Black Hills Area?

[48Rob]

Anyone here from the Black Hills Area, or that has experience with it?

My son and I are going to be riding our motorcycles through the area about two weeks before Sturgis, and are trying to choose a good place to stay.

Some of the hotels/motels look like slums, and some are way expensive.

Is there any middle ground?

The Spearfish Canyon area, or Little Spearfish Canyon looks pretty inviting.
The cabins for rent look especially interesting.
We're only going to be in the area for 2 nights (1 full day and one day we arrive in the late afternoon).
Camping would be fun, but with temps in the 90's in the middle of July all day long on motorcycles, we're gonna splurge on A/C...

Any testimonials, advice?

Thanks!

Rob

[cherokeegeorge]

There's a KOA outside of Sturgis thats nice and they rent Cabins.

[elmo]

Anyone here from the Black Hills Area, or that has experience with it?

My son and I are going to be riding our motorcycles through the area about two weeks before Sturgis, and are trying to choose a good place to stay.

Some of the hotels/motels look like slums, and some are way expensive.

Is there any middle ground?

The Spearfish Canyon area, or Little Spearfish Canyon looks pretty inviting.
The cabins for rent look especially interesting.
We're only going to be in the area for 2 nights (1 full day and one day we arrive in the late afternoon).
Camping would be fun, but with temps in the 90's in the middle of July all day long on motorcycles, we're gonna splurge on A/C...

Any testimonials, advice?

Thanks!

Rob

Love that area!! I will be out there for Sturgis on the Harley and also probally this spring on the KTM 950. I stay at the Elkview Campground. Pretty clean and a lot of shady spots to pitch a tent.

As far as motels they will be some what expensive still during that time period...Sturgis kind of spreads out over a month now. I have stayed at the Super 8 during the off season and usually found the best rates there.

PM Junkman...he lives right there and has always been very helpful.

[elmo]

There's a KOA outside of Sturgis thats nice and they rent Cabins.

+1...I am a member of the KOA club just for the little cabin reason. Especially on a motorcycle road trip....nice to pull in and just rent a cabin out, because it is usually raining to hard to set up a tent.

[48Rob]

Thank you!

Rob

[JunkMan]

Rob,

I've been off of the forum for a while (too darn busy), but I live in Rapid City, and can probably help. PM me and let me know what you are looking for. As Elmo said, everything is expensive that week, and many of the motel are already full. Camping is a lot cheaper, if that is an option, there are several "rally" campgrounds that offer entertainment as well as camping. We've been vendors at the buffalo chip for about 18 years.

[pete.wilson]

Hey

Take a ride through Custer State park after visiting Mt. Rushmore, thats an awesome ride through the hills. Highway 16 makes a big loop and then take highway 385 and headup to Deadwood where you can hit Highway 41 north/east to Sturgis. Don't go during during Sturgis unless you reserve a year in advance. Awesome views all around that area.

Pete Wilson

[Dixie Flyer]

I second Custer State Park, absolutely beautiful. Don't miss it. I've been to Deadwood a few times too. Cool place. But make damn sure you see CSP.

[48Rob]

Thanks all,

I've researched it some more, and made reservations at the Sylvan lake lodge in Custer State Park.
Does look like a great ride!

We'll be in and out before the Sturgis mess begins...

Rob

[pete.wilson]

Hey

Something else you can do after leaving the black hills is to go to Devils Tower in Wyoming, another beautiful drive. The scenery as you cross from S.D. into Wyo is breathtaking (I can still picture it from 5 years ago in my mind). There's a nice motel in Hulett just after a small river (we stayed the night and then took route 112 north to Highway 212 into Montana and headed towards Billings, MT. Lots of Antelope in this part of Wyoming. I kick my self for not moving out west 15 years ago; I guess it's one thing I will take to my grave.

Pete Wilson

[48Rob]

Thanks Pete,

We're scheduled to go to Gillette Wyoming after Custer State Park, and then on to the Little Bighorn Battlefield before heading down to Casper.

We'll be seeing a lot of great country!

Rob

[Claw]

Thanks all,

I've researched it some more, and made reservations at the Sylvan lake lodge in Custer State Park.
Does look like a great ride!

Rob

Custer SP has a wildlife loop in the park, it is a nice ride but for best viewing(of wildlife) the ride needs to be done at dawn or dusk. Jewel Cave is by Custer and a fun visit.

[48Rob]

Thanks Jim!

[pete.wilson]

Hey

Jim,

If your going to the battlefield, try stopping a little farther north in Sheridan. Great little town and if you fly fish, go to the Flyshop of the Bighorns. Also, Devils Tower can be seen from 90, it's about 28 miles from the interstate to the tower.

Pete Wilson

P.S. Can I tag along?

[Dixie Flyer]

No kidding, if you're going to be on 90, you NEED to take a half day and go see Devils Tower. It's 1200 feet up (if I remember correctly ) and is the interior core of an old volcanoe. You can walk all the way around it and also see where an old fella climbed it back in the 1800's. It's a really cool place. It would definitely be worth the trip. You'll be glad you went cos you're going to be really close by.