Deadwood, South Dakota

[Dale124]

Hi all. I was wondering if anyone here has been to Deadwood. I was toying with the idea of taking a trip there this spring/summer, but would like some input on what it is like. I love old west stuff, and I understand this place has lots of history.. My first choice would be Tombstone, but it is just too far away.

Thanks.

Dale.

[BlueSky]

It is very close to Sturgis. Last summer I spent a several days in Sturgis and Deadwood during the bike event. I enjoyed it a lot. I was driving my truck after touring Wyoming for a week with my wife. I also visited Mt. Rushmore which is close by. If you watch the HBO series Deadwood, it will help you understand some of the history of the town. I think it is still available to watch.

[The Tooch]

[chabicheka]

Never been there...but I guess you will be seeing lots of deadwood?

[gmarshall]

Was at Deadwood last year, before bike week. Crowds are not my thing. MEH. The casinos are small and crappy. Its a tourist trap. Same for Sturgis. The motorcycle museum is small and expensive.

 

Best part of my trip: Badlands nat'l Park, Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, interesting roads for a Bike, wild burros and buffalo, There's a cave in the area, and although we didn't get there, Devils Tower is not far away. Wall drug is another tourist trap.

 

That's my 2 cents.

 

Gary

[CaseyJ955]

From my place to Deadwood is an amazing 45 minute ride. We go a few times a year. It sounds like you will enjoy it. Get your tour of the Bullock. We stayed in a couple of the historic hotels before like the Franklin, above the Old #10 Saloon there is an Italian eatery (Deadwood Social Club), I love the place, it's great, not much other good food in Deadwood. The Casino food sucks ass but you can do the all you can eat crab legs fri and sat night at the Silverado, thats pretty good. Keep in mind that lots of these buildings are historic so there is that. I think most offer tours. You will be close to Mt Rushmore, Keystone, Custer/wildlife loop and half a dozen other tourist traps I cant think of at the moment. If you enjoy old west and historic buildings do visit Keystone and Custer, they are all in close proximity and on fantastic roads, I often leave Custer and take the back way into WY just to catch some wide open roads.

 

Ride up around Mt Rushmore. Iron Mtn road is fantastic, Needles, Badlands loop out past Wall, Pioneer Auto Museum while your out there is cool as hell too. Theres really no wrong way to go, Nemo rd, Norris peak road, Vannocker Canyon into Sturgis (if your not insane enough to come out here during the Sturgis rally).

 

Usually during the tourist season I'm hiding out on my property or on the bike well out of the area. All the crowds and traffic really zap the fun out of being here. A lot of the rally goers have no idea what they are doing with a bike and pose more of a danger than anything else. Depending on when you come you will either experience blissful sweeping roads with breathtaking scenery or the grind of being stuck behind Harleys and RVs. I always recommend coming outside rally and tourist season, you will get so much more out of what the Black Hills offers motorcyclists. Bring your cold weather gear, the weather can turn on a dime and get pretty chilly in the higher elevations but most likely you'll be fine with your lids and leathers.

 

If your camping off your bike you can HMU and camp here where it's quiet and near the creek. If your a gambler the machines in Deadwood have been tightened up considerably over the last few years. Once I loose $20 I'm done, I really play very infrequently. There are a lot of newer hotels going up in the area if your not inclined to stay in one of the historic ones, and more going up all the time. Deadwood is growing and loosing some of it's old west charm. I spent my 21st B-day there in 89 right after gambling was legalized, it was fun, the parts I remember anyway. I think most of all I would just encourage you to time your coming to the black hills based on how many other people you want to share it with. I rode to Hill City and Keystone last week on my Vmax, cool and sunny, roads relatively empty and WOW! It ever gets old! This place rocks. I have the next couple months to enjoy it before everyone starts pouring into the area, and from Sept until winter, which can often be a nice long window of time. I'll PM you with my info in case you have any questions or want to hook up for a ride (if your here outside tourist season).

