Find the top rated walking trails in Crawford, whether you're looking for an easy short walking trail or a long walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We took the trail from the town of Custer south to Pringle (about 12 miles). It was very picturesque and the trail was in great shape. The trail is entirely in the sun in this section and has a downward grade a lot of the way. Our trip back would have been challenging had we not been on e-bikes! We stopped for burgers in Pringle at the Hitch Rail bar & grill. They were great!
I was traveling through on my way back to Ohio, but I wanted to ride on portions of this trail. I had stayed overnight in Chadron and saw the trail along the road as I drove east. That part was rough looking and not finished as per TrailLink. I never did find a location of a trail head in that area. I stopped in Rushville to see the trail there. The 15 miles between Rushville and Gordon were complete, so the crushed stone was a much better surface. Due to lack of time and not wanting to bike against 25-30 mph winds, I went on to Valentine. I parked in the lot by a grocery store, which was close to the trail. I wasn't sure where else to park in town. I rode the trail to the bridge. While researching this trail, TrailLink had said that the Nicobara Bridge over the Niobrara River was closed, but I was at least hoping to see it. In fact, it was open. It was awesome to see and the views were great. It was a little nerve racking with the winds at 25-30 mph and higher gusts, I felt like I was going to blow over the railing. :-) I went to the parking area on the other side and turned around. I then biked to the trailhead on the west side of Valentine. There is a good ice cream shop on Main Street for those who like to bike to eat treats.
I then drove to Norfolk. The next morning I went to the trailhead there and biked 5 miles out and 5 back. The surface was cement for the first 2 miles, but then changed to crushed stone. Still a good surface. The trail went through the country and along the Elkhorn River.
I did the 2 endpoints, so maybe someday I will ride the middle portion.
I live in Ohio. I rode the trail in May 2025. Twice, but in segments. Pringle to Edgemont and back on Thursday; Custer State Park to Pringle and back on Sunday (to meet my brother in Pringle who was biking from Key West, Florida to Alaska); then on Monday we biked from Custer State Park to Deadwood; the next day he went north to Alaska and I went south to Custer State Park. The trail was well maintained, some in the open and some more tree lined. Expect to go through lots of gates, but it is a great way to take a breather when going uphill. The trail stop shelters with tables, water, pit toilet, and a bike fix it station were great and nicely spaced. The scenery was beautiful. We went down into Deadmont on the Sugar Loaf Trailhead route, but I went back on the Kirk Trailhead route. That had a rougher stone surface in places and a portion (about 1/2 mile or less, but seemed much longer) was very steep. My inclometer registered 17 %, but even it that was off a bit, it was still steep. I had to walk that section. I have read that the length of the trail was 108.8 or 109 miles, but TrailLink says 112 miles. There is lots to see in the area, not just on or along the trail, so spend some time to explore and take in more adventures.
PS: As of this writing on May 30, my brother is in Alberta, Canada, having biked over 4,000 miles so far. I hope others use this trail as part of their BIG bike ride.
Ok section, kind of dull. Agriculture & cows. Found a bit of shade by a grain elevator for lunch. Several washouts filled with tumbleweeds as you get closer to Lind.
We started in Akron and rode about 18 miles north. Loved it!!!
We’re from TN. Rode Sept 17, 24. Deadwood Trailhead is open. This site says it’s closed. Rode 25 miles South. Saw beautiful colorful Aspens with Momma & baby Elk. After climbing the ridge outside of Deadwood it became a beautiful trail. Wished we could’ve ridden more.
Beautiful scenery and wildlife and so well maintained! Friendly people all along the way. Excellent trailheads with water, bike tools, air! I only saw one review commenting on the hills. There really is no flat according to our elevation record on Strava. It is either a looooong uphill or a loooong downhill. Even though the hills are only 4% grade, 10 miles of that gets old. My husband and I are 64 & 62, no e-bikes, thank you and riding loaded. We ride 40 miles twice a week up and down hills usually with a headwind, but the ride from Custer to Deadwood was pretty taxing for us. We would do it again but probably do the whole trail and take 3 days. trip from
Rode the entire trail from Edgemont to Deadwood over two days. The scenery was spectacular. Every last foot of the trail surface was smooth and even; I cannot heap enough praise on the State Parks Department for the job that they do in maintaining the trail and trailheads.
We ( recumbent trike & e-bike) headed West from the Kiwanis park. Turned around after 9km as the surface was really tough on the trike. There’s 2 good wheel tracks for bikes, but the trike had to ride partially in the coarse trail ballast. Scenic area with farm views and a huge windmill farm in the distance.
Completed in three days. Started in Deadwood, ended in Edgemont.
Rode 24 total miles from the start in Deadwood. There was a total of 1550 feet of elevation gain. A few miles from town there is an option to go left or right. I took left on the way out and came back the other trail. The left option is definitely more remote but has some sections with 9+% grade. I did not really have the right gears and couldn’t stand up without losing traction. The other trail does not seem to have as steep gradients. I have 42c tires running tubeless with pressure in the mid 30s. I have a 1x setup with 36t chainring and a 44t largest cog.
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