Little Elk Creek Trail is located just outside of Rapid City near Piedmont. If wanting to get a nice hike in around Rapid City without traveling further to more popular areas like Custer or Spearfish, this is an excellent option. It’s a heavily used trail good for dogs, families, mountain biking, and anyone looking to get out in nature. The trail features the creek, many trees, rock formations, moss-covered rocks, and a plethora of random trails to explore areas around the creek. If wanting to hang out near a lake, it also offers a way to get to Dalton Lake by hiking an extra 0.5 miles (0.8 km) each way.
Distance: 5.72 mi (9.2 km)
Duration: 2-3 Hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 636 ft (194 m)
Parking: There is a very large gravel lot with ample room. However, it can get pretty busy on weekends.
Cost: Free
Coordinates to Parking and Trailhead: 44.246364690843414, -103.42823618308151. Typing in Little Elk Creek Trailhead will also get you to the lot.
How to get there
From Rapid City take exit 44 followed by a left onto County Hwy Mc-4a. Shortly after, take a right onto Sturgis Road and follow for 0.3 mi, then a left onto Little Elk Creek Rd. The parking lot will be at the end of the road. Go to the Southwest corner of the lot and follow the road. You’ll walk between wooden barriers to begin the trail.
Hiking Little Elk Creek Trail
Little Elk Creek Trail, unsurprisingly, runs along the creek with the same name. The trail varies from a nice dirt path to areas that are a bit rocky and requires walking over larger rocks. For the entirety of the way, you’ll notice paths jutting out to the left that go across the creek which can be explored if you want to access or get different views of the water. However, the trail is pretty straightforward and goes along the right side of the creek the entire way.
Roughly halfway through the trail, you’ll get the option to use the lower or upper trail. They take a similar path but the upper path goes along the ridgeline giving you views below, while the lower works itself in amongst the trees near the creek. The end of the trail is fairly abrupt with some boulders designating the end of the trail. However, if you continue straight for a little more than 0.5 miles (0.8 km) you’ll get to Dalton Lake.
You can check out my trail recording here.
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