Going for 1st ride to Sturgis this year and would like some advice on what your favorite rides that have been. Want to do Spearfish Canyon to Deadwood, and see Mt. Rushmore. Anyone done the ride to Devil's Tower?

 

Wait wait...probably 20 million bikers over the years....

What do you want to know....how long will you be there? how many days, where will you be staying at? There will be a plethera of information coming your way shortly...

 

Devil's Tower, Iron Mountain Road, Needles Highway, "No pantys Wednesday" in Hullett, WY., Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Monument, Deadwood, Spearfish Canyon.

Bill

 

The Badlands...

 

Charlie...some maps to look at:

http://www.dreamridemotorcycleguide.com/PDFgallery.htm

 

I have done all of those rides. Never, never, never the first weekend of August. The way I see it the two things are separate. Sturgis is what it is but the rides are infinitely better any other time than during the rally.

 

Vanocker Canyon south of Sturgis to Nemo.

 

It Depends on your starting point as to the order of routes.
Our starting point is Spearfish.

Day one
Sturgis, Dead wood, Spearfish canyon.

Day Two
We do Iron mountain road the wildlife loop then on to needles hwy in one day. You could fit in Rushmore also. It would make a long day.

Day Three
Devils Tower, Hulett Wy. Stone House or Sundance.

Day Four
Keystone, Custer, Hill city and Crazy Horse. Going through Spearfish canyon at least once that day. Usually both ways.

Days 5 6 7 are more of the same. We just use these days for going back to the spots we would like to spend more time at.

This year we are spending Three nights in Cody before going to Sturgis.

Oh yea don't forget Nemo. Also the Prairie Berry Winery in Hill city is a good stop. (wine tasting and they ship bottles home for you)

 

for mount rushmore, we like to go to the evening lighting ceremony. they do a short film on the construction of mount rushmore and one of the park rangers gives a short presentation. we park in the ramp there but tell them you want a 1 day parking pass, otherwise they sell you a yearly pass.

 

So all of these replies are great.

Keep in mind one thing. There really isn't any bad riding once you get into the Black Hills. Just decide what you want to see and head that direction. The ride there and back will be beautiful.
One thing to keep in mind, Badlands was mentioned. It gets hot. I mean south Texas Arizona hot. It is like a desert down in there. So if you go, bring water along to stay hydrated.