Incredible and simple, The Maze is full of exploring. Not necessarily a hike, but an adventure and a climb. The Maze is made up of giant boulders that have separated and cracked. Once again, Mother Nature’s happenings lead to unremarkable enjoyment for everyone. It is a maze, a rock maze, so be prepared to get lost, but also be prepared for some fun.
How do you get to The Maze?
The Maze is located across the road from the Steamboat Rock picnic area on Nemo Road. When traveling from Rapid City, you will go about 14 miles on Nemo Road. If traveling from the northern hills, you will continue on Nemo Road about four miles past the town of Nemo. The sign for the picnic area is a very distinct sign so you shouldn’t miss it.
The picnic area is a day use destination so there is a small fee for use. Of course, there are picnic areas available as well as vault toilets if you wish to make a day of the visit to this hike. A couple other hikes that are in the area include the Veteran’s Point Trail and the Centennial Trail.
The walk to the boulders is really only a matter of steps. The trail is dirt packed and includes some gravel and small rocks. Once to the rocks, you can merely ponder the formation, or literally climb onto the boulders and explore. The rocks are upwards of ten feet high and are cracked in places that make it so you must squeeze through. This creates a perfect setting for a great game of hide and seek!
The vegetation in the area consists of mostly Ponderosa Pine and some random wildflowers. Possible animal sightings could include deer, elk, or mountain goats. The area is pretty heavily trafficked, so most likely, the animals will be scarce.
This use to be a well hidden gem in the hill. If you go it’s awesome, but be cautious of rattle snakes we have seen a few in this area in the past.
well me and my buddy’s (who i train) do a type of paint ball game called airsoft
link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft. unfortunately this was a place in the black hills where we could play. we have had a couple hikers stumble into the area we where using. (no one got hurt) and hopefully we can continue to play here.
Where exactly ‘is’ the Maze? My parents have been all over the Black Hills and have never heard of it, and would really like to give it a try.
From the edge of Rapid City, it is about 14 miles NW on Nemo Road, across the road from Steamboat Rock Recreation Area. Thanks for the visit and enjoy The Maze!
Please don’t shoot paintballs in the maze. Not Cool Yuri the trainer who trains.
How long will it take to hike?
Maybe you shouldn’t be playing airsoft out there in the first place. Those bbs are not biodegradable and there’s 0% chance you clean them up because I know you can’t find them. You know who can? Animals like birds that will die from it.