Black Hills National Forest, a national forest spanning 1.2 million acres across western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, presents a unique geological and ecological setting for outdoor activities. This "island in the plains" rises dramatically from the surrounding grasslands, offering a diverse landscape of dense pine forests, granite formations, and varied topography. The elevation changes and distinct ecosystems support several sports like hiking, jogging, touring cycling, mountain biking, and more.
The Black…
122
Routes
4.6
(85)
Average rating
1578
People visited

5.0
(3)
46
hikers
1.68km
00:26
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
16
hikers
9.75km
03:05
370m
370m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.0
(1)
11
hikers
9.31km
02:42
280m
130m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
hikers
21.4km
06:34
760m
760m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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40
runners
11.5km
01:34
400m
400m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
runners
8.36km
01:09
210m
200m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

2.0
(1)
8
runners
6.29km
00:44
200m
200m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
runners
28.2km
03:26
210m
210m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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18
riders
41.8km
03:55
300m
300m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
7
riders
18.2km
01:08
190m
190m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
40.4km
03:05
580m
580m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

52.1km
03:36
890m
890m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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12
riders
51.0km
02:37
890m
890m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

9
riders
77.0km
04:09
1,380m
1,380m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

7
riders
42.3km
02:19
720m
720m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

2
riders
43.4km
02:03
560m
560m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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6
riders
70.6km
06:24
880m
880m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
4
riders
18.7km
01:47
300m
300m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
8.32km
00:51
200m
200m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
riders
8.36km
01:00
200m
210m
Hard mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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4.0
(1)
19
riders
41.4km
02:21
380m
380m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

13
riders
75.5km
04:34
960m
960m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
13
riders
54.8km
03:25
790m
790m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
riders
38.6km
02:15
410m
410m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Black Hills National Forest offers a diverse range of outdoor activities including hiking, jogging, touring cycling, mountain biking, road cycling, and gravel biking. The forest features over 450 miles of marked hiking trails and hundreds of miles of cycling routes. It provides varied terrain suitable for all skill levels.
Komoot lists 170 routes in Black Hills National Forest. These routes cover various sports such as hiking, jogging, and multiple forms of cycling. The routes have an average rating of 4.78 out of 5 stars from more than 600 ratings.
Black Hills National Forest offers extensive hiking opportunities, from leisurely walks to challenging backcountry routes. The Hiking in Black Hills National Forest guide provides detailed information on various trails. Black Elk Peak is a notable destination for hikers seeking challenging routes and rewarding views.
Yes, Black Hills National Forest includes many easy hiking trails suitable for various fitness levels. The Easy hikes in Black Hills National Forest guide offers specific recommendations. These trails often provide accessible ways to experience the forest's natural beauty.
Mountain bikers can find a variety of trails, from gentle rail trails to technical single-track. Notable options include the 11.6-mile Storm Mountain Trail and sections of the 109-mile George S. Mickelson Trail. More information is available in the MTB Trails in Black Hills National Forest guide.
Yes, the Black Hills National Forest features hundreds of miles of trails and roads suitable for touring and road cycling. Scenic byways like the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway offer picturesque rides. Guides such as Cycling in Black Hills National Forest and Road Cycling Routes in Black Hills National Forest provide further details.
Black Elk Peak, standing at 7,244 feet (2,208 meters), is the highest point in Black Hills National Forest. It is also the highest point east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States. The peak offers challenging hikes and expansive views of the surrounding landscape.
The forest is known for its diverse geology, including the granite spires of The Needles and the limestone formations of Spearfish Canyon. Other features include a limestone plateau with natural bridges and sinkholes, and 11 reservoirs and 1,300 miles of streams. The forest's elevation ranges from 3,000 to 7,244 feet (914 to 2,208 meters).
Komoot offers several guides for Black Hills National Forest, covering various sports and interests. These include guides for Hiking, Easy Hikes, Running Trails, MTB Trails, and Gravel Biking. There are also guides for Cycling and Waterfall Hikes.
For official information, the Black Hills National Forest Supervisor's Office can be reached by phone at +1-605-673-9200. Additional resources and details are available on their official website. The official website is https://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills.

