Bear Butte is at the outpost of the Black Hills. It is from its summit that the Centenary trail begins. The exceptional view allows you to clearly distinguish the great plains and the ancient traces left by the convoys of European settlers. This hill called Mato Paha, “Bear Mountain” by the Lakotas and Noahvose, “the medicine lodge” by the Cheyennes, is a sacred site where vision quests are practiced. We must be very respectful of the place. The numerous offerings of tobacco wrapped in colorful fabrics are there to testify to the importance of the site. Bear Butte has been a state park since 1961.