The Black Hills, surrounding the Black Hills National Forest, offers some of the best hikes in South Dakota. Trails are available for hikers of every ability level showcasing spectacular natural beauty no matter which one you choose. This mountain range is considered small and isolated, rising from the Great Plains in western South Dakota and stretching into Wyoming with Black Elk Peak its highest summit reaching 7,244 feet. Native Americans and gold miners share history in these here hills. Take a hike and breathe in the surroundings of this beautiful, historic place at 10 of our favorite trails in South Dakota.
- Sunday Gulch Trail
Greg C/Tripadvisor With its staircases taking you down into the gulch and back up, this trail has an elevation change of 797 feet. It’s a bit challenging, but worthwhile, as the four-mile-long trail also has some great views. You’ll find it at Sylvan Lake. Sunday Gulch Trailhead, Custer, SD 57730, USA
- Horsethief Lake
smileyj/Tripadvisor You will love this easy 2.4-mile-long loop trail in Keystone. The gorgeous lake is surrounded by fragrant pines, and it’s simply enchanting. Enjoy one of the best hiking trails near me in South Dakota. Horsethief Lake Road, Horsethief Lake Rd, South Dakota, USA
- Crow Peak
Erica Clark/Alltrails If you’re willing to work for it, the view from Crow Peak is jaw-dropping. The 5.9-mile roundtrip hike has an elevation climb of 1,571 feet, so you’ll definitely get a workout. This trail is located in Spearfish. Crow Peak Lane, Crow Peak Ln, Spearfish, SD 57783, USA
- Flume Trail
Jim Carlson/Alltrails Flume Trail follows an old mining flume, and you’ll see mining artifacts and travel through tunnels along this 12.4-mile-long trail that takes you to Sheridan Lake. The trail starts near Rockerville. Flume Lane, Flume Ln, Mount Rushmore UT, SD 57702, USA
- Cathedral Spires
Sarah T/Tripadvisor The Cathedral Spires at Custer State Park are the most distinctive, unique rock formations you’ll see in this part of the state, and this trail takes you up close to them. It’s just 1.6 miles out and back. Cathedral Spires, East Custer, SD 57730, USA
- Lover’s Leap
Isaac Johnson/Alltrails According to a heartbreaking legend, two star-crossed lovers jumped to their deaths here. The 4-mile round-trip hike follows the top of the ridge, then descends into the canyon. It’s located in Custer State Park. Lovers Leap Trailhead, US-16A, Custer, SD 57730, USA
- Black Elk Peak
Sarah Ito/Alltrails Black Elk Peak, aka Harney Peak, is the highest point east of the Rockies with an elevation of a whopping 7,244 feet. This makes the trail tough, with an elevation climb of 1,440 feet, but it is well worth your effort. Black Elk Peak Trail, Sylvan Lake - Harney, Keystone, SD 57751, USA
- Presidential Trail
CatskierMichigan/TripAdvisor A stroll down Presidential Trail at Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a must if you want some unique views of the memorial. It’s a short half-mile trail that offers up plenty of photo opportunities and even some wildlife, making it one of the most kid-friendly hikes around South Dakota. Presidential Trail, Mount Rushmore UT, SD 57751, USA
- Roughlock Falls
seek-scenie/Tripadvisor Located in Spearfish Canyon, Roughlock Falls is one of the most picturesque places and one of the most scenic hikes in South Dakota. This easy hike is just 2.1 miles long, out and back, and you’ll definitely want to bring your camera along. Roughlock Falls, South Lawrence, SD 57754, USA
- George S. Mickelson Trail
cancunkids/Tripadvisor The 109-mile-long George S. Mickelson Trail stretches from Deadwood to Edgemont. With 15 trailheads to choose from, you can pick a section or two to hike or bike along the entire trail. You will encounter four tunnels, and more than 100 bridges along the way. George S. Mickelson Trail, Deadwood, SD, USA
Well, what do you think? Are you ready to head out to one of the most scenic hikes in South Dakota? If you’re looking for a hike that takes you to an amazing swimming hole, you’ll want to check out this trail.
Greg C/Tripadvisor
With its staircases taking you down into the gulch and back up, this trail has an elevation change of 797 feet. It’s a bit challenging, but worthwhile, as the four-mile-long trail also has some great views. You’ll find it at Sylvan Lake.
Sunday Gulch Trailhead, Custer, SD 57730, USA
smileyj/Tripadvisor
You will love this easy 2.4-mile-long loop trail in Keystone. The gorgeous lake is surrounded by fragrant pines, and it’s simply enchanting. Enjoy one of the best hiking trails near me in South Dakota.
Horsethief Lake Road, Horsethief Lake Rd, South Dakota, USA
Erica Clark/Alltrails
If you’re willing to work for it, the view from Crow Peak is jaw-dropping. The 5.9-mile roundtrip hike has an elevation climb of 1,571 feet, so you’ll definitely get a workout. This trail is located in Spearfish.
Crow Peak Lane, Crow Peak Ln, Spearfish, SD 57783, USA
Jim Carlson/Alltrails
Flume Trail follows an old mining flume, and you’ll see mining artifacts and travel through tunnels along this 12.4-mile-long trail that takes you to Sheridan Lake. The trail starts near Rockerville.
Flume Lane, Flume Ln, Mount Rushmore UT, SD 57702, USA
Sarah T/Tripadvisor
The Cathedral Spires at Custer State Park are the most distinctive, unique rock formations you’ll see in this part of the state, and this trail takes you up close to them. It’s just 1.6 miles out and back.
