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Former homesteads abound on this rolling trail through the prairie.


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Map Key

3.6

Miles

5.8

KM

Point to Point

4,528' 1,380 m

High

4,248' 1,295 m

Low

86' 26 m

Up

308' 94 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

8%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildlife

Family Friendly Kids will love searching for prairie dogs and past homesteads along the trail.

Description

Prepare your powers of observation before starting the Sanctuary Trail, as they will surely be put to the test!

Beginning at the Sanctuary Trail Parking Area, head east along the road for a short while before reaching the trailhead on your right. Continue down the trail, passing through prairie lands and mixed forests as you gently descend.

Along the route, keep your eyes peeled for signs of past homesteads, as they are abundant in this area but sometimes tricky to spot. For those wishing for an even greater challenge, turn your eyes to the ground and see if you can spot evidence of prairie dog colonies. Dog towns, as they are called, pop up all over this region, but are particularly large in this area.

Eventually, the trail ends in a junction with the Highland Creek Trail. Visitors to the Sanctuary Trail can either return the way they came, or preemptively place a shuttle vehicle at the Highland Creek Trail Parking Area to return to the Sanctuary Trail Parking Area.

Flora & Fauna

Prairie dogs are abundant in this area.

Contacts

Shared By:

Hunter R

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 1 vote

#15768

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Trail Rankings

#49

in South Dakota

#15,768

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2 Views Last Month
831 Since Oct 1, 2015
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Weather


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Apr 25, 2020
Kayla Lyman
Sep 2, 2016
Lara Richardson
1mi — 1h 00m
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