5-Day Mickelson Trail Scenic Bike Tour

Please meet at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Rapid City at 9am. Bring your luggage and be ready to ride. After shuttling to the trailhead, get fitted to your bike and be on your way! Shortly into the ride, you enjoy a lunch with the group and then pedal alongside Rapid Creek until you make your way to Deadwood. Construction of the railroad line began here in 1888, and after a mere ten months, construction ended 109 miles to the south in Edgemont, where you arrive on the last day of the tour.

Tonight, you stay at Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort. You’re on your own for the afternoon and evening to explore the town that attracted famous characters such as Wyatt Earp and Calamity Jane. Beware though, as gunshots ring out on Deadwood’s Historic Main Street. Catch a reenactment of the shooting of Wild Bill Hickok, or perhaps watch the capture and trial of Jack McCall. Oh, and don’t forget dinner — there are so many fantastic places to dine in town!
Accommodation: Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort - DoubleTree by Hilton
Meals: Lunch

Biking: 29 miles (46 kilometres) 
Elevation Gain: 1,370 feet (417 metres)
Terrain: Easier 

After a hearty breakfast, shuttle back to the trailhead where you started yesterday’s ride. From here on out, you pedal south on the trail. Today you cycle through numerous gulches with names like Moonshine, Bloody, and Blind. You also get to pedal through three of the old stone railroad tunnels. Meet the group for lunch in Hill City, and then shuttle to see Mt. Rushmore, the famous mountainside carving that depicts the faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln.

Afterward, drive to Sylvan Lake Lodge, where you spend the next three nights. Located within a hillside forest of spruce and pine trees at an elevation of 6,415 ft., the lodge is a favorite among travelers seeking immersion in a beautiful natural setting. Dinner tonight is at the lodge.
Accommodation: Sylvan Lake Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 22 miles (35 kilometres) 
Elevation Gain: 1,260 feet (384 metres)
Terrain: Intermediate

Today you take a break from riding the Mickelson Trail. There is a planned group hike in the morning and a group bike ride in the afternoon, but both of these are optional; participate only if you’d like. After breakfast, you can join the group for a 7-mile hike to the top of Black Elk Peak. After lunch, you can ride 14 miles of Needles Highway, one of the Top 10 Most Outstanding Byways in North America. If you decide to do your own thing, you could swim or kayak in Sylvan Lake or simply walk the relaxing one-mile lakeshore trail where you encounter boulders, waterfalls, and bridges. The group has a cocktail hour before dinner.
Accommodation: Sylvan Lake Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Optional Hiking: 7 miles (11 kilometres)
Elevation Gain: 1,380 feet (420 metres)

Optional Biking: 14 miles (22 kilometres) 
Elevation Gain: 940 feet (286 metres)
Terrain: Intermediate

After breakfast, shuttle back to where you left off on the Mickelson Trail. If your legs are feeling strong, you can ride the entire distance … though do note that there is a bit of climbing in today’s ride. If you’re up for a more casual ride, skip the first 14 miles and get a lift all the way to the Crazy Horse Memorial, which honors the famous Oglala Lakota warrior. Afterward, cycle to Custer for lunch — making sure to keep your eyes peeled for all the painted buffalos. Your destination for the day’s ride is Pringle, where you can admire a funky bike sculpture as you ponder how many bikes you see before you. Enjoy another dinner together at the resort.
Accommodation: Sylvan Lake Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Biking: 23 or 33 miles (37 or 53 kilometres) 
Elevation Gain: 1,110 or 2,280 feet (338 or 694 metres)
Terrain: Intermediate or Advanced

After breakfast, get ready for the final day of your tour. Shuttle back to Pringle, where you begin the final miles of the trail. Celebrate with well-deserved high-fives when you arrive at the trailhead in Edgemont. Drive to a nearby town for a farewell lunch, and then head back to Rapid City. Say your goodbyes and then be dropped off at the hotel near the airport where you met the group.
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Biking: 33 miles (53 kilometres) 
Elevation Gain: 670 feet (204 metres)
Terrain: Easier