South Dakota has tons of great hiking trails, and we love to feature them here. Today, we’ve compiled some of the best hikes in South Dakota so you have an outdoor bucket list for nearly every season. Under each short description, you’ll find a link to our feature article with more photos and details.
- Roughlock Falls Nature Area: The Enchanting Trail That’s Perfect For Everyone
RusticPress/Tripadvisor Roughlock Falls Trail is not only accessible to everyone, but is also one of the best scenic hikes in South Dakota. It’s a two-mile loop that starts at Spearfish Canyon Lodge and takes you through some beautiful alpine forest to a stunning waterfall. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: Roughlock Falls Road, Lead, SD 57754
- Castle Trail: The Hiking Trail That Will Transport You To Another World
Jodi307/Tripadvisor Castle Trail is a 10.7 mile round-trip hike at Badlands National Park. Along the way, you’ll see tons of wildlife, and pass through some beautiful meadows, past some cool rock formations and see some incredible views. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: 25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior, SD 57750
- Devil’s Bathtub: An Unrivaled Canyon Hike
Don G./Tripadvisor For some of the best hiking in South Dakota, you’ve got to take the Devil’s Bathtub trail in Spearfish Canyon. It’s a short hike, but be prepared to get your feet wet (and if you’re brave…splash in the cold, cold water). For more information, read our full article here.
Address: Lead, SD 57754
- Notch Trail: The Beautiful Trail That Everyone Will Love
Buttered Toast/Tripadvisor Notch Trail is just a short 1.5-mile hike that takes you along the canyon floor to a ladder, where you’ll climb to the top of the plateau to see a gorgeous view. It’s located in Badlands National Park. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: Interior, SD 57750
- Trail Of The Spirits: The Eerie Hike That’s Supposedly Haunted
Angela Smith/Flickr You’ll find Trail of the Spirits at Sica Hollow State Park. Native Americans thought that this place was haunted by their ancestors, and hikers today often experience unexplained phenomena. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: 44950 Park Road, Sisseton, SD 57260
- Cathedral Spires: The Most Beautiful Hike In All Of South Dakota
kruesq/Tripadvisor The Cathedral Spires are so magnificent that they’re registered National Natural Landmarks. The 2.5-mile trail takes you through the fragrant pines and gets you up close to these beauties. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: 13329 US Highway 16A, Custer, SD 57730
- Sunday Gulch Trail: The Spectacular Trail Everyone Needs To Take As Soon As Possible
KarenS0322/Tripadvisor This strenuous hike starts at Sylvan Lake and offers some seriously gorgeous scenery. You’ll traverse several staircases, cross a creek on a log and see some huge, moss-covered boulders. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: 13329 US Highway 16A, Custer, SD 57730
- Black Elk Peak Trail: The Enchanting Place That Must Go On Your Bucket List Immediately
Sarah M./Tripadvisor The Harney Peak Trail is 3.5 miles to the summit, and it’s spectacular the entire way. You’ll be surrounded by natural beauty…and then you’ll reach the top with an unparalleled view. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: Keystone, SD 57751
- The George S. Mickelson Trail: An Epic Abandoned Railroad Hike
Cancunkids/Tripadvisor The George S. Mickelson Trail is just over 108 miles long and follows the tracks of the Burlington Northern Railroad route. It passes through some beautiful scenery, takes you over bridges and through tunnels. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: 11361 Nevada Gulch Road, Lead, SD 57754
- The Devil’s Gulch: The Canyon Hike You’re Guaranteed To Love
Experience78/Tripadvisor On a hot day, this heavily-forested trail is cool and shady. Legend says that Jesse James and his horse once jumped the towering rock formations here, in order to get away from law enforcement. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: Garretson, SD 57030
Which of these is on your hiking bucket list?
RusticPress/Tripadvisor
Roughlock Falls Trail is not only accessible to everyone, but is also one of the best scenic hikes in South Dakota. It’s a two-mile loop that starts at Spearfish Canyon Lodge and takes you through some beautiful alpine forest to a stunning waterfall. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: Roughlock Falls Road, Lead, SD 57754
Jodi307/Tripadvisor
Castle Trail is a 10.7 mile round-trip hike at Badlands National Park. Along the way, you’ll see tons of wildlife, and pass through some beautiful meadows, past some cool rock formations and see some incredible views. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: 25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior, SD 57750
Don G./Tripadvisor
For some of the best hiking in South Dakota, you’ve got to take the Devil’s Bathtub trail in Spearfish Canyon. It’s a short hike, but be prepared to get your feet wet (and if you’re brave…splash in the cold, cold water). For more information, read our full article here.
