For those interested in exploring caves, the Custer area boasts two of the world’s longest caves. Jewel Cave National Monument, named for the crystals decorating its walls, is the third-longest cave in the world. Tour the depths of this national monument or hike the trails above ground at the 1,279-acre park. Explore Wind Cave National Park and observe the largest collection of boxwork formations in the world. Above the cave, the park features a 28,925-acre wildlife sanctuary.

Originally built as a gold rush railroad line, the Mickelson Trail was transformed into a scenic pathway and officially opened in 1998. Stretching 109 miles from Edgemont to Deadwood, it boasts 15 easily accessible trailheads, connecting adventurers to Pringle, Custer, Hill City, Rochford and other Black Hills destinations. A hub for outdoor recreation, the trail welcomes hikers, bikers and horseback riders, while cross-country skiers and snowshoers take advantage of its beauty in winter. Climbing over 6,000 feet yet maintaining a gentle 4-percent grade, it’s ideal for leisure cyclists and skiers. Along the way, keep an eye out for deer, elk, coyotes, wild turkeys and even the occasional mountain lion.

Plan Your Visit

Getting to the Mickelson Trail

Parking is available at all 15 trailheads. Many businesses in towns and cities along the trail, like Rabbit Bicycles and Black Hills Shuttle in Hill City, offer shuttle services for various prices. Most require reservations in advance, so chart your course ahead of time with this Mickelson Trail map.

Trail Accessibility

The Mickelson Trail is one of the most accessible trails in South Dakota, as the gentle slopes and intermittent paved sections allow people of all ages and abilities to enjoy. Electric wheelchairs, electric scooters and pedal assist e-bikes are allowed, but all-terrain tires may be needed for some parts of the trail. The Trolley on the Trail ride, held during the summer, lasts approximately four hours and allows those with physical limitations to experience the beauty of the Mickelson Trail.

Trail Amenities

Many of the Mickelson Trail’s 15 trailheads offer amenities like drinking water, warming shelters with picnic tables, public toilets and snowshoe checkouts. Visitors should be aware that water is removed from the trail during winter months, so showers, flush toilets and other water systems may be closed.

Passes & Fees

A trail pass is required for all visitors ages 12 and older. Daily passes cost $5 per person and can be purchased at self-sale stations at each trailhead. Annual passes are available for $20 per person and can be purchased on the Go Outdoors South Dakota site in advance. The trail is for day use only; camping is not permitted.

Farm Island State Recreation Area is one of Pierre’s busiest attractions. This recreation area features beaches, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, eight miles of trails, campgrounds, fishing and more. Fish the Missouri River off the docks at Steamboat Park. The park also offers an 18-hole disc golf course, a picnic shelter and a playground.  Along with these excellent outdoor amenities, Pierre offers must-see attractions. The South Dakota National Guard Museum gives visitors a glimpse of South Dakota's Military history. Follow the Trail of Governors to see life-sized bronze statues of former state leaders. Families will love the South Dakota Discovery Center's fun, interactive science exhibits. 

Hunting and fishing are also extremely popular in the area. With public hunting areas and local hunting lodges, Watertown features fantastic hunting opportunities, including some of the best pheasant hunting in the nation. Watertown’s access to the area’s glacial lakes also makes it a popular year-round destination for anglers. Along with these great outdoor amenities, Watertown features all sorts of area attractions. The Bramble Park Zoo gives you the chance to get up close and personal with all kinds of animals. Learn about the regions history by browsing thousands of photos and artifacts at Codington County Heritage Museum.

The roots of this iconic town go back to the late 19th century, when prospectors struck gold in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Today, Deadwood proudly embraces its gold-rush origins as an integral part of its identity.

1876: Deadwood, South Dakota is Established

Before its transformation into Deadwood, the southwest region of South Dakota originally belonged to the Lakota people. The area was illegally seized following the discovery of gold in the Black Hills during an expedition led by George Armstrong Custer in 1874, leading to the establishment of Deadwood. A surge of prospectors flocked to the area with aspirations of striking gold. In the fall of 1875, early miners discovered a bountiful vein of gold in the north of the Black Hills area, causing a frenzy of gold miners to migrate to Deadwood Gulch.

Early entrepreneurs and miners laid out the lawless town of Deadwood in 1876. Within a year, the town multiplied in population, reaching 25,000 by some accounts. Life in early Deadwood was unruly, dangerous and often unfair. Burglary, arson and even murder were common occurrences in this authentic Wild West town. Establishments like gambling houses, brothels and saloons were commonplace among the early businesses. You can get an interactive feel for how things used to be at spots like the Days of '76 Museum.

Late 19th Century: Deadwood’s Decline and Rise

As the gold mines eventually dried up and the economic prosperity of Deadwood waned, the town began to decline late in the 19th century. However, the spirit of Deadwood endured and the town found new avenues for survival. The allure of the Wild West and the emergence of historical tourism kept Deadwood on the map.

With the turn of the 20th century, the people of Deadwood started making strides to preserve their town’s rich history. The formation of the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission in 1989 aimed to protect and maintain the town's unique architectural and cultural heritage. This commitment to preservation, coupled with the legalization of gambling in 1989, has allowed Deadwood to thrive through the years and attract visitors to this day.

Modern Day Deadwood

Today, Deadwood’s untamed past echoes on. The town's Main Street is packed with historic buildings that capture its storied past. Visitors can explore museums, casinos and historic landmarks that tell the tale of the once-lawless mining town.

Deadwood’s legacy is intertwined with its tumultuous history. From its lawless beginnings to its present-day appeal, Deadwood is as untamed as ever. It continues to be a living testament to the spirit of exploration, fortune-seeking and the enduring allure of the Wild West.

