black hills
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 87
From: Dallas,Tx
black hills
let me start by saying that i upgraded from a heritage to a 2011 ulta on march 4th. me and the wife will be doing some shorter trips this year because we already had those planned. my question is what would be a good time of the year to head up to the black hills? its either that are the grand canyon next year. we are going to take 2 weeks off from work to take this trip. we really dont care for huge crowds so thats why we are not going during sturgis bike week. our back up would be the grand canyon just in case the weather was going to be bad. i was looking at leaving dallas and heading up hwy 287 through amarillo. following that north. anyone have any suggestions...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
Anytime from mid May through September will give you good riding in the Black Hills. Summer in the hills will often bring hailstorms, so bring with a good motorcycle cover to protect your bike if a thunderstorm looms. Because of the mountains, they often hit unexpectedly, so pay attention to the weather forecasts.
The Black Hills are not a very large geographic area, but every road is a scenic delight. Be sure and do the Iron Mountain Highway, where tunnels frame Mt. Rushmore, and the Spearfish Canyon--make sure you stop and check out the waterfalls.
http://www.travelsd.com/Attractions/Scenic-Byways
The Black Hills are not a very large geographic area, but every road is a scenic delight. Be sure and do the Iron Mountain Highway, where tunnels frame Mt. Rushmore, and the Spearfish Canyon--make sure you stop and check out the waterfalls.
http://www.travelsd.com/Attractions/Scenic-Byways
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 684
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
I've had better luck up that way early in the summer... say June through mid July. After that the monsoons hit and you're more likely to get thunderstorms.
edited to add:
With that said... around early June last year I was up there and rode through a thunderstorm... so you never know.
edited to add:
With that said... around early June last year I was up there and rode through a thunderstorm... so you never know.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 142
From: Sioux Center, Iowa
I've had more nice riding in the Hills than wet. Check the forecast in the morning. They're usually pretty accurate as to where and when it might rain. Make sure to ride the Badlands and to Devils Tower when you're there.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 531
Likes: 1
From: S.C.
I would tend to agree with this. Best ride I've had up there was around the fourth of July weekend. If I was to do this again, and had the time, In addition to the Black Hills attractions (Needles Highway, Iron Mtn Highway, Mt Rushmore, Wind Cave, Dead Wood, etc.) I'd make sure I get to the close by attractions, The BadLands, Wall Drug Store, and Devils Tower.
For me, after this I definitely head west towards Cody, Wy., stopping at Little Big Horn National Park, and then head over the Big Horn Range to Cody followed by a ride over the Beartooth Highway.
A bit of riding but riding Beartooth highway would be the highlight of the trip for me.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 1
From: Republic of Texas
I'm heading through the Black Hills area on my way home from Alaska in July. I have no interest on being anywhere near Sturgis during the rally, but I want to ride the area.
I rode the Grand Canyon last year and while the canyon itself was picturesque, the surrounding area was pretty damn dull.
Thanks for the link MNPGRider.
I rode the Grand Canyon last year and while the canyon itself was picturesque, the surrounding area was pretty damn dull.
Thanks for the link MNPGRider.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 87
From: Dallas,Tx
I would tend to agree with this. Best ride I've had up there was around the fourth of July weekend. If I was to do this again, and had the time, In addition to the Black Hills attractions (Needles Highway, Iron Mtn Highway, Mt Rushmore, Wind Cave, Dead Wood, etc.) I'd make sure I get to the close by attractions, The BadLands, Wall Drug Store, and Devils Tower.
For me, after this I definitely head west towards Cody, Wy., stopping at Little Big Horn National Park, and then head over the Big Horn Range to Cody followed by a ride over the Beartooth Highway.
A bit of riding but riding Beartooth highway would be the highlight of the trip for me.
For me, after this I definitely head west towards Cody, Wy., stopping at Little Big Horn National Park, and then head over the Big Horn Range to Cody followed by a ride over the Beartooth Highway.
A bit of riding but riding Beartooth highway would be the highlight of the trip for me.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
If you want to ride the Hills, avoid the month of August. The Rally clogs up every road and every hotel in the area. I always felt sorry for the families in thier campers that come up to see Mount Rushmore and the hills and did not realize about Sturgis. Everything in the Hills opens up after Memorial Day. Make sure to take Spearfish Canyon road, and the pig tail bridges and tunnels in the Needles HWY. Look up Black Hills tourism on line and they will send you all sorts of stuff for you to look at for your trip. Enjoy.
P.S. You could always head up a bit further north and see the ND Badlands.
P.S. You could always head up a bit further north and see the ND Badlands.
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Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 660
Likes: 0
From: Grayson, GA
I would tend to agree with this. Best ride I've had up there was around the fourth of July weekend. If I was to do this again, and had the time, In addition to the Black Hills attractions (Needles Highway, Iron Mtn Highway, Mt Rushmore, Wind Cave, Dead Wood, etc.) I'd make sure I get to the close by attractions, The BadLands, Wall Drug Store, and Devils Tower.
For me, after this I definitely head west towards Cody, Wy., stopping at Little Big Horn National Park, and then head over the Big Horn Range to Cody followed by a ride over the Beartooth Highway.
A bit of riding but riding Beartooth highway would be the highlight of the trip for me.
For me, after this I definitely head west towards Cody, Wy., stopping at Little Big Horn National Park, and then head over the Big Horn Range to Cody followed by a ride over the Beartooth Highway.
A bit of riding but riding Beartooth highway would be the highlight of the trip for me.
Me and 2 friends are taking this exact trip the 2nd week of June from Atlanta. We are spending 2 days in the Sturgis area staying 2 nights in Deadwood, then off to Yellowstone area, staying just outside of Cody WY for 2 nights then one night in Jackson Hole WY. Then a long depressing ride home to Atlanta.
This is my dream ride and the next 30 days will not pass fast enough for me.