Coon Hollow

The first steps onto the Coon Hollow trail stir the quiet of Rapid City’s forest edge, where the scent of pine mingles with the faint hum of Highway 16 nearby. Gravel crunches underfoot as you pass a modest parking area, often empty in the early hours before the midday crowd arrives. The mix of shaded stretches and open patches invites hikers to shed layers or pause in dappled sunlight. Despite a few moments of uncertainty where trail markers hide behind passing vehicles or waver near private roads, the woods feel welcoming, and the occasional chirp of birds punctuates the calm.

Venturing into the loop, hikers find themselves weaving through a moderate landscape that challenges the heart with gentle rises and dips. The well-maintained trail guides you through shaded groves that soften the afternoon heat, while occasional clearings open views toward Boulder Hill’s summit, roughly seven miles from the trailhead. Many campers extend their journey by linking with Loop B and Boulder Hill trails, stretching a morning’s hike into a full 13-mile adventure. Navigating the path requires some map checks and attentiveness, especially where the trail skirts private roads and homes, but the payoff comes in quiet moments alone on the route and the rewarding vistas at higher points.

Though Coon Hollow doesn’t offer a sprawling campground, the trailhead vicinity provides enough space for day visitors to settle in before setting out. The nearby parking lot’s ebb and flow reflect the trail’s popularity—quiet at dawn and steadily filling by mid-afternoon. The proximity to Rapid City means a quick return to town comforts after the hike, yet the forest sections feel worlds apart from urban life. The absence of extensive signage encourages a more engaged hiking experience, prompting visitors to connect with their maps and surroundings rather than following a marked path blindly.

As afternoon light wanes, the woods around Coon Hollow settle into a hushed stillness, broken only by the soft rustle of leaves and distant calls of woodland birds. Those who return often recount the trail’s blend of solitude and subtle challenge—a place where occasional confusion leads to discovery, and the quiet moments linger long after the hike ends.