• September 23 – Star Gazing – This walk is located in the central Black Hills west of Deerfield Reservoir.   Be ready to discover the universe with telescopes and a cellphone APP while guided by a physics professor and students from Black Hills State University under this “new moon” night.

The Black Hills National Forest announces the Moon Walk interpretive program schedule for the 2017 season. In its 22nd year, Forest visitors will explore soils and other resources beneath the national forest, learn about wildlife and plants on the surface and learn about the night sky above the Forest.

Speakers include South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, The Nature Conservancy, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, Black Hills State University and biologists from the Black Hills National Forest.

Moon Walks are held on a Saturday night close to the official full moon and begin at 7:00 p.m. Most programs last for 1-2 hours and visitors walk an average of 1 mile round trip. As each Moon Walk nears, specific directions to individual programs will be posted on the Black Hills National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills or call (605) 343-1567.

Please note, the September star gazing program will be held on the Saturday closest to the “new moon”, not full moon, to better view the night sky.