The Centennial Trail stretches 111 miles through South Dakota's Black Hills from Wind Cave National Park in the south to Bear Butte State Park in the north. Built in 1989 to celebrate South Dakota's centennial of statehood, it remains lightly used and far quieter than the crowded trails farther west. The terrain shifts from ponderosa pine forest and granite spires in the wilderness sections to open prairie grassland at the northern terminus.
Most backpackers finish in 7-10 days at 14-17 miles per day. Cumulative elevation gain totals 20,000-24,500 feet, but there are no big sustained climbs. The gain comes from near-constant rolling elevation changes, which can be surprisingly tiring. The trail suits intermediate backpackers who want a solid week-long trip without the permit lottery stress of more famous routes. Hikers report seeing only a handful of other backpackers over an entire thru-hike.
Permit requirements vary by the managing agency along the route:
Wind Cave National Park (first 6 miles southbound): Free backcountry permits required, obtained at the Wind Cave Visitor Center or trailheads. Campsites must be 1/4 mile from roads and 100 feet from trails and water. Open fires are prohibited; use fuel stoves only. Two-night maximum per site, seven nights per trip.
Custer State Park (22 miles): No permit needed to hike through, but backcountry camping is restricted to the French Creek Natural Area only ($8/person/night, self-registration at trailheads). A $25 park entrance license is required for vehicles (7 days). You can skip camping here by starting at Wind Cave or pushing through to Black Hills National Forest.
Black Elk Wilderness (9 miles): Free self-registration required at trailhead kiosks. Group size is limited to 25 people and livestock combined. Bicycles prohibited. No camping within 1/4 mile of the Black Elk Peak summit or within 100 feet of water.
Black Hills National Forest (majority of trail): No permits required for dispersed camping. Maximum 14 consecutive days in any 60-day period. Campfires are allowed only in established fire rings at designated recreation sites; use fuel stoves for backcountry cooking. Check current fire restrictions before your trip, since Stage 2 restrictions may prohibit all fires during dry periods.
Bear Butte State Park (northern terminus): $8 overnight parking fee.
Late May through early July gives the best balance of water availability and comfortable temperatures. June is the prime month: snow has melted from the higher elevations, water sources flow reliably, and temperatures stay moderate.
Spring (May-early June): Excellent water availability (a 2-liter capacity can be enough), but expect ticks, emerging poison ivy, and possible wintry weather above 5,000 feet. Veteran hikers who have completed the trail 10+ times point to late May as the ideal window.
Summer (mid-June-August): Heat builds, especially in the exposed prairie sections. Critical water sources like Elk Creek often dry up by mid-summer, which can create 18-24 mile waterless stretches. Afternoon thunderstorms and lightning risk increase, and poison ivy grows thick. Higher elevations stay pleasant.
Fall (September-October): The second-best season, with cooler temperatures and less poison ivy. Water sources are less reliable, so carry 4-liter capacity. Early fall snowstorms are possible at higher elevations.
Winter: Not recommended. Snow, freezing temperatures, and unreliable water.
Avoid late summer (July-August) unless you are prepared for long water carries and heat management.
Water availability swings widely with season and recent precipitation. In typical June conditions, expect sources every 6-10 miles. Plan for the worst:
Critical dry stretch: Elk Creek (multiple crossings between miles 35-55 southbound) frequently runs dry by mid-summer, which can open an 18-24 mile waterless gap between Dalton Lake and Alkali Creek Trailhead. Always carry 3-4 liters through this section after June. Some hikers find stagnant pools even after the flow stops; filter thoroughly.
Other generally reliable water: Rapid Creek, Spring Creek, Boxelder Creek, and French Creek (in Custer State Park). Treat all water. Wind Cave has minimal water, so carry what you need there.
Resupply: No full resupply directly on trail, but several options sit within shuttle or hitchhike distance:
Mail drops are not practical. Most backpackers carry all food start-to-finish given the 7-10 day duration.
Poison ivy: Abundant, especially in the French Creek Natural Area and along Elk Creek. Some contact is unavoidable, since plants hang knee-high over the trail. Long pants are recommended.
Ticks: Common June-August. Check thoroughly each evening.
Prairie rattlesnakes: Frequent in the grasslands approaching Bear Butte (northern 10 miles). Watch your footing in tall grass.
Bison: Present in Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park. Keep 25+ yards of distance. They can charge unpredictably and weigh up to 2,000 lbs. If they block the trail, hike around them; never try to pass closely.
Lightning: Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, especially July-August, and parts of the route cross exposed ridgelines and prairie. Start early and descend before the afternoon storm window.
Navigation: Generally straightforward with good trail markers. Note that the National Geographic maps have inaccurate mileages; the "Hiking Centennial Trail" guidebook by Cheryl Whetham has accurate distances and water source information.
Camping challenges: Northbound hikers face restrictions in the first 15 miles because of the camping rules in Wind Cave and Custer State Park. Plan accordingly or start southbound.
Airport: Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP), 60 miles from both termini, has rental cars and shuttle services.
Southern terminus (Wind Cave): From Rapid City, drive 60 miles south via US-385. Park at Norbeck Trailhead or the Wind Cave Visitor Center. Overnight parking is allowed; call ahead (605-745-4600) to notify rangers. No entrance fee for backcountry users.
Northern terminus (Bear Butte): From Rapid City, drive 45 miles northeast via SD-79 and SD-34 to Bear Butte State Park (6 miles northeast of Sturgis). Overnight parking is $8. The Bear Butte Education Center has parking and trail access.
Shuttle services: - Roam'N Around (Rapid City): $160 flat rate Bear Butte to Wind Cave, up to 4 passengers - Touring in the Black Hills: Multiple pickup locations
No public transportation is available. Road conditions are good year-round, and high clearance is not required.
Driving time between termini: 2 hours via US-385.
Hike south-to-north: The northern finish at Bear Butte makes a better ending. Your final day crosses high prairie with Bear Butte growing on the horizon, then you summit the butte itself. Southbound trips end quietly in forest instead.
Side trip to Black Elk Peak: The trail passes within 1 mile of South Dakota's highpoint (7,242 feet), the highest elevation between the Rockies and the Pyrenees. Many hikers take a half-day detour to the summit via the junction near mile 50.
Bring cash: Campgrounds along the route (French Creek, Whispering Pines, Bear Butte Lake) prefer cash payment.
Wild camping strategy: This is primarily a dispersed camping trail with few designated sites. Good campsites turn up every 5-10 miles, but you will need to scout for flat, established spots. In National Forest sections, camp anywhere consistent with Leave No Trace. Near dusk, narrow your search to areas around water sources while keeping the 100-foot buffer.
Skip the guidebook if experienced: The trail is well-marked with frequent mileage signs. That said, the official guidebook has accurate water source details and camp locations, which is worth it for first-timers or in dry years.
Avoid August: Dried-up water sources, heat, thick poison ivy, and peak tick season make it the least pleasant month, even though it falls in summer vacation season.
Midweek starts: The trail sees minimal use overall, but weekends bring day hikers and mountain bikers near the Rapid City access points (Rapid Creek, Dakota Point). Start Monday-Thursday for the most solitude.
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