BEST MOTORCYCLE RIDES IN SOUTH DAKOTA

ROUTE: SD-44, SD-240
DISTANCE: 120 miles
TIME: 3 hours

Take this ride through the incredibly unique Badlands National Park. Its dramatic landscapes span layered rock formations, steep canyons and towering spires. Bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs inhabit its sprawling grasslands. The Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240) winds past numerous scenic lookouts, which provide ample opportunities to take in the incredible topography of the sharply eroded pinnacles. This route offers amazingly diverse scenery, as the road to Rapid City leads to the green and fertile mountains of the Black Hills. While inside the park, you’ll weave around the natural stone pillars and mountains, making this one of the best South Dakota motorcycle rides!
(photo: S. DuBose)


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ROUTE: SD-87
DISTANCE: 39 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours

There are more than a few spectacular motorcycle roads in the Black Hills/Custer State Park region, but SD-87 is one of the finest. The highway is named after the high granite “needles” it winds among, and passes through two tunnels blasted through sheer granite walls. It’s an extremely impressive ride that includes sharp turns, narrow tunnels, granite spires and world class views. On one famous section, riders can experience the sensation of threading your motorcycle through the eye of a needle! Needles Eye Tunnel is just 8 feet 4 inches wide and is the most famous of the 3 tunnels on the road. The road pavement quality is excellently maintained here as well, making it one of the top South Dakota motorcycle rides. If you ride this earlier in the morning, you can avoid most of the traffic, especially if you’re riding during the Sturgis bike week.
(photo: M. Mike)


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ROUTE: US-16A, SD-244
DISTANCE: 35 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours

Take this South Dakota motorcycle ride through the vast Custer State Park with granite peaks and rolling plains. Loop around north to Route 244 for some great scenery of Mt Rushmore. In fact, each of the single lane tunnels on this route were masterfully designed to frame Mount Rushmore when riding north. We’ve all seen the picture, but the monument really has to be seen in person to fully appreciate it. This also route includes the famous Iron Mountain Rd. There are plenty of curves with a few tight switchbacks along with some steep elevation changes that make this a truly great motorcycle road. For roads that get driven on often, the pavement quality is in excellent condition. Just watch out for those bison!


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ROUTE: US-14A
DISTANCE: 32 miles
TIME: 1 hour

The Spearfish Canyon Byway is another example of what makes South Dakota so great for motorcycle riding. This scenic byway offers winding roads with beautiful rock formations that line the highway for much of the route. Though the scenic byway portion is relatively short at 22 miles, this is one of the most awe-inspiring motorcycle rides in the Black Hills. See the Northern Great Plains Grasslands along with waterfalls, pine forests and miles of hiking trails. These curves are generally nice and smooth, which would be suitable for riders of most skill levels. The striking natural beauty on this road makes it a perfect motorcycle road trip for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Find out why the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway has been called “the most marvelous canyon of the west”!
(photo: roadtrippers.com)


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ROUTE: Vanocker Canyon Rd
DISTANCE: 39 miles
TIME: 1 hour

For one of the best motorcycle roads in Sturgis, be sure to check out Vanocker Canyon Road. There’s dramatic vistas here along with vast, sweeping curves. Forests full of birch and aspen trees provide a peaceful backdrop along the byway. The road can be started from Sturgis, and continues south to the historic community of Nemo. Nemo Road is a classic, curvy ride as well, and continues to be a great motorcycle route through the rolling, Black Hills into Rapid City. For a longer 2 hour loop ride, take Sheridan Lake Rd and north to historic Deadwood, SD. From there, you can take US-14A back into Sturgis. If you’re looking to leave the crowds behind, Vanocker Canyon Road is a must ride while in Sturgis!


Click here for the Google maps motorcycle route link

GreatMotorcycleRoads.com is the place to find the best motorcycle roads and rides near South Dakota and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Discover more great motorcycle roads for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally with our detailed route descriptions and Google Maps links!