South Dakota Trails

The beauty of the Black Hills National Forest is on display as you travel along China Gulch Road. The road begins in the China Gulch and ends as it proceeds through the more rugged and popular Nugget Gulch. This easy forested road displays an abundance of wildflowers and mature pine trees. Creek crossings are always a favorite feature for an off-pavement adventure and several can be found near the north end of this road.

Nestled midway between Deadwood and Sturgis, Camp 5 is the ultimate gateway to over 10 miles of adrenaline-pumping rock-crawling, 4x4, and OHV trails. Offering a small taste of what can be found along its neighboring trails, Camp 5 marches you into a broader network, where you will find trails twisting through creek beds, threading past boulder fields, and scaling natural waterfalls. Trails in this area draw in local 4x4 clubs, rock-crawling diehards, and thrill-seekers from across the country who are eager to test the limits of their skills and machines.

Located in the Cereal Bowl Trail System, Fruity Pebbles is a poster child for the technical type of rock crawling the Black Hills of South Dakota is widely known for. Unlike the sweetened breakfast cereal, this trail is not easy to chew and does not soften itself for ill-prepared vehicles. You will not be offered any bypasses or bailout routes once you enter this trail. Weak links will be exposed as you carefully attempt to navigate your way through not one but two chaotic minefields of sharp, loose, jagged rocks the size of kitchen appliances. Be sure to bring a proper spoon because devouring this trail will take a good utensil.

"The trails are either maintained forest access roads or super challenging offroad trails" may be a sentence you've heard summarizing the Black Hills, but Polo Peak is undoubtedly one of the outliers to that statement. Polo Peak is a rare, scenic getaway from this area's thick, tree-covered trails, as ascending to the very top will provide you with 360-degree views of the entire forest and surrounding towns. With just enough challenge and diversity to make this interesting for any wheeler, Polo Peak should be on your shortlist for trails in this area. If you don't mind camping without a fire, the top provides large groups a gathering spot to talk about the day's adventures and the many more experiences to come while wheeling in the Black Hills.

Located in the Cereal Bowl Trail System, Got Milk is a perfect introductory trail to the more technical rock crawling that is common in the Black Hills. This challenging trail, sometimes referred to as Upper Captain Crunch, winds through a striking landscape of dense pine forests and steep granite outcrops, offering a thrilling mix of tight turns, boulder-filled rock gardens, rocky ledges, and narrow passages that demand precision driving and constant attention. If you are looking for a bridge trail to see if you are ready to make the jump from forest roads to rock trails, Got Milk should be at the top of your list.

Located just outside Rapid City, Iceman is one of the Black Hills’ premier rock-crawling trails, famous for its towering canyon walls, vibrant vegetation, and relentless rock challenges. This local favorite puts drivers to the test with a series of 2- to 3-foot ledges and waterfalls as you work your way down to the mouth of South Stagebarn Canyon. And just when you think you’ve conquered it, the out-and-back layout serves up every obstacle a second time, this time on the climb out. If you’re searching for a trail that’s equal parts technical and scenic, Iceman is the perfect double-dose of adventure you’ve been looking for.

Williams Draw is an easy drive that takes you from Deerfield Lake to the Four Corners area in the beautiful Black Hills. Four Corners is a central location in the large network of other, less maintained, offroad trails. This makes Williams Draw one of the direct routes to the center of the trail network. If your looking to explore in the central Black Hills then Williams Draw is an excellent place to start

Smith Draw is a combination of several forest service roads that tracks you through the heart of the Black Hills from one main road to another. Located in the heart of the Mystic Ranger District this is one of the dozens of trails to explore showing the different landscapes in the Western Black Hills. As you travel through the forest, grassy valleys, and small gulches you will begin to see the unique nature of the hills making this a great easy trail for someone not familiar with the area.

Smith Draw Cutoff is an optional route to exit Smith Draw in the Black Hills National Forest. This short route takes you directly through a grassy valley where the trail can be difficult to see from the green grass, especially in early summer when the vegetation is new and lush. As you travel through the open grass field, you get a sense of what the rancher experiences as he's going to maintain his well and check on his cattle.