[CaseyJ955]

Was at Deadwood last year, before bike week. Crowds are not my thing. MEH. The casinos are small and crappy. Its a tourist trap. Same for Sturgis. The motorcycle museum is small and expensive.

 

Best part of my trip: Badlands nat'l Park, Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, interesting roads for a Bike, wild burros and buffalo, There's a cave in the area, and although we didn't get there, Devils Tower is not far away. Wall drug is another tourist trap.

 

That's my 2 cents.

 

Gary

 

I warned of crowds and when you will see them, there is NOTHING in Sturgis worth seeing.Period. (I hate it when people type out the word "period" but it fits here) If you see Sturgis it's because you entered on Vannocker Canyon road and left on the 14a heading into Deadwood. That is a MUST ride!

 

Do NOT eff with the buffalo, give these amazing creatures plenty of space and respect. They do often block roads. Wildlife everywhere so if there is a tree line near the road a deer can appear instantly. Ride accordingly. I do like the old historic casinos more than the larger modern ones, but thats just me. I dont gamble often.

 

Just as Gmarshal is correct about Sturgis, he is also correct about Wall drug. There is nothing in Wall worth seeing, at all. Wall drug was a cool stop back in the 80s but it's very commercialized now and the giant buffalo burgers are very much history. You will see signs for Wall Drug all across the states. You will pass it on your way to the 240 Badlands Loop, another must do. Again, the Murdo Pioneer auto museum is worth the time spent if you like old cars/tractors/implements.

 

If you do go outwards and do plenty of exploring, stay away from Pine Ridge and Rosebud for your own safety.

[BlueSky]

I don't know if the police are the same all year but during bike week, they will give you a ticket for 1 mph over the limit.

[Dale124]

Thanks for the great info, guys. Hopefully I can make it out there in June, before the silly season.

Dale.

[BlueSky]

I was there Monday and Tuesday of bike week. Yeah, there were lots of people and bikes but I didn't have much trouble finding a place to park my truck and every time I wanted a beer or food I didn't have to wait. So, I can't complain about the crowds. If I went again I'd want to go during bike week. There were those beautiful girls walking around scantily dressed to spike my attention. My son who happened to be driving from Los Angeles to NYC detoured to Sturgis met me there. I think he enjoyed it a lot too.

[bj66]

I live on east side of state. I have friends that say the best time to ride the hills is the week after labor day. Kids are back in school so tourist numbers are down. Bonus is starting to see fall colors. Most all of the businesses are still open. Easier to find lodging etc.

 

As far as Deadwood itself. It isn't very big, and it has the historic main street. You have to think of Deadwood as the Black Hills. Study up on the area. 50 miles each way from Deadwood is some of the best scenery and riding you can imagine. Even take the suggestions Casey has said about rides and do a you tube search, you will like what you see. Also if you like the old west check out the 1880s train. Also it's worth the drive through the badlands. It's like being on the moon compared to the Black Hills. Amazing that two different landscapes are that close together.

 

Most of all have fun!!!!!!

[cimmer]

The Black Hills can be a lot of fun in June and early July, but by the middle of July they do get crowded. And yes avoid late July and early August due to Sturgis and is cast of crazies.. A trip to Devil's Tower via Belle Fourche and taking SD 34 to Wy is a nice ride especially when you include Spearfish Cannon on the way. I have added a link to a map of the Black Hills and surrounding area so you can plan accordingly. Enjoy your trip and if you would like a nice steak, try Elk Creek Steakhouse off of I90 near Piedmont.

http://southdakotarides.com/images/data/files/MotorcycleSkillRatedMapBlackHills.pdf

 

Rick F.

[BigLenny]

Dale124,

 

GO RIDE THE BADLANDS LOOP!!

 

GO RIDE IRON MOUNTAIN ROAD!!

 

GO RIDE NEEDLES HWY!!

 

GO RIDE WIDELIFE LOOP!!

My 4 cents.

 

Big Lenny

[cowpuc]

Heyyyy,,, Hi Dale!!!! Wassup brother!!

 

Deadwood is AWESOME!! Rally time or not, it is AWESOME!!

