Lookout Point/Centennial Trail Loop

Trail Description: Lookout Point and Centennial Trail can be combined as a loop trail. The Centennial Trail is over one hundred miles long, Lookout Point is a shorter out and back trail that ends along the Centennial Trail, hence the trail can be made into a loop as the Centennial Trail starts at the same trailhead as Lookout Point.

I did this loop doing the Lookout Point Trail first, so that is how I will describe the trail. Heading south from the small parking lot, the trail follows and crosses a small creek in a mini canyon before rising in elevation up to the prairie. All the way to the woods, there are towns of prairie dogs barking at you as you hike through. The trail then enters a forest of Ponderosa Pine and a steep downhill. You then reach the Centennial Trail, where you follow a creek back to the trailhead. There is one sign that is a little confusing, stay on the trail following the creek.

Watch for bison, I saw a small herd drinking from the creek and grazing on the golden meadows. You can go off trail in Wind Cave to avoid the bison. There are several game trails that go through the meadows. If you have a map and a general idea of where the trail goes, you should not get lost. Climbing up another hill, you arrive back at the parking lot where you started.

I give this trail an 85%. It does not have spectacular views, but the creek, prairie dogs, bison and quiet nature of the trail made it an enjoyable experience.