Horse Riding

Horse Riding Areas

• Central Hills - Rapid City

  The Mystic Ranger District is located in the central portion of the Black Hills National Forest and has an office south of Rapid City, SD.

• Centennial Trailheads (Trail #89) - Central Hills

  Seven trailheads provide access to the Centennial Trail in the central Black Hills. The seven trailheads are Brush Creek Trailhead, Calumet Trailhead, Dakota Point Trailhead, Deer Creek Trailhead, Rapid Creek Trailhead & Fishing access, Samelius Trailhead and Spring Creek Trailhead. This portion of the Centennial Trail is approximately 29 miles long, and is open for hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

  The Centennial Trail is a 111 mile long trail from Bear Butte State Park to Wind Cave National Park.  It marks the 100th anniversary of state hood, 1889 to 1989, and represents the diversity of South Dakota. There are many other trailheads that also access the Centennail Trail across the Forest.

  NOTE: Backcountry camping options, park permits, and overnight parking requirements vary from one agency to the next. Interested hikers are encouraged to contact the respective agencies directly for specific guidance and updated policies.

  Summer 2024 Update: A short re-route (see map) is in place for users of the Centennial Trail near Veteran’s Point. During construction, the re-route at Veteran’s Point will keep users on the west side of Highway 385 to avoid construction activities and blasting. Access to Centennial Trail may be closed for short periods during road blasting in the area. 

• Brush Creek Trailhead
• Calumet Trailhead
• Dakota Point Trailhead
• Deer Creek Trailhead
• Rapid Creek Trailhead & Fishing access
• Samelius Trailhead
• Spring Creek Trailhead
• Deerfield Lake Loop Trailheads (Trail #40L)

  This 10 mile trail encircles Deerfield Lake. From Reynolds Prairie you'll have great views of the lake.  To the south, the trail winds through areas of tall pines and small meadows. This trail can be accessed from four trailheads: Custer Trail Trailhead, North Shore Trailhead, Hill Top Trailhead and the Gold Run Trailhead.

• Custer Trail Trailhead
• Gold Run Trailhead
• North Shore Trailhead
• Deerfield Trailheads (Trail #40)

  The Deerfield Trail is a 23 mile trail connecting the Deerfield Reservoir to the Centennial Trail. Between the Dougherty and Silver City Trailheads, you will wind through the deep canyons along both Slate Creek and Rapid Creek, crossing over 30 bridges. 

   

• Deer Creek Trailhead
• Dougherty Trailhead
• Kinney Canyon Walk In Fishery Trailhead
• Silver City Trailhead
• Spring Creek Trailhead
• Northern Hills-Spearfish

  The Northern Hills Ranger District covers the northern portion of the Black Hills on the South Dakota side. Spearfish has nearby access to over 300 miles of snowmobile trails, groomed and ungroomed cross-country ski trails, a 100 mile long hiking trail (Centennial Trail) and many other trails, a 110 mile long biking, hiking and horseback trail (Mickelson Trail), and 2 downhill ski areas (ski areas are near Deadwood, SD - 15 miles away).

• Big Hill Trailhead
• Centennial Trailheads (Trail #89) - Northern Hills

  Five trailheads provide access to the Centennial Trail in the northern Black Hills.The five trailheads are the Alkali Creek Trailhead (BLM), Elk Creek Trailhead, Dalton Lake Trailhead, South Boxelder Trailhead, and the Pilot Knob Trailhead. The north portion of the Centennial Trail is approximately 37 miles long, and is open for hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) less than or equal to 62 inches in width are allowed on the Centennial Trail between the Dalton Lake Trailhead and the Pilot Knob Trailhead.

  NOTE: Backcountry camping options, park permits, and overnight parking requirements vary from one agency to the next. Interested hikers are encouraged to contact the respective agencies directly for specific guidance and updated policies.

• Dalton Lake Trailhead
• Elk Creek Trailhead
• Pilot Knob Trailhead
• South Boxelder Trailhead
• Crow Peak Trailhead (Trail #64)
• Eagle Cliff Trailheads (Trail #68)

  • Sprawling Winter Recreation Area

    

    In the Northern Hills Ranger District, the Eagle Cliff Ski Area is made up of 24 trails that include dedicated routes for both skiing and snowshoeing. This sprawling winter recreation area includes over 3 ½ miles of snowshoe routes and nearly 28 miles of ski trails. In the winter, the routes are managed in cooperation with the Eagle Cliff Ski Association, which grooms over four miles of trails on the southern-most portion of the area. From steep climbs and picturesque vistas to open meadows and mild terrain, Eagle Cliff Ski Area complements most any skill level. From the first snows that cover the canyons of Dead Ox Trail to the groomed runs and beginner area on Bratwurst and The Loop Trails, outdoor enthusiasts can create their own winter expeditions. The Eagle Cliff Trails were developed by local skiing enthusiasts in the mid 1980's and offers fun and challenges at every turn. We ask that snowshoers not use the groomed ski trails. Snowshoeing damages the tracks that the ski clubs work hard to establish and maintain. Eagle Cliff is a remote recreation site, located near Highway 85, approximately fourteen miles southwest of Lead, South Dakota.

    Eagle Cliff Brochure & Map
• Bratwurst Trailhead (Trail #68)
• Holey Rock Trailhead (Trail # 68)
• Old Baldy Trailhead (Trail #66)
• Little Spearfish Trailhead (Trail #80)
• Rimrock Trailhead (Trail #79)
• Sturgis Trail System

  In summer 2019, a Forest Service decision was signed approving a proposal from the City of Sturgis for the construction and maintenance of approximately 16 miles of non-motorized trails on the Black Hills National Forest. A special use permit issued by the Forest Service authorized the City of Sturgis to construct and maintain the Sturgis trail system. An additional 5.3 miles of new trails are located on City of Sturgis land, for a total of 21.3 miles.

