Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Deadwood, South Dakota

This trail is a 1.6-mile connecting route between Lost Gulch (FS 172.1) and the China Wall Trail. It consists of packed gravel, loose rocks, mild climbs and descents, as well as smaller ruts and mud puddles. It meets up with Lost Gulch at (44.36499, -103.61948) and connects to the China Wall Trail a...
Learn more about FS 567.1

Another fantastic historical site in the Black Hills National Forest is the China Wall. The waypoint on the track shows exactly where the hike begins, and it's only about 600 yards to the wall. It's well worth the hike. The trail begins at Highway 385 on the south, and it runs up through Galena and ...
Learn more about China Wall Trail

Spearfish Mountain is one of the three peaks that make up the mountains surrounding Spearfish. It is the only one accessible by off road vehicles. A short drive down Christensen Drive will lead you to the trail head. From here there is one main shot up to the top with a few different spurs off the m...
Learn more about Spearfish Mountain

This short 0.7-mile trail is an offshoot of Bulldog Trail, quick, and easily accessible from Vanocker Canyon. Upon leaving the highway, you will be presented with two choices. The left trail is Veterans Peak. This is a narrow trail that has a few pull-off locations for oncoming traffic but you'll wa...
Learn more about Veterans Peak Trail

Leaving Spearfish Canyon from Savoy, you'll find yourself on Roughlock Falls Road, a well-maintained gravel road that leads you up to Cement Ridge Fire Lookout, which boasts expansive views of the Black Hills Forest and surrounding area. If you decide to take the trail down to Grand Canyon Road, bew...
Learn more about Cement Ridge Fire Lookout

This is a beautiful winding trail up through the trees to the top of a high point overlooking Bear Butte State Park. The only real challenges are when you meet oncoming vehicles, as it is a two-track trail, and shelf road in places. There is a nice overlook to pull off and enjoy the view.
Learn more about Bulldog

Moses Hill is a scenic 4.3-mile point-to-point trail in the Black Hills of South Dakota, perfect for stock sport utility vehicles, ATVs, and SxSs seeking a moderate challenge and exceptional valley views. Connecting Vanocker Canyon Road in the south to Road 135 in the north, this trail climbs roughl...
Learn more about Moses Hill

Ride from downtown Sturgis, and within just 2 miles, you're on dirt. This is a fun hilly rocky trail that takes you into the Black Hills National Forest without having to travel busy Highway 14A. From this trail, which goes over Red Hill, you can access the Camp 5/Calamity Jane trails area or go to ...
Learn more about Black Hills Forest Access from Sturgis

Game farm is a local favorite in the Spearfish Area. The area is a game preserve for the South Dakota Fish and Game Department. It can be accessed from Higgins Gultch Road, or from Tinton in the Big Hill Parking lot. Big Hill offers a staging area with room for trailers. Game Farm offers scenic view...
Learn more about Game Farm

This scenic road is packed with historical significance. There are gorgeous hiking and biking trails as well as multiple equestrian areas as part of this road. You will be treated to the historic original Ft. Meade Cemetery where many of our original settlers and calvary are buried. You will not be ...
Learn more about Fort Meade Backcountry Byway

This trail consists of loose rock, gravel, and some grassy two-track. There are a couple of spots that can hold water, but not more than 12 inches. This is an out-and-back trail with a nice area at the end for dispersed camping. This trail is very short and can be completed in under 15 mins.
Learn more about Forbes Gulch Br 1a - FSR 169.1A

Bulldog is an exceptionally scenic, beginner-friendly trail in the Black Hills National Forest that is perfect for offroaders wanting to experience stunning autumn colors and sweeping mountain vistas without navigating difficult obstacles. Winding through the hills southwest of Sturgis, this route c...
Learn more about Bulldog

This dirt bike route was a rather smooth and flowy trail. I did not notice many rocks or roots and the bulk of the trail was not overly narrow. One thing that may trip people up is the path itself is quite narrow so if you find yourself catching your tire on the none-dirt portion of the trail, it co...
Learn more about Crystal Mount Single Track

This dirt bike trail has many different surfaces and sections. Part of the trail will almost appear as a full-size truck trail while other sections have narrow pass-throughs between large rocks. There are some rocky inclines and declines but the rocks are not too large. Some areas of this trail see...
Learn more about Benchmark Trail

