SOUTH DAKOTA MOTORCYCLE RIDES & NORTH DAKOTA MOTORCYCLE RIDES
BEST STURGIS MOTORCYCLE ROADS
Looking for the best motorcycle rides for the 2024 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally? Below is our in-depth list of the best motorcycle roads in South Dakota and best motorcycle routes in North Dakota. Ride among gorgeous rolling prairies, twisting mountain roads, and iconic American monuments like Mount Rushmore & Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Click on each Sturgis motorcycle ride map links for the direct Google Maps route.
What Are The Best Motorcycle Rides in N Dakota?
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway
- Enchanted Highway
What Are The Best Motorcycle Rides in S Dakota?
- Rapid City to Badlands
- Needles Highway
- Custer to Mt Rushmore
- Spearfish Canyon Byway
- Vanocker Canyon Road
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Check out our newest video on the Best Motorcycle Rides in Sturgis For 2023! Experience what it's like to motorcycle the Needles Hwy, Spearfish Canyon and Iron Mountain Rd!
SOUTH DAKOTA MOTORCYCLE RIDES
RAPID CITY TO BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Routes 144, 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 motorcycle rides in South Dakota.
(Photo: S. DuBose)
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
NEEDLES HIGHWAY
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. 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. on this great motorcycle road in South Dakota!
(Photo: M. Mike)
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
CUSTER TO MT RUSHMORE
Route 16A, 244
DISTANCE: 35 miles
TIME: 1 hour 20 min
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!
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
SPEARFISH CANYON BYWAY
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"!
(photos: visitspearfish.com / roadtrippers.com)
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
VANOCKER CANYON ROAD
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 FOR MAP LINK
NORTH DAKOTA MOTORCYCLE RIDES
THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK
DISTANCE: 28 miles
TIME: 1 hour
This ND motorcycle ride is a scenic loop that goes travels through the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The park road will offer sweepers and grade changes, along with a few tight corners. There are 3 campgrounds located inside the park as well. Watch for various wildlife on this national park road including prairie dogs, deer and buffalo. As with most national parks in the United States, the road is very well maintained. Enjoy the panorama of painted canyons as you ride your motorcycle among the best of the western North Dakota Badlands.
(Photos: neilpeart.net / travelwithsara.com)
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
SHEYENNE RIVER VALLEY SCENIC BYWAY
DISTANCE: 30 miles
TIME: 40 mins
This north/south National Scenic Byway passes farmland, ranches, and open fields. It's considered one of the best motorcycle roads in North Dakota with its scenery with rolling hills, gentle turns and good road conditions. There's some wide open, vast stretches to open up and take advantage of the minimal traffic.
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
ENCHANTED HIGHWAY
DISTANCE: 32 miles
TIME: 40 mins
This country highway leads through rolling farmland of the eastern side of the state from Regent to Interstate 94. One interesting feature of this North Dakota motorcycle road is the giant metal structures located every few miles. There's some vast, open straights with some variety of hills, valleys and a few bends.
(Photos: ndtourism.com / indianmotorcycles.net)
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
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- GreatMotorcycleRoads.com
Where Can I Find South Dakota Motorcycle Events?
Visit our friends at BikeWeekEvents.com to find local Motorcycle Rallies and all scheduled bike shows happening in North & South Dakota!
Please note: Any routes and recommendations are based solely on our opinions and are meant for informational purposes only. To use information contained on this site is to do so at your own risk. GreatMotorcycleRoads.com is not responsible for the information contained in these pages. We assume no liability for decisions made as a result of the information provided here. You are responsible for your decisions, your actions, and your safety.