Best Motorcycle Rides for STURGIS Rally | Top 6 List!

What are the best motorcycle rides for the 2023 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally? GreatMotorcycleRoads.com presents the best motorcycle roads trips in South Dakota for Sturgis 2023!
All these motorcycle road trip destinations can be found on our website greatmotorcycleroads.com/dakotas
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0:00 - INTRO
1:32 - NEEDLES HIGHWAY
3:04 - BADLANDS
4:44 - MT RUSHMORE
6:15 - SPEARFISH CANYON
7:32 - VANOCKER CANYON
08:50 - DEVILS TOWER
What are the best motorcycle rides near me in South Dakota? These are the top 6 motorcycle roads for the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally! We'll cover what it’s like to motorcycle the Needles Highway, and the great motorcycle ride through the Badland National Park. Check out the best motorcycle route in SD on the Iron Mountain Rd motorcycle ride, featuring S Dakota routes US-16A and SD-244. Experience what it's like to motorcycle the Needles Eye Tunnel as well as the Vanocker Canyon Scenic Byway motorcycle ride. You won't want to miss the Spearfish Canyon motorcycle route, which is the best motorcycle ride near Sturgis. We also highlight the best motorcycle road through Nemo, SD. Find out the best motorcycle rides near Rapid City, SD at GreatMotorcycleRoads.com!
Thanks to our motorcycle riding vlogger friends for submitting their footage! Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to their channels below:
​⁠‪@motolaxin2514‬ for gorgeous POV riding footage through some of the best roads in the United States
• Riding Badlands Nation...
• Riding Needles Highway...
​⁠‪@OneOldManRiding‬ Devil's Tower motorcycle riding footage:
• Devils Tower Wyoming B...
​⁠‪@BudzzableRides‬ Vanocker Canyon Motorcycle ride footage
• Vanocker Canyon 2022
​⁠‪@mkalthouse‬ Vanocker Canyon Motorcycle ride footage
• ShirtPocket Production...
​⁠‪@ThomasLazio‬ Spearfish Canyon Motorcycle ride footage
• Sturgis 2022- Needles ...
Awesome footage of motorcycle riding in S Dakota
• Motorcycle Ride - The ...
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DISCLAIMER: All of these motorcycle routes, riding tips, and recommendations are based on our opinions alone and are only for entertainment purposes. We are not responsible for any route changes or detours. We assume no liability for decisions made as a result of the information provided here. You are still completely responsible for your decisions, your actions, and your safety. Riding a motorcycle can be potentially very dangerous, and should be done with extreme caution.

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Join us on Patreon to unlock more features including Google maps showing where every route is located in the state, GPX files for each route, exclusive routes for each state as well as Alaska, Hawaii and Canada and exclusive videos! www.patreon.com/greatmotorcycleroads

[@jimhorton517]

Great video covering all the must do rides and really loved the surprise of seeing both mine and my son's motorcycles at the 9:18 mark!

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Thanks for the comment, that is a great photo!

[@davypig571]

I'm afraid if I go there I'll never come home. It's so beautiful.

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Exactly!

[@loramaclean476]

It's so beautiful and the riding is phenomenal!

[@chuckbiker9400]

This year will be my 36th Sturgis rally. I usually arrive 2 days before the official start (Wednesday afternoon) and leave 11 days after on Sunday morning. As much as I love the rally, the rides, the concerts, and last but not least all my biker brothers and sisters. After 11 days. I'm always happy and as tired as a man can be. To head back home.

[@jameslyons1661]

❤🏁❤️

[@motolaxin2514]

Great video as always. I didn't go during Bike Week, but I found that going during the later evening was a great time to ride. Very few cars and/or bikes are on the road. As a bonus, you might see some great color as well.

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Very true, thanks again for your excellent video content!

[@kevinmatthews365]

There is an honour system booth to fill out an envelope with payment or a machine to pay by credit card the $20 entry fee to Custer to MR/Needles Highway. There is a warning sign if caught without paying regarding fines and penalties.

