Raspberry Ridge 8026

Raspberry Ridge is an entry-level rock crawling trail in the northern Black Hills. The trail is located just east of the Pilot Knob Trailhead on Merritt Estes Road between Highway 385 and Nemo Road. This is a trail rated by Black Hills 4 Wheelers as a 3 out of 10 and is a combination of trails 8030 and 8026. Raspberry Ridge is named for the plethora of wild raspberries found along the trail in the summer.

8026 is the eastern end of Raspberry Ridge and starts at the end of 8030. While it does not have any one obstacle more difficult than 8030, it is much more consistently rocky. There are few breaks between the long rock gardens, and the trail goes up and down several steep hills. 8026 does have several narrow sections between trees and rocks, which wide vehicles would need to be cautious of. A little past halfway through 8026, right at the intersection with Forestry Road 202.2C, you will find one area suitable for tent or vehicle camping. The remainder of the trail is too rocky or forested for any camping. After around 2.3 miles of slow, rocky trail riding, 8026 will end at Forestry Road 201.2D, which runs into the Bogus Jim trail system.