Before going there though and in the spirit of Cowboyness - allow me a couple minutes from one highway man to another and trying not to jerk your chain on the "I already knew that Puc" routine!!

If your coming down from the Glacier crossing - grab cross state Montana toward Sturgis thru the little cow town called "Jordan" = DONT MISS IT!! Go to the "Senior Center" in that little cow town - I know, I KNOW - your gonna pull into the dirt parking lot of the place and say - "PUC!! What have you gotten me into?!! - cause it wont look like much.. Now - grab your camera and go inside!!

OK, small hint, aint no spoiler so I wont ruin it with pics BUT - I can tell you that Jordan is the worlds epicenter for Dinosaur Bones - this is true!! Another unknown thing to mankind that we found out when dying of thirst and almost out of gas in Montana was - mixed in those extremely AWESOME dino remains inside that building are also some of the coolest cowboy stuff you can find!! WESTERN TREASURES GALORE!!

I also have a small town called Plevna in Montana I like to visit.. As you know, I tent camp and have camped many times on the picnic table in the little town of Plevna - cant miss it! She's dead now but years ago when on a bike trip the Post Master in Plevna gave me a history lesson of the area and buildings (site to behold) - took about 4 hours but when done she gave me her copy of their "history book" dating all the way back into the 1800's. In that book it tells about a stage coach killing that some Indians did. It's gravel road leading back about 10 miles but there is an old monument marking the spot where it happened.. Some VERY interesting people who live there, older folks that remember the days of long ago.. May stop there for kicks on the way down.

Sturgis is AWESOME - rally time or not = IMHO,, but I am weird LOL.. If nothing else, there is a place called "Gypsies" that is ground zero for the early days of the rally. The place has a big bronze plaque on the front of it that mentions "Ground Zero". If you leave the Harley shop just off Main Street in Sturgis and go straight south toward 90 - Gypsies will be on your right about half way down.. Gypsies is not like other Sturgis joints - not a Harley joint. The place is FILLED with an awesome for sale collection of old bikes!! Guy that runs the place is super nice - ask if you can see the back room!!

Also, the museum where they unveiled the Indians in '13 is worth the time for bike history..

No idea what your doing for sleeping quarters? You camping? Its kind of a lost art and lots of folks have forgotten but South Dakota is an open state - meaning if its not fenced - you can camp on it.. Did it for years both during Rally and off season rally camping too.. One time years ago my daughter and I are cruising on 90 (yes - on a 1st Gen) headed adda way.. Came upon a small plane crusing adda way too along side the highway.. Getting late, magic hour (last hour of daylight) was almost over and we needed gas.. We exited and turned over highway to fuel station.. Guy in the airplane who had been waving back and forth at my little kid on the back banked his plane and landed on the prairie behind the gas station... Comes motoring up to the fuel pumps - got yakking.. Looks at our beat up old 1st Gen with the tent on the back - asked where we were camping.. I nervously glanced around, then back at him and said - dont tell no body but I have always just camped on the prairie when I come out here = been doing for many many years and never had a problem.. Then I pointed to the prairie where he had just landed his plane and said - probably sleep right over there somewhere.. Guy announced he was a Patrol Officer who patrols 90 during the Rally watching for boneheads crashing their scoots.. Said - lots of folks have forgotten this - prairie camping is legal and fine anywhere its not fenced - even ditches NOT inside the ickspressway right of way.. If you go outside of Sturgis toward Fort Mead, there is a place on the prairie that is know known as Puc's Place cause I always camp there - have since the 70's. Never knew it was "legal" back in the day but do now - can tell ya exactly where it is if needed.. Also,, you would probably enjoy a cruise thru Fort Mead and a visit at the museum there!!

Stop at any gas station, bike shop, resturant or where ever while in town and ask if they have any of the Sturgis Rally ride maps - even if its a left over you will need one.. Should be easy to find one no matter what time of year you are there.. As already mentioned - you cant go wrong riding the Black Hills - ALL of the fore mentioned rides are spectacular, especially up to a couple weeks before the Rally and right after the Rally is over - if your gonna go during the Rally = its way to crowded to enjoy "The Hills" but watching those goofy bikers is almost as much fun!! If you are there during the Rally - the fun dont start till after 1am LOL - Main Street - Sturgis Harley Rally = AWESOME at 3am!!

