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Petrified Forest Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 83 Google reviews · Running trail in Rapid City, South Dakota · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Petrified Forest Trailhead'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.
Landscaped area featuring hiking trails and views of Rapid City.
What runners say about Petrified Forest Trailhead
“Beautiful hiking area with multiple trails for hiking and biking.”
“I like to go and get away from the noises of town but it's also very family friendly.”
Beautifully scenic area. Options of different trail heads. I like to go and get away from the noises of town but it's also very family friendly. I take my kids to go for short hikes. There are different trails with different levels of difficulty. There's the amphitheater and a couple of places to rest along the way.
This is a perfect hike. The path is well laid out. It’s partly shaded. It will raise your heart rate slightly with slight inclines, but is relatively an easy course. When you hit the bottom you can turn around and take the path back up or you can use the road for a short cut.
Really great scenery. Good hike and lots of options for different trails to branch off on.
Decent trailhead with lots of offshoots. Not a long trail, but great for kids, old pets, and the whole family. There's some cool history on plaques, and a unique land feature! Come check it out! It's free!
Trail conditions & character
“First the City views off Skyline, then the trees and Meadows down the trails with the city backdrop.”
Plan your run at Petrified Forest Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- 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 | 5 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 5 am–10 pm |
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.
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