Here's one of our favorite trails in the Black Hills. It's fairly strenuous but well worth the effort.
The Sunday Gulch Trail is rated as strenuous, but it's a great hike if you're looking for a bit of adventure. The loop trail is 2.8 miles long and will take you a few hours to complete.
You'll find the trailhead at Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park. Because it's more strenuous than the other trails at the lake, Sunday Gulch tends to be a lot less crowded.
You'll start by descending down into the gulch. In this section, water rushes right over the boulders that you climb, and they can get pretty slippery. Luckily, the handrails are there to steady you as you ascend.
The Badlands is a truly incredible place. Filled with wonder and weirdness, it's unlike anywhere else on this continent - or maybe even this planet. South Dakotans are lucky to have the honor of claiming it as ours (well, mostly), and as a result, adventure is only as far away as your distance to Badlands National Park (and if it's a lengthy distance, it's still worth it).
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With more than 240,000 amazing acres of awesomeness to explore, I'm fairly certain that boredom at Badlands is not a thing. With as many jaw-dropping hiking trails as there are in the park, it might be a little tough to choose one - so let me help! One of my favorite hiking trails in South Dakota just so happens to be here at Badlands, and it's so iconic that it's even considered the "doorway" to the natural wonder - so much so that it's called the Door Trail.
The Door Trail is short, sweet, and pretty easy, with most of it being on a nice, flat boardwalk that's ADA-accessible. Hiking is for everyone, and my favorite trails are usually the ones with everyone in mind. This one's no exception; it's outlandishly beautiful and filled end-to-end with splendor, but I digress.
On this incredible hike, meander through ancient bedrock and admire the strange beauty of South Dakota's Badlands. Witness nature at its finest, from stunning wildflowers in the spring and summer to the harsh brilliance of the sun in winter. One cannot simply go wrong on The Door Trail. It's open year-round, but thanks to the harsh winters this area often endures, I definitely recommend visiting in spring, summer, or autumn. Life in South Dakota doesn't have to be boring - not even a little! Wait 'til you experience our great outdoors.
It's worth noting that this hike isn't very long - just under a mile - but can be brutal, especially in the summer when it gets hot. There is little to no shade along the trail, so be sure to prepare accordingly and pack plenty of water and sunblock (even if it's the dead of winter).
Ultimately, The Door Trail leads hikers to an astonishing vista with awesome views of the entire surrounding landscape. You'll feel like Simba in "The Lion King" being guided by his father to understand everything the light touches. You'll feel like you've just conquered the world. It's equal parts adventure and awe-invoking experience where your soul will feel as if it's just been set free. There's just something about the Badlands that feels both alien and familiar; it's a joy to visit and even moreso to hike.
Sure, this one's an easy trek for the most part, but that doesn't make it any less rewarding. Be sure to leave your dog at home, though - no dogs permitted on this trail (bummer, I know). As long as you plan accordingly and prepare thoroughly, you ought to have no problem conquering this incredible adventure way out in the boonies. I think you'll love it!
For more information about this amazing hiking trail in South Dakota, be sure to check out its official AllTrails listing. If you're a serious hiker and you can't get enough, check out AllTrails Plus - it's a lifesaver. In love with this state yet? Well, uh oh - here are some reasons why you should never move to South Dakota.
Hidden away at the newest state park in South Dakota is a handful of amazing hiking trails that have received less love over the years than other, more well-established ones throughout the state. One of these trails just so happens to be one of my all-time favorites in the entire state; known as the Riparian Loop Trail, this incredible South Dakota hiking trail features some of the most breathtaking landscapes you'll ever see - and it's right in our backyards.
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Good Earth State Park was established in 2013, and over the years the parks service has developed several incredible hikes within that are absolutely day-trip worthy. Amazingly, it's the site of one of the oldest places of long-term human habitation in the United States, and thanks to this history, the trails contained within are both beautiful and fascinating. Imagine the stories they could tell.
The Riparian Loop Trail is a hike that meanders through the riverbottom of the Big Soux River, and it's easily the most beautiful adventure in the entire park, if you ask me.
It's not overly long, coming in at just 2.3 miles in length. It's quite shady for most of the way, and as you pass through this amazing oak forest you'll fall in love with South Dakota all over again. Did I mention how amazing the scenery is on this one? Because yeah... it's worth mentioning again.
Along the way as you hike, you'll wander through oak forest, shrubby woodlands, riverbeds, and more. You'll find delight after delight to discover and enjoy; I strongly suspect that anyone as obsessed with the outdoors as I am will find themselves daydreaming about this particular hike right up to the day they hike it again.
The views of the river you'll catch on this trail are jaw-dropping; if you're a fan of landscape photography, this hike is a dream come true (bring the camera). Thanks to the close proximity of the water, the Riparian Loop is an excellent place for wildlife watching in South Dakota (hence the name).
To hike the awesome Riparian Loop Trail, you'll have to get into Good Earth State Park. Day passes are just $8 per vehicle, which covers anything you want to do while you're here (more than just the trails, obviously).
The park is located not terribly far from Sioux Falls, making it an awesome option for a day trip (or a camping trip). Do keep in mind, though, that between October 1 and April 30, showers, flush toilets and other water-based systems may or may not be closed - so contact the park ahead of time if you need to know.
Need more info about this amazing hiking trail, including a handy map? Check out the official AllTrails listing for Riparian Loop Trail at Good Earth State Park. If you're into hiking and want to upgrade your hiking game, check out AllTrails Plus while you're there. I love it.
Do you have a favorite hiking trail in South Dakota? Tell me about it in the comments; I love learning about all your favorite places to get out and enjoy the outdoors.
