Over 160 trails and routes are listed on the accompanying pages.
All of them are linked to topographic maps. Most are linked to aerial photos. Wheelchair-Accessible Trails U
Choose an Area Below—for maps, data, and trail descriptions: -Mount Rushmore-
-Black Elk Wilderness-
-Norbeck Wildlife Preserve-
-Devil's Tower Area-
-Bear Lodge Mountains-
-The Mickelson Trail-
-The Centennial Trail-
-Spearfish Canyon-
-Northern Hills-
-Central Hills & Lake Trails-
-Custer State Park--North-
-Custer State Park-
-Wind Cave National Park-
-Badlands National Park-
-Southern Hills-
-A Few Unmarked Trails- Tables Comparing Trail Data: Table of Trail Length.
Table of Trail Difficulty.
Table of Energy Consumption.
Table of best Calorie Burners (under 20 miles in length, 10 miles one-way) 
Our trail descriptions provide the following details:
TRAIL NAME—LENGTH—LOW—HIGH—CHANGE—DIFFICULTY—USES Trail Name includes the name and number, if a National Forest trail. Length is generally one-way, or if the trail is a loop, the total length of the loop is given. If the trail is part of a trail system and connects with another trail, then mileage can be estimated by referring to the topographic map. For instance, if the hiker parks at the trailhead off highway 87 on upper Iron Creek in Custer State Park and proceeds toward
Harney Peak, he or she will only hike about half the length of trail #3, but that trail will join trail #9 before reaching the peak. So the distance to Harney Peak one-way would be around 3 1/2 miles rather than the simple length of trail #3. Low refers to the lowest elevation on the trail. High refers to the highest elevation on the trail. Change is the difference between low and high elevations on the trail. This figure does not necessarily indicate the total accumulated climb or descent the hiker makes throughout the hike. He or she may climb and descend several smaller changes in elevation before reaching the high or low points. Difficulty rating is based upon the slope and surface of the trail—not upon its length. Difficulty rating on our trails pages and in our difficulty table follows the rating we find in pamphlets from the Forest Service, Park Service, or other administrative agency. When that rating was lacking, as on segments of the Centennial Trail, we filled in our estimate of how the trail would be rated according to custom. The Forest Service describes its rating system as follows: Easy: most of the trail is less than 8 percent grade. The surface is flat with only a few rocks or roots.
Moderate: Most of the trail is less than 20 percent grade. The surface may be rocky and have stream crossings.
Difficult: Portions of the trail are 20 percent grade or steeper. The surface is rocky, has uneven footing, and may include stream crossings. Energy Level and Calorie Consumption: length and accumulated climb are determinants in this rating system. this is our own supplement to standard difficulty ratings and is not an officially sanctioned trail description. Here we have determined the accumulated climb for each trail and translated that figure and the mileage into energy consumption. This method allows us to supplement the difficulty rating with another determinant. Based upon calorie-consumption studies and sustainable rates of climbing and walking, the energy level tables presume that a climb of about 280 feet will consume as much energy as a mile walk on level ground. Some equation of this sort is necessary to arrive at an accurate and objective measure of the energy level required to hike a trail. Measures of difficulty based upon these equations are continually subject to revision, based upon further study. Uses are one or more of the following: by wheelchair, by hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, or cross-country skiing. Horses are prohibited on some trails prone to damaging erosion and mountain bikes are prohibited in Black Elk Wilderness. When in doubt, we are advised to contact the appropriate agency to determine what use is allowed on the trail or trail segment in question.
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