Hiking, biking, rock climbing, and fly-fishing are all within easy driving of Lead [1] along the U.S. 14A (the Spearfish Scenic Byway [2]). To access the byway, head south on Route 85. At the junction of Route 85 and U.S. 14A, take a right (head north).
The George S. Mickelson Trail is a 109-mile biking, hiking, and horseback trail that was once a “Rails to Trails” project. The trail travels between Deadwood [3] in the north and Edgemont in the south. There is a daily usage fee of $3 or an annual fee of $10 to use the trail, payable by drop-off envelope at any trailhead.
There are three trailheads near Lead. The Kirk Trailhead is located a half-mile south of Lead on Route 85; the Lead Trailhead is a 0.8-mile spur that starts in town off of Hearst Avenue (across from the High School); and the Sugarloaf Trailhead is one mile southwest of Lead on Route 85. All of the trailheads are well marked.
There are no bike rental locations in the Northern Hills [4], so bring bikes with you or plan on renting bikes in Rapid City [5] (Two Wheeler Dealer, 605/343-0524) or Hill City [6] (Mickelson Trail Adventures, 605/574-4094, or Rabbit Bike, 605/574-4302).
There are more than 350 miles of groomed trails dedicated to snowmobiles in the Northern Hills. Snow season generally runs from December to March. Three trails (Trail #7, Trail #5, and Trail #4) are easily accessible from Lead [1]. The Golden Reward parking lot for Trail #5 is located four miles southwest of Lead on Highway 85 and five miles south on Rochford Road.
One mile farther down the road, the Dumont parking area for Trail #7 is located six miles south on Rochford Road. The parking lot for Trail #4 is in Spearfish Canyon [2], just west of the Spearfish Canyon Lodge [7] at Savoy.
Weather in the hills is unpredictable. For trail conditions, call 800/445-3474. Information about the trails can be obtained from South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (605/773-3391) and printable trail maps can be obtained at www.sdgfp.info [8].
Snowmobiles can be rented at Mad Mountain Adventures (five miles south of Lead on Hwy. 385, 605/578-1878, www.madmountainadventures.com [9], $100–160).
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-northern-hills/lead
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-northern-hills/spearfish/spearfish-canyon-scenic-byway
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-northern-hills/deadwood
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-northern-hills
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/mount-rushmore-and-the-central-hills/rapid-city
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/mount-rushmore-and-the-central-hills/hill-city
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-northern-hills/spearfish/spearfish-canyon-scenic-byway/accommodations-and-food
[8] http://www.sdgfp.info
[9] http://www.madmountainadventures.com