The Sioux River Red Rock Trail is a planned 12-mile system of trail that will one day take users across nearly the entirety of the beautiful city of Dell Rapids, situated on the Big Sioux River in eastern South Dakota. As of now, only a few small portions of trail have been completed, but the city is working hard on expanding this off-road route - and the existing trail offers an amazing, scenic recreation opportunity along the river.
Starting just west of State Route 115 off of River Road, the trail runs under the highway and heads upstream along the banks of the river, taking you through a lightly wooded and pleasant natural area. Be on the lookout for local wildlife, as you may catch a glimpse of heron or deer as you make your way along the path. The trail crosses an offshoot of the river and the segment ends at a park near Garfield Avenue. You can extend your journey by venturing across the river via Garfield Ave, which will bring you to the paved loop trail in City Park, which is host to a variety of recreational activities, offering baseball diamonds, basketball courts and more.
Once the trail is completed, it will give residents and visitors alike a unique means of experiencing Dell Rapids, providing access to a number of interesting historic sites (including a historic dam and a bathhouse built in 1934 by the Civil Works Administration), and increasing the health and safety of trail users.
Parking may be available at the western trailhead off of River Road, and at the northeastern part of the trail within City Park. Be sure to follow any posted parking signs.
To reach the trail from the direction of Sioux Falls, head north on I-29, then take exit 98 and head east towards Dell Rapids along State Route 115. Heading into the city, turn right to stay on SR-115, then turn right onto River Road just past the bridge over the river. The trailhead will be on the right.
This trail is AMAZING!
It's kinda short, and just far enough away to be a little inconvenient, so I took a long time to get out here...and I feel like a fool.
This is an EXCEPTIONALLY beautiful trail. Ordinarily, you'd have to go to a state park to see something this wondrous, and the fact this is an urban trail, kinda just blows me away. The part of Dell Rapids that one can see from the riverside trail, is more-or-less the cosmic epitome of what a picturesque Midwestern small town ought to look like.
If I lived in Dell Rapids, I'd be on this trail like every day.
Highly recommended!
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!