George S. Mickelson Trail

The George S. Mickelson Trail is a 109-mile rail-to-trail corridor converted from a former Burlington Northern Railroad line through the central Black Hills of South Dakota, running between Deadwood in the north and Edgemont in the south. The trail passes through four granite tunnels, over 100 converted railroad bridges, and through the heart of Black Hills National Forest, linking towns including Deadwood, Lead, Rochford, Hill City, Custer, and Edgemont along its length. The surface is crushed limestone, suitable for road bikes with wider tires, mountain bikes, and hybrids; the grade never exceeds 4% owing to its railroad origin, making it one of the most accessible long-distance trails in the Great Plains for all fitness levels. Fifteen trailheads with parking areas provide entry points along the full route. The four tunnel segments — including the longest at 869 feet — require headlights for safe navigation in complete darkness. The trail passes through ponderosa pine forest, open meadows, and creek drainages with wildlife sightings including white-tailed deer, pronghorn, and wild turkeys most common at dawn and dusk. Cycling the full 109 miles typically takes 2–3 days; most visitors ride 15–30-mile day segments from trailhead parking. Multiple outfitters in Hill City and Deadwood provide bicycle rentals, shuttle services between trailheads, and gear for one-way rides. A trail pass ($5/day or $15/season) is required for all users and is available at self-service kiosk stations at most trailheads throughout the Black Hills. The trail is named for former South Dakota Governor George S. Mickelson, who championed rail-to-trail conversion as a conservation legacy.