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Better known for its extensive cave system underground, Wind Cave National Park is one of the best examples of a mixed-grass prairie in the region. Hiking the Lookout Point Trail will give you an opportunity to see wildlife like bison, elk, pronghorns, and, if you're unlucky, cougars in prime habitat and since the vast majority of the park's visitors only experience the caves, you'll likely have this challenging trail to yourself!
The Lookout Point Loop actually combines parts of three trails to bring you through some of Wind Cave's best prairieland. Begin at the trailhead for Centennial and Lookout Point off of Hwy 87 and take Lookout Point trail east to Beaver Creek. At Beaver Creek, you'll catch the Highland Creek Trail and follow that until you hit Centennial Trail. You'll loop back through Reaves Gulch and Curley Canyon until the landscape opens up onto the prairie again. Centennial will bring you back to the trailhead.
It is likely you'll see elk and bison on this trail. They like to hide in the ponderosa groves scattered throughout the prairie, so keep your eye out as you pass through them. We also passed by a couple old kills, so be wary of possible predators including mountain lions and coyotes.
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Hike the Lookout Point Loop at Wind Cave National Park
We were lucky to have the chance to go inside the caves and have a chance to run this loop! It was very well-marked at the beginning and it's true that it is very confusing at the end. Because we were there in August, the poison ivy seemed abundant and we had no choice but to find out way through a massive patch but luckily neither of us got poison ivy. For us, this was short and sweet and the best part was seeing the bison right along the trail. I hope the trail gets better markings so you have to be ready to make it up and trust the journey!
Hike the Lookout Point Loop at Wind Cave National Park
My wife and I did the full loop which included this trail and part of the Centennial. It is beautiful but, if you leave the parking lot heading south the trail is not well marked. You will cross a creek on a bridge. The actual trail crosses the creek a second time wading. Then a third time by wading. Instead, after you cross the foot bridge, keep the creek on your left hand and keep walking toward the place where the slope meets the creek. You will see the trail going up. (Don't worry, when you are there it will make more sense.)
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
Camp at Elk Mountain Campground in Wind Cave National Park
Elk Mountain Campground is in a secluded area of the park, providing plenty of peace and quiet. Sites operate on a first come, first serve basis, although the campground was less than half full when we stayed in the middle of busy summer months. There are about 64 sites available in the campground. Sites are available both in the open prairie or in the hills along the treeline. Each site is equ...
Established in 1903, Wind Cave National Park is home to over 140 miles of mapped cave passages. The cave features 95% of the world's known boxwork calcite formations and got its name from the sound of rushing wind created at its few small openings.A guided tour is the only way to see the cave system unless you are in the park's limited volunteer cave exploring group. Depending on the time of y...
Photograph Sunset at Wind Cave NP
Above the famous Wind Cave, miles of natural mixed-grass natural prairie cover the Black Hills. In summer, the lush grasses attract the park's free-roaming bison herd as well as elk, pronghorn antelope, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets.One of the best spots for capturing sunset over the prairie is from Gobbler Pass, on the SE side of the park. You can park at the pass and walk along the r...
Fly Fish French Creek
The creek has two main sections, there is Upper French Creek and Lower French creek, the upper/lower refer to the section of creek above or below Stockade Lake. The better fishing is below Stockade Lake. There you can find numerous sections of the creek that are on public land and easily accessible. Trout can be found all over the creek, especially in the bends where it pools up and gets deeper...
Hike the Stockade Lake Trail
The trail starts near the East side of Stockade Lake just outside Custer, South Dakota. The trail is a 1.2 mile loop, and climbs up to 5,650 feet above sea level. The trail is easy to follow and is well worn. Also the trees have blue diamonds nailed to them for even easier route finding. Once you get to the high point of the trail there is a very scenic viewing area where the trees have been cl...
Drive the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop
The Custer State Park Wildlife Loop runs for 18 miles across beautiful grasslands and pine-speckled slopes that are home to much of the park's wildlife. Bison, pronghorn, whitetail, mule deer, elk, coyotes, burros, prairie dogs, eagles, hawks, and a variety of other birds may be spotted along the way. Depending on the time of year, the road may be surrounded by beautiful, colorful wildflowers a...
Go Great Places in South Dakota
In the Mount Rushmore state, travels to South Dakota are full of one-of-a-kind adventure with wide-open spaces as endless as the horizons. Between legendary landscapes and scenic drives, you can always find space that shifts life into park. When you’re ready, go great places.