Centennial Trail #89

Centennial Trail #89 is South Dakota’s long-distance Black Hills route, established in 1989 to mark the South Dakota centennial. It runs from Wind Cave National Park in the south up to Bear Butte State Park in the north. The full trail is commonly described as about 111 miles (also commemorated as 124 miles).

The route stays within the Black Hills National Forest corridor for much of its length, with key passages that include Custer State Park, Black Elk Wilderness, and Forte Meade Recreation Area, before finishing at Bear Butte. It’s signed with Trail #89 markers (white with a black “89” and a bison skull) at regular intervals to keep you oriented for section hikes or a full thru-hike.

For distance planning, the trail is usually organized into Southern, Central, and Northern Hills areas with multiple access points along the way. That structure supports backpacking between trailheads without committing to the entire Black Hills crossing in one shot.

Terrain mixes ponderosa pine country with more open prairie near Bear Butte, with rolling hills and moderate climbing. Some portions are exposed grassland; expect long stretches with little shade, so pace and water planning matter, especially on hot or windy days.

Navigation is straightforward where Trail #89 markers are present, but the route can share space with other trails and access roads—use the “89” signage and stay alert at junctions so you don’t drift onto a parallel track.

For hikers doing a section from the north end, Bear Butte Lake is one common access area: the route trends across open grassland in that zone before it works into Fort Meade Recreational Area and continues onward toward the interior Black Hills.

More information: Conditions, Black Hills / Centennial Trail Thru Hike, TRAIL RESOURCES