South Dakota road guide
The best motorcycle roads in South Dakota
The best motorcycle roads in South Dakota are packed into the Black Hills: the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road in Custer State Park, Spearfish Canyon in the northern hills, and a web of forest roads around Sturgis, Rapid City and Mount Rushmore. Add the Badlands Loop to the east and you get 14 classics, each with its region, why it's worth it, what to watch for and the best season.
- Roads listed
- 14
- Regions
- 4
- Signature ride
- Needles Highway
- Check before you go
- SD511
Before you pick
How to use this list of the best motorcycle roads in South Dakota
The Black Hills are compact. Almost every road on this list is within an hour of Rapid City, which means you can ride four or five of them in a day and still be back for dinner. That's also why they get crowded. In summer, and especially during the Sturgis rally in August, the famous roads fill with cars, RVs and thousands of bikes, so the best rides start early in the morning.
Some of these roads close or change with the seasons. The Needles Highway closes in winter, snow can close others, and Custer State Park and Badlands National Park both charge entry. Check SD511 and the park before you go, and read the best time to ride in South Dakota when you plan. The South Dakota motorcycle rides overview has the big picture.
Custer State Park and Rushmore
Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore roads
- 1. Needles Highway (SD 87)Why: About 14 miles through Custer State Park from Sylvan Lake past granite spires, with hairpins and narrow one-lane tunnels, including the famous Needles Eye. The most photographed road in the Black Hills. Watch for: One-lane tunnels where you wait your turn, tour buses squeezing through, cars stopped in the road and gravel at pullouts. It closes for winter, and a park entrance license is required. Best season: Late May to early October, early in the day.
- 2. Iron Mountain Road (US 16A)Why: About 17 miles from Keystone toward Custer State Park, built to be slow and scenic, with pigtail bridges that loop over themselves and rock tunnels that frame Mount Rushmore in the distance. Watch for: Very tight curves, low speeds, cars stopped at the tunnel views and wildlife. Best season: May to October.
- 3. Wildlife Loop RoadWhy: An 18-mile loop through rolling grassland in southern Custer State Park, home to one of the largest public bison herds in the country, plus pronghorn, prairie dogs and the famous begging burros. Watch for: Bison in and beside the road. Never approach them, stay on the bike and give them plenty of room. Best season: May to October, best near dawn and dusk.
- 4. SD 87 through Wind Cave National ParkWhy: South of Custer State Park, SD 87 rolls through the prairie and pine of Wind Cave National Park toward US 385 near Hot Springs. Quieter than the roads to the north, with bison and prairie dog towns. Watch for: Bison on the road, prairie dogs darting across and deer. Best season: May to October.
- 5. SD 244 past Mount RushmoreWhy: From Keystone up past Mount Rushmore National Memorial and west through the forest below Black Elk Peak toward Hill City, with views of the carving on the way. Watch for: Heavy summer traffic, parking backups near the memorial and pedestrians in Keystone. The memorial charges for parking. Best season: May to June and September, outside peak season.
Northern hills
Northern Black Hills: Spearfish, Deadwood and Sturgis
- 6. Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway (US 14A)Why: About 20 miles from Spearfish up a narrow limestone canyon to Cheyenne Crossing, past Bridal Veil Falls, with smooth, flowing curves the whole way. Take the short side road at Savoy to Roughlock Falls. Watch for: Slow traffic, cars parked at the falls, rockfall and wildlife. Best season: June to October, with peak color in late September and early October.
- 7. Boulder Canyon (US 14A)Why: The link between Sturgis and Deadwood, climbing through a forested canyon with steady curves. Short, but almost every northern hills ride uses it. Watch for: Heavy traffic, especially during the rally, and deer. Best season: May to October.
- 8. Vanocker Canyon RoadWhy: South from Sturgis through the forest toward Nemo, a local favorite with tight curves, climbs and very little development. Watch for: Deer, gravel in the corners, and heavy traffic and riders new to the road during rally week. Best season: June and September.
Central hills
Central Black Hills: out of Rapid City
- 9. Nemo RoadWhy: Northwest from Rapid City through the forest to the tiny town of Nemo, a quieter way into the northern hills. Ride it with Vanocker Canyon for a loop. Watch for: Gravel at driveways, deer and logging trucks. Best season: May to October, outside rally week.
- 10. Sheridan Lake RoadWhy: Southwest from Rapid City through the hills to Sheridan Lake and US 385, with flowing curves and lake views. An easy escape from town. Watch for: Local traffic, cyclists and deer. Best season: May to October.
