Recreation area

Shanks Trailhead

Black Hills National Forest · South Dakota — managed by USDA Forest Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

Access the Shanks Trailhead from Rapid City.  Travel Highway 44 west for 5 miles, turn North (right) onto Forest Road 603.  Travel 0.5 miles, trailhead will be on left in the bottom of the quarry.

Activities

  • BIKING
  • OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLE
  • HIKING
  • HORSEBACK RIDING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Explore more South Dakota camping

Shanks Trailhead doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby South Dakota campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

Browse South Dakota camping →

Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.