Gravel & Rock ordered online by the ton. A dump truck delivers to your Pierre address and unloads right where you point.







Gravel and rock come in many shapes and sizes, and each type has a specific job it does best. The wrong choice can mean a surface that shifts, washes out, or never compacts right. In Pierre, where the ground freezes deep and rain is scarce, picking the right material matters even more.
Pierre gets about 20 inches of precipitation a year, so drainage and washout planning should drive your material choice. Whether you are topping a driveway, building a path, or lining a ditch, the size and shape of the gravel control how it performs.
Not every gravel works for every job. Some products are meant to compact firm, while others stay loose and decorative. Here is what each product is best for, and what it is not suited for.
| Product | Best For | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 3/8" Natural Pea Gravel | Play areas, patios | Rounded and smooth; does not lock together, so avoid it on slopes or driveways. |
| River Rock | Beds, borders, dry creek beds | Decorative and neutral; not a base material because it does not compact. |
| 2-4" River Rock | Larger decorative cover, erosion control | Too large for walking surfaces; best where water moves. |
| Drain Rock | French drains, dry wells | Clean, angular, and uniform; not meant for exposed top surfaces. |
| Decomposed Granite | Paths, patios that compact firm | Compacts into a hard surface; does not handle heavy truck traffic. |
| Crusher Run | Compacting base under everything | Contains fines that lock together; not a finished surface. |
| Road Base | Lanes, pads that carry trucks | Angular with fines; holds up under weight and repeated traffic. |
The table below matches the project you are planning to the gravel that will hold up in local conditions. Depths are typical for residential use.
| Project | What to Order | Depth or Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dry creek bed | River Rock | 3 to 4 inches. Keeps the bed open without trapping debris. |
| Landscape beds | 3/8" Natural Pea Gravel | 2 to 3 inches. Soft underfoot and lets water through. |
| French drain | Drain Rock | Fill the trench 12 inches deep. Must be clean rock for water to flow. |
| Path that stays firm | Decomposed Granite | 3 to 4 inches, compacted in lifts. Avoid on steep slopes. |
| Erosion control on a slope | 2-4" River Rock | 6 to 8 inches. The larger pieces hold against runoff. |
Pierre sits in Hughes County, and the local climate here is cold and dry. About 169 days a year drop below freezing, which means the ground freezes deep and stays frozen for long stretches. That freeze-thaw cycle pushes up base layers, so you need enough depth to keep the surface from heaving.
The area gets about 40 inches of snow a year. When that snow is plowed off a loose gravel surface, it can pull the top layer into the yard. A compacted surface like decomposed granite or crusher run resists that damage better than loose pea gravel. Spring thaw is the wet part of the year for driveways, and it is when a thin base shows up as ruts.
Soils mapped in the Pierre area are commonly well drained, so less base stone is needed under the surface layer compared to heavy clay ground. The soil around Pierre takes water in at a moderate rate, which means a standard base depth is usually enough. Still, on a slope or near a building foundation, adding a few extra inches of crusher run under the decorative layer gives you a margin.
Gravel is sold by the ton, and the tonnage you need depends on the area and the depth. Use the material calculators on our site to get a close estimate. Enter the dimensions of your project, and the calculator tells you how many tons to order.
When you order from Gravel Monkey, you pick the material and the size online, then choose a delivery window at checkout. We deliver by dump truck to your address in Pierre and the surrounding area. Truckloads range from 1 to over 40 tons. Delivery is priced by your ZIP code at checkout, and free delivery applies on qualifying orders. Use the code FIRSTTIMER50 for $50 off your first order.
Your delivery date must be at least 3 business days after the order date. You pick a morning window (7 am to 12 pm) or an afternoon window (12 pm to 5 pm). We need a valid phone number to confirm the delivery. You get an email confirmation when you place the order, then a second email closer to the date with the scheduled window and a photo of the material being loaded. The delivery only goes ahead once you approve that second email.
You must be on site, or have someone you nominate present, during the delivery window. The site needs a road width of at least 12 feet for the truck. If access is restricted, the crew unloads as close to the requested spot as they safely can. For more details on how the process works, see our delivery information page. Read what other customers have said on our customer reviews page, and learn more about how we operate on the about Gravel Monkey page.
Your job may need more than just gravel. These materials work alongside gravel and rock to complete the project.
Yes. Pierre sees about 169 freezing days a year, and the ground freezes deep. That means a surface layer alone can heave and rut. You need a compacted base of crusher run or road base at least 6 to 8 inches deep to resist frost movement.
Pierre gets only about 20 inches of precipitation a year, so heavy rain is not the main concern. But when rain does come, the ground takes water in at a moderate rate. Drain rock or river rock in a French drain or dry creek bed will handle the occasional downpour better than a material that holds water.
No. You or someone you nominate must be present during the delivery window. If no one is there to accept the load, a redelivery fee can apply and the order is not refunded.
You need to order at least 3 business days before your preferred delivery date. That allows us to schedule the load and send the confirmation with the photo. Order earlier if you want a specific window.
Whether you need crusher run for a base or river rock for a dry creek bed, the right material makes the job last. Browse the options on our Pierre city page and place your order online.
We also deliver to nearby communities.
See the delivered price for your address and order gravel & rock by the ton online. Loads run from 1 to over 40 tons, with free delivery on qualifying orders.
Fill out the form and our sales team will get back to you within the hour.