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Little Elk Creek Trailhead
4.9 ★★★★★ 174 Google reviews · Running trail in Piedmont, South Dakota · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Little Elk Creek Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Kid-friendly area with an out-and-back trail through the woods to Dalton Lake.
What runners say about Little Elk Creek Trailhead
“The fall scenery is amazing, my favorite time to hike there but every season is stunning!”
“A beautiful and pretty easy trail w plenty of parking (usually.”
I live very close to her and i love taking my dog for walks here often and taking pictures!! The fall scenery is amazing, my favorite time to hike there but every season is stunning! theres a lot of pretty rock figures throughout the canyon and the trail is kept clean of debris.
An easy stroll along a stream with many waterfalls. The trail winds its way through pines and birches, always with the sounds of waterfalls nearby.
Great Trail just off the interstate. That is a big point because most trails are deep in the Black Hills. Nice wide paths (for most of it) and a lot of stop off points next to the creek. Some parts of the trail required you to step over rocks--if you have trail poles they would be good for that.
Amazing trail that will take you to Lake Dalton. Let the kids splash, ride your bike, go fishing, have a picnic.
Trail conditions & character
“The fall scenery is amazing, my favorite time to hike there but every season is stunning!”
“There is negligible elevation gains and the place where the trail does cross water is very easy to negotiate.”
“I live very close to her and i love taking my dog for walks here often and taking pictures!”
“A beautiful and pretty easy trail w plenty of parking (usually.”
Plan your run at Little Elk Creek Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Piedmont
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Ft Meade Recreation Area Park
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Osprey Hiking Trail
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Kid-friendly hiking area featuring a lake.
The Outdoor Campus - Rapid City
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State-run park featuring nature trails, an aquarium, native wildlife & educational programs.