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 end can be muddy after recent rain, but any high clearance vehicle will be able to take the route.
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, but that's kind of the point. Great for linking into nearby trails or just cruising through...
Learn more about Cowboy Gulch

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, offering long, open views and easy grades the whole way. The road is well-maintained gravel -- wide enough for passing,...
Learn more about Champaign Hill Road

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 up the road a short distance to the left. The drive is easy and short, but plan on spending some time walking aro...
Learn more about Gold Mountain Mine

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 to keep you on your toes, but not so gnarly that you'll be wrenching by sunset. Rated around a 3 out of 5 for diffic...
Learn more about Battle Axe Branch - FS 386.1B

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 the surface. Be sure to slow down and check out the beautiful views along the way!
Learn more about Newton 27

This trail offers a fun challenge for drivers looking to test their skills without being overly difficult. There are several sections with loose rocks that require slower speeds and careful tire placement. You'll also encounter rocks approaching 12 inches tall in the center of the trail, so a high-c...
Learn more about Gordon Gulch Branch - FS 699.1A

This trail serves as a great connector between FS 699.1A and the Ruby Gulch Main Trail, making it an excellent transition if you're exploring the area. The trail is very narrow in several places, so full-size vehicles should expect some branches brushing along the sides and roof. Drivers of wider ri...
Learn more about Ruby Gulch Branch - FS 738

This trail is an excellent connector between Old Hill City Road and Highway 244, making it a convenient route that can save both time and miles compared to traveling the paved roads between the two. For the most part, the trail is easy to navigate and suitable for most high-clearance vehicles. While...
Learn more about Palmer - FS 356

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 with gold -- full canopies arching over the road, leaves crunching under your tires, and that unmistakable...
Learn more about Battle Axe Road

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 most part -- wide gravel with solid drainage -- but it still feels rugged thanks to its elevation g...
Learn more about Reno Gulch 2

This is a relatively easy ride, with some beautiful views. There is a beautiful lake at the end of the trail, which is a great spot to take some photos. We spent two weeks in the area, and this spot provided us with some of the best photos in the area.
Learn more about FS 530

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 stays close to the highway--making it a perfect pull-in for a quiet overnight or weekend basecamp. A few mellow offshoots branch ...
Learn more about Twin Springs Cutoff (Branch 1A)

This is a great trail if you're looking for a scenic ride through the valley with plenty of winding sections and several trail crossings that keep the drive interesting. The terrain offers a nice mix of easy cruising with just enough obstacles to make it enjoyable. There are a few rutted sections th...
Learn more about Valley Trail - FS 669

This is a short and easy drive up a dirt road that offers some nice views once you get about halfway in. The road is relatively smooth and could be completed in almost any type of vehicle that has some ground clearance. Well worth the drive up to see some of the views.
Learn more about FS 243

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 connects to over 50 miles of OHV and motorcycle trails designed for wider, faster riding, with sceni...
Learn more about Newton Fork Road - FS 304

If you're visiting the Mount Rushmore area or just passing through on Highway 16, this is a convenient trail that's well worth exploring. The trailhead is located right off the highway, making it easy to access. Be cautious when turning off Highway 16, though—traffic can move quickly, so signal well...
Learn more about FS 354.1C

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 few peaceful, dispersed campsites along the way. Geology lovers will enjoy the st...
Learn more about Spring Creek Road - FS 305

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 in from the China Gulch side, you will pass the remains of an old cabin. The trail from Mystic Road would be rat...
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 just wide enough for a side-by-side or Jeep on the north end. There are a couple of cattle gates that...
Learn more about Spaw Gulch - FSR#606

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 end can be muddy after recent rain, but any high clearance vehicle will be able to take the route.
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, but that's kind of the point. Great for linking into nearby trails or just cruising through...
Learn more about Cowboy Gulch

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, offering long, open views and easy grades the whole way. The road is well-maintained gravel -- wide enough for passing,...
Learn more about Champaign Hill Road

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 up the road a short distance to the left. The drive is easy and short, but plan on spending some time walking aro...
Learn more about Gold Mountain Mine

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 end can be muddy after recent rain, but any high clearance vehicle will be able to take the route.
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, but that's kind of the point. Great for linking into nearby trails or just cruising through...
Learn more about Cowboy Gulch

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, offering long, open views and easy grades the whole way. The road is well-maintained gravel -- wide enough for passing,...
Learn more about Champaign Hill Road

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 up the road a short distance to the left. The drive is easy and short, but plan on spending some time walking aro...
Learn more about Gold Mountain Mine