Rapid City is a region in South Dakota, positioned at the convergence of the Black Hills and the Badlands. This unique geographical setting provides a diverse landscape for outdoor activities. The area features forested peaks, rocky outcroppings, and dramatic buttes, making it suitable for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, mountain biking, road cycling, and more. Rapid City serves as a central point for exploring these varied natural environments.
Rapid City offers more than…
41
Routes
5
(6)
Average rating
245
People visited

22.5km
05:45
70m
90m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

6.84km
01:44
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
hikers
5.24km
01:28
100m
100m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
hikers
2.21km
00:34
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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9
riders
22.8km
01:20
90m
90m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

129km
09:33
1,990m
1,990m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.89km
00:17
20m
10m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2.58km
00:09
10m
10m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4
riders
8.32km
00:51
200m
200m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
3
riders
21.0km
01:05
70m
70m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

23
riders
21.0km
01:51
340m
340m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
19
riders
8.64km
00:51
180m
180m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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2
riders
76.7km
04:08
1,320m
1,320m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

9
riders
59.4km
03:11
800m
800m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

7
riders
47.9km
02:37
970m
970m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5
riders
46.8km
02:16
400m
400m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(1)
23
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

21
runners
12.1km
01:16
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
16
runners
7.62km
00:47
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
runners
11.9km
01:15
110m
110m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Rapid City offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, touring cycling, mountain biking, road cycling, and jogging. The region provides access to diverse landscapes from the Black Hills to the Badlands, catering to different interests and skill levels.
Popular hiking areas include M-Hill (Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park) within city limits, offering over 20 miles (32 km) of trails. The Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park also provide extensive hiking opportunities. For specific routes, refer to the Hiking around Rapid City guide.
Yes, Rapid City offers easy hiking options suitable for various fitness levels. The Leonard Swanson Memorial Pathway along Rapid Creek provides a paved, shaded route within the city. Dinosaur Park also features family-friendly paths. More options can be found in the Easy hikes around Rapid City guide.
For touring cyclists, the George S. Mickelson Trail offers a 109-mile (175 km) crushed limestone path through the Black Hills. Within the city, the Leonard Swanson Memorial Pathway provides a paved route along Rapid Creek. More details are available in the Cycling around Rapid City guide.
M-Hill (Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park) is a prominent mountain biking hotspot within Rapid City, featuring over 18 miles (29 km) of trails. Mountain biking is also permitted on most sections of the Centennial Trail in the Black Hills. Consult the MTB Trails around Rapid City guide for more options.
Scenic road cycling routes include Iron Mountain Road, known for its unique 'pigtail' bridges and tunnels, and routes near Sturgis and through Badlands National Park. These routes offer diverse topography and views. The Road Cycling Routes around Rapid City guide provides further details.
Yes, Rapid City offers several family-friendly options. Dinosaur Park features accessible paths and views. The Leonard Swanson Memorial Pathway is a paved, easy route suitable for families. Custer State Park, a short drive away, also has diverse landscapes and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Rapid City is near the Black Hills National Forest, known for its forested peaks and rocky outcroppings. To the east, Badlands National Park presents dramatic buttes and spires. M-Hill and Skyline Wilderness Area offer scenic views of Rapid City itself. Custer State Park features granite spires and Sylvan Lake.
Rapid City is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 270 visitors having explored its routes. The region features 38 routes across various sports, which have an average rating of 4.89 out of 5 stars.
Yes, komoot offers several guides for Rapid City, including Hiking around Rapid City, Cycling around Rapid City, and MTB Trails around Rapid City. There are also guides for easy hikes, road cycling, and running trails.
General hiking and cycling on public trails in Rapid City and surrounding areas typically do not require specific permits. However, some state parks or national monuments may have entrance fees or specific regulations. It is advisable to check with individual park authorities for any specific requirements.
For general inquiries, the City of Rapid City's information line is +1-605-394-9300. Additional information can be found on their official website, rcgov.org.

