Slate Creek Dam

Slate Creek Dam is a well-maintained dirt and gravel road connecting Mystic Road and China Gulch Road, passing a small, peaceful forest lake. Open from May 15 to December 15, it provides access to the Slate Creek Dam, hiking trails off spur 530.1C, and a large parking area suitable for camping. The road is generally accessible to most vehicles, including those with modest clearance, though occasional potholes may be present.

To reach Slate Creek Dam, travel north on China Gulch Road from Highway 16 east of Hill City or enter from Mystic Road near the Red Fern Trailhead. Along Mystic Road, this trail is incorrectly labeled with a street sign as Horse Creek Road. The Slate Creek Dam and spur 530.1C are roughly halfway from either end of the trail. Dispersed camping is available at the end of 530.1C for tents, vehicles, and small RVs or trailers, though there are no amenities, and campfires are restricted to designated fire pits. The area’s highlights include the Slate Creek Dam and its small lake, as well as the ruins of the early 1900s Queen Bee mining town, with remnants of the town and mine visible along the roadside.