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Map of Cycle South Dakota: Mount Rushmore & Badlands including United States Of America

Get ready for a good time in the Badlands

Cycle some of the USA’s most magnificent roads, walk in the footsteps of Wild West outlaws and come face to face with one of the world’s most recognised monuments on a six-day cycling adventure through South Dakota. The Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park and Black Hills National Forest deliver in otherworldly scenery while the fabled towns you pedal to serve up a side of American history. The towering carvings of past presidents on the side of Mount Rushmore must be seen to be believed, and travelling with a local leader ensures you’ll hear the stories behind all the sights you uncover along the way.

Start
Rapid City, United States
Finish
Rapid City, United States
Destination
United States
Style
Original
Theme
Cycling
Code
SSXD
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Take a wild ride along the famed Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park, searching for bison, elk, antelope, mountain goat, and deer as you pedal.

  • When you’re not on two wheels, there’s plenty to discover on foot – tour a section of one of the world’s longest caves in Wind Cave National Park and admire its unique formations.

  • Cycle one of the USA’s most spectacular roads – the Iron Mountain Road weaves through South Dakota’s Black Hills, revealing a different view with each of its curves.

  • Park your bike at the iconic Mount Rushmore and follow the Presidential Trail for a close-up view of the granite-hewn faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln.

  • Scenic rides lead you to storied places – explore legendary Deadwood and learn about its Wild West past, and visit the Custer State Park, known for one of the largest bison herds in the world.

  • Cycle in the company of an experienced cycling guide as they share their unique perspective of this fascinating region.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip is new to our range this year. And while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations and working with new partners can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.

  • Please ensure you consult your local government’s advice regarding travel prior to booking this trip.

  • This trip deliberately involves a fair amount of driving – this is designed that you only cycle the very best places and none of the 'transit' legs in-between.

  • If you feel like doing all the riding but with less effort, you have the option of hiring an electric bike (e-bike) on this trip.

Aerial view Custer State Park, South Dakota, USA
Cycling in South Dakota, USA
Aerial view of Iron Mountain Road near Mt Rushmore, South Dakota, USA
Downtown Deadwood, South Dakota, USA
Mt Rushmore, South Dakota, USA
Waterfall in Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota, USA

Itinerary
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Welcome to Rapid City, gateway to South Dakota’s Black Hills, Badlands National Park and the iconic Mount Rushmore. If you arrive early there is plenty to see and do here – perhaps stroll through the Historic District and the City of Presidents, a street dotted with bronze statues of past presidents beyond the four you’ll meet at Mount Rushmore. You may like to get to know the creatures at the acclaimed Reptile Gardens, or just kick back at one of the many local breweries in and around town. Meet your fellow cyclists and guide at midday (12pm) then enjoy a scenic drive (approximately 1 hour) to the Badlands National Park. After a group meeting, get fitted to your bike then take an enjoyable 16km/10 mile introductory test ride through the dramatic landscape along the Badlands Loop Road. From here its back into the vehicle for the drive to the small city of Hot Springs (approximately 2 hours), renowned for centuries for its hot springs, considered by the Sioux and Cheyenne people as sacred. The evening is free for you to explore or relax. Soothe your muscles at the Evans Plunge or Moccasin Mineral Springs or head into town for dinner with your new riding buddies.
Accommodation
  • Hotel/Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Badlands National Park Guided and vehicle-supported Cycling
  • 5 Days Included Bicycle Hire
  • Expert Cycling Leader/Guide & Vehicle Support
Optional Activities
  • Reptile Gardens - USD15
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Today’s ride is approximately 16km/10 miles with an elevation gain of 160m/500ft.

IMPORTANT: In 2023 this will not travel to Hot Springs, but will overnight in Rapid City instead, and proceed directly to Wind Cave on the morning of Day 2.

After breakfast, leave Hot Springs and drive north along straight roads that cut through rolling green hills before arriving at Wind Cave National Park, an extraordinary landscape home to one of the world’s largest caves. Step into a hidden world as you tour the Garden of Eden section of the Wind Cave. Learn about this intriguing environment as you pass by unique boxwork, cave popcorn, and flowstone formations. From here it's onto your bike for the ride to the western entrance of the Custer State Park (approximately 30 minutes), then enjoy a scenic 30km/19-mile ride along the famed Wildlife Loop in the southern section of the park. Keep a keen eye out along the road and the nearby hills are for the bison, elk, antelope, mountain goat, and deer that inhabit this pristine environment.
Accommodation
  • Hotel/Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Wind Cave/Garden of Eden Cave Tour
  • Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Guided and vehicle-supported Cycling
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s ride is approximately 50km/32 miles in total, along good quality sealed roads with an elevation gain of 780m/2570ft.

