Late autumn · Weather & things to do
Black Hills in November
Black Hills cools off: highs slip to 41°F (5°C), from 52°F in October, with lows of 22°F (-5°C) and about 0.6 in (14 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 51/100, 9th of 12.
- Avg high
- 41°F (5°C)
- Avg low
- 22°F (-5°C)
- Rain or snow
- 0.6 in (14 mm)
- Humidity
- 65%
- Cloud cover
- 57%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 25 min
- Comfort score
- 51/100 · Fair
What November feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 41°F (5°C).
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 22°F (-5°C), so expect frost and ice.
Precipitation is light, about 0.6 in (14 mm) of rain or snow, and since the average temperature is below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Only about 9 h 25 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around November
November sits mid-table; the best months are June – September.
- Snow becomes likely from November, so check road and trail conditions.
- Comfort slips from 72/100 in October to 51/100.
- Our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route recommends May – Sep, so November falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for November
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 22°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Black Hills in November
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Crazy Horse Memorial
Ongoing mountain carving honoring the Lakota leader, with the Indian Museum of North America.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 41°F.
Naughti Wines
Hill City tasting room on Hwy 385 pouring its own wines plus Sick-N-Twisted beers, with a patio and firepit.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 41°F.
State Game Lodge
1920s lodge, the former Summer White House, serving buffalo and pheasant dishes.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Purple Pie Place
Purple-painted pie shop in Custer known for rhubarb and berry pies.
Why now A cozy break on a 41°F day.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Four presidents carved in granite, with the Presidential Trail at the base.
Nearby in November
- Badlands National Park in November~64 mi · highs 48°F, 0.5 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Medora in November~217 mi · highs 42°F, 0.5 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Rocky Mountain NP in November~259 mi · highs 35°F, 1.4 in rain or snow · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Denver in November~287 mi · highs 55°F, 0.7 in rain · 8°C (15°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Black Hills in November: quick answers
Is November a good time to visit Black Hills?
It's middling, scoring 51/100. The best months are June – September, at up to 96. Expect highs of 41°F (5°C) and 0.6 in (14 mm) of rain or snow. Our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route recommends May – Sep, so November is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Black Hills in November?
Average highs are 41°F (5°C) and average lows 22°F (-5°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Black Hills in November?
Not much: about 0.6 in (14 mm) of rain or snow falls across November on average, the 3rd-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 19.2 in (487 mm).
What should I pack for Black Hills in November?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 22°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Black Hills
Planning Black Hills in November?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.