Trail Maps
There are many trails available to runners in the area. Trails.com
In Rapid City, the Bike Path offers a good place to run and stay away from traffic. The Path follows Rapid Creek, and can be accessed from anyplace along the path. There are mile markers along the path every half mile, with the 0 marker near the Civic Center.
The Hansen-Larson Memorial Park has over 8 miles of world class hiking and biking recreational trails on 300 acres of pristine Black Hills wilderness near the heart of Rapid City’s historic downtown district.
Badlands Trails
The Badlands are located east of Rapid City and offer many places to run. One of the best is the Castle Trail, which can be found by getting off I-90 at the Interior Exit. The trail starts at the first parking lot inside the park and goes west to the Fossil Exhibit. Round Trip is approximately 10 miles.
Closer to Rapid City is the Rail Road Buttes area. Many trails availabe here. Leave RC on Hwy 44 east. Turn right (south) at the New Underwood turnoff. RR Buttes is about a mile south.
The George Mickelson Trail in the Black Hills offers a fairly flat route to run or ride. A "rails to trails project, the grade is never over 3%. Trailheads from Deadwood to Edgemont. There is a users fee for this trail.
The Centennial
Trail has start/end points at Bear Butte and Wind Cave National Park,
there are more than 30 trailhead entry points along the way. Highlights
include The Black Hills' wildlife, geologic formations, history, wildflowers
and plant life, lakes and streams. The Centennial Trail crosses the
prairie grasslands near Bear Butte State Park and climbs into the Black
Hills high country, skirting lakes and streams until it reaches Wind
Cave National Park near Hot Springs. The United States Forest Service,
Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service and South Dakota Department
of Game, Fish, and Parks have combined their efforts to develop this
trail.
Centennial Trail brochure pdf
Shanks Quarry
Located 6 miles west of Rapid City on Hwy 44, exit on the
right, the area offers many trails for running and biking.
Buzzard Roost
Located 5 miles west of Rapid City on Hwy 44, exit on the left, new
trail for biking, hiking and running.
Eagles Cliff
Located near Spearfish, trails for running, and groomed cross country
ski trails in the winter.