  The Sturgis trail system forms a multiple-loop trail network in Vanocker Canyon, Deadman Mountain and Veteran’s Peak south of Sturgis. The trail network links into trails previously constructed by Black Hills Trails on City of Sturgis property around the Sturgis Reservoirs and into the existing Centennial trail, which is administered by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.

  In addition to the city trailhead in Sturgis, there are two other trailhead locations ~ Vanocker Trailhead, approximately three miles south of Sturgis and Veterans Peak Trailhead located near Veterans Peak, at the intersection of FSRs 139.1 and 139.1A. Note: These trailheads have not been constructed yet, but as funding makes itself available they will be completed. The public may currently park at these locations even though the trailheads are not defined.

  This trail system is open to hikers, runners, mountain bikers and horseback riders.

  Forest Trailheads:

  • Vanocker Trailhead
  • Veterans Peak Trailhead
• Vanocker Trailhead
• Veterans Peak Trailhead
• Tinton Trail System

  • Overview

    

    The Tinton trail was proposed for addition to the non-motorized trail system on the National Forest in 2018 by the local user group, Ridge Riders of the Black Hills and added as an official trail in 2019. The system consists of the Lower & Upper Tinton trailheads, the main Tinton trail stem and loop, a branch trail that connects to the Crow Peak trail, and a short loop trail that originates at the Lower Tinton trailhead (across from the Northern Hills Work Center) and provides a scenic overlook of Johnston Gulch. The Tinton trail network includes approximately 46 miles of trail. Around 11 miles of the Tinton trail overlap existing system trails at Big Hill, Rimrock, and Old Baldy. In 2015, the Youth Natural Resource Program worked with the Forest Service to meet certain parameters and specifications on the trail that aided in it being added to the National Forest System.

  Lower Tinton Trailhead

  Upper Tinton Trailhead

  North Zone Recreation SmartPhone Map

• Lower Tinton Trailhead
• Upper Tinton Trailhead
• Northwestern Hills - Sundance

  Bearlodge Ranger District (Northwestern Hills) encompasses the northern portion of the Black Hills on the Wyoming side.In the immediate vicinity is trout fishing, access to over 300 miles of snowmobile trails, hunting, hiking and camping. Forest Service campgrounds near Sundance are Cook Lake, Reuter, and Sundance Trailhead.

• Carson Draw Trail System Trailhead (Trail #87)
• Dugout Gulch Botanical Trailhead (Trail #77)
• Reuter Trailhead
• Sheepnose Trailhead (Trail #93)
• Sundance (Horse Camp)
• Sundance Trail System Trailhead (Trail #93)
• Southern Hills - Custer

  The Hell Canyon Ranger District is located in the southern third of the Black Hills National Forest, with offices in both Newcastle, WY and Custer, SD.

• Porcupine Trailhead
• Black Elk Wilderness & Norbeck Wildlife Preserve

  • Black Elk Wilderness

    

    Black Elk Wilderness is located in in the center of the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve & was designated as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System by Congress in 1980.

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  • Norbeck Wildlife Preserve

    

    Within the heart of the Black Hills of SD, lies the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve. Visitors experience a legacy left behind by a man named Peter Norbeck who had a vision for preserving natural beauty and protecting wildlife, while making a special area accessible to everyone.

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• Black Elk Wilderness

  A Special Place

  Black Elk Wilderness is located in in the center of the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve & was designated as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System by Congress in 1980. The area is named for the Oglala Lakota holy man Black Elk & is sacred to many American Indians. It is the only Wilderness in the Forest & spans over 13,534 acres.

  Brochure & Map

  • History

    

    The CCC built the current stone fire tower that stands a top Black Elk Peak from 1938 to 1940.

    Learn More

  • Wilderness Rules & Restrictions

    

    The increasing use of our nation's Wilderness areas has led to an increase in rules regulating recreation activities.

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  • Wilderness Safety

    

    Wilderness in the Black Hills is remote and emergency rescue is difficult or sometimes impossible. Please explore the backcountry with care and common sense. (Photo: Ricardo Loza)

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  • Recreational Opportunities

    

    With its rugged terrain, magnificent scenery & well-maintained trail system, the Wilderness sees heavy visitation, especially on Trail #9 from Sylvan Lake. Climbing Black Elk Peak (formerly Harney Peak) is a very popular activity, making opportunities for solitude very elusive.

    Read More
• Centennial Trailheads (Trail #89) - Southern Hills

  Several trailheads provide access to the Centennial Trail in the southern Black Hills including Big Pine Trailhead, Willow Creek Trailhead, Iron Creek East Trailhead (Trail #15) by Lakota Lake, Iron Creek West Trailhead (Trail #15), Iron Creek Trailhead in Custer State Park (CSP), Badger Hole Trailhead (CSP), French Creek Trailhead (CSP), Highland Creek Trailhead (CSP) and the Norbeck Trailhead (managed by Wind Cave National Park). This portion of the Centennial Trail is approximately 38 miles long, and is open for hiking and backpacking. Horseback riding and mountain biking are allowed on some portions of the trail.

  NOTE: Backcountry camping options, park permits, and overnight parking requirements vary from one agency to the next. Interested hikers are encouraged to contact the respective agencies directly for specific guidance and updated policies.

• Iron Creek East Trailhead (Trail #15)
• Iron Creek West Trailhead (Trail #15)
• Willow Creek Trailhead
• Grizzly Bear Creek Trailhead (Trail #7)
• Iron Creek (Horse Camp)
• Iron Mountain Trailhead (Trail #16)
• Palmer Creek Trailhead (Lost Cabin #2)
• Willow Creek (Horse Camp)
• Hell Canyon Trailhead