Support forest education programs
Black Hills Parks and Forests Association runs interpretation and education across the forest and its partner sites. Membership and every purchase in the park store help pay for programs like these.
Black Hills Parks & Forests Association
Forest Exploration Programs
BHPFA education in Black Hills National Forest
Forest exploration programs
Learn about Black Hills National Forest and earn a Junior Forest Ranger badge on a series of family-oriented hikes with hands-on activities. Each program runs in a different ranger district of the forest, from early summer into fall.
The hikes suit families with kids and cover up to two miles on natural trails, with a new theme at each stop on the schedule. Kids earn the Junior Forest Ranger badge by taking part in the activities along the way, and each program is a chance to get out into a corner of the forest the family might not visit on its own.
Dates and meeting locations for the current season are below, and the BHPFA event calendar carries the latest details and any updates. Each hike stands on its own, so you can come to one or follow the whole series through the summer.
Program dates
Four hikes make up the season, each in a different ranger district of the forest. Programs may include hiking up to two miles on uneven terrain, so plan for a real walk outdoors.
Sounds of Nature
June 7 (National Trails Day), 9 to 11 a.m. Hell Canyon District, Horsethief Lake. Have you ever wondered how to tell whether a hawk or a coyote is near, or when a deer is slipping quietly away, just by listening? On this hike we tune into how animals communicate and what those sounds tell you about what is happening around you, even when the animals stay out of sight.
Nature at Night
July 26, 7 to 9 p.m. Sundance District, Cook Lake. Explore the forest after dark and learn about the adaptations that make nocturnal animals different. As we hike along Cook Lake at dusk, we practice looking and listening for signs of the animals that come out once the sun goes down.
Fire on the Landscape
August 23, 9 to 11 a.m. Mystic District, Buzzards Roost. How does wildfire shape the land over time? On this hike we look at the role of fire in the Black Hills, past and present, its part in a healthy forest, and how plants and animals recover and grow back after a burn.
Friends in Nature
September 27 (National Public Lands Day), 9 to 11 a.m. Northern Hills District, Friendship Tower. The Friendship Tower stands for the bond between Seth Bullock and Theodore Roosevelt and the mark it left on the forest. Taking their friendship as a starting point, we look at how different species in the Black Hills coexist and support one another.
What to bring
Nothing fancy is needed. Programs run on natural trails and go ahead in most weather, so come ready for a short hike and check the forecast before you head out.
Sturdy footwear
Closed-toed hiking shoes or boots. Trails are natural surface and can be uneven.
Layers and sun protection
Dress in layers you can add or shed, and bring a hat or sunscreen for open ground.
Water and snacks
Enough water and a snack for everyone in your group.
Optional gear
Trekking poles, binoculars, and a camera are all worth packing. REI publishes a hiking gear checklist that covers the basics.
How to join a hike
Programs are open to families and need no experience. Meeting points sit in the ranger district listed with each hike. Check the BHPFA event calendar for the next date and location, then show up ready to walk. Questions? Email [email protected].
More ways to learn in the forest
These hikes connect to the rest of BHPFA education work and to the forest itself.