Free — you'll pick up right here.

South Dakota

Canyons Trail

3.3 mi

Distance

723 ft

Gain

1h 27m

Time

We don't cover this trail yet

No agency boundary, access route or field report is mapped to it — so there is no verdict, and we won't guess. We'll tell you the moment this trail has something to say.

Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.

Why you'll love it

Loop trail

Here's your day, mapped

Canyons Trail

AI-suggested draft · review before you go

Building your full AI plan…

Meals

Building your meal plan…

Gear for the day

Building your gear list…

Elevation & route

Distance
3.3 mi
Elevation gain
723 ft
Elevation loss
654 ft
More about this trail ↓

Photos

Directions & GPX

Get Directions

Permits & access

No permit or access details on file for this trail — check with the local land manager before you go.

About this trail

Canyons Trail is a scenic 3.27-mile loop in South Dakota that winds through striking canyon terrain and badlands formations. This accessible route showcases the region's distinctive geological features, including colorful rock layers and dramatic erosion patterns that make the Black Hills and badlands area so visually compelling. Perfect for a half-day adventure, this loop offers excellent opportunities to experience South Dakota's unique landscape without requiring extensive hiking experience.

Add to a trip & share

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Hell CanyonPhoto: Runner1928, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Hell Canyon

~2 min drive

Moderately challenging 10.6-mile loop through South Dakota badlands with scenic canyon views.

Sunday Gulch TrailPhoto: Little Mountain 5, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sunday Gulch Trail

~27 min drive

Easy 3-mile loop through South Dakota's scenic Sunday Gulch.

Bismarck Lake Shoreline TrailPhoto: Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Bismarck Lake Shoreline Trail

~28 min drive

Easy half-mile lakeside walk with gentle elevation changes.

Cathedral Spires TrailPhoto: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cathedral Spires Trail

~29 min drive

Short out-and-back hike featuring dramatic rock spires and scenic views.

Little Devil's Tower TrailPhoto: Runner1928, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Little Devil's Tower Trail

~29 min drive

Brief out-and-back scramble to a notable rock formation in South Dakota.

Horse TrailPhoto: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Horse Trail

~30 min drive

Easy 1-mile out-and-back trail in South Dakota.

Harney # 9 NorthPhoto: timlitw, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Harney # 9 North

~33 min drive

Short out-and-back climb in the Black Hills with steady elevation gain.

Harney # 9 SouthPhoto: Runner1928, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Harney # 9 South

~29 min drive

Steady Black Hills climb through forest with nearly 1,000 ft elevation gain.

Lost Cabin #2Photo: Good Free Photos, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lost Cabin #2

~32 min drive

Moderate 6.5-mile out-and-back climb with nearly 1,900 ft elevation gain.

Heddy Draw TrailPhoto: Dakdawg, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Heddy Draw Trail

~31 min drive

Easy 2-mile out-and-back trail through South Dakota badlands draws.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors