Mickelson Trail Forum

Given that the Mickelson Trail goes right past the Crazy Horse Memorial I am planning to stop and see it when I ride the trail in June. My question is regarding the Avenue of the Chiefs road that leads to the visitor center...is that road safe to cycle on? From what I can tell from Google Earth it looks very wide and may even have a bike lane or a shoulder to ride on?? Many thanks in advance for your insight.

I would say it is reasonably safe. It is 4 lanes, quite short, and slower speed limit as I recall. I don't remember if there is a shoulder, but I remember it being quite wide. We visited by vehicle, but I don't think I would have hesitated taking my family on that road. Here is a horrible, yet accurate video I found:
https://youtu.be/77FG8tjfDm8?t=158

The video should start you where the driver turns off the highway and onto Ave of Chiefs.

Thank you so much! The video shows the road is indeed quite wide and there is what appears to be a nice shoulder to ride on.

In September 2022, thinking about riding Edgemont to Custer, spend the night, then back to Custer. Pack up, do laundry, rest, go sightseeing, etc. Then travel by car to Deadwood, ride from Deadwood to Hill City, spend the night, then back to Deadwood. This would save carrying a lot of stuff, and we could see most of the trail. Need recommendations for affordable lodging that is close to trailhead in Edgemont and Deadwood. Does the make any sense?

Not sure it would help, but I know my wife and Sister-in-law looked for the most budget friendly places they could. That being said, we stayed at the Best Western in both Custer and Hill City. I believe both have coin operated laundry facilities.

After having been there just a few weeks ago, I might also dig a little deeper and search for cabin rentals. You might find something less expensive, but laundry might mean you look for a business in town to get that done. VRBO.com and Airbnb.com are also worth a try. You may be more flexible than we were as our party was 10 people.

We just completed our journey from Deadwood to Edgemont and I wanted to put some information out there that may help others as well as some of my own comments. First, it was amazing to be in the mountains again. They are certainly my happy place! Our group was 4 adults and 4 children ranging in age of 7-11 and none of us are expert riders. Our plan was to split the journey up into 5 days. We planned to ride from Deadwood to Rochford, then to Hill City, onto Custer, then Hot Springs and finally Edgemont. We decided to power thru the 4th day and ride the 44 miles from Custer to Edgemont. Logistics worked wonderfully with my in-laws being our pit-crew. I modified an enclosed trailer with bike racks so we had my rig and that of my in-laws to shuffle equipment and bodies to and from. This setup was certainly the keystone of our trip!

We all did what we could to get ourselves ready for this trip, but there were certainly some shortcomings. I think you need to be an avid rider or dedicate yourself to several long-distance rides prior to the trip to be more prepared. But aside from sore saddles and other muscles, we had a wonderful time! Collectively we felt our favorite parts of the ride where between Deadwood and Hill city because the trail is far enough from the highway that it's peaceful with less human interference. Seemed we had good Verizon cell service for most of the trail with the exception of an approx. 20 mile radius around Rockford. Once leaving Rochford, my GPS wanted to take me out to hwy 385 to get to Hill city, but that was a 2hr loop from there. So we forced it to take us South on Rochford Road enduring the 20ish miles of dirt road thru very scenic valleys.

As you leave Hill City, the scenery changes to more of a high desert; coupled with the trail paralleling the highway for most of it; this became our least favorite section. At Pringle the trail diverges again from the highway and back into more beautiful valleys. From here, there is far less traffic on hwy 89, so when it does parallel the main roads, it’s not nearly as intrusive. As you continue south, the scenery changes to open spaces with buttes, which some may find more appealing than Alpine forests, but at this point, we were ready to be done.
In Edgemont, you have to watch for signs for the end of the trail. The map on this site is accurate in that the trail ends where it meets Hwy 185 NE of town. From there you jog east and then immediately south to catch Old Hwy 18. Ride that into town looking to turn south on 2nd street. Then less than ½ mile from there, you will see the city park and the end of the trail.

We stayed our last night in Hot Springs, hoping it to be more touristy than it was. If you stay at the Baymont, set your standards low. In fact, my immediate family had planned to stay an extra night there but cancelled our reservations in favor of something in Spearfish instead. That worked out MUCH better. Nicer place to be, back in the mountains, and then somewhat closer for our journey home.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. We spent 9 days in the area splitting touristy stuff with biking and enjoying as many of the local breweries as we could. If you are researching this trail, it is very fun and we had great weather the last couple weeks in Sept. The trade off is that fewer restaurants are open, making it hard to find dinner places without crazy wait times. But we made due.

