Centennial Trail – Trail Journal

The Centennial Trail is a 111 mile trail that starts at Bear Butte near Sturgis in the north and ends in Wind Cave National Park in the south. The trail is used year round by hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. I have done portions… Read More »A Sunny Day at the Centennial Trail – Rapid Creek to Brush Creek

Centennial Trail #89 is an amazing 111-mile route that runs nearly the full length of the Black Hills and travels through some of its most scenic areas, including the Black Elk Wilderness and Custer State Park. Its two end points are at Bear Butte State Park… Read More »Walking the Centennial Trail – Bear Butte Lake

The second stop on my hike across Centennial Trail #89, the 111-mile trail that runs through the Black Hills, brought me to the Fort Meade Trailhead. Located just east of Sturgis off Highway 34, this trailhead sits on the western edge of Fort Meade and… Read More »Moments from the Centennial Trail – Fort Meade to Alkali Creek

The trailhead at Alkali Creek Campground was the third starting point for my long journey across the Black Hills hiking each section of Centennial Trail. The campground is located off Exit 34 on I-90, just south of Sturgis. From the exit, go left past the… Read More »A Day at the Centennial Trail – Alkali Creek to Elk Creek

Nestled within scenic Vanocker Canyon, Elk Creek is the fourth trailhead going south along Centennial Trail and the next starting point for my journey across this 111-mile trail through the Black Hills. To reach this trailhead, it is a 6.5-mile drive from Sturgis on Vanocker… Read More »Taking On the Centennial Trail – Alkali Creek to Dalton Lake

The next stop on my trek across Centennial Trail #89 was the trailhead at Dalton Lake. Located about eight miles from Nemo off Vanocker Canyon Road, Dalton Lake is a lovely oasis in the middle of the Black Hills and the perfect spot for a… Read More »Venturing Up the Centennial Trail – Dalton Lake to South Box Elder

South Boxelder Trailhead is the sixth trailhead going south along Centennial Trail #89 and my next starting point as I hike each section of this 111-mile trail through the Black Hills. The trailhead itself is little more than a parking area less than a mile… Read More »Pushing Through the Centennial Trail – South Box Elder to Pilot Knob