Hiking
The Forest has approx. 450 miles of hiking trails ranging in length and difficulty. Check out the Forest's trail brochures and/or obtain copies at the nearest Forest Service office to help you choose which area to explore.
Search for Hiking Opportunities
'76 Trailhead
Looking for a View?The '76 Trail is a 3/4-mile moderate to strenuous trail that takes hikers to a summit offering panoramic views of Spearfish Canyon. It is a steep trail and climbs over 1,000 feet…
Beaver Creek Ski System Trailhead
The Beaver Creek Ski Trail system consists of six trails with a total distance of 12.9 miles. The six trails are the Porcupine Trail, Dry Beaver Trail, Highland Trail, Mallo Trail, Sunshine Trail…
Big Hill Trailhead
(Trail #72)Big Hill Ski Area is comprised of six stacked-loop trails that provide expansive opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing for a total distance of 13.6 miles. During the…
Big Pine Trailhead (Centennial #89)
Big Pine Trailhead is located about 3 miles west of Mount Rushmore National Memorial on the north side of HWY-244 and about ¼ mile northwest of Horsethief Lake. Big Pine is part of the 111-mile…
Black Elk Wilderness & Norbeck Wildlife Preserve
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.Within the heart of the…
Boulder Hill Trailhead
From Rapid City, travel south on Rushmore Road (turns into Highway 16) for 13 miles, then turn northeast (right) onto Silver Mountain Road. Travel for 0.1 miles then turn north (left) onto Boulder…
Bratwurst Trailhead (Trail #68)
Bratwurst Trailhead is one of two facilities accessing the non-motorized Eagle Cliff Trails.
Brush Creek Trailhead
From Rapid City, travel about 15 miles west on Highway 44. Turn south (left) onto Highway 385 and continue over Pactola Dam for 4.3 miles. Turn east (left) onto Victoria Lake Road and drive for…
Buzzards Roost Trailhead
Buzzards Roost is located approximately five miles west of Rapid City, SD and offers user friendly non-motorized trails varying in difficulty. Mountain bikers, hikers and trail runners experience…
Calumet Trailhead
Calumet Trailhead is located on the south side of Sheridan Lake (at the south boat launch). Access is through the Sheridan Lake Campground. This also provides access to the Flume Trail (#50).