Black Hills South Dakota

[crispyknite]

I like to make a trip to the
Black hills this year.
Where do you go and stay.
This be my first time riding there
Me and the wife like groomed trails
Maybe hit some spots with some scenery.
Thanks TIM

 

[clark_w]

You will love the Black Hills scenery, truly some beautiful canyon trails and overlooks, along with some of the best trails you will ever ride. Lodging is different than Minnesota, Wisconsin or UP, not many places on trail to stay, Trailshead Lodge is basically the center of all trails and has cabins to rent, otherwise they have a huge parking area where you can leave your enclosed trailer and sleds and drive down into Deadwood or Lead for lodging. There are fewer "stops" on the trail where you can get gas, food and beverages than the around Minnesota, Wisconsin and UP trails.
They have a great website that gives true up to date trail conditions and hen you hit the Black Hills when they have snow, it will be great trip, we want to get back out there this year as well and hopefully they have a good snowy winter.

CW

 

[elf]

We've been there several times. 3 times we've stayed in Lead, right at the corner as you come into town. Used to be called the Golden Hills Best Western, not sure what it is now. We could ride right out of the parking lot. The last time I went out with just my wife we stayed at SpearFish canyon lodge. Could also just ride out the door. That place was nice the only downside was you had to ride the same section of trail quite a ways each day(but its a beautiful ride thru little Spearfish Canyon) Places to see are just any of the trails, gorgeous views, etc... Try to go up to Flagg Mountain and Cement Ridge look out. Both very neat places.

Trailshead would be a good spot to stay, quite a bit higher in elevation, and its right in the center of everything. Just pay attention to snow reports and you'll have a great time. You'll want to clutch and jet sleds for 6-8000' if needed.

 

[Wyelde]

I'm headed there in February. Hopefully it will be a good year. I just heard that they got over 3 feet of snow at Trailshead from the last storm. I have stayed at Trailshead lodge a few times. The little cabins are nice but they DO NOT have kitchens. The lodge has a restaurant, but there are not many other choices close. You can't count on being able to stay and ride from Lead/Deadwood. There is a chance any time of the year that a warm spell will trash the trail to the point of it being 15 miles of crap. So, if you stay there, be prepared to have to trailer your sleds up to Trailshead each day Spearfish lodge is great, and although like Elf said, you end up going over the same trail for the first few miles each day, the snow is more reliable there, the trail is stunning, and they have a great restaurant and a cute little bar there.

 

[ezra]

also look in to rec springs
vrbo has a few real close to rec springs also like across the street
there are a few cabins on tril just up hill from lead prob 1/2 mi before rec springs but cant think of name . google earth will prob have name if u zoom it. rec springs is the only place on that end of trail system with gas bar food lodging in 1 place

 

[longtrack]

The drive from Lead/Deadwood to Trails head is long and curvy. If you stay in Lead you can climb the Hill and there is a Lot by Rec Springs to unload at. If there is Snow at Trails head there is Snow at Rec Springs also. Usually you can ride from Lead, Dead wood has limited Trail access and Snow.

 

[crispyknite]

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to stay in Spearfish Canyon Lodge. I'm looking
at I think is a trail map. How many miles is it to Trailshead Lodge on trail 1?

 

[ezra]

not that long of a ride if I remember the only thing that slows u down is having to pass all the groomers. spearfish lodge is very nice. deff more snow on that end of the system than the rec springs end .

 

[POLARISDAN]

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to stay in Spearfish Canyon Lodge. I'm looking
at I think is a trail map. How many miles is it to Trailshead Lodge on trail 1?

enjoy the death ride across SD..thats why i dont go anymore..9 hours of pure nothingness and wind..but ull enjoy when u get there..make sure u get to the puke camp/bar in wyoming..its one of a kind

 

[GTL]

You might look into Mystic Hills Campground/Cabins, they are out in the middle of nowhere with nice facilities and bar/restaurant on-site. Or Deadwood Gulch Casino, they are much cheaper, have a shuttle to "downtown" casinos and are right on the trail also. Yes you must try to get down to the "Buckhorn Bar" a true classic.

 

[ezra]

enjoy the death ride across SD..thats why i dont go anymore..9 hours of pure nothingness and wind..but ull enjoy when u get there..make sure u get to the puke camp/bar in wyoming..its one of a kind

all ho u look at it. for 2hrs less to calumet in perfect weather and it never is . the drive across SD is more often than not ez going do it at night all the same but with out the white knuckle blizzard driving

 

[crispyknite]

Ok I got to looking at the black hills trail
map and some of the trails go into
Wyoming so I called and yes you do need
A trail pass. That's $15. The good news
I don't need one in South Dakota as long
As my sled is registered in my state.

 

[elf]

Ok I got to looking at the black hills trail
map and some of the trails go into
Wyoming so I called and yes you do need
A trail pass. That's $15. The good news
I don't need one in South Dakota as long
As my sled is registered in my state.

I would check further on that. We were told that since we were riding the Black Hills system we did not need a trail pass for Wyoming. But it's only $15 so what the heck.

Good choice on Spearfish Canyon Lodge. Since you are going with the wife its a good spot to stay. have fun!

 

[crispyknite]

Elf I called a couple places. And found out your right. As long as you stay on they trail system. South Dakota is the only state left that you do not have to buy a trail pass.

 

[ezra]

Ok I got to looking at the black hills trail
map and some of the trails go into
Wyoming so I called and yes you do need
A trail pass. That's $15. The good news
I don't need one in South Dakota as long
As my sled is registered in my state.

I have had a wy on my sled but never my wifes when out there and was told u don't need 1 and from what I gather SD is the one maintaining that section of WY trail

 

[POLARISDAN]

all ho u look at it. for 2hrs less to calumet in perfect weather and it never is . the drive across SD is more often than not ez going do it at night all the same but with out the white knuckle blizzard driving

yea but ur a rock star and going to the mountains..for me to just go trail riding in that limited area not worth it..been there twice..thats enuf

 

[longtrack]

SD maintains the WY miles, no permit required on that system. WY permit required north of Sundance.

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all ho u look at it. for 2hrs less to calumet in perfect weather and it never is . the drive across SD is more often than not ez going do it at night all the same but with out the white knuckle blizzard driving

I'd rather drive across South Dakota than through Chicago

 

[wirev]

Hey, I'll second that and I'm an x-Illinois guy; born and raised in the Quad Cities.

 

[ezra]

SD maintains the WY miles, no permit required on that system. WY permit required north of Sundance.

- - - Updated - - -



I'd rather drive across South Dakota than through Chicago

who wouldn't
BTW was talking with a bud today . they went out last weekend said a good 2 feet .no base so just trail and roads