You can’t truly experience all the natural beauty of the Black Hills without some proper time outside. Each of these scenic hiking/biking trails can be completed in a single day. I’ve done my best to disclose some key details about each of them, including length of trail, difficulty of trek and a brief description of the view from the summit (if applicable).

1. Length: Medium. Roughly 1 hour total.

2. Difficulty: Medium- The hike is not terribly long but you are walking through rocky and wet terrain.

3. View: Unique rock formations and waterfalls.

1. Length: Easy. Flat trail in the Spearfish Canyon.

2. Difficulty: Easy - The is a casual hike if you are wanting to enjoy the outdoors and experience the Spearfish Canyon.

3. View: Picturesque mountains next to Iron Creek. Check out the Latchstring Restaurant for a fun lunch after your hike!

1. Length: Medium. This trail winds around lookout mountain, loved by local mountain bikers.

2. Difficulty: Medium - There are multiple trials to pick from that wind around Lookout.

3. View: You can actually see all of Spearfish, as well as Wyoming once you get to the top. Make sure to watch for rattle snakes in the summertime!

1. Length: Medium. Roughly 3-4 hours total.

2. Difficulty: Medium-hard intensity. While this hike isn’t too particularly long, the altitude climbed within the few miles makes for a shorter but more intense trek!

3. View: Perfect view of Spearfish and the Wyoming border!

1. Length: Long! While most typically bike only sections of this trail, the entire Michealson stretches roughly 109 miles!

2. Difficulty: Low-medium. This trail boasts full forest, long winding streams and long stretches of flat gravel trailhead!

3. Views: While not the same views you might find at the top of Crow Peak, the Michealson holds historic beauty and random peaceful overlooks of Lead-Deadwood.

1. Length: There is a loop of 10 miles of trails to choose from.

2. Difficulty: Low-Medium. This trail is a user friendly non-motorized hiking/biking trail.

3. Views: You get to experience a 360-degree view from the rocky limestone summit of Buzzards Roost, and look down onto Rapid Creek, surrounded by Black Hills Forest.

1. Length: 11 miles plus 3-mile loop

2. Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

3. Take U.S. Highway 385 to Sheridan Lake Campground. Follow signs to Flume Trail and the Calumet Trailhead near the southeast shore of Sheridan Lake. The trail ends near Rockerville at the Coon Hollow Trailhead on County Road 233.

One of my all-time favorite things to recommend in the beautiful Black Hills! This entire section is dedicated to tent, camper and RV pack-in camping. Find a list of local campgrounds within the towns of Spearfish, Rapid City, Deadwood and Custer, including links for pricing, availability and season dates.

Biking is an incredible way to take in all the Black Hills have to offer! If you’re looking for a cost effective way to take advantage of the outdoors while effectively making your way to your desired local spots, renting a bicycle for the day could be the perfect option. Here’s a list of some Black Hills bicycle shops that even offer snow/winter bike rentals!

Black Hills Power Bike Rentals - Custer

Axbow Rentals - Deadwood

Spearfish Canyon Rental Center - Spearfish

Gold Rush E-Bike Rentals - Rapid City

Black Hills Bicycles - Rapid City

Two Wheeler Dealer - Spearfish

Rushmore Bicycles - Spearfish

No matter the season of your Black Hills trip, you’ll undoubtedly find plenty of options to keep your getaway adventurous. I’ve included a list of winter sport gear rentals, as well a link to everything you need to know about Terry Peak —the Black Hills residential ski/snowboard mountain!

Black Hills Off-Road Rentals - Deadwood

Northern Black Hills Rentals - Sturgis

Spearfish Canyon Rental Center - Lead

Edge UTV Rentals - Lead

Mad Mountain Adventures - Lead

Adventure Rentals - Custer

Spearfish Canyon Rental Center - Spearfish

Deadwood Outdoor Rentals - Deadwood

Terry Peak Ski Area - Lead

https://terrypeak.com

The Black Hills boast some of the coziest coffee shops in the Midwest with local brews, farm-fresh cafe eats and a vibe you simply can’t top. Here are my personal top 10 coffee shop recommendations.

Ruby’s Roost - Spearfish

Blackbird - Spearfish

Common Grounds - Spearfish

Green Bean - Spearfish

The Cup - Spearfish

Sturgis Coffee Company - Sturgis

Essence of Coffee - Rapid City

Harriet and Oak - Rapid City

Alternative Fuel Coffee House - Rapid City

I always love getting in a solid workout before a day of adventure. These are my top picks for local gyms to help you get a feel of the awesome Black Hills fitness community.

CrossFit Reserve - Spearfish

Spearfish Yoga, Cycle & Strength-Spearfish

Bearfoot Fitness - Spearfish

Black Hills Barbell - Hill City

605 Grit Fitness-Rapid City

Anytime Fitness-Rapid City (multiple locations)

Aliive Fitness-Rapid City

Evolve Fitness-Rapid City

Weight Room-Rapid City

If you love tasting the local beverages here are some recommendations for some of the amazing local breweries and wineries in the Black Hills. You can google all of these spots to check on hours of operation and to find out if they are on tap at any other location.

Rapid City

Hay Camp Brewing

Lost Cabin

Zymurcracy Beer Co.

Cohort

Woodland Republic

Last Mile Brewing

Dakota Point Brewing

Firehouse Brewing

Firehouse Winery

Sturgis

Sturgis Brewing

Belle Joli-Winery

Spearfish

Spearfish Brewing

Sawyer Brewing

Crow Peak

Custer

Rushmore Brewing

Hill City

Prairie Berry-Winery

Miner Brewing Co.

Sick and Twisted- Brewery and Winery

Naked Winery