2021 Map of Cicero Peak

About this map

Sanator and Nihart anchor this landscape within the Black Hills National Forest, where steep ridges and deep draws define the topography south of Custer. The George S. Mickelson Trl follows a north-south corridor through the center of the sheet, tracing the historic route once used by the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad. To the east, the terrain rises toward Cicero Peak, while the southwestern corner transitions into the northern reaches of Wind Cave National Park. The map reveals a complex network of forest roads and springs, such as Nihart Spring and Sutherland Spring, which historically supported ranching and early settlement. The presence of the Custer County Airport and recreational sites like Lake of the Pines shows how the local economy and land use have evolved to balance forestry, aviation, and preservation.