Dog-Friendly Black Hills Adventures For South Dakota Dogs That Prefer Forest To Prairie
Some dogs sniff a wide open prairie and shrug. Others catch the scent of damp pine needles, cold creek water, and birch bark, then pull toward the trailhead like they have somewhere important to be.
The Black Hills were built for that second type of dog. Between Spearfish Canyon waterfalls, granite spires along the Needles Highway, and shady creek crossings with plank bridges, there is a leash-friendly route here for every energy level.
Grab water bowls and read on.
1. Little Spearfish Trail #80
Cold creek water within the first mile is a very persuasive argument for most dogs. Little Spearfish Trail #80 loops roughly six miles through ponderosa pine, quaking aspen, and paper birch about eight miles south of Spearfish off Forest Service Road 134.
Hike it counter-clockwise so your pup reaches Spearfish Creek early. Watch for the gate at the start.
American Dippers bob along the water here year-round, which delights bird lovers and puzzles dogs.
2. Rimrock Trail #79
Two loops, one spur, and a whole lot of shade: Rimrock Trail #79 totals 7.2 miles near Timon Campground, sharing the Little Spearfish Trailhead.
Trees do most of the work early, with pine, aspen, and birch keeping paws cool. Then the path climbs to the canyon rim, where Terry Peak, Old Baldy, and Crow Peak line up beautifully.
Short on time? The lower loop runs about 3.2 miles.
3. Old Baldy Trail #66
Bald in name only, this mountain wears aspen, birch, and ponderosa pine like a comfortable coat.
Old Baldy Trail #66 forms a 5.7-mile loop about 13 miles south of Spearfish off Forest Service Road 134, with a 0.7-mile spur climbing to the summit.
Reroutes stretch the full outing to roughly eight miles. From the top, Crow Peak sits north, Terry Peak east, Cement Ridge west.
Horses and bikes share the tread, so leash up.
4. Crow Peak Trail #64
Fit dogs, this one is your bragging rights hike. Crow Peak Trail #64 climbs about 3.5 miles to the summit for a seven-mile round trip, though some hikers clock over eight.
Reach the trailhead by driving west from Spearfish on Hillsview Road, then Higgins Gulch Road, Forest Service Road 214, roughly seven miles.
Views stretch across the western hills into Wyoming and Montana. Keep the leash short through rocky stretches.
5. Mount Roosevelt Trail
Senior pups and puppies with short legs, rejoice. The Mount Roosevelt Trail is a gentle loop of roughly 0.7 to one mile round trip, ending at the stone Friendship Tower on a summit over a mile high.
Find it off US Highway 85 toward Deadwood, then Forest Service Road 133.
Leashed pets are welcome year-round, and the payoff includes rolling Black Hills forest plus a clear look at Bear Butte.
6. Flume Trail #50
History buffs with dogs, meet your happy place. Flume Trail #50, a National Recreation Trail near Rapid City, follows the bed of an old mining flume that once carried water 20 miles from Spring Creek to gold diggings near Rockerville.
Tunnels, timber remnants, and artifacts pop up as you walk.
Part of the route overlaps Centennial Trail #89. Leashed dogs sniff every historic corner with genuine enthusiasm.
7. Deerfield Lake Loop Trail #40L
Ten miles of lakeshore forest await on Trail #40L, which circles Deerfield Lake northwest of Hill City and Custer.
Tall pines and pocket meadows trade off, and lake views keep appearing between trunks. Nothing here is technical, but the elevation change adds up quietly.
Ranchers graze cattle in the area, so cows may join the scenery. Keep your dog leashed and calm around livestock, then reward everyone with a lakeside water break.
8. Deerfield Trail #40
Bridge count: over 30. Tail wags: uncountable.
Deerfield Trail #40 runs 23 miles from Deerfield Reservoir to the Centennial Trail near Hill City, threading deep canyons along Slate Creek and Rapid Creek.
The Rapid Creek side stays mostly flat and smooth, ideal for long steady miles. Slate Creek turns rockier with real climbing.
You can also jump on from the Kinney Canyon Walk-In Fishery Trailhead for a shorter sample.
