Deerfield Lake

The Deerfield Lake Loop Trail is 10 miles long, and it provides excellent opportunities to spot wildlife and take in the scenery of this beautiful Black Hills body of water. Your hike can be as long or as short as you like. Plan accordingly to leave yourself a one-hour ride before lunchtime. Here’s how to get there from Rapid City.

Start early and take Highway 16 (Mount Rushmore Road) south out of Rapid City.

Stay right when signs indicate a left-hand deflection into Keystone.

Stay left at Three Forks (Highway 385/16 Junction), maintaining the course into Hill City, South Dakota.

Slate Creek Grille is located on Museum Drive, just off of Highway 16 when you enter Hill City from the northeast.

In front of Slate Creek Grille is the intersection of Main Street (Highway 16) and Deerfield Road. Turn right off of Main and take Deerfield Road north toward Deerfield Lake. This ride will take you straight through the scenic Central Hills countryside of rolling hills and open meadows.

Upon reaching Mystic Road, veer left to continue on Deerfield Road into the Black Hills National Forest.

Continue on Deerfield Road until reaching Deerfield Lake. To reach the trailhead, continue on Deerfield Road—passing the lake on your left—until you can veer right onto South Rochford Road.

Continue wrapping around the north side of the lake on South Rochford Road, turning right on NF 417 to park down by the lakeside.

Needles and Pigtails Ride

This ride encompasses some of the most breathtaking views of the Black Hills. Novice riders, be aware that there are many sharp turns and elevation changes that can be challenging. Allow plenty of time for riding, as well as stopping for photos. The course kicks off in the town of Keystone, near Mount Rushmore.

Leaving Keystone, take Highway 244 west toward Mount Rushmore.

Continue on Highway 244 west to the junction of US Highway 385/US 16 W/US 385 S., and turn left.

Take the 1st left onto SD 87. Follow 87 about 5 miles to a “Y” in the road, Junction 89. Turn left here to continue following Highway 87 and enter Custer State Park.

This ride is full of twists and turns and offers the opportunity to view the Needles, a unique series of rock formations, up close. Allow plenty of time for photo stops and slower speeds.

While you’re here, take the opportunity to stretch your legs at one of the most picturesque lakes in the Black Hills. The Sylvan Lake Shore Trail makes a complete 1-mile loop around the lake. There is also a small souvenir shop and snack bar for a bite to eat. There is a $10 per bike Custer State Park permit required to enter the park that is valid for 7 days.

Continue on Highway 87 into Custer State Park approximately 9 miles.

Turn left onto US 16 Alt. East. After approx. 6 miles, turn left again in order to stay on US 16 Alt East.

Stay right at the fork to continue on US 16 Alt. East, which will take you back into Keystone.

This ride will take you over the scenic pigtail bridges and offer some spectacular views of Mount Rushmore. The ride has many switchbacks and turns, so allow plenty of time for slower speeds.

Rolling hills make for kick back cruising in a group, too.

Courtesy of South Dakota Department of Tourism

Fall Colors Ride

You don’t have to wait for autumn for this scenic run, but the fall colors on this ride are amazing. It being fall in the northern US, bring appropriate riding gear for cooler climes. Or just suck it up and power your way through.

Starting in Rapid City, take Mount Rushmore Road to Omaha Street and head west.

Omaha Street turns into South Canyon Road. Continue straight ahead.

South Canyon Road turns into Nemo Road. Continue straight to Nemo.

The ride to Sturgis from here goes through Vanocker Canyon, which provides the perfect opportunity for some twisty roads and beautiful rock cliffs full of trees. Take it at your own pace and enjoy the scenery.

Head north on Nemo Road toward Dude Wrangler Road.

Turn right onto Vanocker Canyon Road.

Continue straight onto Junction Avenue.

Sturgis is a great place to get out and walk around and stretch the legs if needed. Check out Main Street Sturgis, the hub of the historic Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Next, you’re off to Deadwood and Boulder Canyon.

From Junction, turn left onto Lazelle Street and take it through town.

Lazelle Street turns into US 14A/Alt. West/Boulder Canyon.

Continue straight through Boulder Canyon.

The canyon combines a mixture of twists and turns and large hills, so use caution and enjoy the scenery as you follow Bear Butte Creek through the canyon. Once you hit Deadwood, hit up lunch before the Spearfish leg.

After lunch, head northeast on US 14 Alt. East/US 85 N.

Make a slight left onto US 85 N.

Turn left onto E. Colorado Blvd.

Turn left onto US 14 Alt. E and follow it through Spearfish Canyon.

Spearfish Canyon offers some of the most picturesque views of fall colors in the Black Hills. You will ride past Bridal Veil Falls and can get off your bike to take some pictures of it. There are many sharp turns, and Spearfish Canyon attracts many people looking at the fall colors, so use caution as you are riding.

Spearfish Canyon is also home to the beautiful Roughlock Falls. It is located just off the main road. If you wish to see it, note that the ride up there is on a gravel road, or there is a trail you can hike to get to it. Colors in Spearfish Canyon usually peak around the last weekend in September and the first week in October. Once you’re done taking all of this in, it’s time to head back to Rapid City.

Continue to US 85 S and follow that into Lead.

Head east on US 85 N.

Turn right onto US 385 S (signs for Custer).

Turn left onto SD 44 E.

Mount Rushmore beckons Sturgis riders each and every year.

Courtesy of South Dakota Department of Tourism

Pierre, South Dakota

Your Sturgis adventure isn’t complete without a stop in the Pierre area. If taking a route full of character and adventure appeals to you, hop off the interstate for a scenic back-roads route to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Exit I-90 at Exit 212 and travel north 33 miles on Highway 83 to the towns of Fort Pierre and Pierre, South Dakota. On this scenic drive see the open prairie and rolling hills. It’s an excellent opportunity to take photos with a backdrop of wide-open spaces and blue skies.

Get a taste of the Old West as you travel through Fort Pierre, South Dakota. Take pictures in front of the “old jail” just behind the Log Cabin located on Highway 83 or take Verendrye Drive to the Verendrye Monument. From here enjoy the panoramic views of the Missouri River and the layouts of the Fort Pierre and Pierre communities.

Then hop back on Highway 83 and travel east, crossing the Missouri River to Pierre proper. Your first right turn off of the bridge brings you to Steamboat Park, which is often referred to by riders as an oasis on a hot ride. Rest in the shade before getting back on Sioux Avenue heading east to Highland Avenue and take a right on Capitol Avenue to the State Capitol building. Pictures can be taken in front of the Capitol, or enjoy the walking paths along Capitol Lake at the Vietnam, Korean, World War I, and World War II memorials.

Oahe Dam

A short hop from Pierre, Oahe Dam is an earth-fill dam dividing the Missouri River into Lakes Sharpe and Oahe. From Pierre, take Highway 14 to Highway 1804. Head north on 1804 to the dam. Beautiful views of the river makes this a great stop for a cool ride. Continue driving west across the dam returning to the Pierre Area via Highway 1806.