A Bark In The Park: The 10 Best Places To Hike With Your Dog In The Black Hills

Blue Ribbon - Alkali Creek TrailheadThis trailheadparks in the course of its 13.5 miles. Several trail loops
connects to rugged Centennial Trail and leads into theand spurs radiate away from the main trail stem
backcountry of Fort Mead Recreation Area whereproviding a variety of canine hiking opportunities. As the
there is plenty of running for your dog on the rollingroute hugs Rapid Creek, your dog may spend as
grounds of the one-time cavalry post. You can choosemuch water time as trail time here.#8 - Deerfield Lake
from rambles through wooded lowlands or hill climbingLoopFour trailheads provide access around the 10-mile
through Ponderosa pine forests.#2 - Mirror Lakes andLake Loop Trail. A circumnavigation of Deerfield Lake
Cox LakeA great place for canine hikers who chaff atserves up a rich variety of Black Hills habitat. The
the confinement of formal trails. Wide open fields andmile-high hiking at Deerfield Lake is gently rolling and
meadows are playgrounds for your dog and there issuitable for any level of athletic dog.#9 - Black Hills
superb dog paddling in the spring-fed lakes.#3 - RapidExperimental ForestAny length of outing with your dog
City Off-Leash ParksThe biggest city in the Black Hillscan be conjured up from spider-web of easy-to-travel
maintains 1500 acres of parkland and several locationsgravel roads and dirt logging trails in the Black Hills
- Wilderness Park, the Braeburn Addition, andExperimental Forest. This is also a good place to bring
Robbinsdale Park - permit dogs to run off-leash.#4 -your dog in the winter when taking to the trails on
Harney Range TrailsHarney Peak is the highest point incross-country skis or snowshoes.#10 - Carson Draw
America between the Rocky Mountains and theand Sundance Trail SystemThere is something for all
Atlantic Ocean and dogs can make the climb to thelevel of canine hiker on the 17 footpaths that cover
summit. Dogs aren't allowed on Mount Rushmore but47.3 miles in the Sundance Trail System. The routes
you can the see the back of national monument fromdip into densely forested, rugged canyons and explore
here.#5 - Flume TrailThis National Recreation Trail hasscenic ridgetops. Some of the routes will test even the
a bit of everything for the canine hiker: scenic views, amost energetic of trail dogs.I am the author of over 20
variety of routes, a bit of history and lots of swimmingbooks, including 8 on hiking with your dog, including the
available (at Sheridan Lake and Spring Creek). Dogswidely praised The Canine Hiker's Bible. As publisher
are allowed to hike the Flume Trail off-leash onof Cruden Bay Books, we
National Forest lands.#6 - Swede Gulch Non-Motorizedproduce the innovative A Bark In The Park series of
Use AreaThis is a timber production area in the Blackcanine hiking books found at
hills National Forest where the canine hiking is easyDuring the warm months I lead canine hikes as
along the old dirt roads. Dogs can get out and runtour leader for tours, leading packs of dogs and
these trails where vehicle use is banned and fewhumans on
people come.#7 - Rapid City Recreation PathThisday and overnight trips.
serpentine cement path connects five separate city