Black Hills National Forest, Custer, South Dakota-Rushmore Connector Trail Project

The U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service), Black Hills National Forest, proposes to issue authorizations for the construction, operation and maintenance of a non-motorized trail connecting the existing George S. Mickelson (Mickelson) Trail near Hill City, South Dakota, to the Blackberry Trailhead at Mount Rushmore National Memorial (the Memorial). New trail construction would extend approximately 14 miles across National Forest System (NFS) land and approximately 1.4 miles across National Park Service (NPS) lands within the Memorial. The trail would be a combination of compacted tread and elevated walkway, with a trail tread of about eight feet and corridor of about twenty feet. The proposed Rushmore Connector Trail would be constructed, operated and maintained by the proponent, State of South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP).