Black Hills of SD?

[Dirty Birch]

Anybody ever ridden the Black Hills of South Dakota around Spearfish, Deadwood or Lead? If so where would you stay? What did you think of your experience?

[Maize]

Anybody ever ridden the Black Hills of South Dakota around Spearfish, Deadwood or Lead? If so where would you stay? What did you think of your experience?

We used to go there every year. The one thing you cannot trust is the local hotels to give you an honest opinion of the trails and riding.

We went every year for about 6 years. The next to last year, we were told the trails were awesome before we left, we got there and there was about 6" on the ground and the trails had bare spots in them.

The last season was the same information, same situation. We packed up and went on to Buena Vista, CO to ride.

We haven't been back since. That got me into the mountain riding thing, so I don't hold it too much against them. I just won't go back unless I can confirm via weather channel or some other source.

There is quite a bit of night life. They used to be able to gamble, but only a $5 limit, most was $1. Fun, but you won't make or lose any real amount of money.

There are several places to stay. Pretty much anything in Lead or Deadwood are trail accessible, at least they were.

You can see the mining museum, the Black Hills Gold mine, the saloon where Wild Bill was killed (I think it was) was killed while playing cards in one of the saloons that you can still go and visit. Kalmity Jane was also from there.

There is a really cool waterfall that is bigger than Bond Falls nearby, and if you really want to trek it out, you can go to Mount Rushmore if you pack for a LONG ride.

[Dirty Birch]

Thanks Maize! The last time I was in that area was 20 some years ago in the summer on vacation. Looks like a fun place to ride. I have links to trail maps and the DNR's site on snowmobiling if anyone wants them. No Trail Pass fees if your sled is registered in an another state!

We have the some up here that exaggerate when giving trail reports! Virgin Timber's Hayward area report up here is always spot on as well as Bayfield Rider's for his area North of me, some of the others...not so much!

If conditions don't improve here in the next few weeks, I'll probably start working on a trip out there. Hopefully I'll find a local or two out there who'll give an honest assessment of the conditions if we go.

Thanks again for all the info!

[there]

Spearfish Canyon Lodge .....excellent facility, right at the trailhead #14, also they rent sleds, and restaurant across the street.....