9. Horsethief Lake Trail #14
Steep, damp, and gorgeous, Trail #14 climbs 2.7 miles of singletrack from Horsethief Lake Campground into the Black Elk Wilderness.
Connections to Centennial Trail #89 and Grizzly Bear Creek Trail #7 open routes toward Mount Rushmore and Black Elk Peak.
Stream crossings, small waterfalls, and odd granite shapes keep noses busy. Dogs must be leashed at campgrounds and picnic areas, and swim beaches are off limits.
Camping may include a pet fee.
10. Spearfish Canyon Nature Area Waterfall Trails
Four waterfalls, one canyon, endless photo ops. Roughlock Falls Trail near Spearfish Canyon Lodge in Savoy runs an easy one to two miles off US Highway 14A.
Devil’s Bathtub, about 1.5 miles out and back, involves creek crossings and rock scrambling, so expect wet shoes.
Spearfish Falls, near the Latchstring Restaurant, offers railings and tidy trails. Bridal Veil Falls sits roadside, dogs welcome at the viewing platform only, no hiking there.
11. Badger Clark Trail
Poetry and pine needles pair surprisingly well. The Badger Clark Trail loops about one to 1.2 easy miles through quiet ponderosa pine and scattered oak in Custer State Park.
It passes near The Badger Hole, the cabin home of South Dakota’s first poet laureate.
Find the trailhead roughly one mile south of Highway 16 on Badger Clark Road, close to Legion Lake. Perfect for a mellow morning stroll before breakfast.
12. Sylvan Lakeshore Trail
Granite spires, still water, and a mile of easy walking make Sylvan Lakeshore Trail a Black Hills classic.
The one to 1.1-mile loop circles Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park, about seven miles north of Custer near the Needles Highway.
Mostly flat, though the northwest side asks for boulder scrambling, steps, and a short tunnel.
Leashes are required and swim beaches are closed to pets, so plan drinks from a bowl instead.
13. Grace Coolidge Walk-In Area
Fifteen creek crossings, all with planks, sounds like a dog obstacle course designed by someone very thoughtful.
The Grace Coolidge Walk-In Fishing Area Trail runs three miles one way, six round trip, from a parking area across from Grace Coolidge Campground to Center Lake.
Rock formations sit close enough to pat as you pass. Easy walking dominates until a moderate climb near the lake.
Leashes must stay under 10 feet.
14. Lovers Leap Trail
Start with the hard part: a steep push to the ridge behind the Peter Norbeck Education Center or the State Game Lodge on Highway 16A.
The reward at the Lovers Leap overlook includes Black Elk Peak, Mount Coolidge, and the Cathedral Spires spread out below.
The rest of the three to four-mile loop descends along a creek with bridge crossings. Summer brings poison ivy near the water, so keep dogs centered on the path.
15. Black Elk Peak Trail #9
Highest point in the Black Hills, and yes, dogs are invited.
Trail #9 leaves the Sylvan Lake day-use parking area and climbs roughly 1,100 feet over 3.3 miles, making 6.6 round trip.
Halfway up you cross into the Black Elk Wilderness Area, where leashes are required at all times.
Granite spires frame the route, and a historic stone fire tower crowns the summit. Pack extra water, since natural sources are unreliable.
16. Cathedral Spires Trail
Rock cathedrals older than imagination line this trail off the Needles Highway in Custer State Park.
Just over 1.5 miles each way, three round trip, the route ranks moderate to strenuous with uphill sections and boulder scrambling.
Mountain goats sometimes appear on the ledges above, which is exactly why leashes are non-negotiable here.
Go early for cooler rock and quieter parking. Your dog will study the spires almost as seriously as you do.
17. Sunday Gulch Trail
Save the toughest for last. Sunday Gulch Trail loops 3.9 to four miles from near Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park, dropping through a valley of enormous boulders and granite spires.
Handrails help on the steepest scrambles, which honestly help humans more than dogs.
Running water and small waterfalls appear constantly, so hydration is easy. Leashed dogs are welcome, though agile, confident hikers enjoy it most.
Boots with grip strongly recommended.
