Trail Overview

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 the south with a minimum of asphalt. Steep inclines, some loose rock, a rough cattle guard and some embedded rock make this just-under-7-mile track a fun one! When we rode it early in the morning, we saw lots of deer. This track ends at Galena Rd, which is a gravel road in this area.

Photos of Black Hills Forest Access from Sturgis

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Difficulty

It's steep in places with loose rocks, the possibility for mud puddles and some embedded rocks, but nothing is difficult or technical. Our SXS is 75" wide roughly, and we had no problem fitting on this trail. South Dakota does enforce their permit requirement, and sometimes they're out measuring vehicles to make sure you are allowed to ride certain trails. If they're marked, "requires permit," the permit allows you to ride. If they're marked "62" or less" you can't ride them with anything wider, obviously.

Technical Rating

Brian

Oct 08, 2025

Open

had fun on my klx 300. the trail was open all the way thru.

Donn Bone

Sep 10, 2025

Open

Dead ended with no vehicle signs past a washed out bridge area half way out of Sturgis entrance

Ted Phipps

Jun 19, 2025

Open

The trail through the SD Game and Fish is very rough and where the road joins the National Forest is a deteriorated cattle card with about a 24” vertical climb. At this site is a gate posted closed to all motorized vehicles.

Joey S

May 25, 2025

Open

Trail was full of SxS folks making their runs. There’s ample spots to pull off and allow folks to pass. Trail was pretty muddy so proceed at a slower speed not to cause damage. There’s a cattle gate about halfway in that if you’re headed from I90 towards the hills, you’ll have to choose a line and give it the beans to make it over the obstacle. Folks headed towards I90 just proceed with caution and you’ll be fine.

Tiffany Smith

May 23, 2025

Open

Wet and muddy with deep puddles. Please don’t go around puddles and widen the trail.

Hannah Coveny

May 11, 2025

Open

Greg & Tiffany Reimels

Sep 26, 2024

Open

Mild trail with great views of Sturgis. One spot may high center lower clearance vehicles at a cattle guard. Our gladiator made it, but could hear it make contact the skid plate. Completed trail in 2WD.

Kyle Hurt

Jul 28, 2024

Open