{"id":889,"date":"2026-09-23T17:08:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T17:08:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hillcitybikes.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/23\/trail-pass-rules-fees-and-where-they-go\/"},"modified":"2026-09-23T17:08:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T17:08:09","slug":"trail-pass-rules-fees-and-where-they-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hillcitybikes.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/23\/trail-pass-rules-fees-and-where-they-go\/","title":{"rendered":"Trail pass rules, fees, and where they go"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Anyone riding the George S. Mickelson Trail who is 12 or older needs a trail pass, and you can buy one at the self-pay kiosk at any trailhead, including the one here in Hill City. Kids under 12 ride at no charge. Walkers and runners don't need a pass either \u2014 it applies to bicycles. You can pay for a single day or buy a pass good for the rest of the calendar year, and the money goes to South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks for trail upkeep: grading the crushed limestone, maintaining the old railroad bridges and tunnels, clearing downed trees after storms, and keeping the vault toilets and water at the trailheads in working order. We'll point you to the kiosk before you roll out, and if you'd rather sort it out before you arrive, passes are also sold online through the state parks system.<\/p>\n

How do I actually pay at the trailhead?<\/p>\n

The kiosks work on the honor system. You take an envelope, fill in your name and the date, put your payment inside, drop it in the slot, and tear off the tag. The tag goes on your bike \u2014 most people loop it around the handlebar or the seat post \u2014 and you keep it visible while you ride. If you're riding with a group, each rider 12 and up needs their own. The stations take cash or check, so bring small bills if you're paying at the trail. Rates change from time to time, so read what's posted on the kiosk rather than trusting a number you found on a forum three years ago.<\/p>\n

Is the pass worth it?<\/p>\n

Look at what 109 miles of former Burlington Northern railroad grade costs to keep up. The trail runs from Deadwood to Edgemont with more than a hundred converted bridges and four hard-rock tunnels, and it crosses country that gets heavy snow, spring runoff, and the occasional blowdown. The surface between Hill City and Mystic is in good shape because somebody grades it. An annual pass pays for itself quickly if you're here for a week, or if you're one of the riders who comes back every fall for the aspen and birch color through the Mystic and Rochford stretch in late September.<\/p>\n

Do I need a pass on a rental e-bike?<\/p>\n

Yes. The pass is tied to the rider, not the bike, so it makes no difference whether you're on your own touring bike or one of our electric bikes. Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes are allowed on the Mickelson, which is why e-bike rentals in Hill City have become the easy answer for people who want to see more of the trail than their legs will cover in an afternoon. We handle the bike, the helmet, and the route advice; the pass is a separate few dollars you pay the state.<\/p>\n

What if I'm just going out for an hour?<\/p>\n

You still need one. There's no short ride exemption. That said, an hour out of the Hill City trailhead gets you a pleasant stretch toward Mystic along Spring Creek, and plenty of our guests buy a day pass, ride out and back, then decide the next morning they want the longer run down toward Custer.<\/p>\n

If you're staying with us on the trail's edge, you can walk to the kiosk. Ask Heather at check-in and she'll tell you exactly where it sits, what the current posted rate is, and which direction is going to suit the kind of day you want \u2014 gentle grade, shade, or a long push toward Deadwood.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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