How to ride the Mickelson Trail from Hill City
Wondering how to ride the Mickelson Trail from Hill City? Happy to help! We get this question a lot. Honestly, it’s easier than most folks expect, especially on an e-bike. Here’s how we usually walk people through it.

Starting right here in town
One of the nice things about Hill City is that we sit right alongside the trail, so you don’t have to load a car or drive anywhere to get going. You pick up your bike, roll out, and you’re on the Mickelson Trail within a couple minutes. That’s part of why folks looking to rent electric bikes in the Black Hills end up right here with us. The Hill City trailhead is a great first pick, and honestly it’s the best trailhead to start the Mickelson Trail if you’re new and want something simple.

What the trail is actually like
The Mickelson Trail follows an old railroad grade, so the surface is crushed limestone and the hills are gentle. No steep climbs to worry about. You’ll pass through pine forest, cross a few old railroad bridges, and go through a couple of tunnels. It’s quiet, shaded in places, and pretty the whole way. In the fall the aspens turn gold and it’s about as good as it gets around here.

How far you can go in a day
On an e-bike, you can cover more ground in a day than you’d think. A lot of first-timers ride out toward Mystic or down toward Custer and turn around when they feel like it. The motor helps on the small grades, so you spend your energy enjoying the scenery instead of grinding up hills. If you want a simple goal, plan for a relaxed out-and-back and let the battery do some of the work. Seniors and families do this all the time and finish feeling great.

Making a trip of it
If you’d rather not rush, we offer Mickelson Trail lodging with bike rentals so you can stay right by the trail and ride more than one day. It’s an easy way to plan a whole little getaway.

We’d love to set you up with a bike whenever you’re ready. Stop by, ask questions, and we’ll get you rolling.