Almost all great running routes in Rapid City incorporate some section of the paved multi-use “Swanny” Trail along Rapid Creek. Nearly the entire 8-mile trail forms a sort of linear park. The path borders downtown, and can be easily accessed from Roosevelt Park, Memorial Park, or Founders Park. To the east, it heads through Steele Avenue Park and follows the riverbank to just past Campbell Street. To the west, runners can follow the route through Sioux Park, Jackson Park, and Canyon Park to the terminus at Cleghorn Canyon. For loop options, Canyon Lake Park and Memorial Park are the best areas to explore.
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Essentials
- Up to 16 miles (26 km) out and back
- 290 feet
- Varies
- Rt. 44
Current Weather & Forecast
Rapid City, US
4:47 pm,
Jun 13, 2026
overcast clouds
17°C
L: 16°
H: 18°
Daily ForecastHourly Forecast
Tomorrow
3:00 pm
16° / 18°°C
1 mm
100%
16 mph
84 %
1004 mb
0 mm/h
Monday
3:00 pm
29° / 37°°C
0 mm
0%
17 mph
85 %
1003 mb
0 mm/h
Tuesday
3:00 pm
29° / 38°°C
0 mm
0%
17 mph
82 %
1004 mb
0 mm/h
Wednesday
3:00 pm
29° / 38°°C
0 mm
0%
19 mph
81 %
1004 mb
0 mm/h
Thursday
3:00 pm
29° / 37°°C
0 mm
0%
19 mph
81 %
1002 mb
0 mm/h
Today
6:00 pm
30° / 30°°C
0.01 mm
1%
8 mph
77 %
1003 mb
0 mm/h
Today
9:00 pm
30° / 31°°C
0 mm
0%
9 mph
73 %
1003 mb
0 mm/h
Tomorrow
12:00 am
35° / 38°°C
0 mm
0%
10 mph
52 %
1002 mb
0 mm/h
Tomorrow
3:00 am
37° / 37°°C
0 mm
0%
13 mph
43 %
999 mb
0 mm/h
Tomorrow
6:00 am
31° / 31°°C
0.77 mm
77%
12 mph
60 %
1001 mb
0 mm/h
Tomorrow
9:00 am
26° / 26°°C
1 mm
100%
13 mph
83 %
1004 mb
0 mm/h
Tomorrow
12:00 pm
29° / 29°°C
1 mm
100%
16 mph
80 %
1002 mb
0 mm/h
Other Routes in Rapid City/Black Hills, SD
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.
This Black Hills tourist attraction features a wide gravel road leading to the carving of a Lakota leader. Approximately 5 km out and back.
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