Sunday Gulch Trail

Sunday Gulch Trail is a 3.4-mile (5.5 km) loop hike in Custer State Park within the Black Hills of South Dakota, widely regarded as one of the most physically engaging short trails in the region. Unlike most Black Hills trails that follow ridgelines or open terrain, Sunday Gulch descends into a narrow granite gorge where hikers navigate a continuous series of boulder scrambles, natural rock steps, and boulder-hop creek crossings before climbing back up to Sylvan Lake.

The trailhead is located at the Sylvan Lake parking area, shared with Cathedral Spires Trail. A $20 USD per vehicle Custer State Park entry fee applies; the America the Beautiful federal pass is not valid here. The loop can be hiked in either direction, but the counterclockwise approach — descending into the gulch first — is commonly preferred as it distributes the steepest terrain early while energy is highest.

The trail descends quickly into Sunday Gulch, a steep-walled canyon where ponderosa pine and birch frame cascading streams flowing over granite boulders. The canyon floor requires frequent use of hands and feet to step on, over, and between large granite boulders throughout the lower section. This is not technical rock climbing, but the continuous scrambling demands sustained attention to footing and is tiring on ankles and knees over the full canyon distance. Gloves are useful when rock surfaces are cold or damp, as grip on wet granite is significantly reduced.

Approximately halfway through the loop, the trail climbs out of the gulch via rock steps and a steep dirt ascent through pine forest, joining a ridge trail that returns to Sylvan Lake with open views over the surrounding Black Hills. Water sources in the gulch are not potable despite flowing streams. No shelters or huts exist on the loop.

Sunday Gulch is particularly photogenic in late spring when snowmelt increases water flow through the canyon, creating small waterfalls over the granite boulders. The narrow canyon walls also provide shade for the lower section, making it a cooler choice than exposed ridgeline routes during hot summer afternoons.