A seven day pass to visit Custer State Park costs $10.00. Well worth the money. While driving through the park we saw buffalo, mountain goats, and mule deer. We also stopped by one of the several visitor centers and bought a couple of books on hiking and sights in the park.

Sunday Gulch Loop Trail

We drove to Sylvan Lake and hiked around its perimeter and then did the Sunday Gulch Loop Trail. We approached the loop counter clockwise, which we felt was the best way. It was a total of 3.8 miles. There are rails going down some of the steeper sections of the trail, through some wonderful granite cervices. The trail is mostly rocky, and wet, with lots of running water along the way. The trail was more gradual and had a better surface on the hike out. This hike took us a little over two hours.

Centennial Trail / Badger Hole Trail

We hiked a portion of the Centennial Trail, from the Badger Clark House to the junction of the French Creek Trail. We are not sure of the distance. By my calculations the route we took was about 8 miles round-trip. Anne believes it was more like 7 miles. A portion of the trail is closed, probably due to recent forest fires. Signs directed us along an alternate route, so the distances that we got from maps and trail markers might be inaccurate.

We would rate the trail from easy to strenuous, depending upon which part of the trail you hiked.

From Badger Clark's cabin, where there is a nice parking area, picnic table, shade, and restrooms, the trail passes through tall grasses. We saw several white-tailed deer in this area. They seem so much smaller than the mulies that we are used to seeing farther west.

The trail is easy in this first half-mile to the junction with the Badger Hole Trail (which is probably the route we took). They now have it marked as the Centennial Trail, which makes things a bit confusing. The topographic map shows features that are similar to what we saw on the ground.

Portions of the trail are solid, with firm surfaces that make for easy walking. Other portions of the trail are made up of loose rock. There are several steep climbs, especially in the return trip. There is one area, approximately one mile from the French Creek Trail junction, where the trail climbs steeply through a series of broad switchbacks with a rough rocky surface. But the views from the saddle are very good.

We spotted a young mule deer buck, the several white-tailed deer we saw near the cabin, and many striped ground squirrels. The flies got heavy in some places, especially where the trail is also used for horses, and they leave their droppings. The trail can also be used by mountain bikers. We didn't see either, just the evidence of their having passed.

The trail crosses streams and boggy areas at several places. There was a forest fire in the area at some time in the near past. The smell is gone, for the most part, but there are still a few blackened trees standing. However, there is a great deal of new growth from a few inches to maybe six feet in height. Of course the underbrush has already recovered in most areas. Because of the past fires, the trail is exposed for most of its length. It could be a very hot hike in the summer months.

From much of the distance of the trail we could see Mount Coolidge and its lookout.

Wildlife Loop Road

This road courses along the Park's east southern and eastern edges, from Highway 385 to near the Park's east entrance. Along this paved route we saw many prairie dog towns and their playful residents, many solo buffalo, and a large herd of buffalo crossing the road just north of the Wildlife Station. There were hundreds of them, with their calves. We got to observe them up close and personal. They were so many that they blocked traffic on the road, taking their own sweet time, and eventually surrounded many of the vehicles as they made their way across. We got some great photos, all from the safety of our car.

A little farther on we saw a small group of pronghorns, maybe ten, with one buck. They are very beautiful and distinctive looking. We watched as they also crossed the road.

A little farther beyond that point we spotted a solo coyote cross the road and head through the trees toward one of the prairie dog towns. No doubt looking for dinner.

Then, up the hill from the coyote, we saw several large flocks of wild turkeys working their way along the sides of the road. There were also several mule deer and lots of white tailed deer, including several bucks. And on our way back to our camp, we saw the mountain goat herd near one of the campgrounds. This is a very white variety, and look quite different from those we have spotted around the Colorado Plateau of southern Utah.

Throughout the day we also spotted several hawks, ravens, and other small birds.

Little Devil's Tower Trail / Cathedral Spires Trail

This hike began at the Cathedral Spires trailhead, along the Needles Highway. It is .5 miles to the junction with the Cathedral Spires Trail approach to Harney Peak. We turned left, back toward the Little Devil's Tower. From there it is .5 miles to the junction with the Little Devil's Tower Trail. From the junction it is 1.5 miles to the Tower.

The trail is solid to rough, with many exposed tree roots, and some loose rock. Some scrambling is required near the end, but it is not too bad. The trail is in poor condition along some stretches. Along the Cathedral Spires Trail portion of this hike there is a new section that has a firm soil base.

Some of the climbs are steep and rocky. The final few hundred feet require climbing over rough granite boulders. But because they are rough they provide a good grip for your boots.

The top of the tower provides great views of the entire Black Hills and Harney Peak, with its rock observation tower.

Along the way we saw two mule deer, a doe and a young buck (maybe a yearling). They were very close to the trail and didn't seem to mind our presence as long as we were calm.