Cathedral Spires, East Custer, SD 57730, USA
Isaac Johnson/Alltrails
According to a heartbreaking legend, two star-crossed lovers jumped to their deaths here. The 4-mile round-trip hike follows the top of the ridge, then descends into the canyon. It’s located in Custer State Park.
Lovers Leap Trailhead, US-16A, Custer, SD 57730, USA
Sarah Ito/Alltrails
Black Elk Peak, aka Harney Peak, is the highest point east of the Rockies with an elevation of a whopping 7,244 feet. This makes the trail tough, with an elevation climb of 1,440 feet, but it is well worth your effort.
Black Elk Peak Trail, Sylvan Lake - Harney, Keystone, SD 57751, USA
CatskierMichigan/TripAdvisor
A stroll down Presidential Trail at Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a must if you want some unique views of the memorial. It’s a short half-mile trail that offers up plenty of photo opportunities and even some wildlife, making it one of the most kid-friendly hikes around South Dakota.
Presidential Trail, Mount Rushmore UT, SD 57751, USA
seek-scenie/Tripadvisor
Located in Spearfish Canyon, Roughlock Falls is one of the most picturesque places and one of the most scenic hikes in South Dakota. This easy hike is just 2.1 miles long, out and back, and you’ll definitely want to bring your camera along.
Roughlock Falls, South Lawrence, SD 57754, USA
cancunkids/Tripadvisor
The 109-mile-long George S. Mickelson Trail stretches from Deadwood to Edgemont. With 15 trailheads to choose from, you can pick a section or two to hike or bike along the entire trail. You will encounter four tunnels, and more than 100 bridges along the way.
George S. Mickelson Trail, Deadwood, SD, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
10 Of The Best Hikes The Black Hills Has To Offer July 05, 2022 Carolyn Harmon Where is another one of the best hikes in South Dakota?
Notch Trail in Badlands National Park is a 1.5-mile out-and-back trail close to Interior, South Dakota. Set aside about a half-hour to complete this moderately-challenging hike with some opportunities to take alternative routes. Enjoy the beautiful scenery this trail has to offer including the unusual wooden stairs making a 50-step climb to the top of the canyon, and an adventurous cliff walk. Where is another one of the easy hikes in South Dakota?
The easy 0.9-mile Door Trail, also in Badlands National Park, is an out-and-back trail. This fun hike takes about 20 minutes to complete, offering stunning views with an alternate route off of the boardwalk led by trail markers for a great adventure. Make sure to pack your binoculars to catch a closer glimpse of the wildlife. Where is one of the best places to eat in Badlands National Park?
Cedar Pass Lodge offers lodging, dining, and a gift shop. The restaurant staff cooks up a variety of locally- and regionally-sourced dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, such as the Sioux Indian Tacos. This recipe is cooked daily consisting of large, fluffy fry bread topped with buffalo meat or vegetarian spicy, black beans; refried beans; shredded lettuce; tomatoes; black olives; and cheddar cheese.
The OIYS Visitor Center
10 Of The Best Hikes The Black Hills Has To Offer
July 05, 2022
Carolyn Harmon
Where is another one of the best hikes in South Dakota?
Notch Trail in Badlands National Park is a 1.5-mile out-and-back trail close to Interior, South Dakota. Set aside about a half-hour to complete this moderately-challenging hike with some opportunities to take alternative routes. Enjoy the beautiful scenery this trail has to offer including the unusual wooden stairs making a 50-step climb to the top of the canyon, and an adventurous cliff walk. Where is another one of the easy hikes in South Dakota?
The easy 0.9-mile Door Trail, also in Badlands National Park, is an out-and-back trail. This fun hike takes about 20 minutes to complete, offering stunning views with an alternate route off of the boardwalk led by trail markers for a great adventure. Make sure to pack your binoculars to catch a closer glimpse of the wildlife. Where is one of the best places to eat in Badlands National Park?
Cedar Pass Lodge offers lodging, dining, and a gift shop. The restaurant staff cooks up a variety of locally- and regionally-sourced dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, such as the Sioux Indian Tacos. This recipe is cooked daily consisting of large, fluffy fry bread topped with buffalo meat or vegetarian spicy, black beans; refried beans; shredded lettuce; tomatoes; black olives; and cheddar cheese.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Notch Trail in Badlands National Park is a 1.5-mile out-and-back trail close to Interior, South Dakota. Set aside about a half-hour to complete this moderately-challenging hike with some opportunities to take alternative routes. Enjoy the beautiful scenery this trail has to offer including the unusual wooden stairs making a 50-step climb to the top of the canyon, and an adventurous cliff walk.
Where is another one of the easy hikes in South Dakota?
The easy 0.9-mile Door Trail, also in Badlands National Park, is an out-and-back trail. This fun hike takes about 20 minutes to complete, offering stunning views with an alternate route off of the boardwalk led by trail markers for a great adventure. Make sure to pack your binoculars to catch a closer glimpse of the wildlife.
Where is one of the best places to eat in Badlands National Park?
Cedar Pass Lodge offers lodging, dining, and a gift shop. The restaurant staff cooks up a variety of locally- and regionally-sourced dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, such as the Sioux Indian Tacos. This recipe is cooked daily consisting of large, fluffy fry bread topped with buffalo meat or vegetarian spicy, black beans; refried beans; shredded lettuce; tomatoes; black olives; and cheddar cheese.