This dirt bike only trail in a moderate combination of roots, small water puddles, and rocks. There are some sharper rock sections but overall the trail is tame with no clear large obstacles. There are bushes and stumps to dodge but no narrow sections along this route. You will see almost only ever...
Learn more about Boxelder Ridge Cut Through Final Leg

Crystal Cave is a very easy ride to the end of the trail where you will find an overlook to what many call the "Mini Grand Canyon" of the Black Hills. The trail is a two lane maintained gravel road that passes through a residential area for approximately 2.5 miles and towards the end of the residen...
Learn more about Crystal Cave Trail

This is a minimally maintained Forest Service road consisting of dirt, gravel, and smaller rocks. This trail is an out-and-back. There is the potential for some mud puddles up to 10 inches deep, depending on recent local weather. There are some small sections that are shelf roads. This trail is easi...
Learn more about Forbes Gulch Br 1b - FSR 169.1B

Forbes Gulch Br 1D - FS 169.1D is a minimally maintained Forest Service road that is an out-and-back. The trail is a combination of dirt and small loose rocks. There are several mud puddles that may or may not have water depending on local conditions. These mud puddles may be up to 10 inches deep. T...
Learn more about Forbes Gulch Br 1d - FS 169.1D

This dirt bike only trail takes you from many of the trails west of Highway 385 back toward the other trail system east. The trail has some intermittent rocks and roots but is quite wide with very few narrow areas. Overall a smooth trail with great wooded nature to enjoy but rather than needing to w...
Learn more about Boxelder Ridge Wooded Hills Cut Through

FS 206 into Besant Park is one of those low-key gems -- narrow in spots, winding through thick timber, and then suddenly opening up into wide meadows that feel like they've been hidden for decades. This route stays mellow overall but has a few tight one-lane sections that add just enough spice. The ...
Learn more about Besant Park Road - FS 206

This trail is a 1.6-mile connecting route between Lost Gulch (FS 172.1) and the China Wall Trail. It consists of packed gravel, loose rocks, mild climbs and descents, as well as smaller ruts and mud puddles. It meets up with Lost Gulch at (44.36499, -103.61948) and connects to the China Wall Trail a...
Learn more about FS 567.1

Another fantastic historical site in the Black Hills National Forest is the China Wall. The waypoint on the track shows exactly where the hike begins, and it's only about 600 yards to the wall. It's well worth the hike. The trail begins at Highway 385 on the south, and it runs up through Galena and ...
Learn more about China Wall Trail

Spearfish Mountain is one of the three peaks that make up the mountains surrounding Spearfish. It is the only one accessible by off road vehicles. A short drive down Christensen Drive will lead you to the trail head. From here there is one main shot up to the top with a few different spurs off the m...
Learn more about Spearfish Mountain

This short 0.7-mile trail is an offshoot of Bulldog Trail, quick, and easily accessible from Vanocker Canyon. Upon leaving the highway, you will be presented with two choices. The left trail is Veterans Peak. This is a narrow trail that has a few pull-off locations for oncoming traffic but you'll wa...
Learn more about Veterans Peak Trail

This trail is a 1.6-mile connecting route between Lost Gulch (FS 172.1) and the China Wall Trail. It consists of packed gravel, loose rocks, mild climbs and descents, as well as smaller ruts and mud puddles. It meets up with Lost Gulch at (44.36499, -103.61948) and connects to the China Wall Trail a...
Learn more about FS 567.1

Another fantastic historical site in the Black Hills National Forest is the China Wall. The waypoint on the track shows exactly where the hike begins, and it's only about 600 yards to the wall. It's well worth the hike. The trail begins at Highway 385 on the south, and it runs up through Galena and ...
Learn more about China Wall Trail

Spearfish Mountain is one of the three peaks that make up the mountains surrounding Spearfish. It is the only one accessible by off road vehicles. A short drive down Christensen Drive will lead you to the trail head. From here there is one main shot up to the top with a few different spurs off the m...
Learn more about Spearfish Mountain

This short 0.7-mile trail is an offshoot of Bulldog Trail, quick, and easily accessible from Vanocker Canyon. Upon leaving the highway, you will be presented with two choices. The left trail is Veterans Peak. This is a narrow trail that has a few pull-off locations for oncoming traffic but you'll wa...
Learn more about Veterans Peak Trail