Find the top rated bike trails in South Dakota, whether you're looking for an easy short bike trail or a long bike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a bike trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
My 22 yr old son and I took 2 rides. We stayed at a KOA by Mt. Rushmore/Crazy Horse. We started at Hill City and took off North. The trail was well maintained and the scenery beautiful. I didn't fair as well going with the incline (I guess the altitude was getting to me) so we didn't go far and returned to the trailhead (#8) We did go back the next day to Hill City and headed south to Custer. It is a steady incline for 8.5 miles, then a little bit steeper as you incline another 1.5 up to Crazy Horse (So 10 miles incline) After that down hill into Custer another 6.5 to the trailhead. We ate lunch and headed back to Hill City. As some of the other comments, Go Prepared to hit different weather while on the trail. I got rained on, but my son who was ahead of me a couple of miles did not. It was cool, hot, dry, and wet. There was 1 water station between Hill City and Custer (that I saw) Again, the trail is beautiful and well maintained. The altitude did get to me so the incline was a little tough but welll worth the ride. Be sure to buy the trail pass. There is a bike patrol that checks tags.
We just returned from this beautiful epic trail. We rode the trail from Custer to Deadwood in two days.We stayed in Custer as our base. Highly recommend the Rocket Hotel as a place to stay and its easy access to the trail. We started out heading North from Custer to Mystic. You begin a five mile gentle up hill climb. After ten miles is the welcomed sight of Hill City. Get any items you may need here. This is a larger town and has places to eat, drink and food stores. Most right along the trail path. Heading out of Hill City northbound you will be rolling downhill for about 8 miles before entering the beautiful area of Mystic. There is no town of Mystic. We unaware of this were caught by surprise and were nearing the depletion of our food and water. The next town north is Rochford. We were informed by a native that the trek would take us 8 miles up hill and that the Rochford establishment may or may not be open. We opted to return to base. This required a grueling 9 mile climb back to Hill City. This was the steepest portion of the trail. This was a 4 degree grade up hill. Once we returned to Hill City we restocked our food and had lunch. We returned back to Custer in the early evening. The next day we drove from our base at The Rocket Hotel and traveled to Deadwood and rode the trail from Deadwood to Rochford. This was a great ride and we were well prepared for the journey. All though hilly and some steep grades especially neat Deadwood we found this portion of the trail to be relatively easy compared to the day before. The trail is spectacular from Custer to Deadwood and at every curve the scenery changes. The northern section of the trail is mostly forest. In my opinion. There is no section to start at to make it less hilly as you will climb hills. This trail is rated as easy and we all found it to be more of a intermediate trail.We also had expectations of riding a century ride on the trail and and we were 40 miles short. Primarily due to the missing town of Mystic and questionable food source in Rochford. The 60 miles we did in one day felt like a century ride though. All in all this trail is all it is said to be. There is ample wildlife. We saw Cows, Horse, Wild Turkeys, Deer, Elk,Falcons,Eagles,Green Snakes, Raddle Snake.The trail was lightly traveled on our visit (weekday). The town and surrounding area establishments close up at 9 p.m.. This trail rocked and we rocked 84 miles of it. Highly recommended this gem.
It took us 7 days of out and backs, but we completed this trail from end to end and back again. This was the most difficult rail trail we have ever ridden on our MT bike tandem, and we have ridden many in the last 20+ years. We stayed at a motel in Hill City, and each day drove our car to a new starting point. The elevation, heat and 2%, 3%, and 4% gravel trail limited our usual mileage of 45+ to closer to mid 30s. If you have the time ride the trail in both directions. It is now our new top destination trail. We are from eastern Pa. and the 1800 mile trip to get there was well worth the effort. Pa. Tandem Team. Roger and Marilyn,70 and 67 years old.
Five riders ranging in ages from 25 to 70 rode the trail in mid July. We took two day to cover the trail staying in Hill City. We also had a chase vehicle to drop and pick us up.
Some of the the hills were challenging but the views and variety across the miles made up for the hard hills. Adequate water stations were important since it was July.
In the first hour out of Deadwood we were spread out over about a mile. The lead rider was in sunshine, the next rider was in rain, the last three enjoyed a brief hail storm, all at the same time.
We would like to ride the trail again all in one day. We only have happy memories.
Just completed 28 miles backpacking this trail with a friend and my dog. Started in deadwood and ended in Rochford. Great trail with nice easy grades and great scenery. Plenty of streams for water and several water fill up locations made the trek very enjoyable. Looking back, we do wish we would have started near Rochford and ended near Custer. Supposed to be better scenery, tunnels etc. but overall we had a great time!
I live in Sioux Falls, and ride the trail often. I've ridden trails in many areas around the United States, and honestly think this one is one of the best. There are plans to expand it significantly, which will make it even better. if you're in the area make sure to take advantage of this gem.
Early Fall--Great time of the year to ride this trail. Colors are changing. Have ridden over 150 Miles in the last week covering the entire trail. My favorite trail to ride. The climbs are all railroad grade (long but not real steep), Recommend it to everyone.
Three of the "Rusty Chain Gang" rode the trail in three days this past weekend. First time to the Black Hills and really did not know what to expect. We had to do a little dodging as there was an Air Force Marathon from Rochford to Deadwood and the big bike ride of 600 riders from Edgemont to Deadwood.
What shocked me was how the terrain would drastically change from one mile to the next. Even the surface of the trail was constantly changing. We saw some beautiful scenery and you have to be alert to what you might find on the trail. As a Midwestern moving cattle off the trail is no big deal but hoped we didn't come across a stubborn bull.
What a beautiful trail and area! South Dakota did it right by making this trail.
I rode the trail from Hill City to Rochford last week. It was a great ride. It was a pretty good climb both ways near the summit at the Red Fern stop.
The tunnels that you go through are a piece of cake. Stop at the saloon in Rochford and have a burger and a beverage!
Connecting city parks, SFBT is a great urban trail for stretching your legs after miles in a car. Lot's of green and room to ride. The paved trail was in great shape. Busy with bikers walkers, joggers, etc. But, all were courteous. Very enjoyable.
Our family hiked on the Mickelson Trail on our epic National Park vacation in July 2015. We were visiting Mt Rushmore and the Black Hills NP. I chose to walk from mile 72 to 74, just north of Hill City SD, because there were two tunnels and a trestle on this stretch of the trail. The tunnels were cut through the mountain and reinforced with wood timbers cut to form arches and water still seeped through the rock. The wooden trestle bridge crossed over the road and a creek. This stretch of the trail has a slight downhill slope from Mi 72 to 74 and is a cut and fill roadbed cut through multi-colored shale with abundant green vistas and a nice stream. I highly recommend this stretch of the trail.
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