Explore Things to Do in Deadwood

Tales From Deadly Deadwood 

Betrayal and murder characterized Deadwood as a lawless place, where the harsh realities of the Wild West often tore apart the thin veil of order.

Dead Man’s Hand: Who Was Wild Bill Hickok?

Wild Bill Hickok was many things — a gunslinger, a gambler and, most of all, a folk hero. But his life in Deadwood took a fateful turn when he was shot from behind while playing poker at a saloon in 1876. The cards in his hand at the time, now infamous as the "Dead Man's Hand," contained two pairs — black aces and eights. Jack McCall, the perpetrator, was unexpectedly acquitted the next day by a miner's court lacking jurisdiction. Though McCall initially evaded capture, he was later found, tried and hanged by the legal authorities of the Dakota Territory. You can get a real feel for all of this by witnessing the Deadwood Alive Gunslingers perform their reenactments May through September as part of the Main Street Shootouts.

Legendary Frontierswoman: Who Was Calamity Jane?

Calamity Jane was a legendary American frontierswoman and folk figure who settled in Deadwood in 1876. Renowned for her fearless and adventurous spirit, she became a symbol of the rugged, untamed landscape of the 19th-century American frontier. Calamity Jane was known for her sharpshooting skills, riding prowess and unapologetically bold personality. She lived a life filled with various exploits, often crossing paths with other notable figures of the time, including Wild Bill Hickok. Despite her rough exterior, there was a compassionate side to Calamity Jane, as she nursed the sick during outbreaks of disease and cared for wounded soldiers. Her legacy endures through the numerous tales and dime novels that have immortalized her as a legendary part of Deadwood’s history. 

The Gem Variety Theater Burns

Al Swearengen, a notorious figure in Deadwood, left an indelible mark on the town's history. Known for his ruthless and violent demeanor, Swearengen operated the Gem Variety Theater, one of Deadwood's earliest entertainment venues, after opening its doors in 1877. The Gem’s backrooms hosted various illegal activities such as gambling and prostitution. The theater famously burned down three separate times. The third incident ended with a peculiar twist — when firefighters arrived, the hydrant wrenches necessary to extinguish the fire had been stolen. (Yes, Swearengen had made plenty of enemies by that time.) Swearengen packed his bags and departed for Colorado after losing his theater to flames for the third time. Either his tumultuous past caught up with him, or he made new enemies, as his dead body was later discovered near a streetcar track. The legend of Al Swearengen endures as an integral part of Deadwood's legacy. Today, visitors can explore the historical site at Mineral Palace Hotel & Gaming Complex, where the Gem once stood, and enjoy the Gem Steakhouse and Saloon's homage to Deadwood's characters through its menu. You can also learn more about Deadwood’s seedier history at museums like The Brothel Deadwood.

Deadwood’s Wild West era has long since passed, but echoes of the legendary figures of days past live on. Visitors can learn more about Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, Al Swearengen and other Wild West legends at Adams Museum.

If you're a fan of arts, science or entertainment, you have to stop by Washington Pavilion, where all three are brought together under the same roof. Take part in interactive and educational displays highlighting performing arts, visual arts and science.Traverse over 200 acres at Great Bear Recreation Park – no matter the season. In the winter, the park’s Ski Valley features snowboarding, skiing, snow tubing and snowshoeing. In the summer, you can hike the park’s four-mile trail system. Visit Sioux Falls for the ultimate outdoor experience.

Netflix

• Into the Wild (2007 - Paramount Vantage)

Disney Plus

• National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007 - Walt Disney Pictures)

Vimeo 

• Spark - A Profile of Sarah Rogers (2019)

CBS

• Gunsmoke - "Snow Train Part 1 & 2" (Season 16, episodes 6 & 7 - 1955)

PBS

• Black Hills Canyon Skating (2018)

Hulu 

• Dances With Wolves (1989 - Orion) 
• Armageddon (1998 - Disney/Touchstone)
• Neither Wolf Nor Dog (2016) 
• The Rider (2019) 

Amazon Prime Video 

• North by Northwest (1951 - MGM)
• How the West Was Won (1962 - MGM)
• Return of a Man Called Horse (1976 - Sandy Howard Productions)
• From Hollywood to Deadwood (1986 - Island Pictures)
• Pow Wow Highway (1987 - Warner Brothers)
• Dances With Wolves (1989 - Orion)
• Thunderheart (1992 - Tri-Star Pictures)
• Wyatt Earp (1993 - Warner Brothers)
• The NeverEnding Story III (1993)
• Twister (1995 - Warner Brothers)
• Crazy Horse (1995 - Turner Pictures)
• Starship Troopers (1996 - TriStar Pictures)
• Dreamkeeper (2003 - Hallmark Entertainment)
• Hidalgo (2004 - Disney)
• Treasure Hunters (2006) 
• Small Town Silver Screen (2008 - Fiveman Films)
• Imprint (2008 - Linn Productions)
• Dinosaur 13 (2013 - CNN Films/Lionsgate)
• Destroyer (2014)
• Floating Horses: The Life of Casey Tibbs (2016)
• Lakota Girls (2016)
• Wild Prairie Rose (2016)
• We Are a Horse Nation (2017) 
• 7th Generation (2018) 
• Never Been to Graceland (2018) 
• One Shot One Kill (2018)
• The Long Look Back (2019)
• Tater Tot & Patton (2019) 
• Mr. Pointy (2018)

iTunes 

• Mercury Rising (1997 - Universal Pictures)
• Running Wild: The Life of Dayton O. Hyde (2013 - Screen Media Films)