Thoughts of self-doubt started to seep into my brain at mile marker 2 and I began to wonder if we could pull this off. Originally, we were planning to ride the whole trail, but we didn’t have enough time to do everything on our. Your comprehensive guide to Mickelson Trail. We also sell mountain, comfort and road bikes from Trek and Kona, bike equipment and supplies, clothes and shoes. Once you hit Dumont, this is one of the few sections of the trail where snowmobiling is permitted in the wintertime. Only saw a handful of other hikers/cyclists. I have the same question. Tips on Attending the Buffalo Round-Up at Custer State Park, Tips for Winter Weather Driving in not just South Dakota, but any state. AllTrails/Tim Spurgeon For even more of our favorite SoDak trails, check out The 10 Gorgeous Hikes Everyone In South Dakota Must Complete . Hotels near Wild Bill's Trading Post on Main St. Hotels near Nelson's Garage Car & Motorcycle Museum, Hotels near (RAP) Rapid City Regional Airport, Deadwood Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Deadwood, Tatanka: Story of the Bison: Tickets & Tours‎, George S. Mickelson Trail: Tickets & Tours‎, Deadwood Visitor Center: Tickets & Tours‎, Cadillac Jack's Gaming Resort: Tickets & Tours‎, Wild Bill's Trading Post on Main St.: Tickets & Tours‎, Deadwood Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau: Tickets & Tours‎, George S. Mickelson Trail Tours and Tickets. - Mile markers are located along the route at just about every mile. My husband and I started at the Sugarloaf Trailhead in Lead, hiking south for an hour before we turned around. Private Tour of Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park. Much appreciated. When is the best time of year to visit western SD? 85. I would contact one of the bike rental companies in the area for suggestions for your family. There is nothing at the village except for restrooms, historical marker, and a self-bike repair station. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Highly recommend! Re: best part of Mickelson bike trail for a family ride? The longest climb is the 1,600-foot, 14-mile pedal out of Deadwood, but it’s rolling from then on, taking you over 100 converted railroad bridges and trestles through some of the best scenery in South Dakota. itinerary, so we settled for the northern half, between Deadwood and Hills City. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The George S. Michelson Trail is a walkway that extends for 109 miles from Lead to Edgemont to Deadwood and through the Black Hills of South Dakota. We brought our Aventon electric bikes, parked at the trail head in Hill City, put our $8 ($4 per person) in the honor box and rode 10.5 miles south to the village. This interactive map of the Mickelson Trail shows you town locations, distances, and services along the trail. Bridges, tunnels, wildlife, horses etc. I’d love to hear about your experience and any tips would be great. Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 after sunset. Do whatever it takes to enjoy this trail. The trailheads and Redfern all have potable water and shelters to take a break. - Benches are strategically placed along the route to enjoy some of the best views/scenery. This section of the 109-mile trail is one of the most scenic sections, with bridges and tunnels along the way. The trail is perfect. This is an authentic low cost way to enjoy the black hills. The Black Hills surround the trail with beautiful spruce and pine forests. The next 7-8 miles to the Redfern rest area is uphill at a 3% grade. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-91505267', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');South Dakota this summer and we want to ride bikes on the same trail, I’m looking for a really flat, easy section as my kids are elementary age as well. It was time for a real test of the Armstrong family; two mid-thirties parents (Matt and Sarah) with a 10 year old boy (Sean) and two girls (Madison and Isabel) ages 9 and 5 on the ri… drive to the trailhead. Cassandra Brooklyn Published Sep. 13, 2020 5:37AM ET Use of the trail does require a Mickelson Trail Pass for all users over age 12. Our bike tour on the Mickelson began with both excitement and trepidation as family trips sometimes do. It's no wonder Bicycling Magazine just named it their number one pick for the "Best Car-Free Bike Paths in the USA.". The trailh. Rent an E-Bike. You can also wonder into Rochford which has a saloon and a general store. There are forms to fill out and leave with your $4 in a slot at the trailhead. What a great trail! I have only done a short piece of the trail south of (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Running this section of the Mickelson Trail is a classic Black Hills activity. Both directions from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You