2017 Map of Berne

About this map

Black Hills National Forest land dominates this 2017 survey, where a complex network of forest roads and gulches defines the landscape northwest of Custer. The terrain is marked by numerous springs and drainages, such as Wabash Spring and Vanderlehr Creek, which have historically sustained this portion of South Dakota's timbered interior. Small settlements like Vestal Springs and Berne are located alongside major peaks like Thunderhead Mountain and Atlantic Hill. The map reveals a dense system of Forest Development Roads, including Bear Mountain Drive and Saginaw Road, which follow the natural contours of the Black Hills. These routes provide access to named landmarks with evocative local histories, such as Bugtown Gulch and Graveyard Gulch, highlighting the area's transition from early frontier settlement to its role as a managed national resource.