Little Elk Creek Trail can be a great place to hike in the Black Hills any time of year. Here are five great reasons I think you should consider Little Elk Creek Trail for one of your hikes this summer.
Reason #1:
Convenient Location
Little Elk Creek Trail is one of the few Black Hills trails that is just a few minutes from Interstate 90. Conveniently located between Rapid City and Sturgis, you can find Little Elk Creek Road, which leads to the trailhead, near I-90 Exit 44. It is only a short drive down this gravel road until it ends at the large trailhead parking lot. Of course, being this close to Rapid City and being so easy to get to make this a very popular trail in the area. You’re almost guaranteed to see at least a few people out on the trail during your visit, but it never really feels too busy.
Reason #2:
As Challenging as You Want to Make It
One of the many things that I like about this trail is that you have options to make this hike as fun or as challenging as you want. The first mile of the trail is very flat and easy to walk. It’s almost like walking down a dirt road. So if you are only feeling like an easy hike, this makes for a very pleasant two-mile out-and-back trip. After the first mile, the trail becomes rockier with a few steep climbs along the way. There is also one larger water crossing that you must navigate by carefully stepping across the rocks. At about 1.5 miles, the path splits in two with a lower path following close to the creek and an upper path that runs higher on the ridge. The lower path is a little more difficult as there are more rocks and obstacles to get across. At about the 2-mile mark, the upper path reconnects with the lower path for the remaining one mile of the trail.
In total, Little Elk Creek Trail is about 3 miles long, making it 6 miles round trip. But you can turn back at any point if you don’t want to go the full distance. Or if you want to hike further, there are more options, too. The trail ends at a gravel road that will take you to Dalton Lake, which is about another mile one way. And at Dalton Lake you can pick up Centennial Trail, which will take you north or south for as far as you want to go. I’ve hiked as much as 15 miles round trip from this trailhead, but I have also had days where I only hiked 4 miles round trip. It’s entirely up to you!
Reason #3:
A Walk Along the Creek
As the name implies, this trail follows along Little Elk Creek for its entire route. In fact, the majority of the trail runs right beside the flowing water. There’s just something about the sound of a mountain stream that enhances the joy of being out in nature. Plus there are dozens of little waterfalls and rapids that add to the beauty of the scenery. But the best part, especially during the summer, is that there are a number of places along the trail where you can stop and splash around in the shallow water to cool off.
Reason #4:
Surrounded by Nature
I don’t know if it’s because of the slightly lower elevation or the water from the creek, but there seems to be more trees and plants here than many other trails in the Black Hills. While the trail is well maintained and easy to follow, you are always surrounded by lush vegetation, especially along the sections closest to the water. You will also hear birds singing in the trees, see wildflowers and colorful moths, and feel totally surrounded by nature the entire time.
Reason #5:
Photography
The Black Hills are a photographer’s paradise and Little Elk Creek Trail is a fantastic trail for any shutterbugs like me who enjoy photographing nature and landscapes. The waterfalls and rapids along Little Elk Creek are amazing. It isn’t always easy to see them through the brush growing between the trail and the water, but there are lots of spots along the trail that open up and provide excellent views of the rocks and water. The high cliff walls and rocky outcroppings visible from the path are also stunning to see and photograph. And if you look closely during your hike you will see plenty wonderful subjects for macro photography, too. You really can find a little of everything to photograph on this trail.
Whether you are looking for a short walk in the woods or an all-day hike through the Black Hills, Little Elk Creek Trail offers just about everything for a perfect summer hike.
