The Centennial Trail

ABILITY RATING AND TERRAIN TYPE: More Difficult Single-track with some Two Track Road in isolated parts

LENGTH: 110+ miles

The Centennial Trail is my favorite trails! Recommended for the intermediate or expert rider, this is single-track heaven for those who love to abuse themselves on bicycles. This incredible trail stretches from Bear Butte in the North at Sturgis and winds through the center of the hills for over 110 miles until it reaches Wind Cave National Park, giving you an excellent opportunity to enjoy the great trails at Custer State Park, as well as the fast single-track areas near Sheridan Lake, Pactola Lake and near the Black Hills National Cemetery to the North in Sturgis. With elevation changes from 3,200 feet to 5,600 feet, this trail consists of exceptional rollercoaster sections, rugged climbs with loose rock, difficult descents, stream crossings, tight switchbacks, and some smooth portions of low prairie single-track as well ones that wind quickly through beautiful pine trees. Rocks sticking out of the ground on this trail will require you to keep your eyes open as you zip through it. It does gets well traveled by the end of the season, so you'll even find sections where there are sand traps as well. The lower part of the trail in the Southern Hills offers excellent chances to view wildlife such as elk, deer and buffalo. If you do encounter buffalo, be sure to keep your distance, as these animals are VERY DANGEROUS and can charge without warning. If you begin at the very Northern tip of the trail near Bear Butte (an old volcano), keep in mind that rattlesnakes are frequent there in the Summer. While mountain bikes are allowed on the majority of the trail, they are NOT allowed on any of the hiking trails in the Black Elk Wilderness area nor in Wind Cave National Park in the Southern Hills. However there are alternative trails as well as gravel and paved roads that bypass these areas. {Click here for more information on the Black Elk Wilderness Area Water is NOT available at many of the 22 trailheads, so prepare in advance for places you'll need to restock and camp if you attempt to ride the entire trail. DO NOT DRINK FROM THE CREEKS as most of the creeks in the hills are not safe for human consumption. A very experienced intermediate rider can complete the trail end to end in 4 days. This country is very rugged, so in some places an 8 to 10 mile ride could take you 2 to 3 hours depending on your riding abilities, and distances between campgrounds and trailheads can be lengthy - 20 miles or more. Trail markers are also hard to find in areas that haven't been frequented recently, especially near Sheridan Lake to Pactola Lake . Having a map and compass can become imperative in these areas as there have been a few instances of people getting lost.

NORTHERN HILLS FORT MEADE TO BEAR BUTTE FORT MEADE RECREATION AREA ALKALAI CREEK TO POINT 5,045 SOUTHERN HILLS CUSTER STATE PARK . For additional trailhead information, please stop at the local Forest Service stations located throughout the hills for maps, directions, or books on this trail.

HOW TO GET THERE: Many of the trailheads are located near or on Highway 385 through the center of the hills.

However, for the easiest access areas, I recommend the following:

FROM THE NORTHERN BLACK HILLS: The trail can be accessed from I-90. Just take exit 34 for the Black Hills National Cemetery . Turn North (opposite the cemetary) to where you will see a miniature church. Turn left at the church - the road will cross a cattle guard. Here the road becomes dirt. Follow the road for about 1/4 mile and turn right into the parking lot. The trail is located across the roadway, and will head in two directions. Left will take you South under the Interstate to the main section of the trail, and right will lead you North to Fort Meade and Bear Butte.

TO BEGIN AT BEAR BUTTE : From I-90, take Exit 32 for the City of Sturgis . At the stop light, this becomes Junction Avenue . Stay on Junction Avenue until you get downtown to the UBC Building Center which is at the corner of Lazelle Street . Turn right on Lazelle Street and follow the street as it goes out of town. Approximately 2 miles past Fort Meade, you'll find Highway 79 on your left, which leads up to Bear Butte (a dormant volcano). You'll be able to see Bear Butte in the distance. Follow Highway 79 until you reach the lake on the left side of the road, across from the Bear Butte State Park entrance. While there is a fee to park in the State Park, currently the lake area is free parking, and the trail begins in the corner of the lake's parking lot.

Spearfish Canyon

Deer Creek to Silver City

Crow Peak

The Centennial Trail

The Big Hill Trail System