The 86th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally continues through Sunday, August 16, 2026. If you are already in the Hills, there is no reason to park your bike in one community all day. Sturgis, Deadwood, Spearfish, the Buffalo Chip, the Badlands and Devils Tower each offer a different way to spend the remaining Rally week.
Use this guide to find bike shows, rides, concerts, scenic roads and rider-friendly stops through the end of The Rally. Schedules can change, so check official listings before heading out.
Choose Your Rally Stop
- Bike shows, stunts and major concerts: Buffalo Chip
- Main Street Rally atmosphere: Sturgis
- Historic nightlife: Deadwood
- Canyon riding and community stops: Spearfish
- Mount Rushmore and evening lighting: Keystone
- Rodeo and Central Hills riding: Hill City
- Dining, services and downtown entertainment: Rapid City
- Wildlife, scenic roads and a slower pace: Custer
- Open landscapes and roadside attractions: Badlands and Wall
- A memorable Wyoming ride: Devils Tower
- Fuel, food and route connections: Hulett and Sundance
Rally Riding Notes
- Check official schedules before leaving your lodging or campground.
- Confirm concert access and admission requirements.
- Fuel up before longer canyon, prairie or Wyoming rides.
- Carry water, sunscreen and a light weather layer.
- Arrive early at Devils Tower and Badlands overlooks.
- Expect heavy traffic around popular Rally destinations.
- Respect cultural and sacred places.
- Ride sober and plan a safe trip back after evening events.
- Check South Dakota and Wyoming road conditions before departure.
Concerts at the Buffalo Chip and Full Throttle Saloon
Two venues carry much of the remaining Rally concert lineup: the Sturgis Buffalo Chip and Full Throttle Saloon.
Buffalo Chip
- Tuesday, August 11: Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Wednesday, August 12: Lainey Wilson and Halestorm
- Thursday, August 13: Collective Soul and Buckcherry
- Friday, August 14: Drowning Pool, Fuel and Devon Worley Band
- Saturday, August 15: Van Zeppelin and The Iron Maidens
The Buffalo Chip also lists daily activities, bike shows, contests, stunt performances and live music throughout the Rally.
Full Throttle Saloon
- Tuesday, August 11: Miranda Lambert
- Wednesday, August 12: Rob Zombie
- Thursday, August 13: Jackyl
- Friday, August 14: Insane Clown Posse
Concert access, start times and admission requirements vary by event. Check the current venue schedule before making evening plans.
Daily Event Guide
Friday, August 14
Buffalo Chip
- Swap Meet: 8 a.m.–6 p.m., PowerSports Complex
- Rusty Wallace Charity Ride reception: Noon–6:30 p.m., Buffalo Chip
- Live DJ Music and Biker Bar Games: Noon–6 p.m., Big Engine Bar
- Beers and Burps Contest: 12:30 p.m., Bikini Beach
- Rope Swing Contest: 1 p.m., Bikini Beach
- Belly Flop Contest: 1:30 p.m., Bikini Beach
- Slip ’N’ Slide Relay: 2 p.m., Bikini Beach
- Timberworks Log Rolling and Axe Throwing: Thunderdome
Spearfish
- Spearfish Canyon Lodge Rally: All day, Spearfish Canyon Lodge
- Chris Campground Rally: All day, Chris’ Campground
- Queen City VFW Biker’s Dinner: All day, Queen City VFW
- 86th Black Hills Rally Day Drinkin’ and BBQ: 1 p.m., Crow Peak Brewing Co.
- Pop-Up Book Mobile: 2 p.m., Sawyer Brewing Co.
