Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota
Looking for the best hiking in Black Hills National Forest? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Black Hills National Forest. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
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Top Hiking Spots in and near Black Hills National Forest
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Rapid City, South Dakota
Explore the Skyline Wilderness Area
3 mi / 0 ft gainDividing Rapid City's East and West sides, the Skyline Wilderness Area is a 150-acre park that features numerous walking, biking and hiking trails. This area can also be enjoyed as a beautiful drive that offers one of the best views of Rapid City. The road stretches about two miles long and giv...Read more -
Rapid City, South Dakota
M Hill
1.56 mi / 381 ft gainM Hill is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Rapid City, South Dakota.Read more -
Deadwood, South Dakota
Bike the George S. Mickelson Trail
5.0108.8 mi / 2300 ft gainBiking the George S. Mickelson Trail is a very popular activity for many people in the Black Hills, locals, visitors, and tourists all enjoy the Mickelson Trail. Not only can you bike, but you can run, walk, or even ride horses, and you most definitely do not have to do the entire length of the ...Read more -
Lead, South Dakota
Hike the Roughlock Falls Trail
4.04.2 mi / 50 ft gainThe trailhead to Roughlock Falls is in the town of Savoy, SD in the Black Hills. From Spearfish on I-90, head south on Route 14 for 15 miles into Savoy. There is only one road to make a right onto in town, Roughlock Falls Road. You can cheat and drive this all the way up to the falls for a quick ...Read more -
Lead, South Dakota
76 Trail
1.24 mi / 499 ft gainThe '76 Trail is only 3/4 of a mile long but elevates 1,000 feet, making this hike difficult for many. Plan to take a couple breaks but admire the gorgeous surroundings! The hike is not a leisurely one but the views at the top are well worth the effort.Read more -
North Lawrence, South Dakota
Spearfish Falls
1.6 mi / 60 ft gainThis is a super short and very easy hike that has an incredible payoff. It is an out-and-back trail that is accessible for all skill levels. The trail slowly descends along a path that varies between paved sections and very well-groomed gravel leading to an observation deck of a super scenic wate...Read more -
Lead, South Dakota
Hike to Mt. Roosevelt Tower
0.8 mi / 160 ft gainTo get to the trailhead for Mt. Roosevelt, you will need to travel about a mile north of Deadwood, on HWY 85, then you will see signs for it near the Lodge of Deadwood, from there you will eventually hit a gravel road and it is about 2.5 miles from the highway. The trailhead has picnic tables, an...Read more -
Lead, South Dakota
Hike to Devil's Bathtub, Black Hills National Forest
5.01 miBefore you start this adventure, make sure you're wearing shoes that will not be ruined by crossing creeks. There are several stream crossings so wear waterproof boots or sturdy hiking sandals (I prefer my Original Universal Tevas or my KEEN Whisper Sandal). The pull off to start the hike is abo...Read more -
Custer, South Dakota
Hike the Lookout Point Loop at Wind Cave National Park
3.54.5 miThe Lookout Point Loop actually combines parts of three trails to bring you through some of Wind Cave's best prairieland. Begin at the trailhead for Centennial and Lookout Point off of Hwy 87 and take Lookout Point trail east to Beaver Creek. At Beaver Creek, you'll catch the Highland Creek Trail...Read more -
Spearfish Community Caves, South Dakota
Hike to the Community Caves
4.51 mi / 300 ft gainCommunity Caves is located in the scenic Spearfish Canyon, on Highway 14A, about 2.7 miles from Spearfish (once you turn off of Colorado Blvd). There is a large pull-off area on the right (west) side of the road and then the trail, which is not marked at all, is on the opposite side of the pull-...Read more -
Hot Springs, South Dakota
Tour Wind Cave
4.80.67 mi / 6 ft gainEstablished in 1903, Wind Cave National Park is home to over 140 miles of mapped cave passages. The cave features 95% of the world's known boxwork calcite formations and got its name from the sound of rushing wind created at its few small openings.A guided tour is the only way to see the cave sys...Read more -
Spearfish, South Dakota
Explore the Frozen Waterfalls of Spearfish Canyon
5.0There are a multitude of frozen waterfalls throughout Spearfish Canyon. Some require a short hike and others can be seen from the road. This adventure will describe how to access the three largest frozen falls.Take Spearfish Canyon Highway south out of the town of Spearfish SD. After roughly 6 mi...Read more -
Spearfish, South Dakota
Hike around Lookout Mountain
4.52.4 mi / 860 ft gainTo get to the trail for Lookout Mountain there are 2 trailheads. One trailhead is just a few blocks from downtown on Nevada St., the other trailhead is on the East side of town. This post is using the Nevada St. Trailhead as the starting point. From this trailhead to the top of Lookout Mountain i...Read more -
Vale, South Dakota
Hike the Sacred Steps of Bear Mountain
4.23.5 mi / 1200 ft gainBear Mountain or Mathó Pahá as it's called by the Lakota peoples, is the leftover remnants of an ancient volcanic plug. The mountain weathered away, to leave the harder igneous formation, for which plains tribes have been coming to for sacred communication with their Creator for 10,000 years. Thi...Read more
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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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