Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Hill City, South Dakota

China Gulch takes you on a range of road types, from a two-vehicle wide gravel road near Hill City to a single vehicle road that travels adjacent to rock walls. The road at the north…
Learn more about China Gulch - FSR #249

Cowboy Gulch is a short, sweet stretch of gravel that rolls gently through classic pine country. It's fairly chill -- wide enough for comfort, well-packed, and rarely rutted. Not much in the way of challenge,…
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Champaign Hill Road is one of those mellow ridge cruisers that feels like it was made for a slow roll with the windows down. It winds up and over the broad spine of Champaign Hill,…
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Battle Axe Branch 1B is one of those sleeper trails that ends up being way more fun than it looks on the map. It's an out-and-back with just enough rock, ruts, and tight tree squeezes…
Learn more about Battle Axe Branch - FS 386.1B

You will access the mine site from Forest Service Road 389, also known as Burnt Fork Road, off of Deerfield Road. Continue up this gravel road for 1.8 miles, where you will park and hike…
Learn more about Gold Mountain Mine

Battle Axe Road is a smooth, scenic ride that winds gently through the high country and delivers some of the best aspen stands in the Black Hills. Especially in early fall, this route lights up…
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Reno Gulch Road winds up from the south end of Hill City and climbs deep into the forested hills, offering a scenic mix of rock cuts, tight curves, and creekside cruising. It's well-maintained for the…
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Newton 27 takes you through and along a beautiful rim of the Newton Hills and into the Reno Gulch. This trail is mostly a well-traveled gravel trail that includes some sections of rocks coming to…
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Branch 1A of the Twin Springs Cutoff is a short but scenic spur that leads to the back side of the Granite Ridge Lodge. It's an easy drive, just a bit rocky in spots, and…
Learn more about Twin Springs Cutoff (Branch 1A)

You will be traveling on Trail #530 which runs from China Gulch Road (Trail #249) and Mystic Road. You can access the dam from either side since all of the trails here are two-way. Coming…
Learn more about Slate Creek Dam

This road is an easy 4.6-mile one-way road that leads to a popular Black Hill spot, Flannigan's Cabin, aka Miner's Hotel. The road traverses through various terrain and is wider on the south end and…
Learn more about Spaw Gulch - FSR#606

Spring Creek Road (FS 305) is a scenic gravel forest route with smooth driving and light elevation changes, suitable for most vehicles. The road winds through dense pine forest and unique granite formations, offering a…
Learn more about Spring Creek Road - FS 305

This is a well-maintained gravel route leading into one of the Black Hills' most popular recreation zones. Lined with towering pines and lake views, the road features numerous dispersed and designated camping spots, many with…
Learn more about Calumet Road

Newton Fork Road (FS 304) is a well-maintained gravel route nestled in the Black Hills National Forest, just west of Hill City. Serving as a primary access point to the Newton Trail System, this road…
Learn more about Newton Fork Road - FS 304

Reno Gulch Road is a beautiful forest connector with tall pines, gentle grades, and a smooth gravel surface. This short route links key areas near Custer and Hill City, making it a useful and scenic…
Learn more about Reno Gulch - FS 303

From Bear Mountain Lookout to Pactola Reservoir, this gravel road will show you the best the Black Hills National Forest offers. Take your time along the expansive alpine meadows & while driving along Lightening Creek,…
Learn more about Bear Mountain Lookout to Pactola Reservoir

FS650 makes a tight little lollipop-shaped loop just off the Raga area that's easy to overlook--but it's worth the turn. The road is mostly solid dirt with a few rock shelves, mellow enough for most…
Learn more about Lollipop Camp Raga - FS 650

This is a beautiful trail that is easy and scenic. You can expect to drive on gravel, dirt, and some small rocks. Twin Sisters is located at the top with some cool views. This area…
Learn more about Bald Hills

Victoria 12 is an easy dirt bike trail, but it has become faint in spots and will require some route finding in order to ride the entire trail. The south end starts in a grassy…
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This is a road that starts out two-vehicles wide and narrows as it goes. Along the way there is a old corral and a one-lane bridge. Once you reach the intersection with FS301, it widens…
Learn more about Medicine Mountain Road

Victoria 162 is a road that lands you onto Victoria 159 (commonly the main road through the Victoria trail system) or a way to access other roads/trails. Not only is this an incredibly scenic drive,…
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FS 366.3 is a main forest road that comes straight off the highway and sees heavy use, especially on weekends and during hunting season. The surface is well-packed dirt and gravel, wide enough for two…
Learn more about Beretta Road - FS 366.3

East Slate Road (FS 303.1) is a well-maintained gravel route nestled in the Black Hills National Forest, connecting with Gillette Prairie Road and providing a scenic corridor through dense pine forests and rolling meadows. This…
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This two-track dirt road leads to a dead end at a kelly hump/tank trap. There are some great camping spots along this road.
Learn more about FS 2A

Victoria 159 is a standard 'off-pavement' route that crosses between Sheridan Lake Rd and Highway 385 just south of Pactola Reservoir. This road is also the main road that offers access to many other full-size,…
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Victoria 10 is a longer single track, 4.4 miles, through the Black Hills, that is of easy difficulty although it has some easy rock features. It's a long windy trail that would be great for…
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This single-lane gravel trail has some great views of Bobcat Ridge. It takes you from Medicine Mountain Road to Six Mile Road.
Learn more about Bobcat Ridge

Johnson Gulch is a Two track Forest Service road along a popular two track trail outside of Rapid City. This trail is scenic, and a nice jaunt if you'd like to stay close to town.…
Learn more about Johnson Gulch - FS 674.1A

This trail has some great views of the southern Black Hills. It is mainly a dirt two-track trail. It may be impassable when wet.
Learn more about White House Gulch FS RD 477

This trail is nestled right below the Pactola Reservoir Dam. It's an easy trail to run with some cool sights to see. You will pass a homestead and some cabins, so remember to drive slowly…
Learn more about Below Pactola Dam