RAPID CITY, SD—For a fifth consecutive year, the Rapid City Sustainability Committee is hosting the Earth Day Trail Challenge as a way to maintain and continue the energy and enthusiasm of Earth Day in the local community.
This year’s Earth Day Trail Challenge begins today (Tuesday, April 22, 2025), offering new trails to explore as a way to celebrate Earth Day and continuing through the end of June.
The Rapid City Earth Day Trail Challenge tasks the public to hike each of three local trails: Serendipity Trail on Skyline Wilderness, Sunrise Loop Trail on the Hansen Larson Memorial Trail System, and Nature Trail at the Outdoor Campus West.
“We are excited to celebrate Earth Day by kicking off the fifth year of Rapid City’s Earth Day Trail Challenge,” said Lysann Zeller, the City’s Sustainability & Stewardship Program Development Manager. “It’s a great opportunity for people to enjoy nature and explore the trails we have available right here in the heart of our community.
“This year’s Earth Trail Challenge features a couple of new trails for people to explore the amazing green spaces we have in our community.”
Along each trail, hikers will find a Rapid City Earth Day Trail Challenge sign and they are asked to take a selfie with the sign in the photo. Hikers have until June 30 to complete the three-hike challenge. They can show the selfies and pick up a Rapid City Earth Day pin at the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks’ Outdoor Campus West, 4130 Adventure Trail, during normal business hours through June 30.
Challenge participants are also encouraged to clean up trash they may encounter on the trails.
“Getting outside and picking up trash while you hike is a win-win for people and the environment,” said Zeller. “It’s an easy way to make a difference and have some fun while doing it.”
For more information and links to the trail maps, visit: https://www.rapidcitysustainability.com/trailchallenge .