Planning a trip with friends for May, and wondering about the trail surface. We all primarily ride road bikes on asphalt and are set up for that, mostly running 25mm tires. Short of purchasing gravel bikes, what would folks think best if we just want to put on wider tires? My wife and I rode the Katy Trail in MO and found that trail surface very coarse and loose in places, really slow going w/o mt. Bike style setup. On the other hand, some crushed limestone trails in nearby WI are easily managed on road bikes with no change in tires. We’d appreciate any advice, thanks!

Let's try it as multiple choice:
(a) hard-packed soil, (b) fine crushed limestone, (c) loose gravel, pea/bean size, (d) loose gravel, walnut size, (e) railroad ballast...
Could anyone who's ridden the trail comment on the trail surface they've experienced? Thanks!

I have done Katy, Mickelson, C&O, Gap, Cowboy, etc. Used 35 and 38mm on a hybrid, towing a Bob Trailer. Zero problems and good grip. Have also seen 25-28s bog down.

Hi Scott, my family stayed in Hill City two years ago and we started thinking about riding the trail then. I asked around wanting to know if my 700x25 tires would work. Virtually, everyone we met while we walked the trail were on 35-40 or higher. All said they didn't think a 700x25 set up would work. So I purchased a gravel bike with 700x40 tires and I'm looking forward to making the trip in May also. Of course, I guess anything is possible, but in May the trail could still be a little sloppy making 25s that much harder. Good luck!

I would not advise 25's. The conditions are pretty variable. Most of the trail is pretty finely crushed rock, but there are some wet areas and the stretch on the north is no longer railroad grade and can be muddy and likewise is not "flat." I personally would not do anything less than 40's.

May 2021 on Mickelson will have patches & areas of wet, mud and very soft gravel stretches. The tire needs to maneuver in that.

I just rode from Edgemont to Custer on 32s. Cyclo-cross bike with loaded panniers. I fishtailed on numerous occasions. I wouldn't suggest anything smaller than a 32.

Have ridden Katy from end to end on our tandem, can it be done on Michelson? Our tandem has 26 x1.25 tires, which worked well on Katy.

we rode the Mick on a comotion speedster tandem in June 2017 on 700x35c tires. It was fine except a bit tricky in the sandy sections just before Edgemont. It may be more difficult if the trail gets very wet.
We also rode that tandem on the Allegeney and C&O.

I just rode it on 32s and was fine except for the two times I slipped off the edge into the soft shoulder. The previous post is spot on. You will want more than 32s if it has recently rained. It all depends on how good of a bike handler you are.

Is there a place to camp for the night near the Pringle trailhead?

If you go to AirBnB.com and search for Pringle SD, you'll find a log cabin and several campsites listed at "Plenty Star Ranch". The AirBnB maps makes it look like 2 or 3 miles north of Pringle.

I rode past it today. It's a few miles north of Pringle. At $45 for a tent site it's a little too close to the highway for me.

GETTING READY TO RIDE MICHELSON IN A COUPLE WEEKS. ANYONE ABLE TO GIVE INFO AS TO IF SMOKE FROM THE WILDFIRES IN SURROUNDING STATES IS IN THE AREA AND CAUSING CHALLENGES WITH BREATHING ON THE RIDE

Was just in the Custer area this past weekend and there was significant smoke. Could definitely cause some challenges. I am biking the trail in a few weeks as well.

I'm in Custer right now. Road up from Edgemont this morning. No smoke at all. Use www.purpleair.com for smoke readings

Is there tent camping in Edgemont near the Michelson trailhead? The only campground I see is an RV spot near the train tracks. Is that it for camping in Edgemont? looking forward to riding the trail in a couple weeks.

Yes. It's $15 for a tent site. But be warned that the trains run by there all night long. Unless you are a really heavy sleeper, I would suggest a night at the Cowboy Inn instead.

