Specimen Sheet · Vital Statistics
Classification · Terrain & Access
Field chart.
§ 02 · Flying Conditions · Field NotesUpdated 2026·03·21
Black Elk Peak, formerly known as Harney Peak, is the highest natural point in the U.S. state of South Dakota and the Midwestern United States. It lies in the Black Elk Wilderness area, in southern Pennington County, in the Black Hills National Forest.[3] The peak lies 3.7 mi (6.0 km) west-southwest of Mount Rushmore.[7] At 7,244 feet (2,208 m),[1] it is the highest summit in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. Though part of the North American Cordillera, it is generally considered to be geologically separate from the Rocky Mountains.
Has 1 different launch points. The best wind direction is 357.7 @ 10 knts but many sites can be flown from multiple directions, so check before you fly.
You can expect to find: thermal conditions , all dependent on current weather conditions.
§ 03 · Wind Window · Best Operating EnvelopeN · 358° ±0°
Chase the Wind
Nearest weather station to Black Elk Peak. Select any row to see which launches are in wind, then set your MSFS world clock to that UTC time.
Custer Cnty Arpt, SD, US
13:43 UTC
16 km from site
Wind
Calm
0 kt
Ceiling
OVC 0 ft
0.75 sm vis
Calm · 0 kt · 13:43 UTC
Select a time to check launches
Jan 21
Weather at , 16 km from Black Elk Peak. Mountain conditions may differ — this is a clue, not a forecast. Adjust sim time on site until conditions feel right.
§ 07 · Location · Field CoordinatesWGS-84
§ 09 · Recent Flights · Log Book
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