By Louisa Burden
Editor in Chief

Are you sick of your stuffy dorm room? Then you should take a hike!  Hell Canyon, located just down the road from the Jewel Cave turnoff, is one of the most beautiful and diverse hikes in the Black Hills. Despite its ill-chosen name, it offers spectacular views and many interesting sights to see along the 5.5 mile looped trail.

The hike starts off going up the side of a hill, which is the most difficult part of the trail. As the path goes on, you will be able to walk alongside and above some of the steep cliffs. Along the way, you will see exquisite views of the cliffs across the canyon. You will also be able to look down into the canyon and see the lovely foliage and meadows of the canyon bottom.

Depending on the time of year, you will be able to see hundreds of rose bushes, Oregon grapes, and a wide variety of other plant life. The upper part of the trail also features many different types of rocks as well, so it’s a great hike for geologists. If you pay close enough attention, you might even see some fossils along the way.

The lower part of the trail is very different than the upper half. To finish off the hike, you walk through the canyon below the cliffs, which offers the opportunity to see many more spectacular views. Along the way, keep an eye out for several small natural bridges that have formed up near the cliffs. Also, keep an eye out for caves, as there are many of them throughout the canyon. Walking through the area, it’s almost like going through a different world than the trail from up above. You will go from an arid, rocky area to a lush, green part of the hike.

With South Dakota’s varying weather, hiking season might be over before you know it. October is already here, so if you’re looking for a great way to get out of the dorms and see some nature, make sure you check out Hell Canyon before winter comes!

Hell Canyon Hiking Tips:
Make sure you pack plenty of water and snacks – it could take up a good portion of the day to hike it, depending on how fast you go.
Wear sunscreen! The first half of the trail offers very little shade.
There are several spots where you have to cross over the stream that runs through the canyon. They’re easy to get across if you go on the rocks, but you might want to bring extra socks just in case you get your feet wet.

Photo by Louisa Burden

Photo by Louisa Burden

Photo by Louisa Burden