Today is short and at times challenging ride, but definitely one you’ll remember for a lifetime. Leaving Custer State Park behind, make you way north up the sublime Iron Mountain Road. This architectural masterpiece carves its way through the forests, valleys and mountains of South Dakota as it winds up the Black Hills, each of its 314 curves revealing a different view. While the journey is inspiring, the destination just as remarkable as you emerge from the trees to the spectacular view of Mount Rushmore. Park your bike and take a leisurely stroll up the Presidential Trail for a close-up view of sculptor Gutzon Borglum’s colossal masterpiece as the granite-hewn faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln stare out across the Black Hills. Grab lunch and take your time to soak it all in before a final drive to Hill City and an afternoon relaxing those leg muscles.
Accommodation
  • Hotel/Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial
  • Iron Mountain Road Guided and vehicle-supported Cycling
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s ride is approximately 34km/21 miles with an elevation gain of 965m/3165ft.

A longer but far flatter ride awaits you today as you cycle the excellent George S. Mickelson Trail though the heart of the beautiful Black Hills. The trail runs for 109 miles, but you’ll only cover a fraction of that as you cycle the traffic-free path through spruce and ponderosa pine forests, across countless converted railroad bridges and the occasional rock tunnels. Start the day with a short drive (approximately 45 minutes) before joining the trail at Rochford, riding a gentle uphill to the high point of the trail at Dumont, then enjoying a gradual 21-kilometre descent into the legendary town of Deadwood. For those looking for an extra challenge you’re welcome to ride the entire trail section and its two long but not overly steep climbs (and descents!) from Hill City to all the way to Deadwood.
This afternoon is free for you to explore the fabled city of Deadwood, home to Wild West luminaries such as Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. The streets are paved with history and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby to soak up the atmosphere.
Accommodation
  • Hotel/Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • George S. Mickelson Trail Guided Cycling
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Todays ride is approx. 40 kilometre/25 miles, suitable for all skills levels, on 90% hard-packed gravel cycling/walking path, and an Elevation gain of approx. 1000 feet /305 m. Note that you can also opt to start the ride earlier for a challenging 76 kilometre/47 miles ride, wit an elevation gain of approx. 2170 feet /660 m

Please note that the support vehicle cannot follow you on the trail as it is vehicle-free. There will be designated stopping points at the closest trailheads to help refill water and snacks.

After an early breakfast take a short vehicle transfer to Savoy (approximately 30 minutes) and begin your last day of cycling. This ride is short but certainly memorable as you pedal mostly downhill along the stunning Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. Named by Bicycling magazine as one of the country’s most scenic bike paths, the smooth road through vibrant foliage, past gorgeous waterfalls and beneath towering 1000-foot-high cliffs is a cyclist’s paradise and a perfect final ride. Hop back aboard the support vehicle and make the short drive back to Deadwood where you’ll have some time to freshen up before driving back to Rapid City (approximately 1 hour), where upon arrival your cycling adventure will come to and end.
Included Activities
  • Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway Guided and vehicle-supported Cycling
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s ride is approximately 21km/13miles, mostly downhill on well paved roads, with an elevation gain of 10m/30ft.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

4 breakfasts

Transport

Bicycle (e-bike option available, subject to availability), Support Vehicle

Accommodation

Simple Hotel/Motel (4 nights)

Included activities

  • Badlands National Park Guided and vehicle-supported Cycling
  • 5 Days Included Bicycle Hire
  • Expert Cycling Leader/Guide & Vehicle Support
  • Wind Cave/Garden of Eden Cave Tour
  • Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Guided and vehicle-supported Cycling
  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial
  • Iron Mountain Road Guided and vehicle-supported Cycling
  • George S. Mickelson Trail Guided Cycling
  • Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway Guided and vehicle-supported Cycling

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Cycle South Dakota: Mount Rushmore & Badlands trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. This trip begins at midday 12pm on Day 1, and finishes around 3pm on Day 5.
2. To complete this trip it is important that you are both confident and competent in riding a bicycle. While the cycling distances on this trip are relatively short, the terrain can sometimes be hilly so you’ll need a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy the trip – but remember, we will always have the support vehicle on hand if you need to take a break for an hour or a day.
3. A Single Supplement may be available on this trip, please ask your booking agent for more information.
4. Bicycle hire is included in your trip price. Please advise your height at time of booking so we can organise a suitable sized bike.
5. The included bikes on this trip are a flat bar 'hybrid-style'. You have the option (at extra cost) of hiring an electric bike (e-bike) - this must be requested at the time of booking.
6. Bike helmets are compulsory on this trip. We are unable to hire bike helmets locally so please ensure you bring your own bike helmet from home.
7. For groups of 6 or less clients we have a single leader that drives the support vehicle alongside the group. For larger groups, we have a separate driver and the leader will cycle all routes. Where the vehicle cannot travel directly with the cyclists (e.g. a cyclists-only path) your leader will assign a person from the group to act as a backmarker.
8. Accommodation is not included on day 6 of this trip.
9. Due to Covid-19 restrictions some of the local attractions may be temporarily closed, running reduced hours, or require booking ahead. Please check their websites for up-to-date opening hours.
10. In 2023 this will not travel to Hot Springs, but will overnight in Rapid City instead, and proceed directly to Wind Cave on the morning of Day 2.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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