South Dakota Running Trails and Maps

118 Reviews

Looking for the best Running trails around South Dakota?

Find the top rated running trails in South Dakota, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

City Trails and Maps in South Dakota

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Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type
44 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve Trail

6 mi
State: SD
Crushed Stone

Auld-Brokaw Trail

3.3 mi
State: SD
Concrete

Ballpark Road Trail

1.1 mi
State: SD
Concrete

Belle Fourche River Walk Trail

5 mi
State: SD
Asphalt

Chamberlain Walking Path

1.6 mi
State: SD
Asphalt

Custer State Park Spur

3.2 mi
State: SD
Asphalt

Dakota Dunes Trail

2.8 mi
State: SD
Asphalt, Concrete

Deadman Trail

0.75 mi
State: SD
Concrete

Dry Run Creek Trail

1.07 mi
State: SD
Asphalt, Concrete

George S. Mickelson Trail

109 mi
State: SD
Crushed Stone

Golf Course Trail

0.8 mi
State: SD
Asphalt

Highway 52 Trail

4.5 mi
State: SD
Asphalt, Concrete

Homestake Railroad Grade Trail

3.5 mi
State: SD
Dirt

James River Trail

4.3 mi
State: SD
Asphalt, Dirt

Lake Andes Rail Trail

0.84 mi
State: SD
Asphalt, Ballast

Leonard Swanson Memorial Pathway

8.2 mi
State: SD
Asphalt, Concrete, Gravel

Lewis and Clark Lake Trail

3.5 mi
State: SD
Asphalt

Madison Bike & Recreation Trail

5.9 mi
State: SD
Asphalt

Marne Creek West Trail

0.6 mi
State: SD
Crushed Stone

Memorial Park Trail (SD)

1.5 mi
State: SD
Concrete
Accordion

Meridian Bridge Trail

0.7 mi
State: NE, SD
Concrete

Miller to St. Lawrence Trail

1.4 mi
State: SD
Asphalt

Mitchell Community Bike Path

10 mi
State: SD
Asphalt, Concrete

Mobridge Riverfront Walking Path

2.3 mi
State: SD
Asphalt

Moccasin Creek Trail

1.8 mi
State: SD
Asphalt

Moose Drive Bike Path

1.5 mi
State: SD
Concrete

North Sioux City/McCook Lake Trail

4.3 mi
State: SD
Concrete

Oahe Dam Downstream Fort Pierre Trail

4.2 mi
State: SD
Asphalt, Concrete

Ordway Trail (Aberdeen)

2.5 mi
State: SD
Concrete

Ravine Lake Trail

1.1 mi
State: SD
Concrete

Riverside Park Trail (SD)

1.5 mi
State: SD
Concrete

Sioux Falls Bike Trails

26.8 mi
State: SD
Asphalt

Sioux River Red Rock Trail

3.7 mi
State: SD
Concrete

Sisseton Pedestrian Path

1 mi
State: SD
Concrete

Southwest Trail (Huron)

2.5 mi
State: SD
Concrete

Southwest Trail (SD)

1.1 mi
State: SD
Asphalt

Spearfish Recreational Trail

5.2 mi
State: SD
Concrete

Sturgis Centennial Bike Path

4.4 mi
State: SD
Concrete

Sturgis Connector Trail

0.6 mi
State: SD
Concrete

Vermillion River Trail (SD)

