Buffalo Gap National Grasslands

Distance from Rapid City: Varies by destination

Stretching across nearly 600,000 acres of southwestern South Dakota, Buffalo Gap National Grassland is where wide-open prairie, rugged badlands and Black Hills views come together in one unforgettable landscape. These protected public lands, the second largest national grassland in the nation, offer room to roam, a deeper look at the region’s natural history, and a quiet reminder of what this place looked like long before highways, trailheads, and scenic overlooks led travelers here.

Things To Do in Buffalo Gap

Camping

Two primitive campgrounds are available within Buffalo Gap: French Creek (east of Fairburn) and Pinnacles (south of Wall). No fees are collected to camp at either campground.

ATV/OHV

About 3,000 acres of dedicated ATV/OHV trails can be found in two separate areas of the grasslands: Baja (west of Interior) and Railroad Buttes (20 miles SE of Rapid City). OHVs are only allowed on designated trials within the grasslands.

Hiking, Biking, & Horseback Riding

Hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding can be found throughout the grasslands.

Learn More About Buffalo Gap

National Grassland Information

The Buffalo Gap National Grasslands Visitor Center is located in Wall, just off of Exit 110.

Fast Facts

Buffalo Gap is the second largest national grassland in the country, behind only the Little Missouri National Grassland in western North Dakota (1.0M acres)
The 600,000 acres of Buffalo Gap stretches across four counties: Fall River, Custer, Pennington, and Jackson
Buffalo Gap is full of treasures hiding in plain sight, making rockhounding one of the area’s most popular ways to explore. Visitors can search for rocks, minerals, and fossils shaped by time, wind, and wide-open prairie, as long as they follow Bureau of Land Management guidelines. Collection is allowed for personal use only and not for financial gain.