Mid-autumn · Weather & things to do
Black Hills in October
Black Hills cools off: highs slip to 52°F (11°C), from 70°F in September, with lows of 30°F (-1°C) and about 1.4 in (35 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 72/100, 6th of 12.
- Avg high
- 52°F (11°C)
- Avg low
- 30°F (-1°C)
- Rain
- 1.4 in (35 mm)
- Humidity
- 64%
- Cloud cover
- 53%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 45 min
- Comfort score
- 72/100 · Good
What October feels like
Afternoons only reach about 52°F (11°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Average lows of 30°F (-1°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Rain is moderate at about 1.4 in (35 mm) for the month.
Plan around October
October sits mid-table; the best months are June – September.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 30°F.
- The year's biggest cool-down: highs drop 10°C (18°F) from September.
- Comfort slips from 96/100 in September to 72/100.
- Our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route recommends May – Sep, so October falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for October
- Insulated jackethighs only 52°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 30°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Black Hills in October
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Wildlife Loop Road
18-mile road through Custer State Park prairie with bison herds and begging burros.
Why now October scores 72/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Black Elk Peak Trail
7-mile round trip from Sylvan Lake to a stone fire tower on South Dakota's highest point.
Why now Highs near 52°F and 1.4 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Sylvan Lake
Granite-ringed lake with an easy 1-mile shoreline loop and boulder scrambles.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Purple Pie Place
Purple-painted pie shop in Custer known for rhubarb and berry pies.
State Game Lodge
1920s lodge, the former Summer White House, serving buffalo and pheasant dishes.
Nearby in October
- Badlands National Park in October~64 mi · highs 61°F, 1.3 in rain · 5°C (8°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Medora in October~217 mi · highs 56°F, 1.1 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Rocky Mountain NP in October~259 mi · highs 48°F, 1.7 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Denver in October~287 mi · highs 67°F, 1.2 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 October: quick answers
Is October a good time to visit Black Hills?
It's middling, scoring 72/100. The best months are June – September, at up to 96. Expect highs of 52°F (11°C) and 1.4 in (35 mm) of rain. Our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route recommends May – Sep, so October is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Black Hills in October?
Average highs are 52°F (11°C) and average lows 30°F (-1°C), making it the 6th-warmest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Black Hills in October?
Not much: about 1.4 in (35 mm) of rain falls across October on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 19.2 in (487 mm).
What should I pack for Black Hills in October?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 52°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 30°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Black Hills
Planning Black Hills in October?
Share this October plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.