1.7 mi
State: SD
Concrete
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
The Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve is a lovely 1500-acre park and historical site, situated along the Missouri River just to the west of North Sioux City. One of the main attractions of the site...
SD 6 mi Crushed Stone
Yankton, South Dakota's most famous son, Tom Brokaw, lends his name to this trail. The stimulus for the Auld-Brokaw project was actually the need for flood protection for the businesses and homes...
SD 3.3 mi Concrete
The Ballpark Road Trail is a short sidepath, one of several in the city of Sturgis that together form a ten mile off-road system of trails. Beginning at the intersection of Junction Avenue and...
SD 1.1 mi Concrete
The Belle Fourche River Walk weaves across the city of the same name, providing a low-stress way to explore the cultural and natural attractions of the city. The concrete-paved walking and biking path...
SD 5 mi Asphalt
The Chamberlain Walking Path takes you from one breathtaking view to another. It begins in Barger Park, sitting on the east bank of the Missouri River. Here you can enjoy wide, unobstructed views of...
SD 1.6 mi Asphalt
The Custer State Park Spur offers a 3.2-mile paved connection between South Dakota's 109-mile George S. Mickelson Trail and Custer State Park, home to bison, coyotes, and prairie dogs in the beautiful...
SD 3.2 mi Asphalt
The Dakota Dunes Trail is a paved trail for cyclists and pedestrians that runs through the unincorporated community of Dakota Dunes, south of North Sioux City in the southeastern corner of South...
SD 2.8 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Deadman Trail is a short trail that follows the ominously named Deadman Gulch on the outskirts of Sturgis, and connects to other portions of the city's ten mile bike path system. Starting in...
SD 0.75 mi Concrete
Following the natural corridor formed by its namesake creek for just over a mile, the Dry Run Creek Trail provides a great opportunity for outdoor recreation and sightseeing right in the heart of the...
SD 1.07 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Named in honor of the former South Dakota governor who crusaded for the trail before his death in a plane crash in 1993, the George S. Mickelson Trail runs through the heart of the Black Hills,...
SD 109 mi Crushed Stone
Running from the edge of the small community of Miller, South Dakota out to the golf course due north of town, the Golf Course Trail is a short, but useful sidepath trail that helps meet the...
SD 0.8 mi Asphalt
Yankton, South Dakota hosts 40 miles of trails across the city and the Lewis & Clark Lake Recreation Area. The Highway 52 Trail serves as the linkage between the two trail systems, running parallel to...
SD 4.5 mi Asphalt, Concrete
More than a century ago, steam locomotives lugged supplies from Deadwood to Lead and to the miners at Homestake Mine, once the largest goldmine in the Western Hemisphere. This narrow-gauge track fell...
SD 3.5 mi Dirt
Anyone on the James River Trail is up for a challenge: Only 1 mile paved along its 4.3-mile length; the rest of the surface is primitive In the spring, it can get pretty muddy. It partly sits on an...
SD 4.3 mi Asphalt, Dirt
A short community trail built on a former section of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in the community of Lake Andes in southern South Dakota, the Lake Andes Rail Trail provides a...
SD 0.84 mi Asphalt, Ballast
The Leonard Swanson Memorial Pathway, named for Rapid City's late, longtime public works director, is a sprawling eight mile system of paved bikeways that follows the path of Rapid Creek across the...
SD 8.2 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Gravel
Running between the Pierson Ranch and Lewis & Clark Recreation Areas just west of the city of Yankton, the Lewis and Clark Lake Trail is another worthy entry in the area's network of multi-use trails....
SD 3.5 mi Asphalt
The setting for the Madison Bike & Recreation Trail transitions from urban industrial to rural farmland as it heads east towards Johnson Point on the shores of Lake Madison. The paved path begins on...
SD 5.9 mi Asphalt
A quiet, crushed-rock trail on the outskirts of the small city of Yankton, the Marne Creek West Trail provides a nice connection to a popular community dog park and recreation site. Much like the...
SD 0.6 mi Crushed Stone
Located along the James River in a pleasant corner of northeastern Huron, the Memorial Park Trail provides a pathway to connect the city's Riverside and Memorial Parks, and also links up with the...
SD 1.5 mi Concrete
Accordion
Spanning the Missouri River from Nebraska and into the city of Yankton, South Dakota, the Meridian Bridge is one of the area's premier historic attractions. Installed in 1924, this vertical lift...
NE, SD 0.7 mi Concrete
As its name suggests, the Miller to St. Lawrence Trail provides a link between the rural communities of Miller and St. Lawrence, located in central South Dakota's Hand County. The paved trail...
