Hiking
Hiking is a wonderful way to see and experience the many wonders of our grasslands and forests.
What's different about hiking in grasslands is that they exist largely without marked, established hiking trails, allowing you to explore where you want.
For those who like the security of an established trail, we have plenty of those too! Contact your nearest office or visit our maps page for more information about where to go.
Search for Hiking Opportunities
Bessey Recreation Complex and Campground
Site Open
For Reservations call (877) 444-6777 or go to recreation.gov. Here is a flyer that describes what sites are reservable and here is a map of the Bessey Recreation Complex. Please note that these…
Black Hills Overlook
Site Open
The Black Hills Overlook provides views of the surrounding Pine Ridge and grasslands and Black Hills of South Dakota. Forest Service Road 714A accessed from the western edge of Chadron State Park…
Cliffs Trailhead
Site Open
The Cliffs is named for the large cliff face above Bordeaux Creek along the east side of the recreation site and trailhead. It’s a popular access point for both motorized and non-motorized trail…
Coffee Mill Trailhead
Site Open
Coffee Mill trailhead is located along Forest Service Road 702 off of Dead Horse Road. It is named after nearby Coffee Mill Butte. This is one of the primary access points for the Pine Ridge Trail.…
East Ash Trailhead
Site Open
East Ash Trailhead is located along the East Ash Road. East Ash Creek is located nearby. The trailhead provides non-motorized access to the Pine Ridge Trail, the Pine Ridge National Recreation…
French Creek Campground
Site Open
This small, developed campground is located in a quiet area with picnic tables, fire rings, and a vault toilet.  The campground provides access to the nearby Fairburn Agate Beds, which is a popular…
Hudson-Meng Education & Research Center
Site Open
Open Fridays from 9-4pm Mountain Time from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.  Located on the beautiful Oglala National Grassland in northwestern Nebraska, the Hudson-Meng Education…
Limestone Butte
Site Open
A scenic area for wildlife viewing, dispersed camping, hiking and rockhounding. Limestone Butte Reservoir is popular with hunters and gets many waterfowl visitors. No fishing available. Please…
Natick Campground
Site Open
The Natick Campground is quieter than the Bessey Recreation Complex, and it has 20 corrals for riding stock. This 17-unit campground has a hand pump for water, picnic tables, fire rings, modern…
Outrider Trailhead
Site Open
Outrider Trailhead located north of Chadron State Park just off of Highway 385 provides access to the Pine Ridge Trail system which is open to non-motorized travel for mountain biking, hiking, and…