HORSE CAMP INFORMATION

The French Creek Horse Camp in Custer State Park is a popular spot and we encourage everyone to make reservations in advance. If you arrive without advance reservations and all of the sites are occupied, you will not be able to stay overnight at the French Creek Horse Camp.

Trails
There are four marked horse trails in Custer State Park, all are accessible from Horse Camp. Trails are marked with brown fiberglass posts and blue diamonds. The Centennial Trail is marked with fiberglass posts and gray diamonds. Our marked trails are intended to be a primer for our first time visitors. We encourage horse camp guests to purchase topographical maps and explore other areas of the Park as well.

Maps
Detailed topographic maps are available for sale at the Peter Norbeck and Wildlife Station Visitor Center (April-November) or through the Park office, call (605) 255-4515 for current prices and descriptions.

Horse Trails Map and Horse Camp Info (PDF 167 KB)

Cancellation Policy

30 days or more in advance - full refund minus a one night camping fee (per site)

29 - 15 days in advance - 1/2 refund

14 – 0 days in advance – No refund

Camping Reservations 1-800-710-CAMP (2267)

Please be considerate of your fellow horse campers and cancel sites you will not be using.

Important Information

2008 French Creek Fees: Camping $25.00 w/electric service per unit per night. Camping Cabin rate is $45.00 per night. Entrance Fees: temporary 7 day license $5.00 per person or $12.00 per vehicle; annual $23.00 first vehicle and $11.50 second vehicle. An extra corral per campsite may be rented for $5.00 per night.

Camping Amenities: All campsites have electrical service, fire grates, picnic tables, showers, flush toilets, and one corral per campsite.

Horse Information: Water is available in French Creek. Certified weed free hay or complete horse feed is required . Keep your horse confinement area clean (wheel barrows, forks or shovels are available). Picketing and portable corrals are not allowed. Electric fence is permitted in a designated area. Horses can not be left unattended overnight.

Weed Free Forage Producer List

Pets: Your pet must be on a leash not longer than 10 feet. Clean up after your pet and do not leave it unattended. Pets out side of horse camp must be under strict voice command.

Testing Required: Horses must have a negative coggins test (swamp fever) within the last 12 months. ND, MT, NE has reciprocity. SD law requires anyone transporting horses out of the ownership inspection area to have their horses inspected by a Brand Inspector. Call SD Brand Board at 605-343-2660 or 1-800-529-2333 for more information.

Other Rules: It is illegal to remove natural or cultural features from Custer State Park such as elk / deer sheds, skulls, plants, rocks, and etc. Fires are allowed only in designated fire grates in established campgrounds or day use areas. Firewood must be cut (no chain saws) to fit within the confines of the fire grate. Generators can only be operated between the hours of 8:00a.m. - 8:00p.m., but no more than 2 hours at a time.

Safety: Be aware of the dangers of bison, rattlesnakes, and poison ivy. Bison are extremely dangerous. Do not feed horses at night. Be prepared for creek crossings, steep rocky climbs, and inclement weather.

Additional conveniences: Laundry facilities, general store, gas and restaurant are located at Blue Bell Lodge, three miles from Horse Camp.


CENTENNIAL TRAIL
(Red)

The Centennial Trail is 22 miles long as it crosses the Park. It is not a loop trail but bisects the Park from North to South. Three trailheads are located along the trail. Iron Creek Trailhead on the northern boundary, Badger Hole near Legion Lake, and the French Creek Trailhead near Horse Camp. The Centennial Trail is marked with brown fiberglass posts and gray diamonds.

TRAIL #1-FRENCH CREEK and MOUNT COOLIDGE
(Green) Riding time: 9 hours

Ride out of Horse Camp (northeast) following French Creek downstream past the Centennial Trail. Approximately 4 miles out watch for the Calkins Draw sign pointing left out of the canyon. The trail climbs from French Creek and intersects an old logging road. Follow the logging road to CSP 8 then turn left riding the road to Heddy Draw. Ride Heddy Draw (west) and after climbing a steep hill you will intersect Hwy 87 on the side of Mount Coolidge. To ride to Mount Coolidge, cross the highway, turn right (north) and ride through the trees until the trail intersects the graveled Mount Coolidge road. Ride the road up to the lookout tower and return on the same route. Instead of riding down the steep hill you came up take the right hand logging road along the ridge and continue south into Sawmill Draw. When you reach the sawmill and French Creek follow the creek downstream to CSP 4 and the curved bridge. Turn left (east) and follow CSP 4 back to Horse Camp.
An alternate trail (green dash-line on the map) to riding up Calkins Draw is to continue down French Creek to the trail leading south out of French Creek to Fisherman’s Flat. Once out of the canyon take the road CSP 2 (the portion of CSP 2 that is closed to traffic) past the green gate back to CSP 4, turn right on CSP 4 and head back to French Creek Horse Camp.


TRAIL #2 - BIG TREE & ROBBER'S ROOST DRAW

(Blue) Riding time: 4 hours

Ride out of Horse Camp to the south and follow the Centennial Trail to the Wildlife Loop Road (CSP #1). Turn left (east) and follow the road for about 2 miles until you reach a sign pointing left (north) up a draw. Follow the fire trail up this draw about 1/4 mile to the Big Tree. Continue to follow the trail markers north to an intersection where the trail turns right (east) and climbs a rocky hill. At the top of the hill turn right again (south) and follow the ridge to the next intersection. Ride the left fork (to the east) and down Robber's Roost draw. Follow the draw south to CSP #3. Ride left (northeast) on #3 until the road intersects CSP #4. Turn left (northwest) and ride #4 back to Horse Camp.

The Big Tree is truly a record holder. It is the second largest ponderosa pine in the United States. In 1983, it measured 132' in height, and 10'9" in circumference. It is estimated to be 300 years old.


TRAIL #3 - PARKER CANYON
(Brown) Riding time: 4 hours

Ride south out of Horse Camp on the Centennial Trail. When you reach the Wildlife Loop Road (CSP #1) cross the road and turn right (west) and follow the trail up the hill. From the crest you will be able to see the Blue Bell entrance station. Ride along the Loop Road towards the station, angling southeast as you near the highway (SD Hwy. 87). The best place to cross Hwy. 87 is approximately 100 yards south of the station, where CSP #342 intersects the blacktop. Trail markers will direct you south into Parker Canyon. As you ride south through the canyon, you will again intersect Hwy. 87. Cross the road and ride east up the hill to a large meadow. Trail markers will bring you to the Centennial Trail. Follow it left (north) to Horse Camp.

Parker Canyon was named after a family that homesteaded here in the late 1880's. Springs keep this area wet, and provide water for bison, deer, elk and other wildlife.


RACETRACK BUTTE & BUFFALO CORRALS
Riding time: 5 hours

(This ride is not highlighted on the map.)

Ride out of Horse Camp to the southeast on CSP #4. At the intersection with CSP #2, turn left and follow #2 across the ridge and down to Racetrack Butte (about 4 1/2 miles). From the top of the butte you can see the buffalo corrals to the south. These corrals are used in the fall round-up and the November buffalo auction. Ride off the butte towards the corrals and intersect CSP #3. Ride right (west) along #3 to CSP #4. Take #4 back to Horse Camp.

This text has been revised for the year 2008