IMHO - best riding for mountains - any mountains = morning till 1pm - then the storms come in - hail and all that stuff - get out of mountains for lunch and back in after 4... If your staying in em, just keep an eye on the sky - even those Black Hills can be treachorous..

Leaving Sturgis from the west end of town - go under the over pass - Yamaha shop on your right - BK on left,, keep going and you end up in Deadwood - thought I forgot about Deadwood didnt cha?

Fun place IMHO!! Museum there is really interesting and full of very historical stuff from wayyy back when!! Got lots of pics but wont spoil it for ya.. Will say this, outside the museum is an old working scale.. Tip and I parked Tweeks in the lot, walk under the train station area (old historic stuff) and I noticed the scale.. Walked up on it, fooled with it - told her - "look how accurate it still is" - REALLY REALLY OLD AND STILL WORKING!! I said - try it!! She climbed on it - as she stared at the needle I put my foot behind her and pressed on the scale plat form - as she turned to stare at me with those pretty doe eyes I slid my foot off the plat form.. When she looked back at the scale face I slid my foot back over and pressed down again adding 25 pounds to her wait. She was franic - thats about the time I heard laughter behind us.. A couple who had recently retired from the Military had - unknown by me - been watching us and they were ROARING!! Got yakking with them - they looked at our scoot - heard our story - we heard theirs - good people!! They told us all about the Museum in town - glad they did cause it was a fascinating place!!

Hmmm,, trying to keep from doubling up on stuff others have already told you about.. Oh yea,, Coming into Keystone (headed toward Rushmore from Rapid City) you will go thru a small tunnel.. After the tunnel and as you pull into Keystone there will be a road that goes off to the left that heads out of the mountains easterly.. There will be a big resturant on the southeast corner of that intersection.. If you continue straight on the road you are on (I think I am thinking 16a) it will head to Rushmore. Anyway,, if you turn left (east) at that intersection and go down a couple blocks you will see a "junk store" on the left.. You will want to stop and paw around there!! Lots of old saddles, mining stuff, cowboy junk and things to glare at!!!

Following your handy dandy Sturgis map - you will see where Iron Mountain Rd cuts off away from the Rushmore Monument.. As mentioned = AWESOME ride that Iron Mountain Road!! If you look at the map closely you will see the cut across from Iron Mountain Rd. to Needles Hwy.. At that intersection on your left on side will be a small camp ground.. You will want to pull in there and tell them you want to see their "pets"!! Wayy cool and really nice guy who runs the place!!

Take the cut across to Needles Hwy - hang a right up on the Needles - turn off your scoot on the back of the Needles and coast down to Sylvan Lake - good place for quick swim!! Head over to Hill City - neat place too - after leaving Hill City = look at your map and notice "Sheridan Lake"? Right across from Sheridan Lake is the only spot on the planet - after hours and hours of watching game - I have ever seen Big Horn sheep!! Watch the bluffs carefully!! Especially later in the day!!

The Spearfish Canyon ride is breathtaking too!! At the very bottom of the canyon is a lodge.. Built into a sweeping corner of the roadway with the lodge divided by the road.. The lodge is GORGEOUS inside - LOTS of woodwork - sort of the likes of that lodge up on Mount Hood that we visited when we did The Dalles (cant remember if you went up there with our group?).. Not quite as grandious but close.. There is a sign on that gravel road that says "Water Falls this way" or something like that.. It a couple miles but worth the ride!! By the way,, if you stay on that gravel road - then follow some quad trails - maybe camp a night - you can eventually come out to Devils Tower Wyoming.. Custers AWESOME!! Those Mamouth digs are too!!

