Scenes from the Horsethief Trail
Horsethief Trail is a fun and challenging hike near Mount Rushmore National Memorial that runs through the heart of the Black Elk Wilderness. It is the perfect starting point for anyone who wants to explore some of the wilder parts of the Black Hills. And the nearby Horsethief Lake offers a cool place to rest after a long hike.
This out-and-back trail is just over 2.7 miles long, making it about 5.5 miles round trip. For most hikers, you should plan on spending about 2 ½ hours on the trail. It is a moderately difficult trail with plenty of uphill climbs, rocky and uneven surfaces, and several water crossings. The streams that cross the trail are usually small, so you should be able to step across them without getting your feet wet. Because the elevation rises and falls along the length of the trail, this is one of those hikes that feels like it is uphill both ways. But at least the halfway point and the finish both end going downhill.
Depending on the time of day you are on the trail, you may hear the whistle of the historic 1880 Train as it runs between Hill City and Keystone. You are also likely to hear a helicopter flying overhead as it takes visitors on an aerial tour of the Black Hills. Otherwise, you will enjoy only the sounds of nature as you venture deeper into the Black Elk Wilderness.
Horsethief Lake Trail connects with two other major trails in the area. The first is on the northern end where it overlaps with Centennial Trail for a short distance. From the trailhead, you will hike south for about .7 miles until you reach Centennial Trail. Follow the sign at the intersection and turn right to stay on trail number 14. Soon you will see Centennial Trail branch off to the right, however you want to keep going straight to stay on Horsethief Lake Trail.Â
Later, at the halfway point of the hike, Horsethief Lake Trail ends where it connects with Grizzly Bear Creek Trail. There is a nice little stream to the left, so be sure to check this out before you turn around and head back. If you wanted to plan for a much longer hike, there are options to take Grizzly Bear Creek Trail either to the left or the right and connecting trails will eventually bring you back to the trailhead at Horsethief Lake.Â
However, these routes are significantly longer at around 10 – 12 miles. You can find an option for a loop using Grizzly Bear and Centennial with Horsethief here. There is a detailed map at the trailhead that shows all of the major trails running through the Black Elk Wilderness, how they connect, and what their distances are.
The trailhead for Horsethief Lake Trail can be found just two miles past Mount Rushmore at the Horsethief Lake Day Use Area. As you are driving down the gravel road, you will see a few parking spaces near the trailhead and there are more spaces closer to the lake. This is also where you will find the public restrooms that are available.
Either before or after your hike, make sure to spend some time at Horsethief Lake. Take a stroll along the boardwalk that runs across one side of this mountain lake for some scenic views of the water. And there are two small bridges on either side of the lake that add to the location’s charm. This is also a popular fishing spot, so you may want to bring your fishing gear along with your hiking shoes.Â
Whether you are looking for a fun hike after visiting Mount Rushmore or wanting to experience the Black Elk Wilderness, Horsethief Lake Trail is a great route for any adventurous hiker to take.Â
