Hiking

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 in the north, just outside Sturgis, and Wind Cave National Park in the south, east of Pringle. Established in 1989 to mark the 100th anniversary of South Dakota statehood, it is one of the most iconic trails in the state along with its cousin, the 109-mile Mickelson Trail.

Black Hills Trails constructed the Sturgis Trail System beginning in 2013. More than fifty miles of amazing single-track now wrap around the community of Sturgis.

Development and maintenance of the Sturgis Trail System is funded and completed by donors and volunteers, with less than 5% of total funding to date coming from public sources.

These trails are built and maintained by the community, for the community, we hope you enjoy them.

Sturgis has over 10-miles of bike paths within the city limits.  The most popular trailheads are located at the Sturgis Municipal Park on the east end of Lazelle Street, Centennial Park located behind McDonald's on the west end of Lazelle Street, and the City Fairgrounds located on Ball Park Road.  These trails run throughout the city and to the east, where they connect to the Fort Meade Trail and the BLM trail system.  To the south, they tie into the USFS trail system.

Mato Paha or "Bear Mountain" is the Lakota name given to this site. To the Cheyenne, it is "Noahvose." This geological formation is one of several intrusions of igneous rock in the Black Hills that formed millions of years ago. The mountain is sacred to many American Indian tribes who come here to hold religious ceremonies. Please be respectful of worshippers and their religious practices.

Many American Indians see Bear Butte as a place where the creator has chosen to communicate with them through visions and prayer.

During your visit, you will see colorful pieces of cloth and small bundles or pouches hanging from the trees. These prayer cloths and tobacco ties represent the prayers offered by individuals during their worship. Please respect these offerings and leave them undisturbed.

There is a herd of buffalo at Bear Butte, but unlike Custer State Park, Bear Butte is not a “drive through” park.

The climb varies based on your access points from moderate to strenuous. There are multiple views of Bear Butte, birds eye overlooks of Fort Meade, BLM land, Black Hills National Cemetery, and the City of Sturgis. The trail consists of open grasslands, wooded areas, and a stream. Watch out for grazing cows and their droppings in the summer! Special Note: The 7th Cavalry system was the first trail system the Black Hills Trail’s nonprofit developed in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management. Well over 1200 volunteer hours went into helping establish this system.