South Dakota · Friday, September 4, 2026
The Outlaw Ranch Retreat is a cycling event held on Friday, September 4, 2026.
Explore the Rugged Beauty of the Black Hill and hang out with RASDak!
Get ready for a weekend of adventure and camaraderie with RASDak at the scenic Outlaw Ranch Retreat Center near Custer, South Dakota!
Join us for Black Hills Rails to Ales — a laid-back 16-mile cruise along the Mickelson Trail from Hill City to Custer. Take in stunning autumn colors and the fresh scent of pine forests along the way.
The fun doesn’t stop at the finish line! After the ride, head over to Mt. Rushmore Brewing Company in Custer to kick back with great food, local craft beer, and live music. Your rider wristband gets you a $25 restaurant *credit plus a commemorative Black Hills Rails to Ales beer glass.
Rails to Ales:
The perfect way to embrace the autumn season, combining outdoor adventure with the best of local cuisine and entertainment!
Event Times:
Wristband Pickup: 10–11 a.m. at Tracy Park Trailhead in Hill City
Food, Brews, Door Prizes & Live Music: 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. at Mt. Rushmore Brewing Company
All registered riders must be on the trail by 11am.
Plan on 90 minutes to 2 hours ride time to Custer.
Transportation:
Riders handle their own transportation. Need a shuttle? Check out options on our website: www.mickelsontrailaffiliates.com/
Course Info:
Step back in time on the George S. Mickelson Trail.
The trail was originally the Burlington Northern line that carried trains from Edgemont to the northern Black Hills and the gold mines of the Deadwood area. The line began in Deadwood in 1888, and in within ten months the route to Edgemont was complete. (It was abandoned in 1983.) In the early 90’s, a group of outdoor enthusiasts recognized the trail's potential, and with the support of Governor George Mickelson, it became the state's first rails to trails project.
For more information on MTA events and the Mickelson Trail: www.mickelsontrailaffiliates.com
The Fall Mickelson Trail Trek follows one of the most iconic rail-trails in the country: the George S. Mickelson Trail, winding 109 miles through the very heart of South Dakota’s Black Hills. Inducted into the National Rail-Trail Hall of Fame in 2010, the trail is built on a historic railroad grade and surfaced with smooth crushed limestone, it offers a front-row seat to landscapes you simply can’t see from the highway — quiet pine forests, granite outcroppings, wide open meadows, and hidden mountain valleys.
In autumn, the trail comes alive with golden aspens, deep green pines, and crisp mountain air, making it one of the most beautiful times of year to ride. Wildlife is more active, the crowds are thinner, and every overlook feels like a private postcard.
Along the way, riders pass through four cool, echoing railroad tunnels and roll across more than 100 towering trestle bridges, many of them perched high above creeks, canyons, and forested ravines. Each mile tells a story of the region’s mining past, railroad heritage, and wild beauty, creating a ride that feels as much like a journey through history as it does a cycling adventure.
The trail’s gentle railroad grade makes most of the route comfortably rideable, but the Black Hills still deliver their signature challenge. The climb toward Dumont — including the long, steady stretch from Rochford — rewards riders with sweeping views and a deep sense of accomplishment at the highest point on the trail.
This is more than a bike ride — it’s a chance to experience South Dakota’s most legendary trail at its most spectacular time of year.