SD 1.4 mi Asphalt
The small city of Mitchell, South Dakota has created a series of paved trails for biking and walking that span much of the northern edges of the community, providing safe and convenient off-road...
SD 10 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The small city of Mobridge, South Dakota is located on a beautiful stretch of the Missouri River, and there's no better way to get out and experience the pristine natural surroundings than the...
SD 2.3 mi Asphalt
The paved bicycle and pedestrian trail accompanies Moccasin Creek between Milwaukee Ave. and Melgaard Rd in Aberdeen, South Dakota, the state’s third city. The trail is prefect for recreation sitting...
SD 1.8 mi Asphalt
Though Sturgis may be best known for the popular motorcycle events it hosts, the city also offers some great opportunites for the other kind of biker. The Moose Drive Bike Path is a 1.5 mile sidepath...
SD 1.5 mi Concrete
The North Sioux City/McCook Lake Trail is a paved sidepath trail that runs for over four miles through the suburban community of North Sioux City. The concrete trail may not be much to look at, with...
SD 4.3 mi Concrete
The Oahe Dam Downstream Fort Pierre Trail begins at Oahe Downstream Recreation Area, a state park located under the Oahe Dam on the Missouri River. The park is known for its bald eagles and...
SD 4.2 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Ordway Trail runs for 2.5 miles in northeastern Aberdeen, a railroad town founded in the early 1880s. It begins in Baird Park, a natural area perhaps best known for its 25-foot-tall sledding hill....
SD 2.5 mi Concrete
A short, paved trail that forms a loop around Ravine Lake Park in northeastern Huron, the Ravine Lake Trail, together with its adjacent sibling Memorial Park Trail, provides residents of this small...
SD 1.1 mi Concrete
Located along the banks of the Missouri River in the city of Yankton, the appropriately-named Riverside Park Trail is a concrete, multi-use pathway that runs through the city's Riverside Park. The...
SD 1.5 mi Concrete
The Roland L. Dolly Memorial Recreational Trail sits on the western bank of the Missouri River. The concrete trail is named for a Lyman County native son who perished alongside Governor Michelson in a...
SD 1.1 mi Concrete
The Sioux Falls trail system, sometimes referred to as the Sioux Falls River Greenway, forms a loop of nearly 30 miles of paved, multi-use pathways that link many of the city’s parks and green spaces....
SD 26.8 mi Asphalt
The Sioux River Red Rock Trail is a planned 12-mile system of trail that will one day take users across nearly the entirety of the beautiful city of Dell Rapids, situated on the Big Sioux River in...
SD 3.7 mi Concrete
Though the word pedestrian is in its name, the Sisseton Pedestrian Path is open to a range of non-motorized uses, including cycling and rollerblading. Beginning in Drenttel Park, the concrete path...
SD 1 mi Concrete
The Southwest Trail is a concrete multi-use path in Huron, South Dakota. The trail zigzags south from the Pepsi Soccer Complex. From the soccer fields, head east along 9th Street and then south to...
SD 2.5 mi Concrete
Aberdeen, in northeast South Dakota, hosts a growing network of shared use greenways, park trails and dedicated sidepaths. The Southwest Trail is a rail-trail, just a mile or so long. Starting on 16th...
SD 1.1 mi Asphalt
The Spearfish Recreational Trail travels for 5 miles through the heart of Spearfish, a town situated east of the South Dakota/Wyoming border and just north of the Black Hills National Forest, known...
SD 5.2 mi Concrete
The Sturgis Centennial Bike Path runs a little over four miles across the northern edge of the city of Sturgis, loosely following the route of the Bear Butte Creek. While the western portion of the...
SD 4.4 mi Concrete
This short sidepath provides a useful connection between several trails in the ten mile system of bike paths within the city of Sturgis. Beginning near the intersection of Butte View Drive and Dolan...
SD 0.6 mi Concrete
Situated on bluffs north of the Missouri River in the southeastern corner of South Dakota, the small city of Vermillion has plenty of natural charm and beautiful surroundings, thanks to the Mighty...
SD 1.7 mi Concrete
Watertown's Orange Loop is a paved, multi-use trail that forms a semicircle around the clear waters of Lake Kampeska to the city's northwest. Much like the other trails in the city's recreational...
SD 10.4 mi Asphalt
The Blue Loop is a key component in Watertown's system of paved, multi-use pathways, connecting a part of the city's Red Loop with the Orange Loop that encircles Lake Kampeska. A portion of the trail...
SD 10.5 mi Asphalt
Part of a series of paved, multi-use pathways in the eastern South Dakota city of Watertown, the Red Loop travels through lovely open fields and quiet neighborhoods on the city's eastern edge. While...
SD 4.6 mi Asphalt

