Mickelson Trail
Explore the beautiful nature of the Black Hills and visit the old American Wild West along the Mickelson Trail. This path nearly spans across the state from the North to the South, providing plenty of ground for exploring South Dakota.
The Mickelson Trail is a path that travels across South Dakota from Edgemont to Deadwood. This path spans 109 miles of packed gravel and currently has 15 different trailheads that branch off the path. Mickelson Trail spans the route where the former Burlington Northern Line once laid. The first segment of the trail was dedicated in 1991 and the project was finished in 1998. The trail is not steep, so Bicyclists, hikers, and all horseback riders may leisurely explore and enjoy the scenic trail of South Dakota at the speed and comfort of their choice.
Recreation on the Trail
Bicyclists, hikers, runners, and horseback riders all enjoy the trail. Some bicyclists are even known to complete the path both ways in a single day for a 218-mile trip through South Dakota. This trail carves through the heart of the Black Hills. A variety of sights can be seen along the length of trail, ranging from distant views of jagged mountains, high plains, dense forests of abundant wildlife and the nature of South Dakota. The grade of the trail rarely exceeds 4%, but the trail is essentially one long uphill path from Edgemont to Deadwood that gains roughly 1,150 feet in overall elevation along that direction.
History
Today’s path of the Mickelson Trail is the former route of the Burlington Northern Railroad Black Hills line. The original track was built in a span of 9 months and 22 days and was abandoned in 1983. Local enthusiasts and residents recognized the abandoned railway as potential. With the support of Governor Mickelson, the abandoned railway would become the states’ first rails to trails project. In 1991, the first 6 miles of the trail were dedicated. The US Forest Service, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department, the National Guard, the South Dakota Department of transportation, the South Dakota Department of Corrections, and the local Friends of the Mickelson Trail worked for many years to complete the trail in 1998.
Explore the beautiful nature of the Black Hills and visit the old American Wild West along the Mickelson Trail. This path nearly spans across the state from the North to the South, providing plenty of ground for exploring South Dakota.
The Mickelson Trail is a path that travels across South Dakota from Edgemont to Deadwood. This path spans 109 miles of packed gravel and currently has 15 different trailheads that branch off the path. Mickelson Trail spans the route where the former Burlington Northern Line once laid. The first segment of the trail was dedicated in 1991 and the project was finished in 1998. The trail is not steep, so Bicyclists, hikers, and all horseback riders may leisurely explore and enjoy the scenic trail of South Dakota at the speed and comfort of their choice.
Recreation on the Trail
Bicyclists, hikers, runners, and horseback riders all enjoy the trail. Some bicyclists are even known to complete the path both ways in a single day for a 218-mile trip through South Dakota. This trail carves through the heart of the Black Hills. A variety of sights can be seen along the length of trail, ranging from distant views of jagged mountains, high plains, dense forests of abundant wildlife and the nature of South Dakota. The grade of the trail rarely exceeds 4%, but the trail is essentially one long uphill path from Edgemont to Deadwood that gains roughly 1,150 feet in overall elevation along that direction.
History
Today’s path of the Mickelson Trail is the former route of the Burlington Northern Railroad Black Hills line. The original track was built in a span of 9 months and 22 days and was abandoned in 1983. Local enthusiasts and residents recognized the abandoned railway as potential. With the support of Governor Mickelson, the abandoned railway would become the states’ first rails to trails project. In 1991, the first 6 miles of the trail were dedicated. The US Forest Service, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department, the National Guard, the South Dakota Department of transportation, the South Dakota Department of Corrections, and the local Friends of the Mickelson Trail worked for many years to complete the trail in 1998.