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Hike Sunday Gulch Loop

Keystone, South Dakota

5.0/5
based on 3 reviews

Details

Distance

2.8 miles

Elevation Gain

400 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Isaac Parsons

Sunday Gulch was named that because it is said that miners wives used to take walks in the gulch on Sunday afternoons! It is a gorgeous area and great for seeing countless little waterfalls!

To get to Sunday Gulch Trail you will need to walk around Sylvan Lake to the Northwest End of the Lake, there is a loop all the way around the lake, so either way will take you there. You will see a sign for Sunday Gulch Trail, it is trail #6. 

The trail itself can be quite steep in places but it does have hand railing for much of the steep downhill on boulders. There is a creek that flows along and even in the trail for about half of the hike. So in the summer be prepared to possibly get a little wet. There are countless waterfalls along the trail, most are small, but still beautiful!

The other half of the trail is away from the creek and but offers more open views as it traverses the hillside. The hike is a strenuous hike and a at least 2 hours should be planned to hike it at least. 

If you hike the trail in winter, do be cautious since the creek flows over the trial in places it can freeze and cause ice to build up so there is no good firm footing, good thing the hand rails are there!!  

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Features

Rock Climbing
Chillin
Photography
Hiking
Forest
Lake
Waterfall

Hike Sunday Gulch Loop Reviews

Nice little up and down

Most of the 3-mile Sunday Gulch Loop is pretty easy, but the trail is usually rated as difficult because of one section where you scramble up (or down) boulders, hop across streams and small waterfalls, and pull yourself along on metal handrails. The strenuous section makes up about a quarter-mile of the whole trail. This is also a busy section because people will hike this part and then turn around. The rest of the loop is very quiet.

I love this area and this trail was one of my favorites, steep in spots but a cool hike and great views the entire way.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Black Elk Peak and Little Devil's Tower Loop

Sylvan Lake Shore Trail

Hiking to Harney Peak

Kayak Sylvan Lake

Camp at Sylvan Lake Campground

Hike to Poet's Table

Go Great Places in South Dakota

In the Mount Rushmore state, travels to South Dakota are full of one-of-a-kind adventure with wide-open spaces as endless as the horizons. Between legendary landscapes and scenic drives, you can always find space that shifts life into park. When you’re ready, go great places.

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