French Creek via Centennial Trail

French Creek via Centennial Trail is an 8.0-mile out-and-back from Badger Hole Trailhead to the French Creek access and back, following roughly 4.0 miles each way on the mapped Centennial corridor. Allow about 4.5 hours. The walk drops into draws, climbs a divide, and descends to a creek beneath rocky walls. Do this if you want a long, rough approach to French Creek; skip it if you want an easy creekside stroll.

Route descriptions disagree: one gives an 11.5-mile loop and another a 12.3-mile out-and-back, but neither provides a trace that can be checked. This guide maps the continuous Badger Hole–French Creek Centennial section and retraces it. The separate, unmarked walk through the full Natural Area gorge is not included.

Start at Badger Hole Trailhead and follow the path by the Badger Hole cabin to the Centennial Trail. The route climbs out of a draw, drops down a short rocky slope into Heddy Draw, crosses it, and climbs the divide. The next descent into the French Creek Natural Area is steep and rocky, with mud near the bottom. Keep an eye on the Centennial markers at the junctions; the trail is shared with horses and mountain bikes.

At the bottom, the route follows French Creek and crosses it several times before reaching the French Creek access by the horse camp. Expect wet feet and uneven, slippery stones. Water levels change, so a crossing that is easy in low water can be harder after rain. The Natural Area protects a 2,200-acre gorge, with sheer walls, mixed pine and hardwood, and native vegetation. At a crossing, frame the stony channel in front with the walls and trees behind; that gives a better sense of the creek's setting than a close shot of the water alone.

Turn around at the French Creek access and retrace the same route. The return climbs the divide and the rocky slope before the easier walk back toward Badger Hole. That cabin was home to Charles “Badger” Clark, South Dakota's first Poet Laureate. The Centennial Trail was built for the state's 1989 centennial and runs 111 miles from Bear Butte to Wind Cave; about 22 miles cross Custer State Park. Hikers yield to horses, and bikes yield to hikers. Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than 10 feet. Driving into the park requires an entrance license; no separate permit is required to hike this Centennial section.