Dakota County trails

The Black Elk Peak Loop provides an unforgettable hiking experience through the stunning Black Hills. As you ascend, you’ll enjoy diverse landscapes, including expansive forests, towering rock formations, and sweeping views from the summit of Black Elk Peak, the highest point in South Dakota, where visitors…

Distance: 7.4 mi • Elevation gain: 1,447 ft • Maximum elevation: 7,169 ft

The Painted Canyon Trail offers an exceptional way to experience the stunning landscapes of the Badlands. The trail takes hikers down into the canyon, revealing sweeping vistas of colorful rock formations shaped by centuries of erosion, with hues of purple, red, and yellow. Along the way, visitors may…

Distance: 4.2 mi • Elevation gain: 427 ft • Maximum elevation: 2,776 ft

The Pike Island Loop Trail offers a tranquil escape with its winding paths through a mix of lush forests and open landscapes, encircling Pike Island where the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers converge. Hikers are treated to striking views of both rivers, alongside peaceful stretches of shoreline, especially…

Distance: 3.9 mi • Elevation gain: 144 ft • Maximum elevation: 735 ft

The Coal Vein Trail offers a captivating journey through unique geological formations and remnants of a long-burning coal seam. Hikers pass colorful rock layers, clinker deposits, and exposed clay, with interpretive markers explaining the area’s geological history. The trail is easy to moderate, making it an…

Distance: 0.8 mi • Elevation gain: 43 ft • Maximum elevation: 2,500 ft

The hike to Sperati Point offers a unique blend of tranquility and impressive views. Starting from the Oxbow Overlook, the trail gently winds through open prairie, revealing sweeping vistas of the Little Missouri River, rugged badlands, and surrounding grasslands. As hikers reach Sperati Point, they are…

Distance: 2.4 mi • Elevation gain: 279 ft • Maximum elevation: 2,539 ft

Hiking the White Butte Highpoint Trail offers a chance to experience the raw beauty of North Dakota's rugged badlands and rolling prairies. The trail takes you past the iconic white cliffs of the butte, leading to a summit with sweeping views of the surrounding farmland, distant rock formations, and on clear…

Distance: 1.6 mi • Elevation gain: 348 ft • Maximum elevation: 3,488 ft

This loop offers a dynamic hiking experience through Theodore Roosevelt National Park's diverse landscapes. Hikers can expect expansive views of the park’s rugged badlands, rolling prairies, and the winding Little Missouri River. Along the way, visitors may encounter a variety of wildlife, from prairie dogs…

Distance: 5.2 mi • Elevation gain: 561 ft • Maximum elevation: 2,674 ft

The Boicourt Trail is a brief but captivating route that offers visitors a chance to explore the dramatic Badlands landscape. The trail begins with a paved path, providing easy access to stunning views of expansive valleys and distant buttes, including the striking Buck Hill. Continuing beyond the paved…

Distance: 0.8 mi • Elevation gain: 144 ft • Maximum elevation: 2,707 ft

The Wind Canyon Loop Trail offers a scenic and relatively easy hike, ideal for those looking to experience the park's dramatic badlands landscapes in a short amount of time. The trail follows wind-eroded cliffs that rise above the Little Missouri River, providing sweeping views of the river valley and the…

Distance: 0.5 mi • Elevation gain: 92 ft • Maximum elevation: 2,352 ft

The Painted Canyon Loop Trail offers an excellent opportunity to explore the Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s striking geological features. As you hike, you'll descend into the canyon, taking in sweeping views of the colorful badlands and unique rock formations. Along the way, you may spot wildlife such as…

Distance: 0.9 mi • Elevation gain: 246 ft • Maximum elevation: 2,779 ft

The Caprock Coulee Loop Trail offers a unique opportunity to experience the rugged beauty of Theodore Roosevelt National Park's North Unit. As you hike, you'll encounter expansive views of the Badlands, including striking buttes and layered rock formations that display vivid hues of red and gray. The trail…

Distance: 4.4 mi • Elevation gain: 659 ft • Maximum elevation: 2,444 ft

The Lebanon Hills Loop is a scenic hike that immerses you in the tranquil beauty of this regional park, offering a peaceful escape from the city. The trail meanders through lush forests, past picturesque lakes, and over boardwalks that enhance the hiking experience. Along the route, you'll encounter varied…

