Deerfield Trail
~3 days · 11.5 mi · easy · Loop
Quick facts
What the Deerfield Trail is known for
Deerfield Trail is a 2-3-day backpacking route in South Dakota (Black Hills).
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 19,288 ft to 20,538 ft over 11.5 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 5.6 mi · 49%
- Downhill 4.2 mi · 36%
- Flat 1.7 mi · 15%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Deerfield Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Deerfield Trail scores 10/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Deerfield Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Deerfield Trail in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 11.5 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Deerfield Trail?
The Deerfield Trail climbs roughly 1,270 ft total — about 110 ft per mile, topping out near 6,266 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.