Home › South Dakota › Rapid City › M Hill
M Hill
4.7 ★★★★★ 70 Google reviews · Running trail in Rapid City, South Dakota · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from M Hill's 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.
Public park featuring kid-friendly hiking trails and mountain biking.
What runners say about M Hill
“I enjoy hiking trails up there M hill is great view of down town rc.”
Hiking the classic M Hill in Rapid is great fun! Of course, that’s only if you don’t mind hikes to begin with.. (if you don’t like hiking or exercising then obviously you just don’t count and why are you even reading this?
Lots more trails than anticipated. Hike up the front face was EXTREME, especially at 80°. I didn't make it to the top that day. Went back a couple days later, took the switchbacks on the back side, found the selfie station, made it to the top, and came down the front face. Great hike. We'll be back!
This is a great place to take a short little hike. You can see all of Rapid City from top of M Hill. Be courteous to others as you're going up and down the hill. There are mountain bikers that are riding the trails as well. Also a great place to take your dogs.
Great trails and views. Love to hike or bike here when I am on Rapid City.
Trail conditions & character
“The view of the city up top is really cool and there's a bench you can sit down on and take a rest after the steep hike up.”
“Sweet place to get high and with a total elevation gain of something like only 300ft, you won't be so high that you need to go straight home and lay down for a bit lol”
“It is a little steep in places with loose gravel so not a trail for everyone.”
Plan your run at M Hill
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- 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.
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 Rapid City
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Chuck Lien Family Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 45 reviews
Park in the middle of Rapid City with trails for walking, hiking, and mountain biking.
Founders Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 681 reviews
Sprawling green space along Rapid Creek with hiking and walking trails, plus picnic tables.
Skyline Wilderness West Dinosaur Trailhead
4.9 ★★★★★ 7 reviews
Petrified Forest Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 83 reviews
Landscaped area featuring hiking trails and views of Rapid City.
Skyline Wilderness Area Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 199 reviews
150-acre public park offering scenic trails for hiking & mountain biking, plus picnic areas.