History & culture · Centennial Trail (SD)
Bear Butte / northern terminus region
MI ≈3.3 · ≈4,422 ft
Prominent Black Hills landmark
The Centennial Trail runs through South Dakota's Black Hills across Bear Butte State Park, Black Hills National Forest, Wind Cave National Park, and Custer State Park. There is no online reservation for the trail itself; this page gives sourced trip info and a link to Custer State Park's French Creek backcountry area.
“111 miles across South Dakota's Black Hills, from Wind Cave National Park to Bear Butte.”
Plan your Custer State Park (SD) trip here, then get your permit from the agency.
Walk-up permit
How to get Centennial Trail (SD)
No online reservation covers the trail; the one designated backcountry area (French Creek Natural Area) uses a self-registration kiosk, not a booking calendar.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we alert on.
Centennial Trail (SD) permit season
- route distance, point to point
- 111mi
Centennial Trail (SD) elevation profile
Norbeck Trailhead, Wind Cave National Park (southern terminus) to Bear Butte State Park (northern terminus)Trailhead
Norbeck Trailhead, Wind Cave National Park (southern terminus)
The trail begins in Wind Cave National Park and crosses about 6.2 miles of the park's mixed-grass prairie before entering Custer State Park.
Mile 0 of 123
0 Norbeck Trailhead, Wind Cave National Park (southern terminus)123 Bear Butte State Park (northern terminus)
- Mile
- 0
- Elevation
- ≈4,426 ft
Centennial Trail (SD) landmarks
Map of the Centennial Trail, Norbeck Trailhead, Wind Cave National Park (southern terminus) to Bear Butte State Park (northern terminus)
13 of 13 places in this section
This device cannot draw the interactive map.
Terrain USGS 3DEP · Water USGS NHD · Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors
How to get a Centennial Trail (SD) permit
No reservation. You get the permit when you arrive.
Arrive in person
Fill in the permit
French Creek Natural Area camping is dry camping at least 50 feet from the creek, self-registered on site
Head out
Custer State Park (SD) trailheads
- Norbeck Trailhead, Wind Cave National Park
- Bear Butte State Park
The two Custer State Park (SD) trailheads in full
Primary
Norbeck Trailhead, Wind Cave National Park- Bear Butte State Park
As of September 2026, Centennial Trail (SD) in Custer State Park (SD), South Dakota requires a permit issued via walk-up. Centennial Trail (SD) rates 3/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. The Centennial Trail (SD) route covers 111 miles.
- Type
- Backpacking
- Location
- Black Hills, South Dakota, SD
How this permit is issued
Official permit page →Step 1: How this permit is issued
No online reservation covers the trail; the one designated backcountry area (French Creek Natural Area) uses a self-registration kiosk, not a booking calendar.
Step 2: Check the agency page before you go
Fees, hours and closures change. Confirm the current process at gfp.sd.gov before your trip.
Step 3: Have backup plans
Office hours move, ground closes, and popular trailheads get busy. Know an alternative route or date before you drive out.
Learn more:
More on Centennial Trail (SD): Live availability activityCentennial Trail permit itinerary
The Centennial Trail (SD) hike
- Distance
- 111 miles
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- 7-10 days
111 miles across South Dakota's Black Hills, from Wind Cave National Park to Bear Butte.
About this permit
The Centennial Trail crosses Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park, Black Hills National Forest, and Bear Butte State Park. The one designated backcountry area, French Creek Natural Area, uses a self-registration kiosk rather than an online booking calendar.
The route
From the Norbeck Trailhead in Wind Cave National Park, the trail crosses about 6.2 miles of prairie before entering Custer State Park at French Creek, passing the self-register French Creek Natural Area and Legion Lake at mile 93.8, and ending at Bear Butte State Park.
The feeling
The trail opens on mixed-grass prairie inside Wind Cave National Park, crosses French Creek into Custer State Park past Legion Lake, then continues north to Bear Butte.
How hard the Centennial Trail (SD) hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required5/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity1/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route3/5
Best for: Experienced hikers with excellent fitness and relevant technical skills.
Recommended experience: Should have completed 10+ mile day hikes with significant elevation gain.
When to hike Centennial Trail (SD)
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
☀️
75°
50°
Wed
☀️
73°
52°
Thu
☁️
55°
45°
52%
Fri
☁️
67°
41°
52%
Sat
☁️
60°
47°
Sun
☁️
64°
44°
Mon
☁️
78°
47°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
Centennial Trail (SD) photography guide
Classic Shots
- Legion Lake in Custer State Park
- Bear Butte at the northern terminus
Centennial Trail (SD) rules, gear and safety
Rules & regulations
- 01French Creek Natural Area camping is dry camping at least 50 feet from the creek, self-registered on site
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Centennial Trail (SD).
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Centennial Trail (SD) · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Centennial Trail (SD) FAQ
Do I need a permit to hike the Centennial Trail in South Dakota?
No general permit is required. If you camp in Custer State Park's French Creek Natural Area, you self-register and pay a per-night fee at a kiosk instead of booking online.
How long is the Centennial Trail?
Commonly cited as 123 miles from Wind Cave National Park to Bear Butte State Park, though the state's own materials and a straight map measurement give slightly different figures (111 to 120 miles) - treat the exact number as approximate pending a single confirmed agency figure.
Can I reserve a backcountry campsite on the Centennial Trail?
Not online. French Creek Natural Area inside Custer State Park uses self-registration kiosks at each end of the area rather than a reservation system.
Where does the Centennial Trail start and end?
It runs from the Norbeck Trailhead in Wind Cave National Park north to Bear Butte State Park.
Which parks does the Centennial Trail cross?
Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park, Black Hills National Forest, and Bear Butte State Park.
Centennial Trail (SD) trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
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Trip Reports
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Write the First ReportAlternatives to a Centennial Trail (SD) permit
Where to stay near Centennial Trail (SD)
- Dalton Lake CampgroundBlack Hills National Forest
- Boxelder Forks CampgroundBlack Hills National Forest
- Rocky Point Recreation AreaBelle Fourche
- All South Dakota campgrounds
Plan the full trip, not just the permit
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