Boland Ridge Trail
The Boland Ridge Trail is located in Wind Cave National Park and is about 5 miles total out and back. It pretty much climbs some hills, is mostly prairie, and has few shady spots. The trail after about 2.5 miles just ends with a marker saying so without much of a reason (apparently it is near the park’s boundary fence). There really isn’t much to see on this trail except buffalo. I don’t recommend kids doing it since it was a pretty hot trail, and the open prairie and roaming buffalo would give me concern with my kids. This is just a nice trail to do in the fall if you are looking for some exercise and a reason to get out. The road also to the trail took a bit to get to on a dirt road, so allow time for that as well.
To get to the trailhead take Highway385 from the Wind Cave Visitor Center and go north. Turn onto Highway 87 for about 7 miles and turn onto NPS road number 5 which leads to the Centennial Trailhead. Go a little over 6 miles on this road and then turn onto NPS road number 6 for about 1 mile to the start of the trailhead.
Sign at the beginning of the trail.
Road to get here. We came from the south.
Beginning of the trail. First marker showing number 8.
First signs of buffalo near the trail.
Goes up a couple of different times. Sometimes harder than others.
Looking back at the road, car, and buffalos.
This section goes up quite a bit.
In October, saw some flowers.
Next section - more prairie.
Saw some bones when we had to walk around the buffalo who were on our path.
End of the trail is marked - Not obvious otherwise.
Buffalo at the end was not too happy we were there.