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Recent Trail Reviews

George S. Mickelson Trail

Beauty in the Black Hills

March, 2022 by bikeridesandbreweries

There’s no way to avoid long climbs on this trail, but it’s worth consulting a topographical map if you want to choose to climb or coast first. We started at the northernmost point of this 108-mile trail, in the “old Western town” of Deadwood, South Dakota (aka a touristy casino town). We began the morning on a paved trail that ended approximately one-quarter mile later. From then on, it was cinder and dirt, but well-maintained and lined with globe streetlamps for the next mile and a half. A narrow creek flowed behind the small homes that lined the trail until we got outside of town.
This was the slowest bike ride we’ve ever taken –it was only a standard 4% railroad incline but it was unrelenting. It took over an hour to go nine miles up the Black Hills, but then it took only 25 minutes to come down with blissfully little pedaling. Once outside of Deadwood, we rode along a mostly shaded trail with a babbling brook and steep cliff walls. In the distance, we saw an occasional odd-shaped white building that we later learned was an old goldmine.
Soon we entered the green Ponderosa Pine Forest and continued until the trail took a sharp switchback and began circumnavigating one of the high Black Hills. About 15 minutes later, we reached the top where we were rewarded with a stunning view of other hills and valleys. A mile or so past this, we turned around and it was an exhilarating descent back to Deadwood, although at times a white-knuckled ride around hairpin turns onto dangerously soft surfaces.
On our afternoon ride, we started in Hill City, another touristy Western town. We set off on this segment of the trail as it wound through pretty mountain meadows and alongside shiny silver slate hillsides. Again, a long climb awaited us, but we prefer to climb first and coast back rather than the reverse. We continued up the path, at one point, having to squeeze past an oncoming dump truck that was depositing fresh crushed stone to resurface the trail. Otherwise, only pinecones littered the trail. While the scenery was stunning, the persistent sound of nearby Highway 38, where cars and trucks barreled past, prevented the experience from being as serene as the morning’s ride. The payoff, however, was the sight of the Crazy Horse Memorial far in the distance.
Lots of breweries and wineries in the area – including one that featured “rhubarb wine.”

Sioux Falls Bike Trails

50% beautiful, 50% ugly

February, 2022 by bikeridesandbreweries

We'd read about the Sioux Falls Loop and decided to begin at the southernmost point and ride counterclockwise around the city. We started at Yankton Trail Park, heading east through beautiful parkland for a few miles before turning north at Tuthill Park. Here the trail follows the Big Sioux River, winding along its manicured and tree-lined banks, beside pretty picnic areas and soccer fields that no doubt come alive on the weekends. But it was lovely and quiet during this weekday afternoon; we passed few other bikers on the trail. Comparing the loop to a clock face, we started at 6 o'clock, then at roughly 3 o'clock, we came upon the falls for which the city is named. The falls are more like a scenic series of rocky cascades bordered by grassy parklands and the brick ruins of a former mill. It was very dramatic and beautiful. Immediately north of Falls Park, outside of the loop, is the Smithfield Foods, Inc., a large pork processing plant. Even from a distance of half a mile, the smell was offensive, and we tried to ride past as quickly as possible. We headed uphill (the only hill on the loop) through a small set of switchbacks until the trail flattened again atop a levy that divided the river from lumberyards and light industrial areas on the outside of the loop. At this point, the Big Sioux River looks pretty much like a wide, stagnant, tree-less canal. Plus, the trail circumvents the Sioux Falls Regional Airport from 2 o'clock to 10 o'clock, the whole north end and about a third of the entire loop. When we finally arrived at the small bridge that crossed over to the parking lot where we'd started, we realized that we'd unknowingly started at the exact spot where the trail became bucolic to the east and barren to the west. In hindsight, had we started in the other direction and headed up the west side of the loop, we would have sped downhill past Smithfield and had the lovely, shaded park area to pedal through for the second half of our ride. There's a really great local brewery a short drive from the Yankton Trail Park.

