After what turned out to be a rainy June, the weather finally seems to be drying out and heating up.
But don’t let the hot days deter you from hiking some of the region’s beautiful trails. With these three trails, you can still enjoy the great outdoors without getting overheated.
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- Devil’s Bathtub in Spearfish Canyon
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- Little Elk Creek Trail near Piedmont
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- Lovers’ Leap Trail inside Custer State Park
- Northern Hills: Devil’s Bathtub — Located in Spearfish Canyon, this is probably one of the Hills most popular hikes in the summer, especially on sweltering days. The 1.1-mile trail crosses the creek multiple times, so it’s best to wear shoes that can get wet. More adventurous types can enjoy sliding down the waterfall toward the end of the hike.
- Central Hills: Little Elk Creek Trail — Along this 5-mile trail near Piedmont, you’ll get gorgeous views of canyon walls as Little Elk Creek bubbles happily along the path. If you’re up for an extra mile, you can also take a dip in Dalton Lake about a mile from the end of the trail.
- Southern Hills: Lovers’ Leap Trail — Lots of creek crossings along this moderately difficult, popular trail in Custer State Park. Panoramic views from the summit more than make up for some of the more strenuous portions and navigating poison ivy.
Whether you’re headed out hiking with the whole family or a group of friends, you’ll have a comfy drive to the trailhead in the Toyota Highlander.
A premium interior offers space for up to eight, with convenient third-row seating, five USB ports for charging on the go, and a ton of cargo space for your hiking shoes, water bottles, and anything else you need for your trek.