Ruby Gulch Road - FS 738

Total Miles
4.3

Technical Rating

4

Moderate

Best Time

Spring, Summer

Trail Type

Full-Width Road

Accessible By

Trail Overview

Ruby Gulch Road is a quiet little spur tucked away in the central Black Hills, surrounded by dense pine forest and a handful of open ridgelines that make it ideal for glassing elk or stretching camp for a few days. The road is a mix of packed dirt and rock, rutted in sections, but doable with high clearance--4WD is a good idea if it's wet. Dispersed campsites dot the edges of the gulch, especially near the upper reaches where the timber opens up. This corridor is part of a larger habitat enhancement zone supported by the USFS and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation--small conifers have been thinned in recent years to restore historic meadows and improve elk movement. You'll see the difference: better sightlines, more native grasses, and plenty of signs if you're out early. Not much traffic out here unless it's rifle season. Pack in, pack out, leave no trace, and tread lightly.

Photos of Ruby Gulch Road - FS 738

Ruby Gulch Road - FS 738
Ruby Gulch Road - FS 738

Difficulty

This trail offers a little bit of everything, and attention is needed. While not super technical, it does require attention with step-ups and rocky short climbs.

Technical Rating

4

Ruby Gulch Road - FS 738 can be accessed by the following ride types:

  • High-Clearance 4x4
  • SUV
  • SxS (60")
  • ATV (50")
  • Dirt Bike

Ruby Gulch Road - FS 738 Map

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