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Running trails in South Dakota
119 trails across 23 cities in South Dakota, with the most in Rapid City, Sioux Falls, and Spearfish — including 27 natural surface, 9 loops, 14 shaded, and 4 long enough for a 5-mile run. Every listing shows the things runners actually decide on: surface, loop distance, shade, lighting, restrooms, water and trailhead parking. Pick a city for the full local list, or filter the South Dakota trails below.
Cities in South Dakota
Every city and town in South Dakota with a running trail in the directory, most trails first.
Notable running trails in South Dakota
The South Dakota trails runners review most, ranked by rating weighted by review volume. Filter by surface, loop, distance, shade or lighting to narrow to the run you're actually planning. See the full best-of-South Dakota ranking →
Canyon Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,078 reviews
Relaxed park area featuring a lake with ducks & geese, picnic areas, a toddler playground & gazebo.
Sertoma Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,913 reviews
Park featuring a butterfly house, a playground, a picnic shelter, walking paths, restrooms & more.
Bridal Veil Falls
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,833 reviews
Popular cascade on the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, offering a platform, a deck and parking.
Wylie Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,227 reviews
Imaginative place with storybook-themed rides & attractions, plus concessions stands & a gift shop.
Lewis and Clark Recreation Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,138 reviews
Lakeside campgrounds & sandy beaches, multi-use trails, plus a resort, restaurant & boat marina.
Spearfish Canyon Nature Area
4.9 ★★★★★ 864 reviews
Popular scenic route for biking and driving, featuring canyon walls, waterfalls and trails.
Yankton Trail Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 766 reviews
Green space with multiple league soccer fields & access to the riverside bike trail.
Lake Vermillion State Recreation Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 697 reviews
Recreational area offering fishing, boating, swimming, camping, hiking, and picnicking.
Bear Butte State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 682 reviews
Mountain, state park and site of Native American ceremonies, offering a challenging trail to the summit with panoramic views.
Tuthill Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 669 reviews
This picturesque park features formal gardens, a disc golf course, a skating rink & picnic shelters.
Founders Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 681 reviews
Sprawling green space along Rapid Creek with hiking and walking trails, plus picnic tables.
City Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 604 reviews
Park offering a playground and picnic facilities, plus sports courts and a fish hatchery.
Family Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 501 reviews
Park with a fenced-off dog-walking area and a lake for kayaking and fishing.
Cherry Rock Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 481 reviews
Riverfront play area featuring playgrounds, shaded trails, a picnic shelter and volleyball courts, plus baseball fields.
Dakota Nature Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 457 reviews
Formerly a landfill site, this undeveloped park is now a naturalistic area for wildlife observation.
Dunham Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 460 reviews
Hiking & biking trails winding through an open space with sports courts & picnic facilities.
The Outdoor Campus - Rapid City
4.8 ★★★★★ 412 reviews
State-run park featuring nature trails, an aquarium, native wildlife & educational programs.
Spearfish Parks & Recreation
4.8 ★★★★★ 393 reviews
Deep & narrow canyon lying within the Black Hills & featuring a fast flowing creek.
Spearfish Canyon Nature Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 382 reviews
State park featuring picnic areas, trails, and multiple waterfalls.
Oahe Downstream Recreation Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 363 reviews
Waterfront campground & hiking area with fishing, disc golf & wildlife, including bald eagles.
Arrowhead Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 361 reviews
City park offering paved and unpaved hiking trails through an old quarry.
Steamboat Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 335 reviews
Riverfront park and disc golf course featuring playgrounds and a covered picnic area.
Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 297 reviews
1,500-acre park with a visitor center, picnic shelter, bird blind, hiking trails & an archery range.
Riverside Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 292 reviews
Riverside park featuring a playground, a ball field, picnic shelters and grassy areas.
Farm Island
4.7 ★★★★★ 292 reviews
Park offering a swimming area and picnic facilities, plus hiking, and kayaking.
Pasley Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 291 reviews
Riverside park offering multiuse trails, a large kids' playground & a baseball complex.
Legacy Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 297 reviews
Riverfront space featuring paved trails, grassy paths, plus picnic spots and clean bathrooms.
No trails match those filters.
South Dakota trails by surface
Surface is the biggest split in trail running — asphalt is fast and predictable, crushed limestone is softer but still smooth, dirt is easiest on the joints and the most fun, boardwalk is flat and scenic but slick when wet.
More ways to find a trail in South Dakota
- Best running trails in South Dakota — the state-wide ranking from runner reviews
- Loop trails — 9 in South Dakota come back to the trailhead without backtracking
- Long-run trails (5+ miles) — 4 in South Dakota are long enough for a proper long run
- Shaded trails — 14 in South Dakota keep tree cover over the path for summer miles
- Lit trails — 7 in South Dakota have lighting for pre-dawn and post-work runs
- Trails with restrooms — 48 in South Dakota, and 17 with water fountains
- Trailhead parking — 37 in South Dakota have parking at the trailhead
- Dog-friendly trails — 22 in South Dakota you can run with a dog
- Stroller & wheelchair-accessible — 28 in South Dakota are smooth and wide enough
- Scenic trails — 73 in South Dakota runners single out for the views
- Browse by surface — paved, crushed limestone, natural dirt or boardwalk
- All trail features — loops, shade, lighting, restrooms, mile markers and more
- Running trails by state — the rest of the country
- Trail-running guides — surfaces and your knees, loop vs out-and-back, trail etiquette, running before dawn
Trail features in South Dakota
- Scenic Running Trails
- Trails with Restrooms
- Trails with Trailhead Parking
- Stroller & Wheelchair-Accessible Trails
- Hilly Trails & Hill Workouts
- Quiet, Uncrowded Trails
- Dog-Friendly Running Trails
- Trails with Water Fountains
- Shaded Running Trails
- Loop Trails (No Backtracking)
- Flat & Fast Running Trails
- Lit Trails for Early & Night Runs
- Long-Run Trails (5+ Miles)
- Trails with Mile Markers