Intro to Backpacking!
Black Hills - Custer State Park - French Creek Natural Area and Wind Cave National Park
Black Hills Backpacking!
2024 Dates TBD
Cost: $300/person.
Trip length: 3 Days, 2 nights
What's included: Transportation, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backpacks, camping fees, and 2 backpacking meals. (See below for more details)
Difficulty rating: Easy Active (level 2) Rating System
Group size: 10 guests
Summary
Rejuvenate your spirit on this 3-day, 2-night backpacking trip through one of South Dakota’s most beautiful and rugged trails.
Intro
Custer State Park, in the Black Hills of southwest South Dakota, covers 71,000 acres of pristine nature. The French Creek Natural Area was established for those individuals wanting to experience the untouched beauty of the Black Hills. Visitors will find a wide array of trees, wildflowers, birds, and mammals. The virtually untouched landscape is something you won't soon forget. The French Creek Natural Area in Custer State Park is not for the faint of heart, but this pristine getaway is perfect for anyone looking to truly get in touch with nature.
What Makes It Great
The things that make the French Creek Natural Area so challenging are also what make it so great. The trail is somewhat rugged, and there are no trail markings (though there is a natural trail to follow, or you can just follow the creek). According to the sign at the trailhead "you will get wet" and with multiple creek crossings, they aren't kidding.
Keep an eye out for some of the park's wildlife while out on the trail, such the herd of 1,300 bison, pronghorn antelope, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, wild turkeys, or a band of burros. This is the perfect place to get your feet wet (literally) and challenge your backpacking skills in a breathtaking setting!
Who is Going to Love It
If you love a good backcountry adventure, put the French Creek Natural Area on the top of your list. The trail follows the creek and there is a natural trail most of the way, so this is a good place for beginners with at least a little experience to test their skills, but is also challenging enough for more seasoned backpackers.
Maps
Map of Wind Cave National Park
AllTrails: French Creek Natural Area
Info about the Sanctuary Trail in Wind Cave National Park
Itinerary
Day 1
8:00am meet for gear check.
Late Morning - Missouri River Rest Area near Chamberlain
Enjoy scenic views, Lewis and Clark exhibits, and the magnificent 50-foot-tall "Dignity" statue
Enjoy your picnic lunch
Early afternoon stop at Wall Drug. “A Pure Mid-Western Experience!”
Wall Drug consists of a collection of cowboy-themed stores, including a drug store, gift shop, several restaurants, and various other stores, as well as an art gallery and an 80-foot brontosaurus sculpture. Fun for all ages!
Late afternoon:
Consider a quick stop at the Custer State Park Visitor Center.
Arrive at French Creek West Trailhead in Custer State Park. Last chance for a modern restroom!
Hike approximately 1.5 miles and set up camp.
Enjoy the fresh air and beautiful night sky!
Day 2
Sleep in! Enjoy the sunrise and your natural surroundings all day.
Option to swim in the creek.
After a leisurely morning, pack up and hike out.
From the West French Creek Trailhead, it's a short drive to Wind Cave National Park. Hike in and set up camp in the backcountry surrounded by amazing wildlife viewing possibilities.
Day 3
Enjoy a leisurely morning. Feel free to sleep in and then explore the area, keeping an eye out for bison.
Hike back to the van.
Option: Drive the scenic Iron Mountain Road with tunnel views of Mt. Rushmore.
Fast food lunch near Rapid city.
If we have time, we'll take the Scenic Drive through Badlands National Park on our way home.
Fast food dinner.
Drive home to Sioux Falls, arriving late evening.
#Vanlife
What’s Included:
Professional instruction and guiding throughout the entire trip. 3 days, 2 nights
Campsite and park entrance fees
Round-trip transportation in a premium rented Ford Transit or similar van.
Meals as noted on the daily itinerary
2 Backpacking meal dinners
Starbucks Via instant coffee, tea, hot cocoa
Gear:
Tents (2-person tents unless otherwise noted)
Sleeping Bags
Backpacks
Sleeping pads
Group cooking gear
Group first-aid kit
Water filter
Small towels
Instead of a 5-star hotel, you get a 5-million star view!
Requirements
Sense of adventure!
Cheerful and flexible attitude :-)
Expect to stop and savor - sunsets, sunrises, scents, peaceful scenes, wildlife, etc.
Able to hike up to 5 miles per day with a loaded pack through rough, uneven terrain including multiple stream crossings
Guest packing list:
Bring a sack lunch for the first day, snacks for the road trip and the trail, and money for lunch and dinner on return trip
Shoes - This trip is unique since we will be hiking through the creek multiple times. I recommend athletic shoes or very supportive sandals. Waterproof boots are not waterproof when they're fully submerged. :-)
flip-flops or crocs or other light camp shoes/sandals
Merino wool socks (not cotton!)
Spare socks
Hat to protect from the sun
Clothing
Clothes to hike in - long pants to prevent contact with poison ivy
Clean clothes to sleep in
Clean clothes for the ride home
Sunscreen (small container)
Toiletries, personal items, medications (could include sleeping aids, painkillers, allergy meds, etc.)
Optional items:
Small pillow (I have some you can borrow if needed)
Headlamp or small flashlight (I have some you can borrow if needed)
Sunglasses
Swimsuit
Lightweight rain jacket
Hiking stick or trekking poles
Headphones for van rides
Earplugs
Phone charger
Camera
Hammock
What NOT to bring:
negative attitude
Speaker (allow those around you to enjoy the sounds of nature)
Not Included
Transportation to our group meeting point
Insurance of any kind
Items of a personal nature
Payments:
Preferred method - Send payments through Venmo to: @Adventure605
There's a very similar Venmo account that isn't me. Make sure to type exactly @Adventure605 and look for my picture. :-)
Alternate method - Email me to request a link which allows you to securely pay through Chase Bank.
$100 deposit (due 3 months prior to trip)
$100 second payment (due 2 months prior to trip)
$100 final payment (due one month prior to your trip)
Questions? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions.
Past trips:
June 22-24, 2023 - 11 men from Risen Hope Baptist Church!
June 26-28, 2023 - 8 adventurers from a variety of backgrounds!
Sept. 2-4, 2023 - 18 people! Pathfinders group from the Great Outdoor Store in Sioux Falls!