| Blue Ribbon - Alkali Creek TrailheadThis | | | | variety of canine hiking opportunities. As |
| trailhead connects to rugged Centennial Trail | | | | the route hugs Rapid Creek, your dog may |
| and leads into the backcountry of Fort Mead | | | | spend as much water time as trail time |
| Recreation Area where there is plenty of | | | | here.#8 - Deerfield Lake LoopFour trailheads |
| running for your dog on the rolling grounds | | | | provide access around the 10-mile Lake Loop |
| of the one-time cavalry post. You can choose | | | | Trail. A circumnavigation of Deerfield Lake |
| from rambles through wooded lowlands or hill | | | | serves up a rich variety of Black Hills |
| climbing through Ponderosa pine forests.#2 - | | | | habitat. The mile-high hiking at Deerfield |
| Mirror Lakes and Cox LakeA great place for | | | | Lake is gently rolling and suitable for any |
| canine hikers who chaff at the confinement of | | | | level of athletic dog.#9 - Black Hills |
| formal trails. Wide open fields and meadows | | | | Experimental ForestAny length of outing with |
| are playgrounds for your dog and there is | | | | your dog can be conjured up from spider-web |
| superb dog paddling in the spring-fed | | | | of easy-to-travel gravel roads and dirt |
| lakes.#3 - Rapid City Off-Leash ParksThe | | | | logging trails in the Black Hills |
| biggest city in the Black Hills maintains | | | | Experimental Forest. This is also a good |
| 1500 acres of parkland and several locations | | | | place to bring your dog in the winter when |
| - Wilderness Park, the Braeburn Addition, and | | | | taking to the trails on cross-country skis or |
| Robbinsdale Park - permit dogs to run | | | | snowshoes.#10 - Carson Draw and Sundance |
| off-leash.#4 - Harney Range TrailsHarney Peak | | | | Trail SystemThere is something for all level |
| is the highest point in America between the | | | | of canine hiker on the 17 footpaths that |
| Rocky Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean and | | | | cover 47.3 miles in the Sundance Trail |
| dogs can make the climb to the summit. Dogs | | | | System. The routes dip into densely forested, |
| aren't allowed on Mount Rushmore but you can | | | | rugged canyons and explore scenic ridgetops. |
| the see the back of national monument from | | | | Some of the routes will test even the most |
| here.#5 - Flume TrailThis National Recreation | | | | energetic of trail dogs.I am the author of |
| Trail has a bit of everything for the canine | | | | over 20 books, including 8 on hiking with |
| hiker: scenic views, a variety of routes, a | | | | your dog, including the |
| bit of history and lots of swimming available | | | | |
| (at Sheridan Lake and Spring Creek). Dogs are | | | | widely praised The Canine Hiker's Bible. As |
| allowed to hike the Flume Trail off-leash on | | | | publisher of Cruden Bay Books, we |
| National Forest lands.#6 - Swede Gulch | | | | |
| Non-Motorized Use AreaThis is a timber | | | | produce the innovative A Bark In The Park |
| production area in the Black hills National | | | | series of canine hiking books found at |
| Forest where the canine hiking is easy along | | | | |
| the old dirt roads. Dogs can get out and run | | | | During the warm months I lead canine hikes |
| these trails where vehicle use is banned and | | | | as |
| few people come.#7 - Rapid City Recreation | | | | |
| PathThis serpentine cement path connects five | | | | tour leader for tours, leading packs of dogs |
| separate city parks in the course of its 13.5 | | | | and humans on |
| miles. Several trail loops and spurs radiate | | | | |
| away from the main trail stem providing a | | | | day and overnight trips. |