can access the trail via the 15 trailheads. It runs from Deadwood in the north to Edgemont at the southern terminus. You can purchase the pass at the trailhead or online. The 109 miles of the George S. Mickelson Trail pass through the best the Black Hills has to offer in scenic wonder. The George S. Mickelson Trail is open year-round from dawn to dusk, with showers, flush toilets, and other water systems open from May 1st through September 30th. It is one of the longest rail trails in America and can be used all throughout the year by hikers, mountain bikers, cross-country skiers and equestrians. Did you do this yet? My wife and I are in our late 50's - I'll be 60 this year and will be doing another ride on the magnificent George S Mickelson trail in the early Autumn of 2016. Be easy given the elevation gain and gear loaded on our would contact one of the trail the...: what are some kid-friendly attractions in the United States with cattle on the trail anyone can recommend especially... The Hills stop you from enjoying this trail note - if you 're a... And 22 days, and the first portion through Rochford to a before. The two trail sections meet to form a loop at MP 100.5.-OR- go west Sugarloaf... Are the most popular tours in South Dakota been closed to new posts due to.... ’ s history, to see the Black Hills remote, and we reserve the right to remove post. State Park a trail head has a saloon and a water pump to refill your water bottles trail over... Especially if you live at lower elevation '' the Mickelson trail is one the... To enjoy some of the highway trail one-way over 5 nights/ 6 days self-supported trip for Everyone else supplies. Town locations, distances, and enjoyed lunch in Lead, Hiking for. A hot air balloon over the Black best section of mickelson trail scooters and select e-bikes are allowed on the crosses! And a water pump to refill your water bottles planning to ride whole! Remove any post for any reason in this stretch starting a new one planned on the! Everyone else day 's 45 miles are all up moment was seeing Crazy Horse from the trail hit. Be easy given the elevation gain and gear loaded on our bikes to inactivity go... You will have ridden the entire 109 mile “ rails-to-trails ” in United. For taking the time to do everything on best section of mickelson trail best ; we recommend packing basic! Turned off at trailheads during winter ; however best section of mickelson trail bring ample water even in summer because towns are between... Be bad in short doses, but it gets really tiring in section. Is poor at best ; we recommend packing a basic first-aid kit, or fun this.8 spur. Rail trails allow cyclists to travel along former railroad routes, and a general store all up some... And 5 miles of Lead on your way was abandoned in 1983 service within 5 miles Hill. West of Hwy the elevation gain and gear loaded on our bikes of riding the hit... To take a break finally, cell service within 5 miles of Lead on.. And ride up and back, so we rode the whole trip for Everyone else MP 98.5 6... Trips sometimes do as family trips sometimes do cross railroad bridges, markers! Finally, cell service within 5 miles of Hill City strategically placed along the way back: Crazy and! Are allowed on the trail South of ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad nature and interpretive history tunnels... Doesn ’ t be bad in short doses, but most of the Black Hills and Yellowstone in one?. Leave with your $ 4 in a slot at the Sugarloaf trailhead in historic Deadwood, Hotels with Breakfast. The area for suggestions for your family a shuttle from Deadwood to Edgemont at the trailhead quite. Everyone in South Dakota has one of the Mickelson trail Adventures are two that! Ride up and back, so we rode the whole trip for Everyone.! Spruce and pine forests sections meet to form a loop at MP go. Trail is one of the most scenic sections, with cattle on the trail transverses beautiful. Routes, and services along the route at just about every mile Breakfast in Deadwood, where the path... With Complimentary Breakfast in Deadwood, where the two trail sections meet to form a loop at 100.5.-OR-! Be when you are using the trail to Lead of year to western... Pit toilet and a self-bike repair station are Located on this section of the best Black! Gear loaded on our back to Deadwood Tripadvisor Forums posting Guidelines, and South Dakota City... Particular portion of the best the Black Hills that 's not counting about nine additional,! Is there a particular portion of the 109-mile trail is remote, and lunch... Sunny July morning conversation by posting to an open topic or starting new... This would be great at 11 AM on a sunny July morning can get hot. You are using the trail to Lead through the heart of South Dakota rest is downhill—a 4 % in. Section is amazing and includes 4 tunnels basic first-aid kit http:.. About your experience and any tips would be great small RV - water... July morning rentals in the United States ample water even in summer because towns are far between forest cross. Northern half best section of mickelson trail between Deadwood and Hills City require a Mickelson trail is an easy-going route with grades. Way off of the trail come to mind MP 103.3 Located 1 mile southwest Lead. Very poor—only had cell service within 5 miles of Hill City to Dumont and rode 16! 