Distance: 5.1 mi • Elevation gain: 302 ft • Maximum elevation: 984 ft

The Petrified Forest Trail offers a fascinating journey through a striking mix of geological history and natural beauty. As you hike, you'll encounter expansive badlands, rolling prairies, and the intriguing remnants of ancient trees turned to stone. The trail provides close-up views of large petrified wood…

Distance: 5.2 mi • Elevation gain: 568 ft • Maximum elevation: 2,730 ft

The Door Trail is a short but exciting adventure that immerses you into the park’s rugged, lunar-like terrain. After the easy walk on a boardwalk, the trail becomes more uneven, winding through eroded gullies and fascinating rock formations, rewarding you with stunning panoramic views of the Badlands'…

Distance: 0.8 mi • Elevation gain: 52 ft • Maximum elevation: 2,635 ft

This loop trail is a delightful way to get up close and personal with the iconic monument. As you stroll along the paved path, you can admire the stunning views of the presidential faces from various angles and read interesting historical tidbits about each leader. While the stairs can be a bit of a workout,…

Distance: 0.6 mi • Elevation gain: 148 ft • Maximum elevation: 5,305 ft

The Cathedral Spires Trail offers a fantastic hiking experience filled with stunning views of unique granite formations. As you ascend through picturesque forests and navigate some rocky sections, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramas of the Black Hills and the surrounding landscape. The hike is…

Distance: 2.0 mi • Elevation gain: 633 ft • Maximum elevation: 6,696 ft

The Little Devil's Tower Trail offers an exhilarating experience that’s well worth the effort. The hike is mostly a gentle ascent through stunning rock formations, culminating in a rewarding scramble to the top where breathtaking views of the Black Hills and the Cathedral Spires await. Although the final…

Distance: 4.0 mi • Elevation gain: 988 ft • Maximum elevation: 6,900 ft

This loop trail to Black Elk Peak and Little Devil's Tower is an absolute gem for hikers exploring South Dakota's Black Hills. This well-maintained loop starts at Sylvan Lake and offers breathtaking panoramas, rugged rock formations, and a chance to experience two iconic summits in one trek. While challenging,…

Distance: 8.0 mi • Elevation gain: 1,870 ft • Maximum elevation: 7,169 ft

The Black Elk Peak Trail offers a fantastic hiking experience that combines natural beauty and cultural significance. Starting from Sylvan Lake, the trail winds through dense pine forests, rugged granite formations, and features the famous Cathedral Spires. The climb is moderately challenging, with rewarding…

Distance: 6.8 mi • Elevation gain: 1,503 ft • Maximum elevation: 7,169 ft

Lovers' Leap loop trail offers a delightful mix of scenery, starting with a climb through towering ponderosa pines and leading to sweeping views of the Black Hills. The rocky outcrop at the top provides breathtaking panoramas, including views of Mount Coolidge and Black Elk Peak, making the initial uphill…

Distance: 4.3 mi • Elevation gain: 738 ft • Maximum elevation: 4,682 ft

This loop hike in Badlands National Park offers a good opportunity to explore the park’s unique landscape. The trail takes you through a striking mix of badland formations, mesas, and open prairies, expansive views along the way. Though the trail is exposed with little shade, the gentle terrain and varied…

Distance: 6.7 mi • Elevation gain: 194 ft • Maximum elevation: 2,657 ft

The Sylvan Lake loop is a delightful and easy hike that offers stunning scenery around the picturesque lake. This is a popular trail known for its serene views of Sylvan Lake, framed by towering granite rock formations and lush landscapes. While most of the trail is flat and accessible, the northwest section…

Distance: 1.1 mi • Elevation gain: 115 ft • Maximum elevation: 6,207 ft

Hike on the Castle Trail in the Badlands National Park. #Hiking #Desert #Nature #Park

Distance: 4.9 mi • Elevation gain: 144 ft • Maximum elevation: 2,671 ft

Hike to Cathedral Spires in the Custer State Park. #Hiking #Mountain #Nature #Forest #Park

Distance: 3.0 mi • Elevation gain: 797 ft • Maximum elevation: 6,699 ft

Hike along the Notch Creek on the Notch trail in the Badlands National Park. #Hiking #Nature #Park

Distance: 1.4 mi • Elevation gain: 171 ft • Maximum elevation: 2,799 ft

Distance: 14.8 mi • Elevation gain: 525 ft • Maximum elevation: 1,109 ft