Dugan's Prospect

Dugan's Prospect is a there-and-back rock crawling trail located off U.S. Highway 385 across from the Sheridan Lake Fishing Pier. Dugan's Prospect is rated a 4 out of 10 by the Black Hills 4 Wheelers Club. It is suitable for stock vehicles with high clearance and off-road tires. The trail is steep, narrow in several sections, and very rocky throughout.

Camping is limited on Dugan's Prospect. A small grassy area can be found just after the trail entrance sign, suitable for a ground tent and possibly a vehicle-mounted tent or small trailer. Motor vehicles may go up to 300 feet off of the road in the Black Hills National Forest to camp. However, campfires are not allowed.

Shortly after the entrance to Dugan's Prospect, a barbed-wire gate blocks the trail. Open it to pass through and close it behind you. The path starts climbing and is covered in smaller jagged rocks with trees tight to either side. The rocks will grow in size as you go up the trail. There are also washouts with ruts in the climb. The trail smooths out until the last 1/8th of a mile.

This last section descends into a canyon with several large rocks and downed trees to navigate around and over. Once at the bottom, turn around and head back the way you came. The bottom is the official end of the trail. There are tracks from others who continued toward the nearby house, but this is private property and is off-trail, so make sure to stay on the marked route.