Homestake Railroad Grade Trail

Before this was a hiking trail, it was a railroad, and the history is still written into the landscape. This trail follows the same route as the old Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad, stretching 3 miles between the Lead Dog Park and the Michelson Trailhead in Deadwood. The trail passes through the historic neighborhoods at either end and into a forested escape in between. Along the way you can see where rock was blasted away for the train to pass through, and near the Lead trailhead, hikers get an incredible view of the Homestake Open Cut, the massive remnant of America's longest continuously operated gold mine, with the option to stop at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center nearby. Open to hiking and mountain biking, the trail runs mostly downhill from Lead to Deadwood, making it ideal for a one-way trip with a shuttle. Restrooms are available at Powerhouse Park near the Deadwood trailhead, but there are no facilities along the route. Lead Dog Park trailhead: 300 Washington St, Lead · Deadwood trailhead: 50 Water St (Powerhouse Park).