- Lonesome Jones: 5 p.m., Miller Creek Pub and Patio
- Downtown Friday Nights: 6 p.m., Downtown Spearfish
Custer
- Field Notes: Escape the Rally… Find the Wild: 5–6:30 p.m., Black Hills Nature Shop
Keystone
- Live Music with Jerry Allen: 6–9 p.m., Red Garter Saloon
- Mount Rushmore Evening Program: 8 p.m., Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Saturday, August 15
Buffalo Chip
- Garage Services: 8 a.m.–3 p.m., CrossRoads
- Swap Meet: 8 a.m.–6 p.m., PowerSports Complex
- Freedom Field: 8 a.m.–8 p.m., CrossRoads
- Live DJ Music and Biker Bar Games: Noon–6 p.m., Big Engine Bar
- Beers and Burps Contest: 12:30 p.m., Bikini Beach
- Rope Swing Contest: 1 p.m., Bikini Beach
- Belly Flop Contest: 1:30 p.m., Bikini Beach
- Slip ’N’ Slide Relay: 2:30 p.m., Bikini Beach
- Mini Bike Games: 5–7 p.m., Buffalo Chip
- Van Zeppelin: 8:30–9:45 p.m., Amphitheater
- The Iron Maidens: 10:30–11:59 p.m., Amphitheater
Spearfish
- SD Men’s Rec West Slow Pitch State Tournament: All day, Keating Resources Sportsplex
- Spearfish Canyon Lodge Rally: All day, Spearfish Canyon Lodge
- Hot Rods for the Hatchery: All day, D.C. Booth National Historic Fish Hatchery
- Black Hills Super 6: 8 a.m., Big Hill Trails
- Neighbors 2 Neighbors Farmers Market: 9 a.m., Lion’s Park
- 86th Black Hills Rally Day Drinkin’ and BBQ: 1 p.m., Crow Peak Brewing Co.
- Live Music with John PayCheck: 7 p.m., Crow Peak Brewing Co.
Hill City
- Mt. Rushmore Rodeo at Palmer Gulch: 6 p.m., Mt. Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch
Rapid City
- Back to School Block Party: 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Main Street Square
Keystone
- Live Music with Jerry Allen: 6–9 p.m., Red Garter Saloon
- Mount Rushmore Evening Program: 8 p.m., Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Sturgis
- The Stray Sons: 7–11 p.m., Kickstands
Sunday, August 16
Sunday marks the final day of the 2026 Rally.
Buffalo Chip
- Tattoo Café: 10:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m., CrossRoads
- Tattoo Café: 11 a.m.–2 a.m., Amphitheater
Sturgis
- Peanut Butter Drive: 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame
Sunday is a good day to make one final ride, visit a last Rally stop or begin the trip home before traffic builds.
Destination Highlights
Sturgis: Home of the Rally
By now, you have seen the Rally energy in the streets of Sturgis. Downtown remains the place to browse vendors, check out motorcycles, grab a meal and catch up with other riders before the next stop.
Before heading back out, make time for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame. The exhibits add context to the machines, riders and history behind the Rally. From the museum, keep the day moving toward Vanocker Canyon, Bear Butte, Deadwood or the Buffalo Chip.
Buffalo Chip: The Best Party Anywhere®
If the Rally is a road trip, the Buffalo Chip is one of its biggest destinations. The party continues with bike shows, stunt performances, contests, rides, food and live music across CrossRoads, Bikini Beach, the PowerSports Complex and the Thunderdome.
Spend the day here before settling in for an evening concert. When the music winds down, Sturgis, Deadwood and the Northern Hills are all close enough to keep the night going.
Deadwood: Ride Into History
You may have already experienced Deadwood’s Rally energy, but the town is worth another stop once you are ready for something beyond the concert grounds. Park the bike and walk Main Street among historic buildings, saloons, casinos and restaurants.
Watch Deadwood Alive reenactors bring the Old West to life, then step into the Days of ’76 Museum or Adams Museum and House. When you are ready to ride again, continue up Spearfish Canyon, toward Lead or back to Sturgis.
Spearfish: Take the Canyon Route
The Rally keeps moving, but Spearfish offers a chance to slow the pace without leaving the action behind. Follow Spearfish Canyon through limestone walls, forested slopes and cooler mountain air.
Make stops at Bridal Veil Falls, Spearfish Falls and Roughlock Falls, then continue to Cheyenne Crossing Café and Store for lunch. From there, choose your next direction: Lead, Deadwood, Wyoming or another loop through the Northern Hills.
Keystone: Landmark Views and an Evening Ride
After taking in the northern Rally communities, Keystone brings the ride into the Central Hills. Start the day with coffee at Grapes and Grinds, then follow scenic Iron Mountain Road to Custer or follow the road towards Mount Rushmore.
