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.
With miles of trails to explore, it can become overwhelming to find the perfect fit for you, your family, or friends. Highway 385 is a popular route connecting you to some of the best hikes in the Black Hills. We have five hikes we recommend you check out when traveling along Highway 385.
Flume Trail
Step into history with a hike along the Flume Trail that follows the historical flume bed for most of the hike. The Flume Trail celebrates the mining boom of the 1880s and the Rockerville Flume, which carried water 20 miles rom Spring Creek to Sheridan Lake.
The trail offers great views and fun tunnels along the route.
The Flume Trail starts at Sheridan Lake, off Highway 385. Look for Calumet Trailhead, along the southeast shore of the lake.
The entire trail is 11 miles with an optional three-mile loop. The trail ends near Rockerville at the Coon Hollow Trailhead.
Mickelson Trail
The Mickelson Trail is a 109-mile crushed limestone trek that offers opportunities for hiking and biking. The easy to moderate route is a great trail for all abilities. There are multiple access points along Highway 385. In Custer, you can take Harback Park Trailhead or a short spur to Stockade Lake. The Mountain Trailhead, three miles north of Custer on Highway 385 and the Burlington Northern Hill City trailhead in Hill City. Each trailhead is a great starting point to adventure along the route, as well as provide starting and ending points for food, beverages, and other amenities before and after the hike.
A trail pass is required to hike and bike on The Mickelson.
Get more information about passes and directions to trailheads here
Lake Pactola - Osprey Trail & Jenny Gulch
Osprey Trail
Surrounded by pine covered rolling hills, Lake Pactola is a prime camping, fishing, and water sport destination. However, the lake provides several peaceful trails offering fishing, kayaking, and a quiet retreat from the crowds.
Osprey Trail, a 2.6-mile loop, is a short trek that offers sweeping views of the lake and surrounding rolling hills. The trail is named after the osprey, a type of hawk, that frequents the lake. Take a fishing pole and throw in a line at the various spots to stop. A short spur trail will take you to a stunning overlook of the lake.
Jenny Gulch
A short and sweet hike with a cool reward, Jenny Gulch is the perfect hike for a hot day. Jenny Gulch is a popular area for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding, and there is a picnic area to enjoy lunch or an afternoon snack. A short path will lead you to an overlook of Lake Pactola.
Silver City Trailhead
A few miles off Highway 385 is a quaint trailhead that takes you on a section of the Centennial Trail. The trail allows you to choose your distance on out-and-back treks.
Silver City was founded as a mining town in the late 1800s but is now a quaint community with prime camping and hiking.
The trailhead is five miles along Silver City Road and provides access to Deerfield Trail and headwaters of Lake Pactola. The trail takes hikers into a pine-clad forest, following Rapid Creek. There are several bridge-covered water crossings and mine abandonments. Hikers have a few options of there to go. The trailhead connects you with Deerfield Trail, which is 23 miles one way, but hikers can choose their length for a short out-and-back or continue for a longer hike. The trail is open to mountain bikers and horse back riding, as well as hiking.
This trail is great for fishing, backpacking, and camping, as well.
Be Prepared
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.