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Biking Trails & Paths in Rapid City, South Dakota

Bicycle touring and pleasure riding are popular activities in Rapid City and the Black Hills area. Within the city limits you’ll find 13 1/2 miles of trail that wind along Rapid Creek. Wide shouldered highways are also a favorite among road bike enthusiasts. Some of the most popular rides are Rapid City to Mount Rushmore; Needles Highway; Iron Mountain Road; Spearfish Canyon; and the Badlands Loop Road. All have some steep grades and long climbs but the scenery is worth it.

Rapid City Parks and Recreation Trail Map

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Rapid City and Black Hills Biking Trails

Alkali Creek Trail Network (Black Hills Trail) 
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Part of the Centennial Trail, this single-track mixed with a small bit of dirt road and short downhill’s. Trail starts from the turnout area and following further down the dirt road for about 3/4 mile before you split off onto the single-track. The single-track is rolly, short ascents with shorter descents, small switchbacks and for the downhill the trail goes down over 'stairs' of boulders, single-track, and finally out into a large open field for the last 1/2 mile or so.
 

• Total Length: 18.92 miles

• Elevation Change: 3832 ft / 3098 ft

• Minimum Elevation: 3377 ft

• Maximum Elevation: 4479 ft

• Trail Level: Intermediate

• Average Review: 4.67 out of 5

• Directions: From Rapid City, west on I-90, take exit 34 near Black Hills National Cemetery, turn right or north and follow road for about 1 mile. Large turnout area.

Buzzards Roost Trail Network (Black Hills Trail)
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The Buzzards Roost Trail Network is a system of trails about six miles west of Rapid City that features 8+ miles of diverse single and double track. With 6+ miles of the trail being exceptional, if somewhat rocky, single track. There are a couple of challenging climbs to be had in this trail network but, sans the exceptionally rocky sections, the trails are typical of a modern human designed trail system in that they flow well and have a diversity of medium and high speed sections. One of the highlights of this area is the breathtaking view from atop the Lookout, upon your first visit to Buzzards Roost you should consider an ascent to the Lookout mandatory. 
 

• Total Length: 9.98 miles

• Elevation Change: 2394 ft / 1053 ft

• Minimum Elevation: 4121 ft

• Maximum Elevation: 4720 ft

• Trail Level: Intermediate to Advanced

• Average Review: No Reviews Available

• Directions: 4 miles west of Rapid City on Highway 44. First parking area on the left after the Black Hills National Forest sign or between Falling Rock Rd and Thunderhead Falls Rd. This newly built the trail system is well marked.

Storm Mountain Trail Network (Black Hills Trail)
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Storm Mountain is one of older and heavily used trails in the Black Hills that has it all!  Smooth, fast, wavy, low angle down hills; challenging, steep, rocky climbs; insanely steep descents; rock drops- it can all be found at Storm Mountain. The trail is rocky, technically challenging, and sports 145 ft/mile of climbing. Almost half of the trail has been rerouted due to a recent fire. There are over 10 miles of trail and virtually all of it is single-track with tight switchbacks and some steep slopes.

• Total Length: 11.61 Mile

• Elevation Change: 2435 ft / 2221 ft

• Minimum Elevation: 4383 ft

• Maximum Elevation: 4933 ft

• Trail Level: Intermediate

• Average Review: 5 out of 5

• Directions: Take Hwy 16 south out of Rapid City 11.3 miles. Turn right onto Silver Mountain Rd. Go 0.15 miles to the Flume Trial (Coon Hollow) Parking lot on the right. The trail starts here.

Mickelson Trail (Black Hills Trail)
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The Mickelson Trail is a converted railroad that passes through the heart of the Black Hills. Beginning in Edgemont, in the southern hills, the trail passes through the towns of Pringle, Custer, Hill City, Rochford, Lead and Deadwood. The majority of the trail does not exceed 4% grade and the relatively hard packed crushed aggregate surface make it appropriate for bicycles of all types except road bikes with skinny tires. The trail is suitable for all ages and abilities. Hikers and horseback riders are the other predominant trail users.

• Total Length: 112.83 Miles

• Elevation Change: 2800 ft

• Minimum Elevation: 3400 ft

• Maximum Elevation: 6200 ft

• Trail Level: Trails for all skill levels

• Average Review: 4.67 out of 5

• Directions: Official trailhead begins in Edgemont, SD. Trailheads are found continuously along this trail which ends in Deadwood, SD.

Centennial Trail #89 (Black Hills Trail)
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Ranges from intermediate to expert single track through a range of terrain.
 

• Total Length: 105.34 Miles

• Elevation Change: 2400 ft

• Minimum Elevation: 3200 ft

• Maximum Elevation: 5600 ft

• Trail Level: Intermediate to Expert

• Average Review: 4.41 out of 5

• Directions: Trailheads located along the 100+ mile trail through the Black Hills

Hansen-Larsen Memorial Park Trail Network (Rapid City Trail)
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Hansen-Larsen Memorial Park, formerly M Hill or Cowboy Hill, is the closest thing to being in the Hills, while still being in Rapid City. With over 18 miles of developed trails, the Park has many trails that fork off of just one. It varies from, technical descent to very easy hill climbs and is a great all around trail.

• Total Length: 9.62 Miles

• Elevation Change: 920 ft / 2182 ft

• Minimum Elevation: 3283 ft

• Maximum Elevation: 3877 ft

• Trail Level: Trails for all skill levels

• Average Review: 4.75 out of 5

• Directions: This trail is directly north of Skyline Drive. Parking at Founders Park on Omaha or turn north onto 12^th St (near the Executive Golf Course), continue across bridge, which becomes Founder’s Park Dr. Parking lot on left side.

Skyline Drive (Rapid City Trail)
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Nice technical single-track less than a mile from downtown. There are many spurs to this trail as it winds through a fairly small overall area. There are some steep climbs and technical areas with some nice short, fast downhill’s mixed in. Trail development continues. 
 

• Total Length: 3-6 Miles

• Elevation Change: 568 ft

• Minimum Elevation: 3286 ft

• Maximum Elevation: 3854 ft

• Trail Level: Advanced

• Average Review: 4 out of 5

• Directions: Access the trail in various locations:
  1. From Mt. Rushmore Rd:
              a) Main entrance: Take Quincy St west to Skyline Dr and go past Dinosaur Park. Just before the first switch-back there is a pullout on the east side of the road. The trail is just through the fence.
              b) Take St. Cloud St west and continue until the street dead ends.
              c) Take St. Patrick St west until it dead ends. There is a fence at the dead end and the trail begins here.
              d) Take Franklin St west up a steep hill, becoming Palo Verde Dr. Near the top of the hill the trail is to the left or west in between to driveways that go in opposite directions.
              e) Take Florman St. west to top of hill.
  2. From Sheridan Lake Rd, turn east onto W Florman St. Continue to end of street and turn right onto Cerro Ct.
  

  
  

Leonard Swanson Memorial Pathway (Rapid City Trail)
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The Leonard "Swanny" Swanson Memorial Pathway is a paved bike path that runs the breadth of Rapid City along Rapid Creek.
 

• Total Length: 12 Miles

• Elevation Change: 412 ft

• Minimum Elevation: 3175 ft

• Maximum Elevation: 3418 ft

• Trail Level: Easy

Directions: Access the trail in various locations along the path. See map for details. Access at major Parks include: Canyon Lake, Sioux Park, Founder’s Park, Memorial Park, Roosevelt Park, Central States Fairgrounds, and Star of the West.