Places To See While You're In Sturgis
Historic Towns & Sites
With a rich history of Native Americans, pioneers and prospectors for the Gold Rush, the Black Hills have many historic towns and sites to offer while you are visiting Sturgis and the Rally.
Deadwood
The whole town of Deadwood is a National Historic Landmark and full of rich history and legends. There are museums, cemeteries, historic houses, hotels, restaurants, saloons, railroads, mining and more.
Spokane Black Hills Ghost Town
Now a Black Hills ghost town, Spokane was founded in 1890 to extract precious gold, the mine proved richer in silver, copper, zinc, mica and graphite
Galena Ghost Town
Galena is another of the little boom towns that sprang up during the 1876 gold rush.
Buffalo Gap
A very old western South Dakota town, Buffalo Gap was founded in 1877
Meeker Ranch - Custer, SD
This historic site has picturesque ranch buildings and surrounding meadows.
Prairie Homestead - 21070 Hwy 240 Philip, SD
Journey into the visual memories of what life was like during the homestead days at the Prairie Homestead.
Great Rides You Have To Make
Iron Mountain Road & Mt. Rushmore
The Iron Mountain Road, then Mt Rushmore, and finally Crazy Horse - This is an incredible journey and ride. Bring a camera.
The Iron Mountain Road then Mt Rushmore and finally Crazy Horse
17 MILES 314 CURVES
14 SWITCHBACKS
3 PIGTAILS
3 TUNNELS
4 PRESIDENTS
2 SPLITS
If you want to change the google map below, here are the directions we used.
Google Map: 999 Main St, Sturgis, SD 57785 3 US-385, Deadwood, SD 57732 Keystone, South Dakota 57751 US-16 Scenic, Keystone, SD 57751 24600-24602 Iron Mountain Rd, Custer, SD 57730 US-16 Scenic, Custer, SD 57730 US-16 Scenic, Custer, SD 57730 Custer, South Dakota 57730 Hill City, South Dakota 57745 23821 US-385, Hill City, SD 57745
Spearfish Canyon - Boulder Cabyon - Vanocker Canyon
A 2 ½ hour, 100 mile loop which begins and ends in Sturgis.
Don’t miss the Northern Hills Ride! Locally known as the “Canyon Ride” as it takes you through Boulder Canyon, Spearfish Canyon and Vanocker Canyon on a 2 ½ hour.
100 mile loop which begins and ends on Main Street Sturgis.
According to veteran riders, this may well be one of the most picturesque rides in the country. The diversity of this route is what makes the veteran riders refer to it as one of the best 100 miles of motorcycle riding in the country.
Starting in Sturgis -
Take Boulder Canyon (Alt 14) to Hwy 85 North.
Take I-90 West until you reach exit 14.
Go left a few hundred feet and take a right on Colorado Blvd.
(Watch for the Spearfish Canyon signs, 14A.)
There are 3 Waterfalls in the Spearfish Canyon. Bridal Veil Falls, Spearfish Falls, and Roughlock Falls (There are 2 small easy hikes to see both Spearfish and Roghlock Falls). Cheyenne Crossing is at the end of Hwy 14A.
Turn east on Hwy 85 to wards Lead and Deadwood.
Turn Right on Hwy 385 South.
Turn Right onto Nemo Road. A mile outside of Nemo is the turnoff to Vanocker Canyon.
This road will bring you right back to Sturgis at exit 32
Silver City
1 Hr - 10 Miles
5 paved miles to Silver City from Hwy 385, half uphill and half down.
You can find the Silver City Turnoff on Hwy 385 about 1.3 miles north of the Hwy 44/385 junction or 3 miles North of Pactola Lake.
The first 2 1/2 miles are uphill with one blind curve after another. There may be a little loose sand-sized gravel on some of the curves. Once you peak at Deer Creek, the next 1.5 miles are downhill.
The Badlands
Under 200 miles, 1/2 day Exposition.
Starting in Rapid City, Head East on High 44 past the Regional Airport.
Go through Scenic and on to Interior and Cedar Pass.
You will pick up Hwy 240 called the Bandlands Loop and exit on I-90 (Exit 110 at Wall)
I90 Westbound riders are so eager to get to Sturgis or the Black Hills they don't take the time to see the Bandlands. This is a mistake. The whole loop takes only an hour and brings you right back to I-90.
1. The Roads are paved 2 lane highways with some gentle curves, nothing too challenging.
2. There aren't many trees and it can get hot in the summer. Bring along plenty of water.
3. Other than Interior there aren't any town in the National Park. Fill up with Gas at Rapid City, Interior, or Wall.
4. There is lodging in the park at Cedar Pass, Interior, or Wall.
5. There are 4 scenic overlooks and several scenic pull offs and some short walking trails near the visitors center.
Motorcyclists are a more curious lot though and I expect you'll stop and take more of the beauty than the typical car traveler.
Other Must See's While You're Here
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame
999 Main St, Sturgis, SD 57785-1620
Black Hills National Cemetery
20901 Pleasant Valley Dr, Sturgis SD 57785
Old Ft. Meade Museum
50 Sheridan St., Sturgis, SD 57741
Black Hills Dakota Distillery
8320 N Blucksberg Mountain Rd, Sturgis, SD 57785-
Wonderland Caves
12634 Alpine Rd, Nemo, SD 57759