South Dakota

Looking for the best rock climbing in South Dakota? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around South Dakota. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

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Top Rock Climbing Spots in and near South Dakota

  • Custer, South Dakota

    Cathedral Spires in the Black Hills

    4.8
    1.65 mi / 410 ft gain
    This is a moderate hike with a huge payout in the form of some of the Black Hills' most beautiful features — tall granite spires rising hundreds of feet above the surrounding terrain, reaching a maximum height of 6,860 feet. Starting from the Cathedral Spires Trailhead --where you may be treated...
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  • Keystone, South Dakota

    Hike Sunday Gulch Loop

    5.0
    2.8 mi / 400 ft gain
    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...
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  • Custer, South Dakota

    Kayak Sylvan Lake

    4.0
    2 mi
    There are a few reservoirs within the hot and dry Black Hills of South Dakota. The water here comes from the harsh winter month's snowpack or frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Sylvan Lake in the town of Custer offers many activities thanks to it's unique and rugged terrain. Hiking, biking, rock c...
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  • Spearfish Community Caves, South Dakota

    Hike to the Community Caves

    4.5
    1 mi / 300 ft gain
    Community 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-...
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  • Keystone, South Dakota

    Black Elk Peak and Little Devil's Tower Loop

    5.0
    7.85 mi / 1621 ft gain
    Black Elk Peak and Little Devil's Tower Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Custer, South Dakota.
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  • Keystone, South Dakota

    Rock Climb at 1880 Wall

    0.1 mi / 150 ft gain
    There are 2 walls named the 1880 Wall, one is the East Wall and the other is the West Wall. To get there you will need to follow Old Hill City Road, either from Hill City or from Keystone. If coming from Keystone it is about 3.8 miles heading west. There is a pullout right off the road and next t...
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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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