Chamberlain Walking Path

The kids and I and the dogs had an absolute blast. Can't wait to go again. So beautiful. And very friendly people.

February, 2022 by spottedhideranch

The kids and I and the dogs had an absolute blast. Can't wait to go again. So beautiful. And very friendly people.

Accordion

Chamberlain Walking Path

The kids and I had a blast today. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. I hope the people that live here appreciate what they have. We will definitely go again.

February, 2022 by spottedhideranch

The kids and I had a blast today. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. I hope the people that live here appreciate what they have. We will definitely go again.

Sioux Falls Bike Trails

Awesome Loop!

October, 2021 by thejake91739

In late September of '21, my wife and I experienced the joy of this awesome, five-star urban trail on a weekday morning. Even though it's completely within the Sioux Falls city limits, you'd hardly know it except for the occasional sounds from distant autos, the even more occasional sounds from the airport flight path, and the beautiful buildings you glimpse as you pass through an exceptionally quiet downtown. For the most part you're enveloped within the serenity of trees, parks and greenways, surrounded by wide open spaces and golf courses, or hearing the thunderous noise of the falls at Falls Park.
Even though it's called Sioux Fall Bike Trails, we stuck to one trail: the twenty mile loop that follows the two forks of the Big Sioux River and essentially encircles much of the city. We started our ride at Farm Field Park, a popular starting point for the many walkers and joggers utilizing the trails, and proceeded in a counterclockwise direction. Thank goodness for my investment in the Rails To Trails Link app! There were a couple of instances where we unsure which fork in the trail to take, and the app kept us on the right path!
With the exception of some rough patches of asphalt and two plus miles on a gravel road due to construction on the main loop trail out near the airport, most of the trail was excellent, wide, flat, and provided smooth riding.
WARNING: Besides the temporary construction detour, be aware of the steep climb just beyond the falls up the side of a dam. If not for my sixty-three year old wife's Swytch pedal assist, she would have been walking her bike up that steep grade. To avoid that, consider taking the loop in a clockwise direction.
All in all, the trail lived up to it's five star billing and was worth the 2,000 mile drive from SoCal to check off another state bike ride on our bucket list! We experienced the beautiful falls, sculptures, wildlife, architecture, arriving and departing jets, trestles, bridges, levees, zoo animals, river views, trees, and the super friendly walkers, joggers, and bike riders of Sioux Falls.
( By the way, so many previous reviewers were rough on the part that goes around the airport, but it was especially quiet, peaceful, and serene out there except for the infrequent jet landing or taking off. I enjoyed the views from the levees and solitude away from the town as much as riding within it.)

George S. Mickelson Trail

Fabulous Ride

October, 2021 by char.romano1

We were Mickelson Trail newbies and planned our trip based on reviews we read here. We did the 108 miles from Deadwood to Edgemont in 2 days the last week of September to experience the fall colors. It did not disappoint!! Gorgeous and trail excellent. We parked in Edgemont at the park and shuttled (Black Hills Discovery Tours. Great service. $158 2 people, 2 bikes) to Deadwood. Stayed at Cedarwood Inn (nice, clean, quiet, close to trail). Dinner at Jacob’s Brewery (nice ambiance, food ok). Breakfast next morning at Six Strings (not great). Headed down the trail (purchased pass at trailhead $8 cash per person), 16 miles gentle uphill, then mostly downhill to Hill City. Stayed at Quality Inn right on the trail and dinner at Alpine Inn (food pretty good and beer great after a long ride). Next morning off to Custer, stopped to check out Crazy Horse Monument (definitely worthwhile) then tackled the last stretch down to Edgemont. What I would do differently next time: bring a different bike!! Mountain bike (too heavy and not necessary), hubby was on a road bike with 28 tires which worked fine. There were soft spots on the trail but mostly hard pack with sand. Ideally a gravel grinder or ebike would be best. I would do it in 3 days. Park in Hill City, shuttle to Deadwood, ride Deadwood to Hill City first day. Make the second day easier with a ride to Custer. Third day ride Custer to Mt. Rushmore and back to Hill City. I would skip Custer to Edgemont. Although it’s mostly downhill, I felt I’d seen the best of the scenery and was really over it the last 37 miles from Pringle back to Edgemont.