[@motolaxin2514]

Good point. I think I confused this state park with the national parks. You don't have to pay after the gates are closed for the national parks.@@kevinmatthews365

[@qthebikeahaulic]

Leave the 26th for 3 weeks! I ride the roads in both directions and stop at every pull off/ attraction on the right side. Quick in and out and I don't miss any of the views. The wildlife loop is great first thing in the morning to see the critters. Also, the one that goes along the train tour tracks is another route. I divide the area into 4 sections. The pace is an average 35-45mph with a lot of stops so I'm not trying to cram it all into just a few rides. Just doing Spearfish to Deadwood, Lead, Custer, Rapid City and back to Sturgis in one big loop without stopping takes most of a day. Finally, please remember, "Don't pet the fluffy Bison".

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Good tips thank you!

[@randyashley7382]

I'm in this Video , It was brought to a friends attention who was also in this Video . Devils Tower Ride . Thanks for sharing This !!!

[@DeBa1226]

I feel like everyone out on the open trail, riding, should be connected to your channel. What a valuable resource as you cover every corner of the USA and everything in between. You really provide great ideas for where to ride next or when in the area! Love it brother. By the way, sub with SoDak Motorcycle Blog as he’s in the Rapid/Sturgis area, has a great channel, and know how much he’d probably enjoy yours!

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Appreciate your comment, thank you!

[@chuckhand8622]

14A out of Rapid City to the "T" at 385, turn left to go to Custer or right to go to Deadwood!!!

[@mathewczaster5896]

You rock! Nicely done, and thank you very much!

[@raymarcum2287]

I’ve rode all of them there all awesome love the blackhills

[@pedropablogarciarestrepo7756]

Custer, - Crazy Horse - Needles Hwy - Deadwood

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Good choices!

[@raygregoryride]

there's so much good ride to do there. You can't possibly do it all at 1 time that's why we go back every year thanks for sharing

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

I totally agree!

[@edward-dx8wf]

Our group did a few of these rides during the rally this year rode most of them in the rain but still enjoyed them all.we did over 500 miles just in that area

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Right on, thanks for the comment!

[@kevinmatthews365]

Additional info; there is a $20 honour system entry fee on the Custer to Mount Rushmore/Needles Highway loop. Best pay it or risk penalties or a fine. Also $10 parking fee at Mount Rushmore. Just did these rides last week and they were some of my favourites on my entire trip. Of course there is an entry fee for the National Parks (The Badlands). The annual pass for $80 is your best bet. But I was caught off guard by timed entry’s that had to be reserved online for some NP’s. There was not one for The Badlands though. Just show up. Don’t bother trying to enter Devils Tower NP. There is a $20 entry fee and with limited parking there is a very long wait shortly after entering the park where you will likely idle for an hour plus just trying to get to the visitor centre. Best to ride the loop as described and there are great picture opportunities just outside of the park.

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Yes, good to point out most of these parks to have an entry fee, thank you

[@tealcheif1949]

Thank you for another great video!

[@bklynnyc7474]

Fantastic work on your video, very informative, and great scenery of that beautiful country. Thanks for sharing. Stay blessed.......

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Thanks!

[@harryphillips407]

Just returned from riding each of these routes… thank you for the ride prep!

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Nice!

[@USAonHarley]

All excellent routes! We didn’t know about the Vanocker Canyon! We will have to do it next time @ Sturgis! Thanks for sharing!

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

You got it!

[@okiemale1589]

😎👍 Big thumbs up for the channel...

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Thank you for the support!

[@MichaelJones-ir3cc]

Another great vid guys! Did all of these roads a few years ago, but me and my crew went three weeks before the Sturgis Rally. Not as crowded, very little traffic and available hotels! Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road, Spearfish Canyon and the BadLands are MUST SEE rides; For those of you that have not visited the area, you will not regret riding those. Watch out for afternoon showers almost every day, you will get wet if you are not prepared :)

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Very true, thanks for the comment!

[@allenantonio4389]

It's That time of year again,,

[@bigstanmoto]

Awesome rides, I just did these for the first time this year! Thanks for all the tips! Big Stan

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Awesome, thanks for the comment!

[@calinabtx]

These roads can be combined to do a couple of them togerther in one ride.

