Black Hills Gravel Route South from Custer

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Custer, SD, US

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Route Overview

We Ride 4

Nonprofit addressing child obesity and healthy lifestyles by getting more kids riding bikes

41 mi.

2,570 ft.

Smooth gravel roads, a section of the Mickelson Trail and a scenic tour of the Black Hills just South of Custer, SD

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Route Details

This route starts at "The Purple Pie Place" in downtown Custer. Start your ride with a cup of coffee next door at Wicked Espresso. When you're done with your ride, stop in at Purple Pie for a slice of one of their amazing fresh made daily homemade pies (Several flavors to choose from) and be sure to add a scoop of ice cream.

As you roll out of town and onto the @poi[Mickelson Trail](107753235), prepare yourself for some of the best packed gravel for the entire route. A word of caution though. This amazing gravel will spoil you. And there is virtually no traffic on this route. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the Mickelson trail, so you won't see any for the first 16 miles of this route.

**About the Route**
This route starts out going directly South out of downtown Custer along the @poi[Mickelson Trail](107753235). At just about the 6.5 mile point, you will come across a marker for the @poi[old sanatorium site](107757332). This is actually milepost 38 for the Mickelson Trail. @photo[Sanator](14694900) was a stop on the train where people visited the old tuberculosis sanatorium. It was later converted to a state hospital and then finally a youth correctional institution before it was shut down in the 1990's. After passing Sanator proceed another approximately 6 miles to the historic town of Pringle. Pringle got its start as a stage stop on the Sidney-Custer Trail. Operated by Henry Pringle, it was called the Point of Rocks Stage Station, named after a prominent and distinct granite outcropping located due east of the current town. In 1890, the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad track reached the settlement, at which time the town's name was changed to Pringle, named after Anna Carr Pringle, who provided hospitality to the railroad crews when they came through town. There is an estimated 109 people living in Pringle today.

Once you arrive in Pringle, the route takes a brief detour off the Mickelson Trail to the @poi[Bike Sculpture](104010190). Very little information is available on this unique sculpture. It was apparently started in the 1980’s. Hundreds of bicycles have been arranged in a pile with a path going through the middle of it. It is believed to be an ongoing project and worth the brief distraction for a great photo opportunity.

As you roll out of Pringle, you’ll continue to head West on the Mickelson Trail. Right before you hit mile 13, look out to the farmland on your left to see a most @poi[unique art arrangement of automobiles](14344493) spread out on the field @photo[on top of pedetals](14344493).

At approx. @poi[mile 16](107753242), you will exit the trail and turn onto Rte 89. There is a good shoulder on Rte 89 and you will only be on it for approx. 1 1/2 miles. This is also a low traffic route so you shouldn't see too many cars here. When you @poi[turn off Rte 89](107757670) at approx mile 18, you will begin a 9 mile clockwise loop back toward Pringle. At approx @poi[mile 26](107757914), you will turn North before you get to Pringle and start working your way back to Custer and very well packed and maintained gravel roads.

At approx mile 39 you will make a right onto Rte 16 for approx. 2 miles back to the Purple Pie Place. You will likely see some traffic on Rte 16 but there is a wide shoulder to keep cyclists separated from motor vehicles.

**About the Mickelson Trail**
The trail was completed in 1998. It is 109 miles long running from Edgemont (41 miles S of Custer) to Deadwood (56 miles N of Custer) with its surface made primarily of crushed limestone and gravel. The trail is an old, converted rail line that was part of the national rails to trails program. It contains more than 100 converted railroad bridges and 4 rock tunnels. Local legend claims that parts of this trail near the heart of Custer are still roamed by the ghosts of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane so keep your eyes open while using the trail. The entire trail is closed to motorized vehicles. Riders will need to purchase a pass to access the trail which you can do online at [https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/george-s--mickelson-trail/ ](http://)

**About Custer, SD**
Custer is the oldest city in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Established in 1875, settlers were initially attracted to the area by reports of gold in the nearby French Creek just to the East of town. By 1876 it is estimated that as many as 10,000 people called Custer home. Today it is home to approximately 1,900 people. While visiting Custer, be sure to take the drive over the Mt Rushmore and the scenic drives through Custer State Park. If you have time, you can also visit the Crazy Horse Monument.

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Black Hills Gravel Route South from Custer

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