Hiking
thumb|View of Black Elk Peak from hiking trail
The summit can be reached from multiple routes in the Black Elk Wilderness area, beginning at Sylvan Lake, Camp Remington, Highway 244, Palmer Creek Rd., Mount Rushmore, or Horse Thief Lake. From the trailhead at Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park, to the summit and back is about . This is the shortest, least strenuous, and most popular route. No permit is required for use of the trail. However, A South Dakota State Parks pass is required to access the Sylvan Lake trailhead which is located in Custer State Park.
An old stone tower, once used as a fire lookout tower, is located at the summit. The ashes of Valentine McGillycuddy were interred near the base of the tower and a plaque reads, "Valentine McGillycuddy, Wasicu Wakan." Wasicu Wakan is Lakota for "Holy White Man."
Gallery
<gallery>
File:Granite Knob and Harney's Peak, by Illingworth, W. H. (William H.), 1842-1893.png|Granite Knob and Harney's Peak, by William H. Illingworth, 1874
File:View from the top of Harney Peak.jpg|View from the top of the Black Elk Peak lookout tower
File:Harney_Peak_Fire_Tower_1997.jpg|Fire lookout tower at the summit
File:Harney Peak mountain goat.jpg|A Mountain goat near the top of Black Elk Peak
File:Harney Peak dam.jpg|A man-made dam is located near the summit.
File:Harneygranite.jpg|Black Elk Peak from Palmer Gulch (August 2006)
File:Aerial of Black Elk Wilderness (49531045633).jpg|Aerial view of Black Elk Peak and surrounding area
</gallery>
See also
- List of U.S. states by elevation
- List of mountains in South Dakota