Gonna stick up for Wall Drug here too - I LOVE WALL DRUG!! If you go by there - even though it is a major tourist trap - drive all the way to the end of town where they have the street divided.. At the end of town is this place called "the back yard".. The back yard is for kiddies but still fun - go back there, stick your head in one of those holes where your face is sticking out on someone or somethings body and have somebody snap a picture of you to post on here!! Extra points if you climb up on the horse and do the same!! Now go INSIDE the back room area where the dinosaur comes to life every few minutes - cant miss it!! LOOK AT THE PICTURES OF THE COWBOYS AND INDIANS IN THAT HALLWAY!! REAL - I MEAN REAL REAL true to life stuff - REAL DEAL Western History there you will never forget!! Plan on spending a couple hours right there if your looking for real wild west history!!!

The Badlands National Park is right straight out of Wall Drug!! I LOVE to leave Wall late in the evening - go sit in the moonlite on the rim of the Badlands in the Park overlooking the place - it is UNREAL!! I have camped on the rim many times but ya gotta get away from the road or ya risk getting woke up.. About have way thru the park is a gravel road that cuts away from the rim and back to the Prairie... It is sectioned of back there with an opening onto the Praire grass lands - camping is legal back there and I tell ya - you do it and you will want to never go home!! I swear you can still hear wagon wheels rolling and Indian pony's chasing buffalo if you listen carefully enough - between the Coyote howling that is!!!

Heyyy,,, you coming across to the International at Orlins in Veer-a-qua?? Let me know if ya are.. I know a couple really neat camping spots on the way across for ya!!

Puc

[Sylvester]

Thanks Puc, you paint a picture like Rembrandt. I hope in my declining years that old Sylvester and I can make the journey one more time. Raised and turned wild in Nebraska in the 60s, and road everywhere my Triumphs and Nortons and Harleys could carry me.

 

Thanks again,

 

 

Heyyyy,,, Hi Dale!!!! Wassup brother!!

 

Deadwood is AWESOME!! Rally time or not, it is AWESOME!!

Before going there though and in the spirit of Cowboyness - allow me a couple minutes from one highway man to another and trying not to jerk your chain on the "I already knew that Puc" routine!!

If your coming down from the Glacier crossing - grab cross state Montana toward Sturgis thru the little cow town called "Jordan" = DONT MISS IT!! Go to the "Senior Center" in that little cow town - I know, I KNOW - your gonna pull into the dirt parking lot of the place and say - "PUC!! What have you gotten me into?!! - cause it wont look like much.. Now - grab your camera and go inside!!

OK, small hint, aint no spoiler so I wont ruin it with pics BUT - I can tell you that Jordan is the worlds epicenter for Dinosaur Bones - this is true!! Another unknown thing to mankind that we found out when dying of thirst and almost out of gas in Montana was - mixed in those extremely AWESOME dino remains inside that building are also some of the coolest cowboy stuff you can find!! WESTERN TREASURES GALORE!!

I also have a small town called Plevna in Montana I like to visit.. As you know, I tent camp and have camped many times on the picnic table in the little town of Plevna - cant miss it! She's dead now but years ago when on a bike trip the Post Master in Plevna gave me a history lesson of the area and buildings (site to behold) - took about 4 hours but when done she gave me her copy of their "history book" dating all the way back into the 1800's. In that book it tells about a stage coach killing that some Indians did. It's gravel road leading back about 10 miles but there is an old monument marking the spot where it happened.. Some VERY interesting people who live there, older folks that remember the days of long ago.. May stop there for kicks on the way down.

Sturgis is AWESOME - rally time or not = IMHO,, but I am weird LOL.. If nothing else, there is a place called "Gypsies" that is ground zero for the early days of the rally. The place has a big bronze plaque on the front of it that mentions "Ground Zero". If you leave the Harley shop just off Main Street in Sturgis and go straight south toward 90 - Gypsies will be on your right about half way down.. Gypsies is not like other Sturgis joints - not a Harley joint. The place is FILLED with an awesome for sale collection of old bikes!! Guy that runs the place is super nice - ask if you can see the back room!!

