Mickelson Trail: short return from Deadwood
South Dakota · Rail-trail
Walk from the designated public lot to the signed Mickelson Trail. Ride south up to one mile and retrace, stopping before a difficult grade, crossing or work barrier. Stay on the improved main railbed.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Deadwood · South Dakota
- Ride length
- Up to 2 miles return
- Ride format
- Out and back
- Surface
- Improved crushed-limestone rail-trail
- Road crossings
- Walk from the designated public lot to the signed Mickelson Trail. Ride south up to one mile and retrace, stopping before a difficult grade, crossing or work barrier. Stay on the improved main railbed.
- Elevation
- This end begins the long climb toward Dumont; moderate uphill effort, with controlled downhill return.
- Starting location
- Mickelson Trail Deadwood Trailhead, Sherman Street, Deadwood, South Dakota
Chosen cap of 1 mile(s) outward and the same distance back; turn earlier at barriers, crossings or unsuitable tread. The parking/access walk is additional and unmeasured.
Approximate named public facility/access-area reference. Follow the guide to designated public visitor parking and the signed path; not a surveyed stall.
Mickelson Trail: short return from Deadwood — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-21. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
Walk from the designated public lot to the signed Mickelson Trail. Ride south up to one mile and retrace, stopping before a difficult grade, crossing or work barrier. Stay on the improved main railbed.
Start and parking approach
Start: Mickelson Trail Deadwood Trailhead, Sherman Street, Deadwood, South Dakota
Use only open designated public visitor parking. Walk through parking aisles and the final access connection; never use private lots without permission. If no lawful open arrival is available, postpone or arrive by transit/foot.
Distance and route
Selected ride: Up to 2 miles return. Format: Out and back.
Chosen cap of 1 mile(s) outward and the same distance back; turn earlier at barriers, crossings or unsuitable tread. The parking/access walk is additional and unmeasured.
Walk from the designated public lot to the signed Mickelson Trail. Ride south up to one mile and retrace, stopping before a difficult grade, crossing or work barrier. Stay on the improved main railbed.
Surface and effort
Surface: Improved crushed-limestone rail-trail. This end begins the long climb toward Dumont; moderate uphill effort, with controlled downhill return. No surveyed maximum slope or accessibility certification is supplied.
Crossings and shared use
Yield to pedestrians, use the signed bicycle/shared-use route, slow at crossings and blind bends, and walk uncomfortable ramps. Authorized maintenance or emergency vehicles may appear. The written route defines the separated portion; nearby roads and unmarked walking or technical trails are excluded. Check current device rules before bringing an e-bike.
Hours, costs and access
Choose daylight and follow current posted park, trail and parking hours. Seasonal facilities and temporary closures can differ. Mickelson Trail passes are required outside exempt municipal sections; obtain the current pass at an authorized outlet or trailhead.
Reviewed October 21, 2026. A trail pass is required where posted; the trailhead has self-sale facilities. Most of the system is at or below 4%, but strenuous portions exist. The 109-mile whole route is not an easy-loop promise, and past event registration closure is not a trail closure. This is source-based planning, not a field inspection or a guarantee of present-day conditions. Stop at closures; do not improvise a traffic-road bypass.
Map location
The marker is a labeled planning reference, not a surveyed parking space, bicycle entrance or navigable route line. Use the written start and current on-site signs for the final approach.