Lewis and Clark Lake Trail

Great trails in Yankton SD area

September, 2021 by kcwyks_tl

We biked through the campgrounds at the Lewis & Clark Recreation Area, along the north shore of Lewis & Clark Lake. We find it fun to see how various folks "rough it" when camping. Seems like there were a thousand campsites and the trail had lots of activity. We extended the ride by riding all the way across Gavins Point Dam and back; there isnt much traffic on it. Although we didnt take the paved Highway 52 trail from the lake into Yankton, we highly recommend riding the paved trails around Riverfront Park in downtown Yankton, and then riding across both levels of the Meridian Bridge, a former RR/highway bridge across the Missouri River that has been modified for pedestrians. And while downtown, go north a few blocks and enjoy the fine large homes, and catch the Auld-Brokaw paved trail that follows Marne Creek from Tripp Park in the west to Burleigh St on the east end. This city knows how to keep bicyclists happy!

George S. Mickelson Trail

Best section of the trail: around Mystic

September, 2021 by kcwyks_tl

We're in our 60's and accustomed to flatland rail trails with road bikes. So we asked around the Black Hills and got recommendations for the best scenery and trail variety. The Mystic area seemed to be the universal response. So early one cool mid-July morning (after an overnight thunderstorm) we parked the car at Mystic trailhead and headed south toward Hill City, up a steady grade about 3 miles, mostly with good trail gravel pavement. The trail followed a high cliff, past old gold mine placer deposits, wandered through woods, then a tunnel. Great views of the Black Hills. Then back to the car for a snack, then we headed north 5 miles on the trail through some beautiful scenery, some cabin neighborhoods, numerous bridges across creeks, even near a small waterfall. We rode to where the trail crosses Mystic Road then back to the car. This was a great experience for us. We would do more miles there if we had more time. Please note that in the Mystic area there are no services or stores. Pack accordingly.

Oahe Dam Downstream Fort Pierre Trail

Fort Pierre to Oahe Dam

September, 2021 by kotaho

This is a paved trail on the west side of the Missouri River that connects Pierre and Fort Pierre with recreation areas at Oahe Dam. Overall it is a nice trail, but there are cracked pavement areas challenging for narrow tires. Across the river there is a trail that goes along the river to Farm Island State Park an additional 4 miles or so downriver. Pierre also has some trails near the State Capitol Building. Where there are not trails, there are neighborhood roads to ride.

George S. Mickelson Trail

what a great ride!

September, 2021 by jdfcsc

I rode the Mickelson trail in mid August, while Custer’s and Hill City’s main streets were filled with motorcycles. The ride lived up to my expectations. It was well cared for and very scenic. The grades are a little steeper than other rail trails but that means you can actually coast on the downhills. Of all the trails I’ve ridden the Mickelson remains my favorite.

George S. Mickelson Trail

very scenic ride

September, 2021 by terriknkc

My husband and I rode the trail and loved it. Our favorite part was Hill City north to Deadwood. There are 4 tunnels and the scenery is beautiful. We had to dodge a few cows in the open range area. The trail was nicely marked and most rest stops had water and toilet. We were here in mid-September 2021, the weather was perfect and the crowds were nothing. It is dry, they need rain so is was dusty.

Sioux Falls Bike Trails

riding to fight childhood cancer month

September, 2021 by mtwildquilter

I am from MT and this trail system is fabulous. It is so well laid out. I found it easy for the beginner trail rider that I am. Other users were friendly and were easy to approach with my questions. Let’s all ride to fight Childhood Cancer this month!

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