Also, the museum where they unveiled the Indians in '13 is worth the time for bike history..

No idea what your doing for sleeping quarters? You camping? Its kind of a lost art and lots of folks have forgotten but South Dakota is an open state - meaning if its not fenced - you can camp on it.. Did it for years both during Rally and off season rally camping too.. One time years ago my daughter and I are cruising on 90 (yes - on a 1st Gen) headed adda way.. Came upon a small plane crusing adda way too along side the highway.. Getting late, magic hour (last hour of daylight) was almost over and we needed gas.. We exited and turned over highway to fuel station.. Guy in the airplane who had been waving back and forth at my little kid on the back banked his plane and landed on the prairie behind the gas station... Comes motoring up to the fuel pumps - got yakking.. Looks at our beat up old 1st Gen with the tent on the back - asked where we were camping.. I nervously glanced around, then back at him and said - dont tell no body but I have always just camped on the prairie when I come out here = been doing for many many years and never had a problem.. Then I pointed to the prairie where he had just landed his plane and said - probably sleep right over there somewhere.. Guy announced he was a Patrol Officer who patrols 90 during the Rally watching for boneheads crashing their scoots.. Said - lots of folks have forgotten this - prairie camping is legal and fine anywhere its not fenced - even ditches NOT inside the ickspressway right of way.. If you go outside of Sturgis toward Fort Mead, there is a place on the prairie that is know known as Puc's Place cause I always camp there - have since the 70's. Never knew it was "legal" back in the day but do now - can tell ya exactly where it is if needed.. Also,, you would probably enjoy a cruise thru Fort Mead and a visit at the museum there!!

Stop at any gas station, bike shop, resturant or where ever while in town and ask if they have any of the Sturgis Rally ride maps - even if its a left over you will need one.. Should be easy to find one no matter what time of year you are there.. As already mentioned - you cant go wrong riding the Black Hills - ALL of the fore mentioned rides are spectacular, especially up to a couple weeks before the Rally and right after the Rally is over - if your gonna go during the Rally = its way to crowded to enjoy "The Hills" but watching those goofy bikers is almost as much fun!! If you are there during the Rally - the fun dont start till after 1am LOL - Main Street - Sturgis Harley Rally = AWESOME at 3am!!

IMHO - best riding for mountains - any mountains = morning till 1pm - then the storms come in - hail and all that stuff - get out of mountains for lunch and back in after 4... If your staying in em, just keep an eye on the sky - even those Black Hills can be treachorous..

Leaving Sturgis from the west end of town - go under the over pass - Yamaha shop on your right - BK on left,, keep going and you end up in Deadwood - thought I forgot about Deadwood didnt cha?

Fun place IMHO!! Museum there is really interesting and full of very historical stuff from wayyy back when!! Got lots of pics but wont spoil it for ya.. Will say this, outside the museum is an old working scale.. Tip and I parked Tweeks in the lot, walk under the train station area (old historic stuff) and I noticed the scale.. Walked up on it, fooled with it - told her - "look how accurate it still is" - REALLY REALLY OLD AND STILL WORKING!! I said - try it!! She climbed on it - as she stared at the needle I put my foot behind her and pressed on the scale plat form - as she turned to stare at me with those pretty doe eyes I slid my foot off the plat form.. When she looked back at the scale face I slid my foot back over and pressed down again adding 25 pounds to her wait. She was franic - thats about the time I heard laughter behind us.. A couple who had recently retired from the Military had - unknown by me - been watching us and they were ROARING!! Got yakking with them - they looked at our scoot - heard our story - we heard theirs - good people!! They told us all about the Museum in town - glad they did cause it was a fascinating place!!

Hmmm,, trying to keep from doubling up on stuff others have already told you about.. Oh yea,, Coming into Keystone (headed toward Rushmore from Rapid City) you will go thru a small tunnel.. After the tunnel and as you pull into Keystone there will be a road that goes off to the left that heads out of the mountains easterly.. There will be a big resturant on the southeast corner of that intersection.. If you continue straight on the road you are on (I think I am thinking 16a) it will head to Rushmore. Anyway,, if you turn left (east) at that intersection and go down a couple blocks you will see a "junk store" on the left.. You will want to stop and paw around there!! Lots of old saddles, mining stuff, cowboy junk and things to glare at!!!