I am trying to plan a trip for September 2022 from PA to Rapid City to visit Mt. Rushmore, and that general area. The Custer State Park looks interesting to me. I am interested in riding the Mickelson trail. I see that there is a spur from the State Park to the trail. I am a bike rider, primarily rail trails. I don't necessarily want to do a long distance, just a sample of the trail. My primary focus of this trip is sightseeing through that section of SD and drive through WY to Grand Teton National Park. How is the trail in the general area of the State Park?

Hi Reese. I am going there this week ! I plan to bike part of the Mickelson as well as stay in Custer SP. I didn't realize that there is a spur from the park over to the MT ?? Wonder where you can access it? Maybe I can ask a ranger. How did you find it?

The spur is located at Gordon Stockade in Custer State Park according to Trail Link by the Rails to Trails Conservancy in the Custer State Park Spur Facts section

I did not see the trailhead in the park but it connects right in the town of Custer. From there it is an excellent 6 mile ride up to Crazy Horse.

thx! I'll try to find the spur while in the park

My wife and I plan to ride the Mickelson Trail in September 2021. We are in our 70's but in good health. We would like to depart the trail to visit Mt Rushmore and Custer State Park. Our plan is to stay in Hill City and Custer. Any advice on routes to Mt Rushmore and Custer State Park that are not to demanding? Also advice on lodging will be appreciated.

My husband and I are planning a similar trip during late September as well. I would love to hear more about your plans. Thanks

I have done Google searches and contacted the Hill City Chamber of Commerce, but have been unsuccessful in obtaining good information on the bike ride from the Mickelson Trail to Mt Rushmore. We are currently planning to visit Mt Rushmore before we start the ride from Deadwood.

What I usually do is check out the routes that bike touring groups use. I believe Sojourner (from VT) has tours on the Mickelson. My husband and I (from NH) will be biking the Mickelson at the end of May (after the Cowboy Trail, Cardinal Greenway, KATY, Ohio-Erie Canal and Erie Canal Bike trails on way to MT).

From just south of Hill city you can get on HWY 16 up to Mount Rushmore. Please understand there is no bike path along the road (busy) and it is uphill all the way to Mount Rushmore.

Judi,

You have some wonderful riding in your future. I am heading to Custer in 10 days and will work my way home riding in 12 states. Will be starting with the Mickelson and then heading east to Heartland, Paul Bunyan, Central Lakes, Lake Wobegon, Root River, Bike 4 in Wisconsin, Fox River, Tunnel Hill, Nickle Plate, Cardinal Greenway, Little Miami,
Pine Creek, D&L, D&R, Hudson Valley/Dutchess/Maybrook, Farmington Canal, Central Massachusetts, and finishing with the Presidential Rail Trail. Nice to be back on trails after last year.

Hi, My husband and I are a week away from our self guided bike/hike trip. We will leave Cooperstown, drive to Madison, Wi for 3 days to bike and hike...on to Egan, MN to bike for a few days... A stop over in ND to hike the Roosevelt Park, and then the remainder of trip (7 days) split between Spearfish Canyon Lodge and Rapid City, to explore the Mickelson Trail, Badlands, Devils tower etc. We are in fairly good shape (60-70 years of age) and would like to ride 20-35 miles but hoping to do loops if possible. Obviously on the Mickelson Trail, a loop will not be possible but any thoughts on maybe 2 or 3 sections of the trail that are the most scenic that we might do an out and back and stay within the 25-35 mile range? Thank you so much, hopefully we meet up with some of you :)

I'm looking at doing Edgemont to Deadwood in one shot. Is water still available at the trailheads with COVID? If so, this will make it a lot easier to keep hydrated this weekend.

Yes! There's still water. Also, there's a well at the Dumont Trailhead across the road from the trail. The maps don't show that, but it's a handy one to know about since Dumont is at the top of a super-long hill. Sheep Canyon also has a well. I rode the bottom third of the trail last weekend without even touching my second water bottle.

Yes! There's still water. Also, there's a well at the Dumont Trailhead across the road from the trail. The maps don't show that, but it's a handy one to know about since Dumont is at the top of a super-long hill. Sheep Canyon also has a well. I rode the bottom third of the trail last weekend without even touching my second water bottle.

Trail head water pumps were working on 8/29 all along the trail

I will be riding from Deadwood in mid Sept. I'm wondering if you can see Crazy Horse from the Trail and about where would that be? I'd like to ride that far in one day and stay at a hotel in that area. any recommendations ? then turn around and back to Deadwood.

also, I'm wondering if the Needles Hwy is a place to bike? it looks pretty narrow.

