History & Acquisition

Purchase by the Homestake Mining Company

Lookout Mountain was purchased by the Homestake Mining Company in September 1940. Homestake allowed unrestricted public access and it became a common recreational site for residents and tourists. The interstate was constructed along the west base in 1971. 

Park as Private Property

In 1994, a private party purchased the property with plans for residential development, which would have ended public access to the mountain that had existed since 1940.

City of Spearfish Purchase

In May of 2000, the City of Spearfish, with assistance from the Lookout Mountain Preservation Trust was able to purchase 652.85 acres of what is known as the Schmidt Parcel. Then an additional 103.76 acres to the north, known as the Meier Parcel was donated to the City of Spearfish by the Meier and Della Vecchia families.

Conservation Easement

A Conservation Easement exists on the property with the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation. A Conservation Easement is designed to preserve and protect in perpetuity and to enhance and restore the significant relatively natural habitat for plants and wildlife and natural ecosystems. 

The City of Spearfish under direction of the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation maintains Lookout Mountain. The written Conservation Easement document dictates what can and cannot be done on the property. 

From the trails that have been established, grazing of cattle, pine beetle infestation, weed control, really anything done on Lookout Mountain must first have a written request from the City and submit it for approval from the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation.