Black Hills Advice

[ranks]

I am leaving for the first two weeks of June on a road trip to the Black Hills area.

I've searched the archives and

I plan on seeing Mt. Rushmoore, Crazy Horse, Wounded Knee, Devils Tower, and Deadwood, and doing needles.

Any other suggestions ?

What about weather this time of year ?
Touristy things to do ?
Good places to stay/eat, etc.

Most of the archives cover roads (duh on a MC website).

Thanks for any and all input in advance.

[Spirit_Rider]

In Deadwood try the Penny Motel, When we staied it was ~30$ a night. Any place in Deadwood has good food. In Keystone there is a place at the bottom of the hill on a 90 degree curve that has good food. I do not know the name but you will recognize it when you see it. Hill City has a good steak house and cheep cabins just outside of town.

You might want to try a stop in Hot Springs and the Wind cave south of Custer state park. Bring your swimsuit for the springs. Hot Springs has a mammoth museum that was nice if you like that sort of stuff

Closer to Sturgis the ride through Spearfish canyon (14A) is very pretty. Part of Dances with Wolves was shot there.

In Deadwood Stop at Mt Moria (sp) cemetery where Wild Bill and Calamity Jane are buried. It sounds morbid but it also gives a nice overlook of the city.


On the way to Wind Cave is Custer state park, watch out for the donkeys.

Iron Mountain is a great ride too.

Sorry for the rambling but I love the area.

[mwnahas]

Add to the list Bad Lands National park, Wall Drug, and Windcave National Forest. :)

[Dman]

I am leaving for the first two weeks of June on a road trip to the Black Hills area.

I've searched the archives and

I plan on seeing Mt. Rushmoore, Crazy Horse, Wounded Knee, Devils Tower, and Deadwood, and doing needles.

Any other suggestions ?

What about weather this time of year ?
Touristy things to do ?
Good places to stay/eat, etc.

Most of the archives cover roads (duh on a MC website).

Thanks for any and all input in advance.



Sounds as if everyone has you pretty well covered as far as where to ride. Only one I can see got missed is Vanocker Canyon between Sturgis and Nemo. That time of year is about as good as it gets for scenery. Your only limitation will be how much time you have to get it done

Temps up here in early June won't be hot, with lows in the upper 40's at night so if you're camping be prepared.

When you start planning your routes shoot me a PM if I can help. And if you're here over a weekend, give me a yell and you might even be able to talk me out of lunch!

Good Luck!

[OldRed]

Anna Miller Museum in Newcastle and if you can, Ft Laramie down near Torrington.

[Spirit_Rider]

I have not heard of Vanocker Canyon before, do you have more info? What road is it?

Sounds as if everyone has you pretty well covered as far as where to ride. Only one I can see got missed is Vanocker Canyon between Sturgis and Nemo. That time of year is about as good as it gets for scenery. Your only limitation will be how much time you have to get it done

Temps up here in early June won't be hot, with lows in the upper 40's at night so if you're camping be prepared.

When you start planning your routes shoot me a PM if I can help. And if you're here over a weekend, give me a yell and you might even be able to talk me out of lunch!

Good Luck!

[captain76]

Go to www.blackhillsbadlands.com and you will find all the great sights to see on your trip. When at the black hills stop at almost any gas station and pick up this organizations free map. The motorcycle museum in Sturgis is very interesting and the Spearfish Canyon ride is beautiful. In Spearfish Canyon eat at Spearfish Canyon Lodge. Great food and fantastic scenery. The previous replies to you are all right on. P.S. I was born and raised in Deadwood and return each year on my bike for the great scenery , people , and warm hospitality. Have a great trip!

[KingAlbertinacan]

There is also the steam train trip from Hill City to ? Does that one casino in Deadwood still do the all you can eat seafood on Wed?

[Spirit_Rider]

There is also the steam train trip from Hill City to ? Does that one casino in Deadwood still do the all you can eat seafood on Wed?
If you ride the train ask around or yell for fallguy, he works for them and I think he is the engineer.

He posts on the Sturgis site and is a very nice guy. the website also has good information on the area.
http://ride2sturgis.net

[Dman]

I have not heard of Vanocker Canyon before, do you have more info? What road is it?

It was the little "jewel" that not too many people knew about because it was never "advertised". Used to be found by going to the local BMW dealer and instead of turning to go back into town, turn the other way and keep going. now that the interstate exit 32 has been re-done take that one and it is well marked. Can't miss it.

The site mentioned by captain 76 (Hi John), check this map (http://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/home/planyourtrip/maps/sdbhprintmap) Save it to your desktop and open it in a viewer that you can zoom in (Windows Picture and Fax Viewer). You'll find it south of Sturgis.

HTH

[justlookin]

Couple of things.
If you happen to see "Wounded Knee" on the map, and you think, "maybe I should check it out." don't go. Very sad place indeed. Not much to see, and the local folks were drinking heavily the morning I got there.
Second, if you have time, get to the "Big Horn Mtns" across WY. Great ride on Chief Joseph Highway..
I think the rest of the roads in the Black Hills have been covered.
Take your time, and enjoy the roads. They are fantastic. I hurried thru too fast last yr. Going back again this year, fishing less and riding more..

[ranks]

Thanks again everyone for the advice.

Looks like I'll have plenty to do and many nice rides in store for me.

[cfell]

Check out "Spearfish, SD"... nice Corvette rally there just before the "Sturgis" "motorcycle" rally.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/spearfish+SD/

Take the 14A off the I90 Spur.. "Spearfish Canyon" road... outstanding.

[motogpmgr]

In Speafish canyon there is a lovely waterfall just a very short walk from
the road. Then, across from the Spearfish lodge (amazing lobby) is the
Latchkey restaraunt. Historic, terrific views and a great trout dinner. Reasonable, too. This is a dreamy evening ride up the canyon and I will
never forget it.

If you want more of the "city-slikker" activities, I highly recommend historic Deadwood. Kevin Costner's casino, the Midnight Star, is lovely with girls in 1890's costume,$5 Blackjack, and Jake's,the nicest restaurant in the state/region, on the third floor. Starve your self all week if you think it is too pricey. Then eat there as a special vacation treat. Reservations recommended.

[the1mavin]

Check out "Spearfish, SD"... nice Corvette rally there just before the "Sturgis" "motorcycle" rally.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/spearfish+SD/

Take the 14A off the I90 Spur.. "Spearfish Canyon" road... outstanding.

Watch out for those Corvette guys! I've seen them up there two times - they all drive like old ladies both in pace and their ability to keep the car in their own lane!

I totally agree Spearfish Canyon and Needles Highway are my two favorite roads in the area.

[lurch102]

Every time I'm there for the Harley Trailer Rally, the friends we stay with bring some old truck inner tubes home and we tube down the creek that runs through Spearfish. Not as many curves as Needles, but an enjoyable ride none-the-less.

Dunno what the rest of your plans are, but if you're heading towards Yellowstone "while you're in the area" Alt-14 west of Sheridan, WY is great.

I really enjoy riding through the sandhills of Nebraska south of Valentine on the way. Also on your way to or from, gotta stop by Carhenge in Alliance, NE, just to say you've been there.