Mickelson Trail

Mickelson Trail The Mickelson Trail is a 109-mile rail trail in the Black Hills of South Dakota, converted from the former Burlington Northern Railroad corridor. It traverses a corridor linking towns, parks, and historic sites between Deadwood, Edgemont, Custer State Park, and Hill City, providing year-round access for hikers, cyclists, equestrians, and winter users. The trail is notable for its limestone surface, scenic trestles, and proximity to landmarks such as Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Badlands National Park, and Black Hills National Forest.

History

The corridor originated as part of the railroad network constructed by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad and later operated by Burlington Northern Railroad to serve mining towns during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including Lead, South Dakota and Deadwood, South Dakota. After rail service declined in the mid-20th century, local advocacy led by organizations such as the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks and grassroots preservation groups sought rail-to-trail conversion following precedents set by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy projects nationwide. The trail was named in honor of former South Dakota Governor George S. Mickelson, who championed state recreation initiatives; his administration and legacy intersect with institutions like the South Dakota State Historical Society and the National Park Service through cooperative planning. Funding and land acquisitions involved partners including the Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation (United States), and private landowners, echoing conservation models used in projects near Yellowstone National Park and Grand Canyon National Park.

Route and Features

Beginning near Deadwood, South Dakota, the alignment passes through or near communities and landmarks such as Lead, South Dakota, Spearfish, South Dakota, Hill City, South Dakota, Custer, South Dakota, and Edgemont, South Dakota. The corridor navigates geological features of the Paha Sapa (the Lakota name for the Black Hills region), crossing canyons, gulches, and rivers including the Spearfish Creek and tributaries of the Cheyenne River. Notable constructed features include trestles and former railroad bridges similar in style to those on routes like the Elroy-Sparta State Trail and the Katy Trail State Park (Missouri). Interpretive signs along the way reference historical events and figures such as the Black Hills Gold Rush, Calamity Jane, Wild Bill Hickok, and mining operations connected to companies like the Homestake Mining Company. The trail surface of crushed limestone and compacted aggregate offers accessibility comparable to converted corridors like the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and includes trailheads with parking, restrooms, and trail maps akin to facilities at Shawnee State Forest or Custer State Park.

Recreation and Usage

The Mickelson Trail supports multi-use recreation, attracting bicyclists from competitive events resembling stages of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route and family riders similar to users of the Empire State Trail. Hikers and backpackers access segments near wilderness and managed areas such as Black Elk Peak and route connectors to Needles Highway. Equestrians and outfitters operating in the Black Hills region provide guided rides, comparable to services near Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Moab, Utah. Winter users, including snowmobilers in designated sections, mirror recreation patterns observed in regions like Park City, Utah and Lake Tahoe. Annual events and charity rides partner with organizations resembling the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program and local chambers of commerce in Lawrence County, South Dakota and Pennington County, South Dakota to promote tourism tied to attractions such as Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial.

Environmental and Cultural Impact

The trail traverses ecologically significant habitats within the Black Hills National Forest and adjacent to Custer State Park, impacting flora and fauna including ponderosa pine stands, elk herds, and species monitored by agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Conservation partnerships mirror collaborative frameworks used by the Nature Conservancy and the National Park Service to balance recreation with habitat protection, addressing issues such as erosion, invasive species, and wildlife disturbance. Cultural resources include proximity to sites important to Indigenous peoples of the region, such as the Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, whose historic ties to the Black Hills intersect with federal protections under laws like the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and consultations guided by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Archeological assessments and interpretive programming have drawn on methodologies from institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and state historic preservation offices to document mining-era artifacts and frontier-era structures related to the Black Hills Gold Rush and territorial history.

Management and Maintenance

Management responsibilities involve the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, county governments including Lawrence County, South Dakota and Pennington County, South Dakota, and volunteer groups modeled after chapters of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Funding and maintenance strategies draw on federal grant programs administered by the Federal Highway Administration and state recreation funds, and employ best practices from trail management agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and park systems like Custer State Park. Ongoing maintenance addresses surface grading, drainage, bridge inspections, and signage, while stakeholder engagement includes collaborations with tourism boards like the South Dakota Department of Tourism, local historical societies, and outdoor organizations similar to American Hiking Society and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers to ensure sustainable recreation and economic benefits for gateway communities.

Category:Rail trails in South Dakota Category:Black Hills