Are dogs allowed on Blue Trail, Bear Den Mountain and Butte Creek OHV Loop?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Blue Trail, Bear Den Mountain and Butte Creek OHV Loop but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike Blue Trail, Bear Den Mountain and Butte Creek OHV Loop?

No, Blue Trail, Bear Den Mountain and Butte Creek OHV Loop does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is Blue Trail, Bear Den Mountain and Butte Creek OHV Loop?

Blue Trail, Bear Den Mountain and Butte Creek OHV Loop is rated expert. It is 22.9 miles long with 4,199 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See South Dakota trail conditions

Blue Trail, Bear Den Mountain and Butte Creek OHV Loop

ExpertLoop

South Dakota

Blue Trail, Bear Den Mountain and Butte Creek OHV Loop

Sturgis, South Dakota

22.9 mi

Distance

4,199 ft

Elev. Gain

9h 31m

Est. Time

Loop

Route Type

Expert

Difficulty

About This Trail

Imported description

I want you to drive on the Blue Trail. The exit is at CR 304 or Alt 14. After following the drainage south along the east slopes of Pillar Peak, you will reach Lost Gulch, which is on a topo map. You can get lunch here. It is possible to see the views of Bear Butte just NE of Sturgis after going back up the mountain. Go down into Bear Butte Creek, cross over a low divide into Park Creek, and return to Bear Butte Creek. You will rejoin CR 306 when you exit from Deadwood. It can be very rocky.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:1,210 ft

Max:1,681 ft

1,280 ft

Trail Details

Route Type: Loop
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

Reviews

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.