Enjoy the Best Black Hills & Badlands Motorcycle Rides

Devils Tower Ride

Ride into Wyoming via SD Highway 34/WY 24, which guides you along a two-lane scenic highway through Belle Fourche, Aladdin, Alva and Hulett on the way to our nation’s first National Monument, Devils Tower. Loopback via US Highway 14/I-90, either through Moorcroft or Sundance, back into South Dakota.

A.B.A.T.E Skill Rating: 2

Spearfish Canyon Ride

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, Highway 14A out of Spearfish, is a picturesque and leisurely ride through thousand-foot-high limestone palisades along Spearfish Creek. Enjoy the deep canyon’s scenery, including a roadside view of Bridal Veil Falls, wildlife and sweeping curves.  This Scenic Byway is spectacular any time of the year, but particularly so during the autumn season. Bright gold Aspen and Birch trees make a stark contrast against the dark green Ponderosa pines and towering cliffs. To continue the trip, you might like to experience US Highway 85 into Wyoming or the Black Hills Parkway, US Highway 385 via Lead, which connects many of the scenic rides throughout the region.

A.B.A.T.E Skill Rating: 3

Custer State Park Ride

Custer State Park, along with the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road, is a favorite among riders and is considered by many to be the most scenic ride in the area. Iron Mountain’s pigtail turns, switchbacks and tunnels that frame Mt. Rushmore was created so visitors could enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills. Ride the park’s wildlife loop to view diverse scenery and wildlife, including around 1,300 head of wild buffalo before hitting the Needles Highway’s granite spires and sharp turns.

While in the area, you’ll want to experience our one-of-a-kind experiences at Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial. These memorials are surrounded by inspiring rides along Highways 16, 244 and 385. Difficulty rating for this ride varies depending on the segment of road. 

A.B.A.T.E Skill Rating: 3 - 5

Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway Ride

Head east to Badlands National Park with stops at the many picture-worthy scenic overlooks, including Pinnacles along Highway 240, the Badlands Loop Road.  Consider a trip back via Highway 44 with views of the southern Badlands and Buffalo Gap National Grasslands.

A.B.A.T.E Skill Rating: 3

Of course, the real mecca for motorcycles is the fun town of Sturgis - home to the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. A must-see for any biker enthusiast is a stop at the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame. The collection showcases vintage motorcycles, artifacts, and memorabilia of the past, present, and future of motorcycle culture. It pays tribute to the remarkable machines that started it all, as well as the dedicated people who bring it to life and ensure its survival.

Head out of Sturgis to Deadwood via Boulder Canyon (Highway 14A).  A.B.A.T.E. skills rated a #3, this short but pretty drive is the most-favored route to Deadwood. The whole town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is packed with history. One of the most prominent old-west characters of the gold mining town was Wild Bill Hickok. Most lodging offers on-site parking. The Deadwood Trolley has many stops around town - there's probably one near wherever you stay. Catch a ride on it and explore downtown Deadwood without having to drive or park!

There are endless variations and combinations of routes to explore. Here are a few more scenic rides you may want to include:

- Vanocker Canyon out of Sturgis
- Highway 17 to Rochford
- SD Highway 44 West out of Rapid City to Norris Peak and Nemo Road
- Highway 385 South through Hill City, past Crazy Horse to Custer and Hot Springs
 
With so many amazing experiences to be had along these riding routes, plan to come back to this region time and again. To view all of the great rides in the Black Hills and Badlands region, along with their skill ratings, view and download the Black Hills and Badlands Motorcycle Map.