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.
From Texas-Went to trail twice last summer- due to weather issues. Started at Edgemont the first time. Did not like the constant incline for 43 miles. So when we went back the seecond time, we left our car in Edgemont, bought a ride to Deadwood and started from there. It was 17 miles uphill to start but than a 10 mile decent. Up and down like this until last 43 miles where it mostly descends until one last big uphill at the 5-6 mile marker. I will go back again. Husband said he would love to get electric bikes and do it. Took our tent and camped were we could.
We came to Sioux Falls specifically to ride the trails and they were absolutely delightful. There's a nice mix of urban and suburban cycling here. It's possible to get just about everywhere by bike. Many intersections include wide, well lit underpasses. Solid system. Five stars.
Skated from the Shopko in Custer to Custer State Park and back. $4 fee for the trail, there's a self-pay station at the trailhead in Custer State Park. The pavement is pretty rough most of the way, but since this is mostly used by cyclists it's probably fine for most users. The bridges are pretty bad too, several have big bumps on the transition from asphalt to wood and the parallel planks are sketchy. Views are pretty nice though, and Fort Custer is an interesting stop.
My wife and I along with my 80 year old father did trail in 3 days had a blast great trail will comeback and do it again
I went with a group from Road Scholar which provided a SAG van & divided the trail into 4 sections in 4 days. Overall it is very scenic . Be very careful heading south from Pringle to Edgemont as there is a lot of loose sand on the trail. There are some steep prolonged hills, I did 4 miles from Mystic south with the front sprocket in1 and the rear switching between 1 & 2,quite a hill for a 70 yr old guy from NJ. Dress in layers and drink plenty of water, refills are available from cisterns at trail heads. Be aware that parts of the trail are over 6000 ft, give yourself a day to adjust before doing the steep grades.
The tail is very well marked and easy to follow but that is about all that is easy, for a recumbent rider at least. I had some chain issues on the first day and thankfully we started in Deadwood. That meant the closest bike shop was 15 miles away in Spearfish, Rushmore Sports. The trip was delayed by a day and we started in Custer to Hot Springs. Mostly downhill but the trail material packed gravel and it is slow! Hot Springs required 11 miles on the highway with a good sized hill into town. Next we hired a shuttle to the Dumont trailhead. This section is by far the most scenic and 18 miles downhill to Hill City but there are 2 long (7 & 10 mile) slow climbs from there to Custer. Finally we drove to Edgemont and rode north to the HghWy 18 trailhead. Again it is a shallow grade hill but it is slow going. NOTE the trail has MANY washouts where it is deeply rutted across the path with deep, loose sand which make going up even slower and going down, at speed, really hairy.
We rode the entire loop last October and it was fantastic! So many cool things along the way including the spectacular falls park. Highly recommend!
We rode the entire loop today and this is an exceptional trail. It winds through park after park with smooth, wide lanes.
This a gem of a trail for Rapid City. We always look for bike trails (RVing) as we travel, and this one is excellent...biked it 2x while staying at Lake Park RV (also excellent if u are RVing, btw.)
2 day ride starting in Deadwood, overnight in Hill City and on to Edgemont. Outstanding fall ride with a total of 8 other riders over 2 days. Mornings were cold but afternoons were into the 60s. Snow still present in N and NW facing slopes with the trail muddy in spots. Day 1 surface was firmer with smaller packed gravel. Rode 28mm tires and was fine all day. Day 2 changed to 35mm tires and found it helpful dealing with the freeze thaw mud. Overall one of the best R2T rides I have done. Trail maintenance and facilities were excellent! This is the sort of R2T other states should use as an example.
I did a 40 mile round trip on a hybrid, starting at Hill City. A local rider told me this was the nicest stretch of the trail. It took me through three of the four tunnels. Once you leave the Hill City outskirts, you're away from the highway and riding through some beautiful scenery.
This is a more challenging ride that most rail trails. The hills aren't steep, but they're long. Going north, you climb a long hill out of Hill City, reach a crest and then descend 7 miles before starting up and even longer hill.
It's hard to imagine a better managed trail than this. The the signage, the condition of the trail surface and the rest facilities are all excellent.
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