2021 Map of Irish Butte

About this map

Irish Butte and the northern reaches of the Slim Buttes rise above the high plains of Harding County in this 2021 survey. The landscape is defined by the sharp transition from the open prairie to the high timbered ridges of the Custer National Forest. These landforms, including the twin peaks of Adam and Eve Butte and the red rock of Red Butte, provide critical orientation in a region of scarce water. This hydrology is traced through named sources like Houk Spring, Summit Spring, and the uniquely titled Mountain Ranch Spring Number Two, which feed seasonal drainages like Spring Cr. While road networks are sparse, the presence of the Bledsoe Ranch Airport and remote routes like the Limpert Fire Trl reflect the logistical challenges of ranching and forest management in this corner of South Dakota.