The trails at Sylvan Lake provide some of the best views in all of South Dakota’s Black Hills. Hike the easy and flat 1.1 Lake Shore Loop around Sylvan Lake, and add in the 3.1 mile Sunday Gulch Loop for a fun but challenging hike past a creek with several small waterfalls and then up into the mountains of the Black Hills. Other trail options also include Little Devil’s Tower, my favorite viewpoint within the Black Hills, and Black Elk Peak (formerly known as Harney Peak) which is the highest point in elevation east of the Rocky Mountains. The trail to Black Elk Peak gains 1350ft, making it a tough trail. Little Devil’s Tower is shorter with less elevation, but involves a significant rock scramble at the end. There is also a spur trail to Cathedral Spires, a unique set of towering rocks.
Oberg Mountain is a 2.5-mile loop hike with a gradual elevation gain of 500ft. This is a relatively easy hike with amazing views around the entire loop of the surrounding hills, Lake Superior, and Oberg Lake.
Caribou Falls is an approximately 1-mile out-and-back hike, off of MN-61 between Tettegouche and Temperance State Parks. This is a subtly marked hike, meaning that although it is just a short distance away from the scenic highway that runs along Lake Superiors shore, you just might get to enjoy this waterfall by yourself. Enjoy the peacefulness of the Caribou River along your hike to the falls.
Vacation Ideas to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park - Plan a trip for your family.. This post includes favorite hikes, places to visit, and ideas on where to camp.
Belly of the Dragon is an amazing manmade water culvert under US-89 that is being carved slowly into a slot canyon by the water moving through the sandstone. Although it’s just a water culvert under US-89, this is a cool, free place to stop and spend 20-30 minutes on the way to Zion National Park from Kanab.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is a unique place to explore nearby Zion National Park with minimal crowds despite its beauty. Explore the sand dunes by foot, rent sand boards to sled down them, or schedule a UTV tour to drive over them. This is an awesome park to spend 1-2 hours at with young children.(in a non-summer month).
Kanarra Falls is a moderately easy out-and-back 3.6 mile hike to a slot canyon that features 4 waterfalls. The first mile is mostly along a jeep road, followed by a half mile with lots of creek crossings. The last third of a mile of the hike is in the slot canyon, and requires hiking through the water. Wear hiking boots or water shoes that can get wet, and bring at least one hiking pole to prevent falls due to unstable rocks in the moving water. Also wear sunscreen and bring extra water to drink as the first mile of the hike is quite exposed to the sun.
