Fat Biking

• Unique Forest Experience

  

  Several fat bike trails exist on the Northern Hills and Bearlodge Ranger Districts. Fat bikes have oversized tires and low ground pressure that allows the user to ride off-road surfaces such as snow. Fat bike routes have been authorized with Forest Service special use permits. Volunteers will be grooming, signing and maintaining several of the snow trails through March 31. Maintenance and grooming will vary depending on the conditions and availability of volunteers.

(Below current as of Jan. 2024)

Fat Bike Trails - Northern Hills (Spearfish, SD):

Fat Bike Trails – Northern Hills 2020-2025 Map

Grooming Alliance of Spearfish Fat Bike Northern Hills Map (Note: Map is labeled 2020 but is current for 2024)

• Iron Creek/Red Lake trail: Grooming Alliance of Spearfish is grooming and maintaining this series of trails located in Spearfish Canyon, approximately ½ mile south of Long Valley Picnic Area. The trail follows Iron Creek and meanders through walls of limestone. The trail also traverses into the Red Lake ATV area. 

• Higgins Gulch: This trail starts at Crow Peak trail parking lot. To access the Crow Peak trail parking lot, travel from Spearfish southwest on FSR 214, approximately 7 miles to the parking area, which is on the west side of the road.​ (Note: The road in not plowed from the Forest Boundary to the Crow Peak Trailhead in the winter so travel may be difficult).

• Big Hill: Grooming Alliance of Spearfish grooms from the Big Hill trailhead. To get to Big Hill from Spearfish, travel south on FSR 134 approximately eight miles to the trailhead which is on the west side of the road. (Note: Although the trailhead starts at the Big Hill trailhead, it is not part of this ski trail system. Officials ask that users do not ride their bikes on the ski trails.)  

 

Fat Bike Trails – Bearlodge (WY):

• Bearlodge trail Map: Located in the Bearlodge Mountains north of Sundance, WY and near Reuter Campground, this fat bike looped trail offers complexity and isolation away from snowmobile trails and year-long open roads. Approximately 11 miles of trail exist in this system in various loops, creating various length options for the recreationist. With an initial elevation climb of over 1,000 feet, the views from the top are spectacular, showcasing Sundance and the Black Hills, including Crow Peak. Parking is available at the Reuter Trailhead (shared with snowmobile and cross-country ski systems). Grooming occurs after recent snowfall via snowmobile.

• Fish Canyon trail Map: Located in the Black Buttes area south of Sundance, WY and east of Highway 585, this fat bike looped trail system is approximately 9 miles and primarily occurs on existing National Forest System Roads. This area provides a solitude recreation experience away from developed snowmobile trails and year-long open roads. A variety of ride length options exist as the trail consists of loops of various sizes over rolling terrain. A parking area is established at the start of the trail and can be accessed from WY Hwy 585 south of Sundance to Canyon Springs Road. Grooming occurs after recent snowfall via snowmobile.