Why it is worth riding
A crushed-stone journey through Black Hills tunnels, trestles, pine forest and former mining towns.
← EXPLORE RIDES
George S. Mickelson Trail
A crushed-stone journey through Black Hills tunnels, trestles, pine forest and former mining towns.
CORE INFORMATION
DISTANCE175 km
ELEVATIONRolling / varied; open the official elevation profile
RIDE TIME2–4 days
DIFFICULTYModerate
SURFACEPredominantly gravel or compacted trail
TRAFFIC STRESSMostly low; check road crossings and shared sections
BEST TIMEEarly start in stable weather with maximum daylight
BEST WITHA prepared touring partner or small group
BIKE TYPEGravel / Hybrid / suitable E-bike
WHY IT’S FUN
A route with a reason.
A crushed-stone journey through Black Hills tunnels, trestles, pine forest and former mining towns.
The former railway alignment gives the route a steady, legible rhythm, while old stations, cuts, trestles and town stops reveal the corridor’s transport history. At about 175 km, most leisure riders should use two or more stages, with food, overnight and bailout logistics confirmed in advance.
The visual high point is the corridor described by the official route source: A crushed-stone journey through Black Hills tunnels, trestles, pine forest and former mining towns. Use the linked map to identify the exact kilometre, access point and any current detour before you ride.
Build the day around three deliberate pauses: a prepared start, one scenic mid-route stop and an unhurried finish. Moderate describes the overall character, but gravel surfaces, junctions, weather and other trail users can still change the experience.
Ride it with people who enjoy scenery and local context as much as distance. Check South Dakota Game Fish and Parks immediately before departure so closures, seasonal access and transport details are current.
Source-backed, not locally verified: This is an editorial guide, not live navigation. Check closures, detours, weather, traffic and access rules with the source immediately before riding.
Where the ride looks best
The strongest visual sequence is the section summarized by the route authority: A crushed-stone journey through Black Hills tunnels, trestles, pine forest and former mining towns. Rather than guessing an exact viewpoint, open the official map and mark the portion where that landscape feature is most continuous. Ride it in good daylight, pull completely clear of the travel line for photos and allow enough time to experience the section in both directions if the route permits.
Where to stop
Start with a confirmed meeting point close to the official trailhead and arrive with water, the source map and return plan already downloaded. Make the main stop near the route’s defining rail trail feature, where the scenery justifies time off the bike. Choose the finish café, meal or transport connection on ride day, checking current hours and bicycle parking instead of relying on an old listing.
Who to ride with
Best for riders who value scenery, local context and useful stops more than speed. Moderate is an overall guide: the 175 km distance, rolling / varied profile and gravel surface still require a bike and pace matched to current conditions. It is less suitable for anyone expecting a fully supported tour, guaranteed car-free riding or live turn-by-turn navigation from Tour de Fun.
The story behind it
The route’s story is how rail trail riding connects the landscape and communities around Black Hills, South Dakota. Moving at bicycle speed makes the transitions visible—the approach, the main corridor and the finish all become part of one narrative rather than separate attractions. The official source provides the route facts; Tour de Fun’s role is to help riders notice the character between those points.
ROUTE MAP
Use the guide. Ride with a real map.
Tour de Fun does not rebuild navigation. Start with South Dakota Game Fish and Parks for the published route, map files, closures and local rules. The planning-platform links below open mature tools; they are not claimed to be the same verified track.
AB
George S. Mickelson Trail175 km · Gravel · ModerateIllustrative panel — open the official source for navigation
FUN STOPS
Build pauses into the route.
Local verification requiredVenue names, addresses and opening hours change frequently. The stop plan below is route-specific editorial guidance; it is not presented as a verified business directory until a local contributor confirms it.
01
- Address
- Hours
- Bike parking
- Route position
02
- Address
- Hours
- Bike parking
- Route position
03
- Address
- Hours
- Bike parking
- Route position
BEFORE YOU RIDE
Useful beats heroic.
Safety
Treat the official route page as the current authority, not this editorial snapshot. Closures, construction, damaged surfaces, ferry or transit schedules and access rules can change without appearing on Tour de Fun. Check South Dakota Game Fish and Parks on the day of the ride, download any map needed offline and keep a conservative turnaround option. At every junction, use current signs and your own judgement, and slow down around pedestrians, children, animals and constrained sightlines.
Weather & season
Choose a stable forecast and enough daylight for the full 175 km plan, including stops and any return connection. Check temperature, wind and precipitation for Black Hills, South Dakota rather than relying on a regional average; exposure can make the ride feel very different from the forecast at the start. Postpone the ride when heat, storms, smoke, ice, flooding or high winds make the corridor unsafe.
Water & supplies
Begin with a full water supply and identify at least two resupply options on the official map before departure. Do not assume seasonal fountains or cafés are operating, especially early, late or outside peak season. Carry enough food to bridge a missed stop and reserve part of both water and calories for the final third of the ride.
Public transport
Check local operator rules for taking a bicycle on trains, buses or ferries serving Black Hills, South Dakota. Restrictions can depend on time, vehicle type, reservations and bicycle size, and the last practical service may be earlier than expected. Save a non-transit return option and verify the final connection shortly before starting.
Parking
Use a signed public trailhead or legal public parking identified by South Dakota Game Fish and Parks or the relevant local authority. Confirm opening hours, time limits, fees and whether the lot permits a vehicle to remain through the planned finish time. Never block access, leave valuables visible or assume overnight parking is allowed.
Local riding rules
Follow current signs and the rules published by the route authority in United States. Keep to the required side, signal before passing, control speed near pedestrians and use lights whenever visibility is reduced. Respect closures, wildlife areas, private property and local e-bike restrictions; where the route enters roads, normal traffic law takes priority.
LAST EDITORIAL CHECKAugust 2026CHECK SOUTH DAKOTA GAME FISH AND PARKS NOW ↗
COMMUNITY PHOTOS
Real rides, real contributors.
＋
No invented riders.
Community photos will appear only after real riders submit images and permission to publish their account credit.
Submit a ride ↗RELATED RIDES
Same place or same kind of fun.
FUN 9.1↗Aspen to Glenwood Springs, Colorado · United States
Rio Grande Trail
67 kmMixedModerate
Rail trailMixedSource-backed
FUN 9.6↗Banks, Oregon · United States
Banks–Vernonia State Trail
34 kmPavedEasy
Rail trailPavedSource-backed
FUN 9.5↗Snohomish, Washington · United States
Centennial Trail of Snohomish County
48 kmPavedEasy
Rail trailPavedSource-backed
This guide uses route information from South Dakota Game Fish and Parks. Some catalogue images are representative of the route region. Tour de Fun is a free editorial community, not a navigation or commerce service.