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Bear Butte State Park

Mountain bike trail conditions · South Dakota 44.459° N  103.435° W   3,179 FT Verified

STAY OFF: Active damage risk

Wed 3pm Dries back to Caution.

Recent rain
1.2″ of rain, in the last hour
Today
60°Fheavy rain
  • Thu 9/10, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: DUSTY
  • Fri 9/11, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: DUSTY
  • Sat 9/12, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: DUSTY
  • Sun 9/13, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: DUSTY
  • Mon 9/14, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: DUSTY
  • Tue 9/15, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: DUSTY
  • Wed 9/16, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: DUSTY
  • Thu 9/17, 0.14 inches of rain, modeled conditions: DUSTY then PRIME then STAY OFF
  • Fri 9/18, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: STAY OFF then CAUTION then PRIME
  • Sat 9/19, 0.83 inches of rain, modeled conditions: PRIME then CAUTION then STAY OFF then CAUTION then STAY OFF
  • Today, Sun 9/20, 1.25 inches of rain, modeled conditions: STAY OFF
  • Mon 9/21, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: STAY OFF
  • Tue 9/22, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: STAY OFF
  • Wed 9/23, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: STAY OFF then CAUTION
  • Thu 9/24, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: CAUTION then PRIME, forecast preview, beyond the free window
  • Fri 9/25, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: PRIME, forecast preview, beyond the free window

Updated Sep 20, 2026, 13:50 UTC. Modeled hourly. Verdict last changed: Sep 20. Official closures and current trail conditions take priority.

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Is Bear Butte State Park rideable today?

Not right now. The live verdict is STAY OFF: the ground is wet enough that riding would damage the trail. 1.2″ of rain, in the last hour.

CHANGED
Sat 1911pm
Rain moved in. Verdict dropped to STAY OFF.
Sat 1910pm
Rain moved in. Verdict dropped to CAUTION.
Fri 185pm
Dried back to PRIME.
Over the tracked history, Bear Butte State Park has been rideable on 9 of the last 10 days (very dry and dusty on 7 of them), and too wet to ride on 1. Loam also considers soil, slope, tree cover, and drying time.

Soil and terrain at Bear Butte State Park

Bear Butte State Park is a mountain bike trail network in South Dakota. The soil is clay and holds water. With little tree cover, the ground gets plenty of sun and wind. The terrain averages a 0.8° slope at 3,179 ft and mainly faces SSE. Its nearly flat slopes can hold water in flat stretches.

How we check ourselves

How these factors affect drying

SoilClay

Dense clay holds moisture and stays slick the longest. It needs the most drying time before it’s worth riding.

CanopyOpen 0%

Little tree cover means full sun and wind, so these trails are among the fastest to rebound after rain.

TerrainHolds water

Water tends to pool and linger here rather than running off, so the surface can stay damp well after the weather clears.

FAQ

Can you ride Bear Butte State Park right now?

The current estimate for Bear Butte State Park is STAY OFF: active damage risk. No rideable window yet. More rain arrives before the trail finishes drying. 1.2″ of rain, in the last hour.

Is Bear Butte State Park muddy right now?

Likely. The current estimate is STAY OFF: the ground is wet enough that riding could leave ruts. Clay soil can stay wet for several days. 1.2″ of rain, in the last hour.

What is the soil and trail surface like at Bear Butte State Park?

Bear Butte State Park sits on clay soil that holds water. Dense clay holds moisture and stays slick the longest. It needs the most drying time before it’s worth riding.

How long does Bear Butte State Park take to dry after rain?

Bear Butte State Park can need several days to dry after meaningful rain. Its terrain holds water in low spots, which slows it.

Can you ride Bear Butte State Park after rain?

Clay soil needs time to dry. Riding it wet can leave lasting ruts. Wait until the surface is firm. Check the current estimate before heading out, and turn back if your tires leave ruts.

Does Bear Butte State Park get snow in winter?

Yes. At 3,179 ft, Bear Butte State Park typically sees winter snow and freeze-thaw that can pause riding. Loam flags a FROZEN state when the ground is snow-covered or frozen, then clears it as things thaw and dry.

What's the terrain and elevation like at Bear Butte State Park?

Bear Butte State Park sits at roughly 3,179 feet, faces mostly SSE, and averages a 0.8° grade with about 0% tree cover. It is quicker to dry where it faces south, and the nearly flat terrain holds puddles in the flats.

When is the best time of year to ride Bear Butte State Park?

Snow can limit riding at Bear Butte State Park in winter, at around 3,179 feet. Spring snowmelt and fall freezes can also affect conditions. Its sunny aspect helps it come back fast after storms. Check the current conditions before planning a ride.

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Network profile

Network profile

Soil
Clayholds water
Drainage
Holds waterdries slowly
Tree cover
0%Open
Elevation
3,179 ft
Average grade
0.8°
Predominant aspect
SSE-facing

Around Bear Butte State Park

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