BLACK HILLS TRAILS SYSTEM 350 MILES The Black Hills Snowmobile Trails System is maintained through a cooperative effort of South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, the USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Barrick Mining Co., Wharf Resources, Inc. and numerous private landowners. The trail spans from Bear Butte State Park in the north to Wind Cave National Park in the southern hills. Crow Peak Trail is a 7-mile (round trip) out-and-back located to the west of the northern Black Hills near Spearfish. Along this 3.5-mile trail, you will discover waterfalls, granite spires, mossy boulders and Old Man’s Beard dripping off some of the largest trees in the Black Hills. At the beginning, you’ll traverse over large boulders down a valley. A hike back here makes you feel like you’re in the Pacific Northwest. The peak was used as a fire lookout tower from the early 1900s until 1967. During the 1880s, the trail carried water from Sheridan Lake to the placer mines near Rockerville. Yet another trail nestled in Custer State Park, the 3-mile Lover's Leap Trail offers views of Cathedral Spires, Black Elk Peak and Mount Coolidge. According to folklore, a Native American woman and her lover jumped to their deaths from the summit of this hike. It’s said to be the site where Lakota leader and medicine man, Black Elk received his famous vision, detailed in the classic book Black Elk Speaks. The views of Black Elk Peak and Cathedral Spires, as well as the Black Hills and the surrounding prairie, perfectly cap off this short hike. Today, historic tunnels and parts of the flume are still visible along the trail’s 11-mile length. Look south for awe-inspiring views of the park and the prairie beyond. If you’re looking for solitude and a moderate hike, head for Black Elk Peak from the north. Elevation change: 190 feet. There are plenty of opportunities to camp along the way, but many campgrounds require reservations, so be sure to plan ahead. Employment Although the full 22-mile round trip would wear out most, some experienced hikers opt for the additional 3-mile loop that’s accessible from the trail as well. The Black Hills National Forest has 1.2 million acres of beautiful terrain which has hundreds of miles of trails that can be expienced while riding an ATV/UTV or motorcycle. 72 miles of the trail system can only be accesed by off-road vehicles that are 50 inches or less, so if you have a motorcycle, you have a grouping of trail systems exclusively for you! You can also link up a hike to the summit of Little Devil’s Tower if you’re up for a challenge. It would be challenging to get down the valley without them. You may find yourself walking through grasslands, crossing creeks, traversing pine forests, or even scrambling over boulders. People have discovered artifacts here dating back 10,000 years ago. Horsethief Lake can be found on Highway 244 west of Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Yet no matter where you hike, you’re sure to find jaw-dropping views and little bit of history along the way. Today, Black Elk Peak is used by adventurous locals and travelers alike and is one of the area’s most popular hikes. The Sunday Gulch Trail is a 4-mile loop that begins behind the famed outlets near Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park. Show the “The Great 8 Attractions” submenu. Bear Butte, or "mato paha" in Lakota, is an igneous intrusion – essentially a volcano that never erupted – with historic and prehistoric significance. The 1.2 million-acre Black 40L is nestled right in the middle of the Black Hills National Forest, northwest of Hill City and Custer, south of Lead and Deadwood and due west of Rapid City, this trail is within reasonable driving distance no matter where you are in the Black Hills. Wandering amongst these structures, you’ll be amazed by the geology that formed the Black Hills. A list of the best hikes in the Hills wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Black Elk Peak (formerly known as Harney Peak). Flume Trail, a designated National Recreation Trail near Rapid City, stretches between Storm Mountain and Sheridan Lake, which both offer ample outdoor activities of their own. The Lakota call the mountain “hinhan kaga” and regard it as sacred ground. Horsethief Trail, situated behind a lake of the same name, is a genuine mountain wonderland. The area’s landscapes vary tremendously, making the trails quite diverse. Towering granite spires frame views here all the way to the northern Black Hills. Located near Sturgis within Bear Butte State Park, the Summit Trail is a 1.85-mile hike one-way and follows along the Centennial Trail. These funds will support over-snow Trail Grooming for Fat Biking on the Black Hills National Forest and throughout the northern Black Hills. To start, you’ll make your way through sub-alpine valleys and along switchbacks that wrap around granite boulders. Like many other historical buildings around the Black Hills, the fire tower was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. 9 Unique Ways to Explore the Outdoors in South Dakota. The hike can be a bit steep and strenuous in places, but the views from the top are well worth the work. Come enjoy spectacular views of Little Seneca Lake from the many picnic shelters, volleyball courts, playgrounds, and trails.Or, rent a canoe, kayak, or rowboat from Black Hill Boats and explore the natural beauty of the lake by following the Black Hill Water Trail. The Cathedral Spires Trail is a 1.5-mile (one way) out-and-back in Custer State Park that is commonly used as an approach to some of the best climbing in the Black Hills. The trail was being used by campers staying at Morro Bay State Park where there is a trail head to the Black Hill Hike and residence of Morro Bay using the trail … Take a summit selfie with the elevation sign at the top then head back down to the brewery that shares a name with the peak. Centennial Trail, one of only two routes in the Black Hills exceeding 100-miles in length, beckons experienced hikers and backpackers from around the world. Black Hills Trails is pleased to announce it has received a $3,000 grant from the Black Hills Area Community Foundation. And off-road enthusiasts can access and enjoy many thousands of those acres by using the Black Hills National Forest Motorized Trail System – consisting of over 3,600 miles of roads and over 600 miles of trails for ATV, UTV, and other off-road riders. © Copyright 2020 South Dakota Department of Tourism. We saw a number of people using the trail. The route will challenge even experienced hikers with multiple creek crossings. Depending upon where you start, you could find yourself covering prairie grasslands, navigating the mountainous region of the Black Hills, or hiking alongside any number of creeks and streams. The trail leads to Cathedral Spires, or "The Spires" as locals call them. Your email address will not be published. District Offices. Dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services. Don’t let the handrails and stairs fool you into thinking this trail is easy. The grove trail is well pronounced, but not maintained as well as the Black Hill Trail. Unlike other trails, which have been adapted for any level of hiker, a Class 3 scramble to reach the top of Little Devil’s Tower makes this hike every bit as challenging as it is rewarding. On a clear day, you can see four states from its 4,426-foot summit. US Forest Service Black Hills National Forest 1019 N. 5th Street Custer, SD 57730 605-673-9200. There are 1.2 million beautiful acres of the Black Hills National Forest in western South Dakota. The Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. Black Hill Regional Park has more than 2,000 acres of land for outdoor recreation and family gatherings. The trail follows a ridgeline and then descends. At 7,242 feet, it’s the highest point east of the Rockies in the United States. While the Black Hills has a whopping 450 trails ready to be explored, get started with these 10 routes you don’t want to miss. The summit can be reached from two trailheads in Custer State Park: from Sylvan Lake to the south or from Willow Creek to the north. During your trek to the top, you’ll notice Native American prayer flags serving as a reminder of the mountain’s sacredness. Visitor Center. Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with views of the Black Hills and the prairies to the east, including a great view of Bear Butte.