George S. Mickelson Trail

The trail traces the old Chicago, Burlington and Quincy branch line, the Burlington, which pushed a route from Edgemont up to Deadwood in the early 1890s to serve the mines and mills of the booming Black Hills. Crews built the whole line in less than a year, an astonishing pace, threading it through the granite by tunnel and trestle. Railroaders nicknamed it the High Line for the glimpses of mountain it offered as it climbed.

For decades the line hauled ore, timber, and passengers through the heart of the Hills. But by 1983 the traffic had dried up, and the Burlington abandoned the corridor. Rather than let the grade grow over, South Dakota saw a rare chance: an unbroken, gently graded right-of-way running the length of its most beautiful country, ready to become something new.

Converting the derelict line took far longer than building the railroad had. Through the late 1980s and 1990s, volunteers and the state pulled rails, rebuilt more than a hundred bridges, and laid a smooth crushed-limestone surface, one hard-won mile at a time. The finished trail opened in September 1998 and was named for George S. Mickelson, the South Dakota governor who championed the project and died in a plane crash in 1993 before it was done.

The result earned a place in the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame and became the backbone of Black Hills recreation. Fourteen trailheads dot the route at towns and old rail stops, each with parking, a shelter, and a self-serve station where riders buy the trail pass that helps keep the path maintained. From any of them you can ride a segment and turn back, or string them together for a multi-day tour.

Hill City makes an ideal base because the trail runs right through it. From the town trailhead you can roll south toward Crazy Horse and Custer or north toward Mystic and the high country, and because the grade is so gentle you can go as far as you like and coast back. The scenery shifts from open mountain meadow to deep ponderosa forest to narrow rock cuts, with the dark, cool tunnels as memorable landmarks along the way.

The trail's easy grade makes it welcoming for families, casual riders, and anyone who wants a big-country experience without big-mountain effort. Bring a bike with tires suited to crushed limestone, carry water and a repair kit for the stretches between towns, and pick up your trail pass at the trailhead before you start. It is one of the best ways to feel the scale and quiet of the Black Hills, moving at the unhurried pace the old railroad set more than a century ago.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The George S. Mickelson Trail is a beautiful long-distance rail-trail running through the heart of the Black Hills of western South Dakota, a scenic path for biking, walking, and horseback riding on a former railroad line. Stretching for many miles between Deadwood and Edgemont, the crushed-limestone trail winds through the forests, meadows, canyons, and historic mining country of the Black Hills, passing old railroad tunnels, trestles, and charming towns, with gentle grades that make it accessible and enjoyable. Its scenery and easy grades make it a beloved destination for cyclists and outdoor lovers. A scenic and rewarding rail-trail, it delights visitors. With its Black Hills route, the Mickelson Trail offers a spectacular destination in South Dakota.

You can bike, walk, or ride horseback along the long rail-trail through the scenic Black Hills, passing forests, meadows, canyons, historic railroad tunnels and trestles, and charming towns, choosing short outings or long-distance rides thanks to the gentle grades. The beautiful Black Hills scenery, the historic railroad features, the accessible grades, and the trail towns are the draws, making it a wonderful destination for cyclists and hikers. The scenery and easy riding are highlights. With its trail, the Mickelson Trail offers a rewarding experience in South Dakota.

The Mickelson Trail crosses the Black Hills with towns and trailheads spaced along it, so carrying water, snacks, and supplies, planning your route and access points, and being prepared for changing mountain weather are wise, and a trail pass may be required, so checking current requirements helps. The gentle grades make it accessible, but longer rides call for preparation. Bringing supplies, checking pass requirements, and planning your route ensure a rewarding outing on the George S. Mickelson Trail in South Dakota.

The mild months of late spring through early fall are the best for biking and hiking the trail, when the weather is pleasant and the Black Hills scenery beautiful, with fall lovely for foliage, while winter can bring snow to the high country. Because conditions vary by season and elevation, checking current information before you go is wise. For the most pleasant riding and scenery, aim for late spring through early fall on the George S. Mickelson Trail in South Dakota.

The George S. Mickelson Trail runs through the Black Hills of western South Dakota between Deadwood and Edgemont, within reach of Deadwood, Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Spearfish Canyon, and the other attractions of the Black Hills. That makes the Mickelson Trail a spectacular way to experience the Black Hills alongside their other attractions on a visit to South Dakota.