Address: Lead, SD 57754
Buttered Toast/Tripadvisor
Notch Trail is just a short 1.5-mile hike that takes you along the canyon floor to a ladder, where you’ll climb to the top of the plateau to see a gorgeous view. It’s located in Badlands National Park. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: Interior, SD 57750
Angela Smith/Flickr
You’ll find Trail of the Spirits at Sica Hollow State Park. Native Americans thought that this place was haunted by their ancestors, and hikers today often experience unexplained phenomena. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: 44950 Park Road, Sisseton, SD 57260
kruesq/Tripadvisor
The Cathedral Spires are so magnificent that they’re registered National Natural Landmarks. The 2.5-mile trail takes you through the fragrant pines and gets you up close to these beauties. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: 13329 US Highway 16A, Custer, SD 57730
KarenS0322/Tripadvisor
This strenuous hike starts at Sylvan Lake and offers some seriously gorgeous scenery. You’ll traverse several staircases, cross a creek on a log and see some huge, moss-covered boulders. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: 13329 US Highway 16A, Custer, SD 57730
Sarah M./Tripadvisor
The Harney Peak Trail is 3.5 miles to the summit, and it’s spectacular the entire way. You’ll be surrounded by natural beauty…and then you’ll reach the top with an unparalleled view. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: Keystone, SD 57751
Cancunkids/Tripadvisor
The George S. Mickelson Trail is just over 108 miles long and follows the tracks of the Burlington Northern Railroad route. It passes through some beautiful scenery, takes you over bridges and through tunnels. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: 11361 Nevada Gulch Road, Lead, SD 57754
Experience78/Tripadvisor
On a hot day, this heavily-forested trail is cool and shady. Legend says that Jesse James and his horse once jumped the towering rock formations here, in order to get away from law enforcement. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: Garretson, SD 57030
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in South Dakota May 23, 2019 Annie Sandmeier Which part of South Dakota has the best hiking? While every corner of South Dakota has pretty stellar hiking trails, our favorite area has to be the Black Hills. Why are the best hiking trails in South Dakota in the Black Hills? It is because of all the mountains, hills, and pristine scenery, of course! Whether you are wanting something short and sweet (like the previously mentioned Notch Trail), moderate (the historic Black Elk Peak Trail), or butt-busting (Sunday Gulch Trail, anyone?), you will find it in the beautiful Black Hills. What are the best hikes near Mount Rushmore? Since Mount Rushmore falls within the Black Hills region, there are plenty of awesome hikes nearby. For starters, take the iconic Presidential Trail, which loops around Mount Rushmore and makes for one of the best scenic hikes in South Dakota. After that, we (again) recommend the Black Elk Peak Trail, which is not only a fun trail to follow, but ends with some killer mountain-top views. Finally, you will want to visit Horse Thief Lake, which is only 2 miles northwest of Mount Rushmore and offers not only trails, but also great camping and fishing. What are the best hikes near Sioux Falls? While the Black Hills region has some marvelous hikes, our friends in Sioux Falls do, too. If you are craving a hike that will take you a million miles away from it all, walk one of the peaceful trails at Good Earth State Park. Do you love the hustle and bustle of the city? Then stay in Sioux Falls and follow the sidewalk-path along Falls Park. If you cannot get enough of the state’s wildlife and various natural resources, the paths at The Outdoor Campus may be the perfect fit for you!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in South Dakota
May 23, 2019
Annie Sandmeier
Which part of South Dakota has the best hiking? While every corner of South Dakota has pretty stellar hiking trails, our favorite area has to be the Black Hills. Why are the best hiking trails in South Dakota in the Black Hills? It is because of all the mountains, hills, and pristine scenery, of course! Whether you are wanting something short and sweet (like the previously mentioned Notch Trail), moderate (the historic Black Elk Peak Trail), or butt-busting (Sunday Gulch Trail, anyone?), you will find it in the beautiful Black Hills. What are the best hikes near Mount Rushmore? Since Mount Rushmore falls within the Black Hills region, there are plenty of awesome hikes nearby. For starters, take the iconic Presidential Trail, which loops around Mount Rushmore and makes for one of the best scenic hikes in South Dakota. After that, we (again) recommend the Black Elk Peak Trail, which is not only a fun trail to follow, but ends with some killer mountain-top views. Finally, you will want to visit Horse Thief Lake, which is only 2 miles northwest of Mount Rushmore and offers not only trails, but also great camping and fishing. What are the best hikes near Sioux Falls? While the Black Hills region has some marvelous hikes, our friends in Sioux Falls do, too. If you are craving a hike that will take you a million miles away from it all, walk one of the peaceful trails at Good Earth State Park. Do you love the hustle and bustle of the city? Then stay in Sioux Falls and follow the sidewalk-path along Falls Park. If you cannot get enough of the state’s wildlife and various natural resources, the paths at The Outdoor Campus may be the perfect fit for you!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
What are the best hikes near Mount Rushmore? Since Mount Rushmore falls within the Black Hills region, there are plenty of awesome hikes nearby. For starters, take the iconic Presidential Trail, which loops around Mount Rushmore and makes for one of the best scenic hikes in South Dakota. After that, we (again) recommend the Black Elk Peak Trail, which is not only a fun trail to follow, but ends with some killer mountain-top views. Finally, you will want to visit Horse Thief Lake, which is only 2 miles northwest of Mount Rushmore and offers not only trails, but also great camping and fishing.
What are the best hikes near Sioux Falls? While the Black Hills region has some marvelous hikes, our friends in Sioux Falls do, too. If you are craving a hike that will take you a million miles away from it all, walk one of the peaceful trails at Good Earth State Park. Do you love the hustle and bustle of the city? Then stay in Sioux Falls and follow the sidewalk-path along Falls Park. If you cannot get enough of the state’s wildlife and various natural resources, the paths at The Outdoor Campus may be the perfect fit for you!