Following your handy dandy Sturgis map - you will see where Iron Mountain Rd cuts off away from the Rushmore Monument.. As mentioned = AWESOME ride that Iron Mountain Road!! If you look at the map closely you will see the cut across from Iron Mountain Rd. to Needles Hwy.. At that intersection on your left on side will be a small camp ground.. You will want to pull in there and tell them you want to see their "pets"!! Wayy cool and really nice guy who runs the place!!

Take the cut across to Needles Hwy - hang a right up on the Needles - turn off your scoot on the back of the Needles and coast down to Sylvan Lake - good place for quick swim!! Head over to Hill City - neat place too - after leaving Hill City = look at your map and notice "Sheridan Lake"? Right across from Sheridan Lake is the only spot on the planet - after hours and hours of watching game - I have ever seen Big Horn sheep!! Watch the bluffs carefully!! Especially later in the day!!

The Spearfish Canyon ride is breathtaking too!! At the very bottom of the canyon is a lodge.. Built into a sweeping corner of the roadway with the lodge divided by the road.. The lodge is GORGEOUS inside - LOTS of woodwork - sort of the likes of that lodge up on Mount Hood that we visited when we did The Dalles (cant remember if you went up there with our group?).. Not quite as grandious but close.. There is a sign on that gravel road that says "Water Falls this way" or something like that.. It a couple miles but worth the ride!! By the way,, if you stay on that gravel road - then follow some quad trails - maybe camp a night - you can eventually come out to Devils Tower Wyoming.. Custers AWESOME!! Those Mamouth digs are too!!

Gonna stick up for Wall Drug here too - I LOVE WALL DRUG!! If you go by there - even though it is a major tourist trap - drive all the way to the end of town where they have the street divided.. At the end of town is this place called "the back yard".. The back yard is for kiddies but still fun - go back there, stick your head in one of those holes where your face is sticking out on someone or somethings body and have somebody snap a picture of you to post on here!! Extra points if you climb up on the horse and do the same!! Now go INSIDE the back room area where the dinosaur comes to life every few minutes - cant miss it!! LOOK AT THE PICTURES OF THE COWBOYS AND INDIANS IN THAT HALLWAY!! REAL - I MEAN REAL REAL true to life stuff - REAL DEAL Western History there you will never forget!! Plan on spending a couple hours right there if your looking for real wild west history!!!

The Badlands National Park is right straight out of Wall Drug!! I LOVE to leave Wall late in the evening - go sit in the moonlite on the rim of the Badlands in the Park overlooking the place - it is UNREAL!! I have camped on the rim many times but ya gotta get away from the road or ya risk getting woke up.. About have way thru the park is a gravel road that cuts away from the rim and back to the Prairie... It is sectioned of back there with an opening onto the Praire grass lands - camping is legal back there and I tell ya - you do it and you will want to never go home!! I swear you can still hear wagon wheels rolling and Indian pony's chasing buffalo if you listen carefully enough - between the Coyote howling that is!!!

Heyyy,,, you coming across to the International at Orlins in Veer-a-qua?? Let me know if ya are.. I know a couple really neat camping spots on the way across for ya!!

Puc

[Dale124]

Wow, Puc, thanks for all the great information. Now I really really want to go out that way.

My wife and I have been discussing where to vacation this summer. If she wants to go to Deadwood, it would be in July,I might have to go in the cage, but if she doesn't want to go, I will have to talk divey (Doug Ivey) into making a road trip on the bikes in June (I don't think it would be too hard to convince him, if his schedule allowed).

Either way, we would be hotel-ing it. Haven't camped for years.

Dale.

