Sturgis and Yellowstone on the same trip?
 

I have scored two weeks vacation without the wife and kiddos starting Aug 2nd. I want to run hard and fast from NH out to Sturgis getting there on the 4th making that 3 days at 650ish miles each. I've done 850ish miles last year on my 2010 Cop Glide so 14-16 hour days in the saddle don't scare me. What I'm looking from you is must see places or events at both Sturgis and Yellowstone. I plan on camping most of the time with maybe a hotel or two thrown in for good measure. I'd like to NOT make any reservations if that's possible.

Possible schedule

Arrive at Sturgis on the 4th

5th Sturgis
6th Sturgis
7th Sturgis

Leave for Yellowstone 8th

9th Yellowstone
10th Yellowstone
11th Yellowstone

Head towards home on the 12th

Only must see/do is Mt Rushmore, Black Hills, Old Faithfull and Old Desert Storm Air Force buddy on the way home. He lives in Omaha.

Can you help me out?

-Keith 42 year old New Hampshire Rider

I'm interested as well since this will be my first time to the area.

Sounds like you need to make reservation for Sturgis even if camping....we rent a house can't help on camp grounds.....but somehow you must do the Beartooth highway between Red Lodge and yellowstone.....exit yellowstone via the south go through the the Grand Tetons thorough Wyoming catch I80 to your friends in Omaha...it should be a great ride....
Good luck...sounds like a heck of a time.

Iron Mountain Road (16A) to Mt. Rushmore should be on bucket list

Study Yellowstone closely and check website for road construction. That may slow your travel through the park.

East gate is the one closest to Cody and also access to Bear Tooth Pass. Cody would be a good choice for home base. Cody also has the Buffalo Bill Museum. Allow for three hours.

While at Sturgis check out the Full Throttle Saloon. There is so much to do around Sturgis you could make that a week long vacation.

I'm interested to hear if Sturgis can be done without reservations too.

Why take a chance...make reservations for peace of mind....

I did both Yellowstone and the Black Hills in a much shorter time last year. You'll have to slow down and smell the roses, which will be nice. I would recommend making reservations for camping in Yellowstone as they can fill up quickly. I documented my ride with pics and some details in Tripline. The first part is wordy and boring as I set the story - the stuff you are interested in is toward the middle to bottom. If you have any questions on any of it just ask....

http://www.tripline.net/trip/LWTL_%2...32B38DFE6680B5

You'll have the time. See Custer Battlefield north of Sheridan, Wy. Don't miss Beartooth Pass and Chief Joseph Highway between Red Lodge, Mt. and Cody, Wy.

Bill

With 3 days for NH to Sturgis if this was my trip I'd spend 1/2 a day in Sturgis and 1-1/2 (days 4-6) riding the Hills. 1 day (day 7) from the Black Hills to Red Lodge. 2 days (day 8-9) Beartooth and tour the Park. 2 days (day 10-11) Yellowstone to Omaha including time to visit you friend. 3 days (12-14) Omaha to NH.
If Sturgis is your thing make it a day. You can see a lot of the Hills in a good day. I've done both Beartooth and Chief Joseph several time but still like Beartooth the best. Yellowstone is layed out in a large figure 8 with a lot to see. You are at the height of tourist season and the speed limit in the Park is 45 MPH. Plan your stops accordingly. Hope you have a great trip.