Explore the Black Hills on foot or two wheels, with trails ranging from easy waterfall walks and peaceful lakeside paths to scenic rail trails, mountain biking routes and challenging summit hikes with incredible views. Whether you’re looking for a short family-friendly outing, a leisurely bike ride or a full-day adventure, these are some of our favorite trails throughout the Black Hills.
NORTHERN HILLS & SPEARFISH CANYON
1. Roughlock Falls Trail
Location: Spearfish Canyon, SD
Activity: Hiking
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: Approx. 2 miles round trip
Description: A beautiful creekside trail leading to one of the Black Hills’ most recognizable waterfalls. An excellent choice for families and anyone looking for a scenic, relatively easy hike.
More Info: https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/spearfish-canyon-nature-area/
2. Spearfish Falls Trail
Location: Spearfish Canyon, SD
Activity: Hiking
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: Approx. 1.5 miles round trip
Description: A short canyon hike descending from the Savoy area along Spearfish Creek to the base of picturesque Spearfish Falls.
More Info: https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/spearfish-canyon-nature-area/
3. ’76 Trail
Location: Spearfish Canyon, SD
Activity: Hiking
Difficulty: Strenuous
Description: A short but steep climb from the Savoy area to the rim of Spearfish Canyon, rewarding hikers with sweeping views across the canyon.
More Info: https://spfcanyon.com/activities/hiking-trails-in-spearfish-canyon
4. Crow Peak Trail
Location: Spearfish, SD
Activity: Hiking
Difficulty: Strenuous
Distance: Approx. 6 miles round trip
Description: One of the Northern Black Hills’ signature summit hikes, climbing through ponderosa pine forest to panoramic views over Spearfish Valley, the surrounding Black Hills and into Wyoming.
More Info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills
5. Lookout Mountain Trails
Location: Spearfish, SD
Activity: Hiking & Mountain Biking
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Description: A network of multi-use trails climbing above Spearfish with beautiful views of the city, Crow Peak and the surrounding Northern Black Hills. Multiple routes make it easy to customize the length of your hike or ride.
More Info: https://visitspearfish.com/
6. Big Hill Trail System
Location: Spearfish, SD
Activity: Hiking & Mountain Biking
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Description: A peaceful network of forest trails west of Spearfish with pine forests, meadows and several loop options for hiking, trail running and mountain biking.
More Info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills
7. Tinton Trail
Location: Spearfish, SD
Activity: Hiking & Mountain Biking
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: A scenic singletrack trail winding through pine forest, open meadows and lush sections of the Northern Hills. Popular with mountain bikers, hikers and trail runners, it can also be connected with nearby trails for a longer outing.
More Info: https://visitspearfish.com/
8. Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower
Location: Deadwood, SD
Activity: Hiking
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Description: A short hike to the historic Friendship Tower built by Seth Bullock in honor of Theodore Roosevelt, with panoramic views overlooking the Northern Black Hills.
More Info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills
9. Devil’s Bathtub
Location: Spearfish Canyon, SD
Activity: Hiking
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: A popular creekside adventure through a narrow section of Spearfish Canyon with repeated creek crossings leading to a natural rock pool and waterslide. Expect wet feet, slippery rocks and less-defined sections of trail.
CENTRAL & SOUTHERN BLACK HILLS
10. Black Elk Peak
Location: Custer State Park / Black Elk Wilderness, SD
Activity: Hiking
Difficulty: Strenuous
Distance: Approx. 7 miles round trip from Sylvan Lake
Description: The signature summit hike of the Black Hills, climbing to the historic stone fire tower atop Black Elk Peak and expansive views across the surrounding mountains and plains.
More Info: https://gfp.sd.gov/csp-trails/
11. Cathedral Spires Trail
Location: Custer State Park, SD
Activity: Hiking
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Distance: Approx. 3 miles round trip
Description: A spectacular hike through ponderosa pine forest into towering granite formations that make up one of the most dramatic landscapes in Custer State Park.
More Info: https://gfp.sd.gov/csp-trails/
12. Little Devils Tower Trail
Location: Custer State Park, SD
Activity: Hiking
Difficulty: Strenuous
Distance: Approx. 3 miles round trip
Description: A rugged hike culminating in a rocky scramble to panoramic views of Black Elk Peak, Cathedral Spires and the surrounding granite landscape.
More Info: https://gfp.sd.gov/csp-trails/
13. Sunday Gulch Trail
Location: Custer State Park, SD
Activity: Hiking
Difficulty: Strenuous
Distance: Approx. 3.2-mile loop
Description: Beginning near Sylvan Lake, this adventurous loop descends through a rocky gulch with streams, granite formations and steep sections before climbing back toward the lake.
More Info: https://gfp.sd.gov/csp-trails/
14. Sylvan Lake Shore Trail
Location: Custer State Park, SD
Activity: Hiking
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: Approx. 1-mile loop
Description: A scenic loop around iconic Sylvan Lake with towering granite formations, beautiful water views and plenty of places to stop and explore.
More Info: https://gfp.sd.gov/csp-trails/
15. Lovers Leap Trail
Location: Custer State Park, SD
Activity: Hiking
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Distance: Approx. 4-mile loop
Description: A scenic loop through forest and rocky terrain with elevated views toward Black Elk Peak, Cathedral Spires and Mount Coolidge.
More Info: https://gfp.sd.gov/csp-trails/
LONGER TRAILS
16. George S. Mickelson Trail
Location: Deadwood to Edgemont, SD
Activity: Hiking & Biking
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: 109 miles total
Description: A historic rail trail stretching through the heart of the Black Hills with more than 100 converted railroad bridges, four rock tunnels and numerous trailheads. Its gentle grades make it one of the best places in the Black Hills for recreational biking, while the many access points make it easy to choose a shorter section to walk or ride.
More Info: https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/george-s--mickelson-trail/
17. Centennial Trail — Trail #89
Location: Black Hills, SD
Activity: Hiking & Mountain Biking on Permitted Sections
Difficulty: Varies
Distance: Approx. 111 miles total
Description: A long-distance trail extending from Bear Butte through the Black Hills to Wind Cave National Park. Numerous access points allow visitors to explore shorter sections through forests, prairie, lakes and rugged backcountry. Trail-use restrictions vary by section, so cyclists should check current regulations before riding.
More Info: https://gfp.sd.gov/csp-trails/
BEFORE YOU HIT THE TRAIL
Trail conditions can change with weather, construction, wildfire activity and seasonal closures. Cell service is limited in many areas of the Black Hills, so download maps before leaving, carry plenty of water and check current conditions before heading out.
Some trails are shared by hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders, while others restrict bicycle use. Always follow posted trail-use regulations and yield appropriately to other trail users.
Black Hills National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills
Custer State Park Trails: https://gfp.sd.gov/csp-trails/
George S. Mickelson Trail: https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/george-s--mickelson-trail/