Centennial Trail - Wind Cave to Custer State Park

Norbeck Trailhead to Highland Creek Trailhead

What you need to know:

Length - 6.2 Miles

Water - unreliable, bring your own water.

Water crossings - Several, but they are bridged. plus several very small creeks

Camping - a free camping permit is required if back country camping within wind cave national park, The permit can be ACQUIRED at the visitors center

wildlife - buffalo on the trail are very likely. Abundant prairie dogs. Pronghorn antelope. elk can been seen but are rare. also beware of rattlesnakes. We saw one right on the trail in a valley near the water - not a place you would think to see one.

trail conditions - for the most part the trail is well marked and easy to follow. there are several grassy areas where different trails intersect with each other and that can be a bit confusing. Make sure to stay on the trail marked as number 6.

When most people think of Wind Cave National Park they naturally think of the cave that the park was named for, but it also has back country trails, buffalo, elk, antelope and more. Most of what is found in Custer State Park, can also be found here, you just may have to work a little harder for it because you’ll be hiking to see the sites instead of driving. The Centennial Trail is a 111 mile trail that begins in Wind Cave National Park in the south and ends at the top of Bear Butte in the north. This 6.2 mile section begins at the Norbeck Trailhead and ends at the Highland Creek Trailhead.

Some sections of the 111 mile Centennial Trail are not marked very well, making it a little more challenging but the trails within Wind Cave National Park are very well marked. About every 1/8 of a mile there is a post with a sign that has the trail number on it, making it pretty easy to follow. The only places I had problems was at the beginning (take either the trail to the left or the trail straight ahead, they lead to the same place) and where trails intersected. When trails intersect, there are posts going off in all directions, so it’s a good idea to know the general direction you should be heading after the intersection. Also make sure you keep following the trail marked number 6 - that is the Centennial Trail.

The last issue I’d like to address is water. Beaver Creek is a good water source, but it is right at the beginning, so it doesn’t do you much good. After that, there may be small creeks here or there, and I guess it depends on what you are comfortable drinking because the buffalo usually have contaminated all the other water sources. Just something to think about - you may not be able to fill up your water supply once your in the park, so bring plenty to drink.