[mirider]

Great write-up and pics by several posters.....intending to head that way during Sturgis rally this year and sure won't miss checking out Deadwood or any of the other attractions mentioned. [emoji106]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[CaseyJ955]

I mentioned a lack of great places to eat in Deadwood. This place is in Lead a few miles up the road. A cool old RR round house turned into a restaurant. Wifey and I went up there for anniversary one year and sat in a railroad car to eat, very cool. In fact we're going to be in Lead and Deadwood for the next 3 days for our 7th anniversary. Leaving in a couple hours.

http://blackhillsftpierrerailroadroundhouse.com/

 

You MUST also go to Hill City and eat at the Alpine Inn. It's a local treasure. Bring cash, they dont take plastic. Great German food. There is a little known road between Keystone and Hill City. Old Hill City road maybe. It's also a good way to get to Hill City for supper after you have seen Mt Rushmore which rests above Keystone on some stunning roads. Watch it though, lots of blind corners and gawking tourists so be aware. Another thing to be aware of is if you come early in the year watch for dust and dirt in the roads leftover from winter sanding and salting. The Black Hills is a great place to never ride beyond your line of sight. Some of these roads will bite you if your not paying attention.

 

Sturgis isnt exactly known for a bustling food scene as you will see but the Sturgis Coffee Co can serve up a great PSI brewed coffee if you are a latte' junky like I am. It's priced way up there but really one of the only good coffees there. There is one coming right into Deadwood that is pretty good too. It's right on the right as you roll in on the 14a. You will ride the 14a between Sturgis and Deadwood, right? I like what Puc said about coming in through MT. When I lived in Seattle I rode in through Yellowstone and Tetons. Also hit Glacier once. I take different routes, whatever I can find that is not highway. You will miss a lot just trucking in on the ol I-90. There is so much beauty in the back parts of WY, MT and SD, even parts of ID are amazing depending on which way your coming. I rode above the clouds like being on an airplane on the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway in WY. I get so jazzed remembering the wandering around scenic and sparsely populated states.

[SilvrT]

There were those beautiful girls walking around scantily dressed

 

I saw no such thing in those pictures you posted! c'mon .. put your proof where your words are! LOL

[CaseyJ955]

I saw no such thing in those pictures you posted! c'mon .. put your proof where your words are! LOL

 

I've hit Sturgis on/off since the 80s and we should never confuse "hot" with "scandly clad". You will see many painful reminders that dressing like your hot does not make you hot. Ooh yea, you'll see that! Unless you have a fetish for partially exposed tats you will leave highly disappointed.

 

Have a good time if your going during the rally and if your cool with the crowds more power to ya, but if your goal is to interact with, or even view pretty ladies then I urge you to adjust your expectations.

[SilvrT]

never confuse "hot" with "scandly clad". You will see many painful reminders that dressing like your hot does not make you hot. Ooh yea, you'll see that!

 

LOL ... having watched several vids on youtube of the Sturgis rally, I totally agree! painful !!! LOL

[BlueSky]

I saw no such thing in those pictures you posted! c'mon .. put your proof where your words are! LOL

 

Oh, I as too busy chasing, groping, and clawing to take any photos!

 

And they were young and beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SilvrT]

Oh, I as too busy chasing, groping, and clawing to take any photos!

 

 

yeahsureright .... thousands might believe that.... but I don't ! LOL

[bj66]

I've hit Sturgis on/off since the 80s and we should never confuse "hot" with "scandly clad". You will see many painful reminders that dressing like your hot does not make you hot. Ooh yea, you'll see that! Unless you have a fetish for partially exposed tats you will leave highly disappointed.

 

Have a good time if your going during the rally and if your cool with the crowds more power to ya, but if your goal is to interact with, or even view pretty ladies then I urge you to adjust your expectations.

 

 

You just won the internet for the day with this post!

Isn't it funny how the ones that are the most proud, shouldn't be?

[CaseyJ955]

You just won the internet for the day with this post!

Isn't it funny how the ones that are the most proud, shouldn't be?

 

Thank you for the high honors!

 

Its getting worse with time. I think as a society we have lost all shame! If you want to see extreme cases come to Sturgis or shop at walmart haha.