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South Dakota Off-Road Trails
11
Total Trail Guides 9
109
Detailed Waypoints 86
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No Rating
Open
Visited: 09/22/2026
As others mentioned, the trail splits to get around mud holes or for a more scenic view. We did it after a few days of rain and the very last section at the top was too muddy to add more tracks to. I...
DT
Deb Thelen
Rated 5/5
Open
Visited: 09/17/2026
As stated by other, just rough and rocks near the east end, can warm you up for got milk
A
Alex
Rated 5/5
Open
Visited: 09/17/2026
Nice warm up trail for got milk, some bigger rocks sticking out of ground that can rub axles if not careful
A
Alex
Rated 5/5
Open
Visited: 09/17/2026
Only major obstacle was a switch back going up hill, was easier than I thought
A
Alex
Rated 5/5
Open
Visited: 09/16/2026
Came from the north to drive south to get to the retired mine, it was just a maintained gravel road, found minor washboard, had a 2015 gmc Acadia
A
Alex
Rated 5/5
Open
Visited: 09/15/2026
It wasn’t that demanding of trail, pick a good line for tougher rock sections and be no issues,
A
Alex
Rated 5/5
Open
Visited: 09/15/2026
Intersected this trail from FS 028, heading south, sections of rocks, nothing massive, near the southern end of trail there was two options, unsure if official are not, it did appear to be challenging...
A
Alex
Rated 5/5
Open
Visited: 09/14/2026
Went south to north on this trail, would recommend this direction for a more challenging ascent than going north to south. There was just one big rock to go around while climbing up, nothing too diffi...
A
Alex
Rated 5/5
Open
Visited: 09/14/2026
Slightly worse gravel road, a mercury grand marquis could drive it
A
Alex
Rated 4/5
Open
Visited: 08/29/2026
I love driving Palmer Creek Road. It's mellow and so scenic and I find the bridge and rock split neat features that they did not have to include. Make sure to stop and find the Harney Watchtower at ...
Dalton Santana
Official Crew
Rated 3/5
Open
Visited: 08/14/2026
This road has been recently graded and is now pretty smooth the whole way. The water crossing and rocky steps are gone now.
Dalton Santana
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
No Rating
Open
Visited: 08/11/2026
Per the MVUM, the trail is seasonally open. As always, check current fire restrictions/closures before venturing out.
Trails Offroad
Official Crew
Rated 3/5
Open
Visited: 08/01/2026
I found the "Grand Canyon of the Black Hills" a bit underwhelming, as it is difficult to get a good view of it through the trees. The walk down was steep and rocky and had obviously been driven by ve...
Dalton Santana
Official Crew
Rated 4/5
Open
Visited: 08/01/2026
Bethlehem Road is a nice little gem of a trail. It can be deceiving if you are not prepared for the rock fields, as the rest of the trail is pretty easy going. The waterfall was pretty thin during t...
Dalton Santana
Official Crew
Rated 3/5
Open
Visited: 08/01/2026
Calumet Road is well maintained, and the route itself does not provide any challenge, but it's a good cut across to get off the pavement and access to the lake and campground is very useful.
Dalton Santana
Official Crew
Dalton Santana
Official Crew
Rated 5/5
Open
Visited: 07/22/2026
We did this trail in stock flat fender Willys with Lockers. Awesome trail.
Mark Hansen
Mark Hansen
No Rating
Open
Visited: 07/20/2026
Ran this in my Stocker
Locker Willys on 7.50-16 tires. Had to winch once. Trail
Is extreme. Expect body damage. Bent my windshield. Bent my fuel filler. Rubbed my rockers skid plates.
Mark Hansen
Rated 3/5
Open
Visited: 07/04/2026
Easy run. had hopes it would open up for a scenic look. it really didnt. but we did not do the full east loop.
Joe
Rated 5/5
Open
Visited: 07/04/2026
Great trail, had fun running this tight windy rough steep climb. has some surprises, tight turns, bigger rocks.
Joe
Joe
Rated 5/5
Open
Visited: 07/04/2026
Tougher demanding trail. pay attention to everything. absolute blast to do. technical in spots. know your rig, watch for trees. The description is close. it's a serious Badge of Honor Trail. not...
Joe
Most Popular
Updated: 08/13/2026
Runkle Road
Bethlehem, South Dakota
Runkle Road, also known as Crystal Cave Road near its intersection with Bethlehem Road, is a rough dirt-and-gravel forest road connecting Nemo Road to Bethlehem Road. This road is traversable by vehicles with moderate ground clearance. Users can expect to face small potholes and some embedded rock 3-6 inches tall, although these are avoidable with good driving lines.
Spur 168.3A provides access to a short hike down to the "Grand Canyon of the Black Hills", while spur 168.3B ends in a small turnaround where two or three vehicles could park and camp for the night. The other spurs along the road may also be suitable camping spots for one or two vehicles.
Runkle Road also provides access to the Elk Creek hiking trail.
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