Lake Tom Steed Full Loop

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Located in the granite hills at Great Plains State Park the Lake Tom Steed trail system gives you 7+ miles of singletrack. The Full Loop consists of a figure-eight loop that can be broken down into the East Loop (two miles) and the West Loop (five miles). The middle Connector between the East and West Loop is a required hike-a-bike and has two-way traffic for just a few hundred feet.

The closest town with amenities is 7 miles so you should come prepared with food, drinks, etc. There are restrooms and showers near the RV park. This trail is rocky and very hardy. It can get a little sloppy in a few areas, but overall it holds up very well to the crazy OK conditions.

The Main West Loop and trailhead is located further into the park near the boat ramp and the older restrooms (closed until spring). Park near the restrooms and the trailhead is just up the sidewalk a few feet southeast of the restroom building. Typically, this is ridden counter-clockwise, but can be ridden either direction. If clockwise is your choice then head to the left (east) using a small connector toward the picnic table you can see from there. Keep rolling past the picnic table and you'll see the trail immediately.

*Note: If riding counter-clockwise, you'll see a sign with a right and left arrow just a few 100 feet into the trail. Stay right! The left Warm-up Loop trail is not open as of yet, but will be soon. It's a small one-mile loop that takes you right back to the trailhead. This is our fun warm-up loop and we'll get it open soon.

The East Loop is the easier of the two loops, but is still quite challenging and great fun in either direction. If you want to ride only the East Loop you can park in the lot just as you enter the park and ride from there (see East Side Loop - East Parking Lot).

This Full Loop shows only a tad over 200' of climbing, but do NOT be fooled. The terrain is difficult enough that you feel like you are climbing all day. There are several climbs that are quite difficult and often turn into short hike-a-bikes. They are hard, but the rush when you clean one will make the entire ride worth it.

One of my favorite spots is around three miles in and right after a very difficult climb that often turns into a hike. However, it's one of the highest spots on the trail and has a very cool overlook of the entire lake and trailhead area were you started the ride. I often sit there on the ledge and just enjoy the view :)

*Note: There is actually a trail that leads straight down to the trailhead from this overlook. It's currently not open, but we'll get it open soon. It's a difficult ride, but can be done up and down. However, it's a great shortcut if you wish to hike/ride and get right to that view!

This trail was created by Dave Borrell some time in the the late 1980's or early 90's. The trail has since been maintained in his memory and I think he would be pleased :)