The Crazy Horse Memorial is another of South Dakota’s “Great 8” tourist attractions. Visitors stop by this Black Hills locale to see the enormous, uinfinished carving of the Lakota leader and explore the Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational and Cultural Center. There is a fee to enter the campus, but once runners arrive, they will find a fun route along the “Avenue of the Chiefs.” This wide gravel road leads from the museum to the top of the Crazy Horse carving. As an out and back, the route is just over 5 km. Use caution — the path can be quite busy with tourists, and very hot in summer.
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Essentials
- 5 km (3.1 miles) out and back
- 539 feet
- Tourist Center
- Rt. 385
Current Weather & Forecast
Rapid City, US
6:35 pm,
Jun 3, 2026
broken clouds
22°C
L: 20°
H: 22°
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Other Routes in Rapid City/Black Hills, SD
The “Swanny” Trail is a paved multi-use path which follows the Rapid Creek through Rapid City. Nearly the entire 8-mile trail forms a sort of linear park extending from downtown. Good loop options incorporating the major downtown parks.
A nice variety of trail running close to the center of Rapid City. Up to 12 miles of trail to choose from, but the Skyline Trail is a good option. Hilly!
15 miles southwest of Rapid City, the Storm Mountain trail system offers something for everyone. The double track forest roads are the most accessible choices for running.
A large dog and sporting park in the southeast part of Rapid City. The park features a playground, sporting fields, a BMX park, and a ~2 mile concrete loop trail.
Wherever you go in the Black Hills, the Mickelson Trail is never far off. Hop on any section of this 108 mile rail trail for a fun out and back. The trail is mostly gravel but it's an easy, wide surface The trail map has excellent details on trail segments and distances.
There are many trails to choose from in Custer State Park, but the easygoing trails around Sylvan Lake and the first couple of miles of the path toward Black Elk Peak are some of the best options for running.
It’s a short novelty run, but the 1 mile “Presidential Trail” around Mount Rushmore offers great views of woodland scenery and the famous carvings.
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