Hear that? It’s nature’s serenade - the wind whispering through the trees, the babble of the creek, the singsong of the birds. The Black Hills and Badlands is nothing short of peaceful nature retreats. The Black Hills is filled with scenic drives and as you navigate to regional communities and wander from adventure to adventure, stop at the many trailheads, easily accessible via popular routes in the region.
SOUTHERN BLACK HILLS
Flume Trail: Spring Creek Trailhead
Located along Sheridan Lake Road, you will find a quaint trail tucked away alongside the highway. Spring Creek is a four-mile loop that will take you across bridged water crossings, through old mining tunnels, before connecting with Sheridan Lake. The trail is part of the 11-mile Flume Trail. A hike along Spring Creek is a step into history. The trail follows the historical flume bed for most of the hike, which celebrates the mining boom of the 1880s and the Rockerville Flume, which carried water 20 miles from Spring Creek to Sheridan Lake.
To access Spring Creek Trailhead, take Sheridan Lake Road, west of Rapid City.
Custer State Park: Little Devils Tower & Cathedral Spires
As you drive through Custer State Park, admiring the granite spires, expansive overlooks, and roaming wildlife, stop and take a hike at recommended trail heads – Little Devils Tower and Cathedral Spires.
Little Devils Tower is a rewarding 3.8 mile out-and-back hike. You will start the hike wandering through towering pines and aspen, but soon you will go up a short incline with some rock scrambling. Follow the blue arrows and you will be rewarded with a stunning 360 view of one of the best views in the Black Hills!
From Rapid City, you will take Highway 16 to Highway 385 South. You will then take Highway 87 to Custer State Park and the Little Devils Tower Trailhead.
Get Little Devils Tower Directions Here
A drive along Needles Highway leads you to the Cathedral Spires Trailhead, a stunning 1.7 mile out-and-back hike that puts you front and center with the granite spires of the Black Hills. Stand among these iconic formations as they pierce the summer sky for a frame-worthy photo opp!
Take Highway 385 South to Highway 16 East.
Get Cathedral Spires Directions Here
NORTHERN BLACK HILLS
Sturgis: Fort Meade Recreation Area
We recommend spending a day at the Fort Meade Recreation Area, which provides access to the 7th Calvary Trail System and Centennial Trail. Hikers can choose their distance on various out-and-back treks. Picnic areas offer space to refuel and rest before the next adventure. Other attractions at Fort Meade include the Fort Meade Cavalry Post, Old Fort Meade Museum and Fort Meade Post Cemetery.
From Rapid City, take I-90 West to Exit 32 to access Ford Mead Recreation Area.
Get Directions to Fort Meade Here
Spearfish Canyon: Roughlock Falls & ’76 Trail
Cruise through Spearfish Canyon, a 19-mile scenic route that boasts gorgeous trails to explore. We recommend Roughlock Falls and the ’76 Trail.
Roughlock Falls is a 2-mile round trip hike for all abilities that takes you along a serene walking path to the stunning Roughlock Falls. Enjoy the tiered lookout points once you read the Falls. A picnic area and green space offers a great place to relax and have lunch.
The ’76 Trail, adjacent to the Roughlock Falls Trailhead is a short, yet steeper 0.75-mile incline to the rim of Spearfish Canyon, offering a breathtaking panoramic view as your reward. The trail was once part of a 16-mile mining trail during the Black Hills Gold Rush.
To access both trailheads, head on I-90 West and take Exit 14 to Spearfish Canyon. Cruise through a stunning limestone rock walls for about 13 miles before turning onto Roughlock Road. Signage is available for both trailheads, which are less than a quarter mile apart.
Get Roughlock Falls Directions Here
Deadwood: Friendship Tower
Take in a short hike to Friendship Tower, located along the Mount Theordore Roosevelt Loop. This 0.8-mile hike takes you to a stone tower built by famous Deadwood Sheriff Seth Bullock in honor of his friendship with President Theodore Roosevelt.
Head west on I-90 and take Exit 30, following the scenic Boulder Canyon into Deadwood, where the trail is located just two miles from downtown Deadwood.
Get Directions to Friendship Tower Here
Fuel Up & Be Prepared
As you venture to the trailheads, you will have easy access to Black Hills communities where you can grab coffee, snacks, or lunch to fuel up for your adventure!
As you set out on your adventures be sure to practice Leave No Trace and pack out what you pack in. Be aware of weather conditions and make sure you have adequate water, especially in higher temperatures.
Forever 605
Be sure to exercise trail stewardship. Pack in what you pack out and follow trail guidelines set by state parks and national forests. Let’s leave our trails as beautiful as we found them.