Black Hills Winter Hiking

Winter in the Black Hills is a calendar season, weather season, and a tourism season. The (non) tourism season usually begins in September when kids go to school and lasts until around the end of May when school gets out again.

Hiking in the winter sounds terrible to most people. It’s cold out, roads are slippery, many businesses are closed and it usually requires additional clothing and/or equipment.

For others, winter is the BEST time to hike! There’s no traffic or lines, parking is wide open, nobody else is on the trails AND there’s SNOW! Fluffy, sparkly, snowbally snow.

I can’t think of a “bad” winter hike in the Black Hills. They’re all just as great in the winter as they are in the summer; with all new scenery!

Take a look at our list of Black Hills hiking trails below.

• Beginner Hikes in the Black Hills
• Intermediate Hikes in the Black Hills
• Difficult Hikes in the Black Hills

If you’re planning a winter hike, you’re going need a few extra pieces of gear. Here’s a short list of what to bring along!

• First Aid Kit
• Survival Kit
• Warm Hat
• Sunglasses
• Baselayer, Midlayer, Shell Jacket (+ 1 extra baselayer)
• Warm Gloves (+ 1 extra pair)
• 1 Extra Pair of Socks
• Shoe Traction Aid (Crampons or Snowshoes)
• Water Bottle w/Water (bring more than you think you’ll need)
• Snacks
• Sunscreen
• Headlamp w/Extra Batteries
• Backpack or Fannypack

Author: Black Hills Traveler