Home › South Dakota › Keystone › Black Elk Wilderness
Black Elk Wilderness
4.8 ★★★★★ 17 Google reviews · Running trail in Keystone, South Dakota · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Black Elk Wilderness' own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Black Elk Wilderness
One of our favorite trails we've hiked and camped near. The Wilderness is breathtaking and well maintained. Trails are easy to follow and keep. Ran into the occasional through hiker but definitely achieved the isolation we were looking for.
Black Elk Wilderness is a beatiful hiking area that offers alot of options. Hiking, walking trails, campgrounds and lake Sylvan as well. Trailhead parking lots can get really crowded on the weekends. Lots of trails to choose from so you can hike as little or as much as you want.
I hiked in to this bit of paradise and ran into these trail 'angels' some time ago. They were keeping the trails around here world class. I think they love their jobs.
Trail conditions & character
“Trailhead parking lots can get really crowded on the weekends.”
Plan your run at Black Elk Wilderness
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websitefs.usda.gov
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Keystone
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Coon Hollow Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 101 reviews
Hiking area with various trails that are kid-friendly, well-shaded, and offer scenic views.
Stratobowl Rim Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 184 reviews
Easy 1-, 2- mile hike affording sweeping views and a launch area for hot-air balloons.
Osprey Hiking Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 44 reviews
Kid-friendly hiking area featuring a lake.
