North Dakota events
North Dakota motorcycle events, rallies and bike nights
North Dakota motorcycle events pack into a short season: bike nights in Fargo, Bismarck, Minot and Grand Forks, charity rides and poker runs from May to September, and summer weekends in Medora. The biggest event for North Dakota riders is a day's ride south: the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally every August. Here's the calendar, and how to find and post events in the free Rippin' app.
- Biggest nearby rally
- Sturgis, SD, August
- Event season
- May to September
- Post your own
- Free
- Platforms
- iPhone and Android
Every year
Big recurring motorcycle events for North Dakota riders
These come around most years. Dates change year to year, so check each organizer before you plan.
- Sturgis Motorcycle RallyEvery August in Sturgis, South Dakota, about a day's ride from Bismarck. Many North Dakota riders go, and many riders headed to Sturgis from the north pass through Medora and the badlands. Book lodging early.
- Distinguished Gentleman's RideEvery May, riders dress sharp on classic and vintage-style bikes to raise money for men's health. Fargo and Bismarck usually hold rides. Register on the DGR site for dates and routes.
- Charity rides and poker runsFrom late spring through September, benefit rides and poker runs start from bars, legion halls and dealerships in towns across the state. Most are posted locally.
- Summer in MedoraNot a rally, but the gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a natural summer meetup spot, with the long-running Medora Musical through the summer and the badlands right outside town.
On the map
Upcoming North Dakota motorcycle events in Rippin'
The list right below comes from the Rippin' events map, where riders, clubs and shops post bike nights, rallies, charity rides and toy runs. Organizers set the details and they can change, so confirm before you ride out.
North Dakota is early on the map, which means a bike night or poker run you post gets seen. If yours isn't listed, add it and set it to repeat.
Live from the app
North Dakota on Rippin' right now.
1 upcoming event and 0 rider-added roads in North Dakota on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
No North Dakota roads are in the app yet. Add the one you love from Segments and a person on our team checks it before it goes live. How roads get added.
Close to home
Bike nights, poker runs and benefit rides
Bike nights run weekly through the summer at dealerships, bars and restaurants around Fargo, Bismarck and Mandan, Minot, Grand Forks and Dickinson. With daylight lasting past 9 p.m. in June, they often run late.
Poker runs and benefit rides are a big part of the calendar. The classic version has riders draw a card at each stop, with the best hand winning and the money going to a local cause. Read what a motorcycle poker run is.
Memorial and toy runs happen too, though with North Dakota's early winter, toy runs tend to land in early fall or move indoors.
The August run
Riding to Sturgis from North Dakota
From Bismarck, Sturgis is roughly a five-hour run southwest across open grassland. From the west, the usual route runs south on US 85 from the Belfield and Medora area through Bowman to Belle Fourche and the northern Black Hills. Either way it's big, empty country. See the best motorcycle roads in North Dakota for badlands roads worth riding on the way.
Fill up at every chance, since towns can be far apart. Watch for deer at dawn and dusk and for storms building in the afternoon. In early August, expect a lot more bikes than usual on the western roads, and busy fuel stops.
In the app
Find and post North Dakota motorcycle events
Shops and clubs that host a lot can use Organizer Pro ($8.99/mo) for unlimited and recurring meets, official events on the calendar and recurring ride plans. A bar or shop on a poker run route can become a Rippin' poker stop, where riders get a card automatically when they arrive. More on motorcycle events in Rippin'.
- 1
Open Meets
Open the meets and events list in Rippin'. It covers bike nights, meets, rallies, swap meets, charity rides and toy runs, nearest first.
- 2
RSVP
Tap RSVP so the organizer knows you're coming and other riders can see who's going.
- 3
Post your own
Add the name, time, place and a note. A weekly bike night can repeat, so you post it once.
- 4
Ride in together
Start a group ride so the crew shows on one live map on the way.
Getting there
Make the ride to the event count
- Claim turf on the wayRide out one way and home another and the loop closes, so the land inside becomes your turf. Almost all of North Dakota is unclaimed.
- Collect poker cardsRoute past Rippin' poker stops and pick up a card at each one. Your best five-card hand posts to the poker leaderboard.
- Stamp your passportEvery town you ride through adds a passport stamp, and stamps pay points.
- Check the weatherRippin' sends weather alerts before you ride, and riders flag road hazards on the map. In hail season, that matters.
Seasons
The North Dakota motorcycle event calendar, by season
Late spring (May): The first bike nights, season openers and the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride.
Summer (June to August): Peak season for bike nights, poker runs and benefit rides, Medora weekends, and the Sturgis run in early August.
Early fall (September): The last big rides of the year, in the calmest weather.
October to April: Mostly indoor meets, swap meets and planning. See the best time to ride in North Dakota.
Before you go
Before you ride to an event
For roads, seasons and laws in one place, see the North Dakota motorcycle rides overview.
- Confirm the date and entry with the organizer the week before. Plans change.
- Plan fuel. Towns in the west can be far apart.
- Check the radar. Summer hail builds fast over open country.
- Ride home in daylight. Deer are hardest to see at dusk.
- Share a ride plan with your squad so everyone knows the departure time, route and stops.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What are the biggest motorcycle events for North Dakota riders?
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota every August is the big one. In North Dakota itself, it's bike nights, charity rides and poker runs from May to September.
How far is Sturgis from North Dakota?
About a day's ride from Bismarck, across open grassland. From Medora and the southwest corner it's shorter.
How do I find bike nights in Fargo or Bismarck?
Open Meets in Rippin', set your area and browse what's nearest. If your regular night isn't listed, post it and set it to repeat.
Is there a Distinguished Gentleman's Ride in North Dakota?
Fargo and Bismarck usually hold rides in May. Check the DGR site for this year's locations.
Can I post my own motorcycle event in Rippin'?
Yes, any rider can post a meet or event for free. Organizer Pro ($8.99/mo) adds unlimited and recurring meets and official events for shops and clubs.
When is motorcycle event season in North Dakota?
May through September. The season is short, so summer weekends fill up fast.
See what's on in North Dakota.
Download Rippin' free, find North Dakota bike nights and charity rides on the map, and post the ones we're missing.
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