Hiking the Black Hills Country

Discover the beauty of the Black Hills Country, stretching from western South Dakota to eastern Wyoming.

Concise descriptions and detailed maps for fifty-eight trails allow hikers of all levels to reach splendid and solitary fishing holes, get fit in the outdoors, and learn about the region's history.

Hiking the Black Hills Country provides the latest information to plan a customized trip:

- Popular landmarks, common hikes, and hidden gems.

- Detailed maps and trail descriptions, complete with GPS coordinates.

- Insightful hike overviews, details on distance, difficulty, canine compatibility, and more.

From Mount Rushmore to French Creek, and the peak of Black Elk to the Red Valley, the 6,000 square miles of the Black Hills are as wild and free as the Great Plains can be.

- Find hikes suited to every ability.

- Experience the thrill of hiking through human and geological history.

- Discover epic cave formations, spectacular views, and more.

Discover the beauty of the Black Hills Country, stretching from western South Dakota to eastern Wyoming.

Concise descriptions and detailed maps for fifty-eight trails allow hikers of all levels to reach splendid and solitary fishing holes, get fit in the outdoors, and learn about the region's history.

Hiking the Black Hills Country provides the latest information to plan a customized trip:

- Popular landmarks, common hikes, and hidden gems.

- Detailed maps and trail descriptions, complete with GPS coordinates.

- Insightful hike overviews, details on distance, difficulty, canine compatibility, and more.

From Mount Rushmore to French Creek, and the peak of Black Elk to the Red Valley, the 6,000 square miles of the Black Hills are as wild and free as the Great Plains can be.

- Find hikes suited to every ability.

- Experience the thrill of hiking through human and geological history.

- Discover epic cave formations, spectacular views, and more.

With short hikes and overnight adventures, Hiking the Black Hills Country has everything you need to explore one of America's most gorgeous landscapes.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Meet Your Guides

Before You Hit the Trail

Introduction

Map Legend

The Hikes

Bearlodge Mountains

1Cook Lake Trail (WY)

2 Cliff Swallow Trail (WY)

3 Carson Draw Trails (WY)

Bear Butte State Park

4 Bear Butte (SD)

Devils Tower National Monument

5 Tower Trail (WY)

6 Red Beds Trail (WY)

7 South Side and Valley View Trails (WY)

8 Joyner Ridge Trail (WY)

Spearfish Area

9 Crow Peak Trail (SD)

10 Old Baldy Trail (SD)

11 Little Spearfish Trail (SD)

12 Rimrock Trail (SD)

13 Big Hill Trails (SD)

14 Eagle Cliff Trails (SD)

Custer State Park

15 The Creekside Trail (SD)

16 French Creek Natural Area (SD)

17 Grace Coolidge Walk-in Fishing Area (SD)

18 Lovers’ Leap Trail (SD)

19 Legion Lake Campground Trail (SD)

20 Prairie Trail (SD)

21 Badger Clark Historic Trail (SD)

22 Sunday Gulch Trail (SD)

23 Sylvan Lake Shore Trail (SD)

Black Elk Range

24 Sylvan Lake to Black Elk Peak Trail (SD)

25Little Devils Tower Spur Trail (SD)

26 Little Devils Tower Trailhead to Black Elk Peak (SD)

27Cathedral Spires Trail (SD)

28 Willow Creek Loop (SD)

29 Black Elk Peak Loop (SD)

30 Lost Cabin–Black Elk Peak Loop (SD)

31 Iron Mountain Loop (SD)

32 Horsethief Lake to Mount Rushmore (SD)

Deerfield

33Deerfield Trail (SD)

34 Deerfield Lake Loop (SD)

35 Flume Trail (SD)

36 Spring Creek Loop (SD)

37 Boulder Hill (SD)

Wind Cave National Park

38 Cold Brook Canyon Trail (SD)

39 Wind Cave Canyon Trail (SD)

40 Lookout Point–Centennial Trail Loop (SD)

41 Highland Creek–Sanctuary–Centennial Loop (SD)

42 Boland Ridge Trail (SD)

43 Rankin Ridge Nature Trail (SD)

44 Elk Mountain Nature Trail (SD)

45Prairie Vista Nature Trail(SD)

Jewel Cave National Monument

46Roof Trail (SD)

47Canyons Trail(SD)

48Hell Canyon Trail (SD)

Badlands National Park

Badlands Wilderness Areas

49 Castle Trail(SD)

50 Medicine Root Loop (SD)

51 Cliff Shelf Nature Trail (SD)

52 Saddle Pass Trail (SD)

53 Fossil Exhibit Trail (SD)

54 Door Trail (SD)

55Window Trail(SD)

56Notch Trail (SD)

The Long Trails

57 Centennial Trail (SD)

58George S. Mickelson Trail (SD)

Bonus Hikes at a Glance

APPENDIX A: Suggested Equipment

APPENDIX B: Managing Agencies

APPENDIX C: Campgrounds

APPENDIX D: Additional Reading

Hike Index