Piney Island Route

Fun Fact: Where the “hated post on the Little Piney” stands.
From wooded foothills to rolling prairie.
35.8 Miles. 58% Gravel, 42% Paved.
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate. Rideable: Year-Round.
Amenities: Town of Story/Fort Phil Kearney. Cell service: Western half of the ride.

Route Description

This ride begins and ends in the beautiful little mountain town of Story, population just over 800. You’ll pass from under the town’s towering ponderosa pines, along the mountain’s rolling foothills, and through the vast scenic prairie. This ride takes you through country steeped in history. Take time to stop and explore how the landmarks along the way came to be.

There’s a great 15.7-mile alternative route described below called the Massacre Hill Loop. One of this region’s pivotal historical events took place here and the folks at Fort Phil Kearny (AKA-the hated post) have created an incredibly interesting informational loop on the ridgeline that can be ridden or hiked. Find more information about Fort Phil Kearny here.

This area’s terrain is full of hills and stretches of long, low grades. Traffic will be somewhat frequent, but most motorists are polite. The gravel is well packed and maintained and falls into category’s 1 & 2 on the ISGG, Industry Standard Guide to Gravel. The pavement segments have shoulders, but sharing the road is the name of the game here.

Other than the few amenities in the town of Story and when the historic Fort Phil Kearny is open, there’s nothing but open space on a good share of this ride. For cooling off in the heat of the summer you’ll pass a local swimming hole at Piney Creek, and if you don’t mind a not-so easy access to the water, you can also take a dip in Lake De Smet.

Detailed Directions

The town of Story is found 15 miles south of Sheridan. We’ll begin this ride at the historic Wagon Box Inn where you can enjoy pre and post ride refreshments on the patio. This ride can be ridden either direction, both would be equally interesting. To do gravel before pavement, go counterclockwise. To avoid a large climb at the end of your ride, go clockwise.

Begin by crossing the street from the Wagon Box and riding Mountain Home Rd to Fish Hatchery Rd. Take a left on Fish Hatchery Rd and ride down to the Story school where you’ll turn right on to Wagon Box Rd (Co. 145). You’re going to stay on Wagon Box for its entire length (~5.5 miles). Near its end you’ll pass the Fort Phil Kearny Visitor Center.

Just past the Fort you’ll take a left onto Kearny Lane then, in short order, a right onto the Story Rd (Hwy 193). In approximately ¼ mile the main highway sweeps right and turns into US Hwy 87. At this point you’ll turn left if you’re doing the shorter 15.7-mile Massacre Hill Loop (details below). If you’re doing the 35.8-mile loop, swing right with the highway. You’ll cross under the freeway where the road turns to Lower Piney Creek Rd. You’re now back on gravel.

You’ll pass the northern end of Lake De Smet which is spring fed, incredibly deep, crystal clear, and very cold but a great place to cool down. You’ll then ride until you tee the paved US Hwy 14. There’s a 10,000 square foot antique warehouse at the intersection called Turned Antiques Etc. that is as unique as it is in the middle of nowhere. It’s open on a very limited bases, so plan ahead if you want to visit.

US Hwy 14 has a fair amount of sporadic traffic and a relatively small shoulder. You’ll ride the Hwy 8.9 miles until taking a left onto the graveled Upper Prairie Dog Rd. Upper Prairie Dog connects you from Hwy 14 to Hwy 87. If it’s dry weather, or frozen with little snow, turning onto Murphy Gulch Rd, then Jim Creek Rd, then Upper Prairie Dog is an interesting alternative that’ll take you between the two highways as well.

Whichever route you end up taking, when you reach Hwy 87, you’ll turn left and head back towards Story. You’ll climb the hill and just past the Tunnel Inn Restaurant at the top, you’ll take a right on Fish Hatchery Rd and another right on North Piney Rd and make your way back to the Wagon Box Inn.

Details for the shorter 15.7-mile Massacre Hill Loop – When you have crossed Piney Creek just past Fort Phil Kearny where Hwy 87 swings to the right, take a left. Due to an uphill battle with unstable soil, the road ahead is closed to vehicular travel beyond the historical monument, but open to bikes. It’s at this monument where you can ride a fantastic single-track, out-and-back interpretive trail. Approximately 2.6 miles beyond the monument you’ll tee the main highway that’ll return you to the town of story. Turn left, climb the hill, go right on Fish Hatchery Rd, right on North Piney Rd, and make your way back to the Wagon Box Inn.

Quick and Dirty

Beginning and ending in the beautiful little mountain town of Story, this ride takes you through an area steeped in history. You’ll ride from wooded foothills to rolling prairie with frequent ups and downs and long, low-grade changes. Traffic is common. The gravel is well packed and maintained. The pavement has relatively small shoulders, but motorists are generally bike friendly. A smaller 15.7-mile loop can be done as an alternative with less traffic. 58% Gravel, 42% Paved. Rideable year-round. Some amenities and fair cell service.