Centennial Trail - Highland Creek Trailhead to French Creek Trailhead
What you need to know:
Length - The Map says 10.3 but it is closer to 9.3 Miles
Water - unreliable until French Creek, bring your own water.
Water crossings - one bridged over a small creek near the highland creek th
Camping - Camping within custer state park is only allowed at designated campsites or within the french creek natural area. since the french creek horse camp is only for campers with horses, there is no camping within this section of the trail. you must cross over to the french creek natural area to camp where there is a$7 per night fee.
wildlife - buffalo on the trail are likely. Abundant prairie dogs near highland creek trail head. Pronghorn antelope. elk can been seen but are rare. also beware of rattlesnakes.
trail conditions - pretty good, there are a few spots where it could be marked better. so keep an eye on your map.
Helpful info - the french creek trail head is located all the way through the horse camp at the east end.
Beginning of the trail into Custer State Park.
Wide open and beautiful view.
Trail starts out easy.
Couple of times you cross through a fence area.
Antelope looked liked he never saw people before.
Lots of pretty flowers.
Gorgeous views.
First encounter with a buffalo on the trail right over a hill. Pretty scary.
Walked around the buffalo, but he kept an eye on us.
Colors were spectacular.
Cross the road and trail is easily marked here on where to go. After you go over the small hill though it gets confusing, is not really well marked for a bit, and there are trails all over the place from animals. Keep on the path going straight to the big hill with no trees (below). First marker is not easily seen until you see the marker below on dead tree. This was one of the sections we had to backtrack a couple of times.
Always look for markers on trees.
Deer seemed afraid of people.
Saw some people on horseback.
Crossed the road again and hit this sign. Yeah!!!!
Over halfway done. Pretty excited about it.
Can’t beat the scenery.
Hit the river. Nice walk.
When the trail ends, go to the horse camp to pick up the next trail section. Stay on the road to the right - it shows the Centennial Trail markers on the trees.
French Creek Natural Area hike starts here for next section of the Centennial Trail.