Yes, you can see Crazy Horse from the trail. It is not a great, up-close view, however there is signage next to a vantage point. Crazy Horse is located at the crest of the hill between Hill City and Custer. If your goal is to see Crazy Horse, then I would immediately turn around and return the (approximately) 9 miles downhill to Hill City and stay there. Several lodging options, just google and you will find a number of selections. The other option would be to continue downhill about 6 miles to Custer and stay there. Just be aware it's over 60 miles each way from Deadwood to Custer - thus my recommendation about staying in Hill City.

I recommend not bicycling Needles. Very curvy and narrow indeed.

Enjoy!

thank you so much !

please forgive me is this has already been asked and answered, but are there areas along the trail to plug in and recharge an Ebike?

I am not aware of charging stations at the trail heads, however there are restaurants in Hill City and Custer that could conceivably allow you to re-charge (especially if you are a paying customer). Not sure about Pringle - it's pretty small.

If you are riding an e-bike, I highly recommend turning your assist completely off during the downhill stretches so that you can conserve for the ascents.

After looking at the elevation chart, I’m wondering if the Pringle to Edgemont route is nice? We live in the Piedmont and ride hills regularly and would like a little break, if possible.

Yes, this is a nice downhill ride. Been a few years since I've biked the trail - but recall that once we were past Pringle it was a nice downward grade, which is pretty fantastic when your legs are about done! I only remember 1 short climb a couple miles outside of Edgemont - but nothing crazy - and the view in that area is amazing!

It's a nice stretch, with the exception of the last 2-3 miles into Edgemont - which is next to the highway. The area before descending into that section, however (Sheep Canyon, I believe) is wonderful

I see the perfect Day 1 distance......Deadwood to Rochford. But once again, there are no places to stay in Rochford (or anywhere close). Where do people stay once they've left Deadwood, Day 1?

Usually they go all the way to Hill City. It is downhill from Rochford to Mystic, but then uphill for a few miles thru the tunnels. The last few miles into Hill City are downhill.

No real lodging options otherwise - unless you can find a Airbnb close to trail.

My family and I are riding the trail for the first time this Sept. We are riding from Deadwood to Edgemont and breaking it up into 4 or 5 legs so we can all survive! We will have someone who picks us up at the rendezvous points and takes us to our nightly accommodations. I have a few questions:
1. How well is the trail marked and is there a good app you recommend to use to make sure we're on the right path?
2. What should we bring with us? We are planning on extra water, snacks, allen key set and spare tubes. Is there ways to refill waters along the path?
3. What is the easiest way to transport these items?

Anything else you'd like to share, I am all ears! Thanks!

Good Day - Here are my thoughts:

1. The trail is very well marked, with clear and consistent mile markers, as well as excellent signage at various trailheads. I am unaware of a Mickelson-specific phone app, however I use both MapMyRide and Cyclemeter on my rides - including when on the Mickelson. I recommend either, or any of the others readily available on the app store. You should not have any significant difficulty staying on the path. I do recommend studying the route beforehand, including the split near the 100.5 mile marker. While the reconnect at the Kirk Trailhead, one is steeper than the other.

2. The items listed are smart. Make sure you have a good phone charge as well, perhaps with an extra charger/cord. You will be going through some towns, and most of the trailheads should have water. I recommend a pannier for the items, either a rear one (you will need a rack for that), or one that will fit into the bike frame.

Also, mornings can be cool so layer work well.

I am heading out later this month and will revert back if I can think of anything else. It's a beautiful trail, and I think you all will love it.

Thanks so much PJN! I will look into the apps. Also glad to hear we can refill waters easily.

Sounds like some of us will be wearing backpacks, but I plan to install a rack on the rear of my bike.

We are very excited for this ride! Hope you enjoy your trip!

Is it feasible to bike to Mount Rushmore, I understand there is a wide lane for bikers.

I am also wondering about biking to mt Rushmore from the Mickelson trail. once I heard that the road isn't safe for bikers ?

No lane for bikers - it is a narrow and winding road. Seems dangerous on a bike as there is significant traffic this year.

Does anyone know of the trail conditions this morning?