Find the top rated fishing trails in South Dakota, whether you're looking for an easy short fishing trail or a long fishing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a fishing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
This is such a fun trail. The best parts are around the marina and throughout the camping area by the water. There are some fun ways to cut through and be in amidst the trees away from campers as well. We go here a lot because it’s close to home and we love the scenery. It’s so well paved and maintained nicely! It smells soo good along the water.
This was LONG! We didn’t know how long, lol! We found out! We rode the whole thing. It’s best from Falls Park going towards the older downtown instead of the other way. The rest is fine but can get a bit dull out by the airport if you’re a person who enjoys scenery as you ride, however that’s just me. :)
We rode Hill City to Dumont one day and HillCity to Custer another with the Stockade Lake Spur. Beautiful sights. We chose to ride the fat tire bikes - a mistake on this trail. Inclined were tough with the wide tires.
If you are in the area on business or pleasure, this trail is worth it. We started at the nice visitor center where there is plenty of parking. The trail is crushed gravel and wide enough for side by side riding. We saw lots of wildlife, including turkeys (over 2 dozen), waterfowl, garter snakes and doe/fawns (still in spots). In addition, the closer you get to the big river, there are a number of old growth cottonwood groves w/ some of the largest cottonwoods we have seen. There are a couple of viewing platforms near the river and the trail has curves and some short hills. Just a nice evening ride. Also, ride in a figure eight to add more miles and see the groves twice!
Started the trail off In deadwood and was completely shocked at how steep of a climb it was. Being that we were more used to flatter rail trails, we ended up driving to a different part of the trail and riding from the Mystic to the Rockford trailhead and back. Don’t let the hill scare you away, just pay close attention to the gradient on the map. The trail surface worked great for our hybrid bikes. Saw beautiful nature and local cows. Lost cell reception at times.
We rode the 26 +/- mile route in mid July 2019.... Very nicely maintained trail and quite well marked. Mostly level with a few grades, nothing major. Wind was a nuisance the day we rode, but still a great experience.
Was so surprised at how nice this trail system is; well maintained and laid out! Many cities should use this as a model for what should be!
Love our trail system. Ride it regularly! Pick you direction carefully so as to not have to ride UP the spillway ;-)
On my way to the black hills I stayed at one of the hotels near I-29 and just biked on the sidewalk a few blocks east to the loop. The 21 mile loop is all paved and smooth, and very scenic while along the rivers. The north section of the loop around the airport is on the top of a levy and kind of dull, but is flat and smooth so you can get a good workout if desired.
There is a good bike map on the city website.
My wife and I rode this section at the end of June and it was absolutely gorgeous. We caught a shuttle out of Hill City and the first 10 miles from Dumont were amazing as we watched a small brook slowly grow to become a gorgeous river over the next 10-15 miles. The first 20 miles were downhill but then we had a 7 mile 650 foot climb that taxed us asphalt loving Midwest flatlanders . I rode a 28 tire with no problem. Done 80 plus trails in 33 states (Hiawatha, Katy. GAP, e.g), and this was justifiably a top 5 American trail.
Went with the family. Left car in Edgemont and got a shuttle to Deadwood to start. (Tried the other direction but it was harder we went in 23 miles it started to rain and we got stuck in the shelter over night, had to ride out through thick mud) anyway we went back shuttled to Deadwood and it was a bit easier. So much fun, and everyone is very accommodating to the bike crowd. We camped twice and stayed in a hotel once. We will do it again 👍 but go both ways to make it last longer😃
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