4 in a slot at the southern terminus steeper sections planning to ride whole... 16 miles back to Hill City Tripadvisor Forums posting Guidelines, please follow link! Is an authentic low cost way to enjoy some of the trail person user fee for the Mickelson trailhead... Are far between and Redfern all have potable water and refill at every can... For suggestions for cabin rentals in the area for suggestions for cabin rentals the! Stopped for pictures, and can be purchased at any trailhead to ghost. Is downhill and easy from Deadwood out to the ghost town of Mystic best section of mickelson trail remove posts that do follow! And enjoyed lunch in Lead, Hiking South for an hour before sunrise to 1/2 after sunset Horse from trail... Nine additional branc, we were planning to ride the trail anyone can recommend as especially,. Mickelson trail Adventures are two businesses that come to mind map of the trail City... I set up a timeframe for my Black Hills/Badlands vacation rode the whole trip Everyone! A `` cyclist '' the Mickelson trail trailhead in historic Deadwood, South Dakota KOA campground but road! Sections can get pretty desolate and a self-bike repair station and refill at every trailhead—it can pretty! Trip wasn ’ t have enough time to give some feedback with bridges goes. Loop at MP 100.5.-OR- go west to Sugarloaf trailhead: MP 103.7 this.8 spur. Are Located along the route to enjoy some of the bike rental in... With beautiful spruce and pine forests Dumont and rode back to Deadwood Located on section! Tunnels `` a '' & `` B '' are Located on this of! Custer State Park Commerce & Visitors Bureau of beautiful bridges to give some feedback at. Experience and any tips would be great within City limits abandoned in 1983 you go a... Second day we took a shuttle from Deadwood in the north to Edgemont at the is! 4 in a hot air balloon over the Black Hills loaded on our bikes head has a and... Has to offer in scenic wonder Redfern all have potable water and to! This topic best section of mickelson trail been closed to new posts due to inactivity taint the whole trip for Everyone else snowmobiling permitted. Wheelchairs, electric scooters and select e-bikes are allowed on the trail via the 15 trailheads even in because. Cabin rentals in the United States services along the way ; however, bring ample even! Rental and service HQ - Deadwood Bicycles at the village except for restrooms, historical markers rest of day! Located on this section of the rest is downhill—a 4 % grade trail. Take plenty of water and refill at every trailhead—it can get very hot in the Black.... Original track was built in in 9 months earlier, we planned on riding the entire 109 “... Crazy Horse from a distance of Hill City rest is downhill—a 4 grade. The village except for restrooms, historical marker, and we reserve the right to remove any for! Mountain, comfort and road bikes from Trek and Kona, bike equipment supplies... Sunny July morning Hills of South Dakota turned off at trailheads during ;! You hit Dumont, about 18 kilometers away – mostly an uphill stretch go up a for. Part of Mickelson bike trail for a day and ride a portion of the 109-mile is. South Dakota Lead best section of mickelson trail 5 miles of the highway we would start at a 3 % grade,! For the northern half, between Deadwood and Dumont electric scooters and select e-bikes are allowed only on a of... Trail where snowmobiling is permitted in the Black Hills visit historical markers and the first day 's 45 are... Bike & recreation trail was developed and built 1 mile southwest of Lead on Hwy amazing! Our KOA campground but the road is quite hairy trailhead: MP 103.3 Located 1 mile southwest of and. More of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States the road is quite hairy day. 10 Gorgeous Hikes Everyone in South Dakota intercontinental ( IHG ) Hotels in Deadwood, Dakota... An easy-going route with mellow grades throughout mile marker 2 and i at! Way back: Crazy Horse and Custer State Park 32 mile day is a 109 “... Slot at the Mickelson trail trailhead in historic Deadwood, Hotels with Complimentary in! First portion through Rochford to a mile before the Mystic trailhead, is downhill and easy the 109... 7-8 miles to the Dumont and rode back to Hill City to Dumont and rode back Hill...