Hill City Life
Parks & Recreation
It’s time to discover the outdoor wonderland that is the Black Hills, and Hill City is the best possible place to begin! There are a number of city parks to accommodate outdoor play, as well as a wide variety of recreational activities in and around city limits. Go out and explore—the Black Hills are calling!
Hill City Parks
Memorial Park
12480 Old Hill City Road
This traditional park has open spaces, baseball/soccer fields, playground equipment, charcoal grills, picnic tables, restrooms, and a picnic shelter for larger events and reunions. Memorial Park was created through the efforts of the H-Camp Committee in the belief that Hill City should have a park that would appeal to families. Spring Creek also meanders through the park, offering excellent fishing.
Charlotte Tracy Park
500 Newton Avenue
This park makes up one of the busiest trailheads for the 109-mile long George S. Mickelson Trail; Tracy Park is a favorite spot for visitors and locals. Wildlife, such as deer and turkey, are also known to frequent this area. Situated along Spring Creek, this park contains a large children’s play area, a picnic shelter, charcoal grills, picnic tables, restrooms, and access to the Mickelson Trail.
Spirit of the Hills Park
101 Walnut Avenue
Home of “Patriarch,” a larger-than-life bronze bison sculpture by local artist, Peggy Anne Detmers. Patriarch greets travelers at the Southwest corner of East Main Street and Railroad Avenue; this 10 1/2 foot long, 5 1/2 foot wide, and 5-1/2 foot tall sculpture was donated to the City in 2005 through the efforts of the Spirit of the Hills Committee and overwhelming community support. Visitors will also enjoy a small grassy area and picnic tables.
Jim Lewis Park
275 Walnut Avenue
Lewis Park was dedicated in 1982 to honor local resident, Jim Lewis, for his financial contributions in establishing the park space. Bookended by the Boys & Girls Club and the Hill City Senior Center, this Walnut Avenue park provides many outdoor recreational opportunities. Basketball, handball, and tennis courts are available, along with a grassy area and picnic tables. Restrooms facilities are available during the spring, summer, and fall.
Major Lake Park
301 Major Lake Drive
This park offers adventure in the form of recreational trails, fishing, bird watching, and non-motorized boating. The 109-mile long Mickelson Trail borders this park and provides basic access to the trail. Ospreys are a common sights soaring over Major Lake, and bird watchers will delight in spying this local bird of prey. The Osprey is unique among North American raptors for its diet of live fish and ability to dive into water to catch them, as well as the stick nests they build atop man provided platforms on telephone poles. Considered a threatened species in South Dakota, the Osprey have adapted well to the presence of humans and thrive within our community.
Harney Park
23935 Highway 385
Gateway to Hill City and the site of the former National Forest Service Harney District Office, this building now houses the Hill City Arts Council, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum, and the Visitor Information Center operated by the Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce. The park space offers open recreational areas, fishing, bird watching, and occasional visits from big horn sheep. In the wintertime, the pond serves as the area’s premier frozen forum for broomball and ice skating. Planned future enhancements to this park include walking trails, picnic shelters, and a waterfall.
