6 Iconic Motorcycle Rides Near Custer, South Dakota

Some of the most iconic motorcycle rides in America are packed into a small corner of South Dakota (and a little bit of Wyoming). Over Days 104–106 of My Grand Detour, I finally rode them all.

Iconic Motorcycle Rides Near Sturgis, South Dakota
This episode covers July 23–25, 2024 — three days exploring the legendary roads and landmarks that make the Black Hills one of the most famous riding destinations in the world:
• Devils Tower rising out of the Wyoming plains
• Spearfish Canyon, a Black Hills favorite
• The world-class twisties of the Needles Highway
• Iron Mountain Road, with its pigtail bridges and Rushmore-framing tunnels
• Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial
• The rugged beauty of Badlands National Park

Along the way I met fellow riders (including Dana and Harriet, who I’ll cross paths with again in Canada), wrestled with some hilariously bad camera angles, and spent three unforgettable days riding the roads that every American motorcyclist should experience at least once.

Ride Summary
• Day 104: Spearfish → Devils Tower → Deadwood → Custer (219 mi)
• Day 105: Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Rd, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse (83 mi)
• Day 106: Custer → Badlands NP → Minuteman Missile NHS → Mitchell (338 mi)
Route Map: https://tinyurl.com/24xc-d104-106

Links & Resources
Devils Tower National Monument: https://www.nps.gov/deto
Custer State Park / Needles Highway: https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/custer
Badlands National Park: https://www.nps.gov/badl
Minuteman Missile NHS: https://www.nps.gov/mimi
Stanislav Petrov: https://www.nps.gov/people/stanislav_...

00:00 Exploring Sturgis and Surrounding Landmarks
06:25 The Black Hills Classic Rides
12:13 Journey Through the Badlands
18:09 Reflections on the Ride and Human Connection


#motorcycle #motovlog #motorcycleroadtrip #blackhills #southdakota