Come back to town for lunch at Big Thunder Bar and Grill before continuing toward Hill City, Custer or Rapid City. If you are still riding into the evening, return to Mount Rushmore for the 8 p.m. program.
Here, riders can:
- Ride Iron Mountain Road
- Visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- Explore Keystone’s shops, restaurants and attractions
- Connect with Hill City, Custer and Rapid City
- Make Keystone an evening stop after a Central Hills ride
Hill City: Rodeo and Central Hills Riding
Hill City gives the Rally a more relaxed rhythm. Park downtown, stretch your legs, browse local shops and galleries, and find a meal before heading back onto the road.
At the Museum at Black Hills Institute, fossils and prehistoric discoveries reveal the much older story beneath the roads you have been riding. From Hill City, continue toward Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer or the Needles Highway.
Rapid City: Downtown Entertainment and Black Hills Access
The Rally may keep pulling you toward the next event, but Rapid City offers an easy place to pause. Downtown brings together restaurants, public art, entertainment and places to meet up before the evening plans begin.
Start at Main Street Square, then follow the Presidential Walk through downtown. Grab a meal or a drink nearby before deciding whether to stay in town or ride toward Sturgis, Deadwood, the Central Hills or the Badlands.
Custer: Scenic Roads and a Change of Pace
When you are ready for a break from crowds and concert stages, head south to Custer. The Rally continues here through wildlife country, pine forest, granite spires and open grassland.
From Custer, ride through Custer State Park and along Needles Highway, stopping at Sylvan Lake or a scenic overlook. Then return to downtown Custer for food, shopping and a pause before continuing toward Hot Springs, Hill City or Keystone.
Hot Springs: Dig Into the Southern Hills
The party does not stop when you leave the Central Hills. Hot Springs offers a different kind of Rally day, built around warm mineral water, open roads and experiences that reach far beyond motorcycle culture.
At The Mammoth Site, look down into an active Ice Age fossil excavation where mammoth bones remain in the earth. Follow the visit with time at Evans Plunge Mineral Springs, then continue toward Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park or Angostura Recreation Area.
Badlands and Wall: Trade Pines for Open Prairie
When the Rally route turns east, the landscape changes with it. The pine-covered Hills give way to open prairie, colorful rock formations and long views across the Badlands.
Ride the Badlands Loop Road and stop at the overlooks before continuing to Wall. Wall Drug offers food, fuel, shopping and a classic roadside break. From Wall, return toward Rapid City or continue along I-90.
Devils Tower and Eastern Wyoming: Add Another State to the Ride
The Rally experience reaches beyond South Dakota. A ride into eastern Wyoming trades pine forest for open prairie and leads to one of the region’s most recognizable landmarks.
At Devils Tower National Monument, walk the 1.3-mile Tower Trail and take in the landscape and cultural significance of the site. Stop in Hulett or Sundance for fuel and food before beginning the ride back into South Dakota.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is happening during the final days of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally?
The Rally continues through Sunday, August 16, with concerts, bike shows, rides, contests, motorcycle displays and community events across the Black Hills.
What concerts are happening at the Buffalo Chip?
The Buffalo Chip lineup includes Lynyrd Skynyrd on August 11; Lainey Wilson and Halestorm on August 12; Collective Soul and Buckcherry on August 13; Drowning Pool, Fuel and Devon Worley Band on August 14; and Van Zeppelin and The Iron Maidens on August 15.
What concerts are happening at Full Throttle Saloon?
Full Throttle Saloon lists Miranda Lambert on August 11, Rob Zombie on August 12, Jackyl on August 13 and Insane Clown Posse on August 14. Check the venue schedule for current times and admission details.
Is Badlands National Park open during the Rally?
Yes. Badlands National Park is open 24 hours a day, and the Ben Reifel Visitor Center is open daily from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. during summer hours.
Can I ride to Devils Tower during Rally week?
Yes, but plan for heavy traffic and limited parking. Wednesday, August 12, is traditionally a busy ride day for Devils Tower during Rally week, so arrive early or later in the day and follow directions from park staff.
How long is the Tower Trail at Devils Tower?
The Tower Trail is a 1.3-mile paved loop near the visitor center. Bring water and allow extra time if parking is busy.
Keep the Party Rolling
View Events to find more Rally rides, concerts, bike shows and community gatherings.