サウス・ダコタの峡谷・トップ5

Beautiful cliffs.

Custer State Park rates Sunday Gulch Trail as a strenuous trail, and for good reason. Even though the hike is only about 3 miles long, it's the terrain that makes it demanding and fun at the same time. At some point you have to walk about boulders and, in early summer it's possible, that you have to walk small parts through the water. But once you are down in the gulch, all the above doesn't matter anymore and you will be fascinated by the granite walls and all the little stream crossings.

Bridal Veil Falls is a nearly 60 foot waterfall in Spearfish Canyon. There is a viewing platform right next to the road set up for you to take a break and enjoy the waterfall. Bridal Veil Falls is the most accessible waterfall in the canyon and has a parking directly across the road.

Bridal Veil Falls is a nearly 60 foot waterfall in Spearfish Canyon. There is a viewing platform right next to the road set up for you to take a break and enjoy the waterfall. Bridal Veil Falls is the most accessible waterfall in the canyon and has a parking directly across the road.

Palisades State Park stands out as a particularly distinctive location within South Dakota. Within the park, Split Rock Creek meanders, bordered by Sioux quartzite formations that range from ledges a few feet above the water's surface to towering 50-foot vertical cliffs. The combination of picturesque viewpoints and the energetic flow of the water makes Palisades an appealing destination for those seeking a retreat.

Cold Brook Canyon is comprised of rocky, loose cliffs among sparse ponderosa forest that turns into open prairie. The trail in the canyon crosses a few prairie dog towns, which are great places to see both prairie dogs, prairie falcons, and other raptors. You also have a good chance of seeing bison in this area too. Remember to keep your distance from these amazing animals. Although they look slow and hulking, they are actually quite fast and can be dangerous.

Here the trail splits off from Rochford Road to run alongside Rapid Creek down to Mystic. The trail continues along its signature singletrack, tucked deep into the nature of Black Hills National Forest, winding through rocky canyons, gorges, a short tunnel, alongside waterfalls and across well-maintained bridges.

The Sage Creek Wilderness is a remote area in Badlands National Park. There are no designated trails, but it is a great spot for a dayhike to Deer Haven or a multi-day adventure in the backcountry. You will see stunning Badlands formations, hike through grassland and climb on ridges. Take plenty of water, you will not find any natural water sources in this prarie-like area. This is a report from my dayhike to Deer Haven: https://earnyourbacon.com/en/hiking-badlands-national-park-sage-creek-wilderness/