- 11. Rimrock Highway (SD 44)Why: West of Rapid City, SD 44 follows Rapid Creek through a narrow canyon of rock walls and curves toward Johnson Siding and the central hills. Watch for: Deer, cyclists and slow traffic on summer weekends. Best season: May to October.
- 12. US 385 through the Black HillsWhy: The north-south spine of the Hills, from Hot Springs through Custer and Hill City, past Pactola Reservoir, to Deadwood. Sweepers, pine forest and the easiest way to link everything else. Watch for: Deer, logging trucks and heavy summer traffic. Best season: May to October.
The Badlands
Badlands roads east of the Hills
East of the Missouri River, South Dakota riding is gentler: farm roads around Sioux Falls and quiet river country. It's a good place to stretch the season in spring and fall, when the Hills are cold.
- 13. Badlands Loop Road (SD 240)Why: About 39 miles through Badlands National Park between the interstate exits at Cactus Flat and Wall, with overlooks above eroded ridges in pink and tan bands. Finish at Wall Drug. Watch for: Bighorn sheep and prairie dogs, cars stopped at overlooks, crosswinds and summer heat. The park charges an entrance fee. Best season: May to June and September to October.
- 14. SD 44 from Rapid City toward InteriorWhy: The back way to the Badlands, east from Rapid City across open ranch country to Interior at the park's southern edge. Quieter than I-90 and a good way to make a Badlands loop. Watch for: Long gaps between services, crosswinds and cattle. Best season: May to October.
Summary
South Dakota motorcycle roads at a glance
| Road | Region | Best season |
|---|---|---|
| Needles Highway (SD 87) | Custer State Park | Late May to early Oct |
| Iron Mountain Road (US 16A) | Custer and Rushmore | May to Oct |
| Wildlife Loop Road | Custer State Park | May to Oct |
| SD 87, Wind Cave | Southern hills | May to Oct |
| SD 244, Mount Rushmore | Central hills | May to Jun, Sep |
| Spearfish Canyon (US 14A) | Northern hills | Jun to Oct |
| Boulder Canyon (US 14A) | Northern hills | May to Oct |
| Vanocker Canyon Road | Northern hills | Jun and Sep |
| Nemo Road | Central hills | May to Oct |
| Sheridan Lake Road | Central hills | May to Oct |
| Rimrock Highway (SD 44) | Central hills | May to Oct |
| US 385 | Whole Black Hills | May to Oct |
| Badlands Loop (SD 240) | Badlands | May to Jun, Sep to Oct |
| SD 44 to Interior | Badlands | May to Oct |
In the app
Add South Dakota roads to Rippin'
Ride one of these with Rippin' recording, then open Segments and tap Create a Segment: drop a start gate and a finish gate and trace the line. A person on the Rippin' team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it. Read how roads get added and how segments and leaderboards work.
A segment board is about who owns the road and who rides it, not a race. Rippin' never rewards speed on public roads, and the Black Hills make the point for us: one-lane tunnels, bison and tourists stopped in hairpins.
The Hills are made for Turf Wars. A figure-eight on the Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road and the Wildlife Loop closes on itself, and the land inside becomes yours on the live map until someone carves it. Here are the South Dakota roads riders have already added.
Live from the app
South Dakota on Rippin' right now.
2 upcoming events and 0 rider-added roads in South Dakota on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
- Thu Dec 3J&L Harley-Davidson Ladies NightSioux Falls
- Fri Feb 19Counts of the Cobblestone Car & Cycle ShowRapid City
No South 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.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in South Dakota?
The Needles Highway (SD 87) and Iron Mountain Road (US 16A) in the Black Hills are the most famous. Spearfish Canyon and the Wildlife Loop are close behind.
When does the Needles Highway open?
It closes for winter and usually reopens in spring, depending on snow. Check SD511 or Custer State Park before you go.
Do motorcycles need a pass for Custer State Park?
Yes. The Needles Highway, Wildlife Loop and part of Iron Mountain Road are in the park, which requires an entrance license. Check the park for current prices.
Can you ride the Black Hills in one day?
You can ride the highlights in a long day: Iron Mountain Road, the Wildlife Loop, the Needles Highway and Spearfish Canyon. Start early to beat the traffic, and plan two or three days if you can.
What are the best motorcycle roads near Sturgis?
Vanocker Canyon Road, Boulder Canyon to Deadwood, Spearfish Canyon and the Nemo Road are all close. During the rally they're busy, so ride early.
Can I add South Dakota roads to Rippin'?
Yes. Any rider can add a road with Create a Segment. A person on the Rippin' team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it.
Put a Black Hills classic on the map.
Download Rippin' free, ride the Needles with it recording, and add the road. Your name stays on it.
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