Fort Meade Recreation Area

Just east of Sturgis, Fort Meade Recreation Area spans nearly 6,700 acres of forest and prairie managed by the Bureau of Land Management, blending frontier history with year-round outdoor adventure. The star attraction is the 7th Cavalry Trail System, over 20 miles of single-track winding through the foothills for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. The Centennial Trail also passes through, connecting north to Bear Butte and south toward Rapid City. A five-mile gravel road, designated a National Back Country Byway, threads between historic sites including the VFW Memorial Chapel, the Alkali Creek Trailhead, old stagecoach trail remnants, and Fort Meade National Cemetery, ending near the Old Fort Meade Cavalry Museum. The 50-acre Fort Meade Reservoir offers fishing and picnicking along the way. Camping is available year-round at the Alkali Creek Trailhead Campground and Horse Camp, with modest fees mid-May through September. Visitors can also enjoy hunting, birdwatching, and off-leash dog walking. Whether chasing history or fresh air, Fort Meade delivers both.