[@jamesdjesse]

This is my first year to ride to sturgis. Thanks for the info

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

You got it! Awesome riding up there

[@RicardoTorres-px4is]

Great info with wonderful videos!

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Thank you!

[@LPOneThree]

Since Spearfish Canyon (my favorite road) is a shorter ride, once you get to Cheyenne Crossing at end of the canyon (heading north to south). Take the CanAm highway out to the Buckhorn Saloon in Wyoming. There's not much out there so it's a lesser known trip. From Buckhorn you can turn around and head back towards Deadwood or head a little bit more south and take Deerfield Rd. (another fun road with some elevation changes) to Hill City. The CanAm highway is probably the best least talked about road in the Black Hills.

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Good tip, will check out CamAm, thanks!

[@cliffjaden2841]

there are 3 waterfalls on Spearfish Canyon road... the two you mentioned and another that's behind the lodge in Savoy it's a short hike but a beautiful waterfall...

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Thanks for the info!

[@electraglidewayne8654]

great video. actually in Custer for the month of July riding these roads/

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Nice, thanks!

[@nomoreblahblah]

You put together another great video. Thanks for the work required to make this video. It provides good information and saved me some research time. I'll definitely put the info to use in S. Dakota..

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Thanks for the support!

[@jrkat]

Done these, great MC Roads

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@gorrdd]

Thanks... the video quality was excellent in this review.😊 Gord

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Thank you sir!

[@kevinmatthews365]

Excellent! 5 of 6 of these were on my list for my next ride coming up in two weeks.

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Right on

[@josephhague1530]

man, im so psyched to get out there, like a dream now but in three more weeks...

[@BaxterTheBiker]

After the Sturgis Rally in September is an excellent time to enjoy riding the Black Hills. The weather is good, and the roads aren't as crowded. You missed an excellent opportunity for a Finding Nemo joke! 😊

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Exactly I went in late September best time to ride

[@LPOneThree]

As a local September is my favorite month in the Black Hills. Days are still warm but nights are cold enough to make the leaves begin to change color

[@tompGA]

I thought that Iron Mountain Rd was very technical with very narrow roads, several switchbacks and 3 corkscrew curves. Fun but non-mountain riders will either be very slow or get into trouble.

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

True on the technical side

[@MO_Harley_Guy]

Thank you for putting this video together. My father and I are taking a motorcycle trip next week and will be going from Missouri to Glacier National Park. We have based several of our rides/stops off of your videos; I cannot thank you enough! One question I have is the Badlands loop. On Google Maps, Sage Rim Rd after 240 cuts north to Wall appears to be dirt, all the way until it terminates at SD44. Do you know if it is paved or if it is dirt? I'm not a fan of riding my Harley touring bike on dirt roads more than I have to, haha. Thanks for your help!

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

I did Badlands in 2019, I don’t recall whether that road was paved. Perhaps another viewer can comment. Thanks for the feedback!

[@quentinhilpert9606]

you forgot chasing the 1880s train

[@jrobinson42479]

What’s the gas station situations like for all these roads?

[@MichaelH416]

All great roads. Side Note: Some of the roads go through National and State parks and there is a fee to enter the park. They all offer 10 day passes during rally time at a reasonable price.

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Good tips thank you!

[@bobbydouglass1813]

mite interest folks to know about the different $$$ charge to get in some of your choices, badlands, custer state park, mt rushmore, crazy horse, devil's tower etc and GOD BLESS AMERICA

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Thanks for the comment!

[@captainjim605]

Great video! Just a heads up: I rode the route from Sturgis through Vanocker Canyon, then south on Nemo Road yesterday (July 10, 2023) and there is a significant amount of road construction on Nemo road currently, including flagmen on short one lane sections and an unpaved gravel section. Hopefully, they will have the construction completed before the Rally starts. Also, I-90 south of Sturgis in down to one lane each way, all on the west bound side (east bound side is tore up) - looking at the amount of work that will need to get done, I will be surprised if this gets done before the Rally. A video from yesterday's ride: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6Oxp3mOrM19gLM

[@GreatMotorcycleRoads]

Good info thanks for the comment!