Calamity Canyon Trail 8043

Calamity Canyon is a high-clearance 4x4 rock-crawling trail in Black Hills National Forest, in the Camp 5 area near Deadwood. It follows Butte Creek through a narrow-walled canyon, weaving up, over, and around a jumble of beachball- and couch-sized boulders with little reprieve. The recommended direction is north to south, starting at Camp 5 Road and ending at Galena Road, which keeps you climbing uphill. The route stays in the creekbed for much of its length, crossing a parallel observation and bypass trail several times; those junctions are useful bail-out points if a rig breaks or the rocks prove too much. Where the two trails merge and exit the canyon, a steep, rutty hill delivers a final round of moderate challenges. This is a route for skilled drivers comfortable with the risk of undercarriage damage. Skid plates, rocker protection, and larger tires are strongly advised, with lockers highly recommended. Difficulty ratings vary by source from moderate to difficult; scout your line before committing.