Piedmont Trailhead
The numbers that decide it
Recreation.gov publishes no site-level detail for this campground, so we cannot say what length of rig it takes. Call the managing office before committing to it in a large vehicle.
Site-level detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero.
Piedmont Trailhead
The Piedmont Trailhead is on the east side of the most popular system of trails in the Northern Hills. The trails west of Piedmont wind through Ponderosa Pine forests, meander through large meadows, and climb to some of the most spectacular vistas in the Black Hills. The majority of the area trails are open from May 15 – Dec 15, with a few trails that stay open year-around. Access the Piedmont Motorized Trailhead from Rapid City from Interstate 90 to Exit 46. Turn west (left) on Meade County Highway MC-4 / Elk Creek Road. Proceed to the intersection with Sturgis Road and turn north (right) on Sturgis Road. Travel on Sturgis Road for approximately 0.8 miles to Main Street. Turn west (left) on Main Street. Travel on Main Street nearly 0.6 miles through town to National Forest Service Road (NFSR) 144. NFSR 144 is on the left, labeled as “Piedmont Trailhead”. The parking area is visible approximately 200 yards after traveling NFSR 144. Access the Piedmont Motorized Trailhead from Sturgis from Interstate 90, Exit 44, toward Bethlehem Road. Turn to west (right) on Meade County Highway MC-4A towards Sturgis Rd. Travel south (left) on Sturgis Road towards Piedmont for 0.8 miles. At Main Street, turn right (west). Travel on Main Street nearly 0.6 miles through town to National Forest Service Road (NFSR) 144. NFSR 144 is on the left, labeled as “Piedmont Trailhead”. The parking area is visible approximately 200 yards after traveling NFSR 144.
Scenic drives that pass close
Make it a night on a better road
Byway plans the drive in — real stops, real weather, nothing invented.