave National Park.
Outdoor Activities |
