South Dakota Trails

The beauty of the Black Hills National Forest is on display as you travel along China Gulch Road. The road begins in the China Gulch and ends as it proceeds through the more rugged and popular Nugget Gulch. This easy forested road displays an abundance of wildflowers and mature pine trees. Creek crossings are always a favorite feature for an off-pavement adventure and several can be found near the north end of this road.

A well-groomed forest helps define Lightning Creek Road from start to finish. This scenic drive through the lush terrain sports an abundance of wildflowers, wildlife, and mature pine trees. The forest here is an example of what can be done to reduce the risk of forest fires and beetle kill infestation while creating a visually stimulating view. Near the north end of the route, you will be treated to a magnificent view of the Black Hills and the Crazy Horse Memorial in the distance.

Williams Draw is an easy drive that takes you from Deerfield Lake to the Four Corners area in the beautiful Black Hills. Four Corners is a central location in the large network of other, less maintained, offroad trails. This makes Williams Draw one of the direct routes to the center of the trail network. If your looking to explore in the central Black Hills then Williams Draw is an excellent place to start

Smith Draw is a combination of several forest service roads that tracks you through the heart of the Black Hills from one main road to another. Located in the heart of the Mystic Ranger District this is one of the dozens of trails to explore showing the different landscapes in the Western Black Hills. As you travel through the forest, grassy valleys, and small gulches you will begin to see the unique nature of the hills making this a great easy trail for someone not familiar with the area.

Smith Draw Cutoff is an optional route to exit Smith Draw in the Black Hills National Forest. This short route takes you directly through a grassy valley where the trail can be difficult to see from the green grass, especially in early summer when the vegetation is new and lush. As you travel through the open grass field, you get a sense of what the rancher experiences as he's going to maintain his well and check on his cattle.