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Piedmont Trailhead

Piedmont, South Dakota · Meade County · Facility

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…

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44.22677, -103.40226
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About 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.

Plan Your Visit to Piedmont Trailhead

Heading to Piedmont Trailhead? A few things to know before you go:

  • Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
  • Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
  • Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
  • Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
  • Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation for Piedmont Trailhead?

No central reservation system listed for Piedmont Trailhead. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/253838) for the latest entry policy and availability.