South Dakota · Federal campground

Merritt System

6 mi west of Johnson Siding, SD · Verizon 4G · AT&T 5G

Federal campgroundtype

First comebooking

Jun–Sepbest months

About Merritt System

The Merritt Trail System is a 41 mile mix of motorcycle, jeep and OHV trails, located west of Highway 385, south of Rochford Road, and north of Silver City Road. This is a popular area that connects the Minnesota Ridge Trail System of the Northern Hills trails to the Central Hills. While the motorcycle trails may be a little challenging, the remaining trails are excellent for all users. There is one trailhead for parking in this area. Some of these trail are open yearlong, and some are open May - December 15. Riley Trailhead. From Rapid City, Travel west on Highway 44 for 15 miles, then turn north (right) on Highway 385. Travel on Highway 385 for 4.4 miles. Turn west (left) onto Rochford Road. Proceed approximately 4.1 miles west towards Rochford, SD. After approximately 4.1 miles turn north (right) on Trail 8214. There are signs along Rochford Road announcing “Riley Hill Trailhead”…

Managed by: USFS - Black Hills National Forest
Where: 6 mi west of Johnson Siding, SD · 44.10501, -103.56168

Things to do:

HikingOff-road (OHV)

Official page for this camp (fees, closures, booking)

Weather by month

37°

11°Jan

37°

12°Feb

46°

20°Mar

52°

27°Apr

62°

37°May

73°

46°Jun

80°

52°Jul

79°

50°Aug

70°

41°Sep

56°

30°Oct

45°

20°Nov

37°

12°Dec

Typical daily highs and lows (°F), 1991–2020 NOAA normals. Best months: Jun–Sep (comfortable days, mild nights, little rain). Nights below freezing: Oct–Apr.

See Merritt System from above

Fly over it in 3D, check today's weather and fire news, plan the drive and print a trip plan.

Fly over in 3D Directions

Trails near camp

Trail	Open to	From camp	Length
Merritt 08	ATV / OHV, Dirt bike	at camp	1.5 mi
Merritt 42	Dirt bike	0.1 mi	1.8 mi
Merritt 32	ATV / OHV, Dirt bike	0.3 mi	2.4 mi
Merritt 44	Dirt bike	0.3 mi	0.4 mi
Merritt 38	Dirt bike	0.5 mi	2.5 mi
Deerfield	Horse	0.6 mi	22.6 mi

Straight-line distance from camp, from Forest Service, BLM, state and OpenStreetMap trail data.

Good to know

Cell signal

Verizon 4G · AT&T 5G

From the carriers' FCC coverage maps, which tend to be generous.

Night sky: Rural

The Milky Way is bright, with a little glow low on the horizon.

Class 3 of 9, from NASA/NOAA night-light data.

RV essentials

Dump station: 14.6 mi
Propane: 14.4 mi

Nearest of each within 25 miles, straight-line.

Camps nearby

Bear Gulch (Group Site) 2.7 mi
Pactola Campground 3.8 mi
Riley Hill Trailhead 4.1 mi
Bogus System 4.7 mi
Steamboat Rock Picnic & Tent Camping Area 5.8 mi
Boxelder Forks Campground 6.5 mi