On the morning of Saturday, September 12, 2026, walkers will gather in Lead, South Dakota, lace up their boots, and set off down a trail that follows an old railroad grade. The Homestake Trail Volksmarch is a 3.5-mile community hike from the Lead Dog Park trailhead in Lead to the Mickelson Trailhead in Deadwood, and it is, in every sense, a walk through history — a celebration of the 150th anniversaries of both Lead and Deadwood.
The trail itself is a reclaimed piece of industrial history. It follows an old railroad grade that has been converted into a hiking and mountain-biking path, offering a scenic route through the hills between Lead and Deadwood.
The connection between the two towns, however, was never abandoned. Lead and Deadwood share a long history, and the trail celebrates their enduring partnership.
The Homestake Trail is a relatively recent addition to the area, and it has quickly become a favorite among locals. It offers a scenic route through the hills, connecting the two towns.
The Volksmarch, organized by the Deadwood Main Street Initiative through its Deadwood Trails subcommittee, is the inaugural event of its kind, and it anchors a full day of celebration. Walkers will begin at the Lead Dog Park trailhead in Lead and finish at the Mickelson Trailhead in Deadwood, where food trucks will be waiting. Parking will be available at the Sherman Street lot in Deadwood and at Gold Run Park and Manuel Brothers Park in Lead, with a complimentary trolley shuttling between the towns from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets start as low as $8.24, or $23.18 with a commemorative t-shirt.
The hike is just the beginning. At high noon, participants are invited to Deadwood City Park for the Chuckwagon Gathering, a family-friendly event featuring a dedication ceremony for Deadwood's new trail system, an authentic chuckwagon supper prepared by some of the nation's finest chuckwagon chefs, and live entertainment from cowboy singers. Then, at 3 p.m., the celebration moves back to Lead for the Crafts at the Cut Beer Festival, part of the annual Fall in Love with Lead celebration, with craft beer tastings, a classic car show, live music, local artists, food trucks, a pickleball tournament, and comedy performances.
The finish line at the Mickelson Trailhead is also a trailhead for the George S. Mickelson Trail, offering further opportunities for hiking and biking.
For the people of Lead and Deadwood, the Volksmarch is more than a hike. It is a celebration of a shared heritage that has endured for 150 years. On September 12, 2026, walkers will retrace that link, following the old rail bed through the pines, from one neighboring community to the other, in a people's march that honors the people who came before them.