6-Day Black Hills & Mickelson Trail Adventure Bike Tour
Duration
6 days
Daily Biking
16 to 36 miles
Trip difficulty
3-Intermediate
From
USD 3599
OR CALL (800) 257-2226
Duration
6 days
Daily Biking
16 to 36 miles
Trip difficulty
3-Intermediate
From
USD 3599
Trip Overview
This South Dakota bike tour from Badlands National Park, through the Black Hills, along the Mickelson Trail and up to Devils Tower will take you through a diverse and unique landscape that is rich in both Native American culture and iconic North American wildlife.
You pedal along the Wildlife Loop viewing some of the largest herds of American bison (informally called buffalo) in existence today. Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park are also home to pronghorn antelope, elk, prairie dogs, deer, mountain lions and bighorn sheep. The area you ride through on this tour is one of the most geologically unique and diverse areas in North America.
Visit Mount Rushmore, the famous mountainside sculpture depicting our U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Your route takes you to the Crazy Horse Memorial, currently being constructed, depicting the Oglala Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse. Toward the end of the tour, you ride across the Wyoming border and up to Devils Tower National Monument.
During the course of the week, you visit some of our favorite restaurants in the Black Hills area. The lunch spots chosen on this tour serve pleasing and healthy meals with locally sourced ingredients.
Surfaces for this tour: 61% Paved and 39% Gravel.
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
Bike for six days on some of the most scenic roads and trails in South Dakota — Badlands National Park, the Black Hills, and along the Mickelson Trail. Enjoy wildlife and must-see landmarks, like Mt. Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and Devils Tower.
Arrival Day
Please meet at the DoubleTree by Hilton Rapid City Downtown Convention Center at 8:30am. Bring your luggage and be ride-ready. After brief introductions, take the van and trailer and shuttle for a brief stop and orientation at the legendary Wall Drug before heading on to start the ride at the Pinnacles Entrance Station in Badlands National Park. Cycle through the rugged, dramatic landscapes of Badlands National Park — known as one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Dinner is at the Cedar Pass Restaurant. Off-bike activities: Badlands is known for sunsets and sunrises, stargazing, hiking.
Accommodation: Cedar Pass Lodge
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Biking: 23 miles (37 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier to Intermediate
Wind Cave National Park | Custer State Park
Today's route begins in Wind Cave National Park. Start by exploring the Visitor Center there (depending on whether they have completed repairs). Then, you have the option for a 1-hour guided tour of the cave. After the cave tour, you shuttle to start your ride in Custer State Game Park ... to view herds of bison, prairie dog town, donkeys, and herds of antelope! The route takes you along the Wildlife Loop — 18 miles of open grasslands and hills, appropriately named for its plentiful wildlife. Guests love the rolling nature of these roads and the stunning scenery. Dinner is at the Custer State Game Lodge Restaurant. Optional off- bike activities: Custer State Game Park Visitor Center or an off-road Jeep safari. Dinner is at the Custer State Game Lodge Restaurant.
Accommodation: Custer State Game Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Biking: 32 miles (51 kilometres)
Terrain: Intermediate
Mount Rushmore
Two of the main roads today were built for the sole purpose of enjoyment. You start directly from our lodging, riding through Custer State Game Park, to Iron Mountain Road, noted as one of the most unusual and captivating roads in America. Iron Mt. Road is home to the famed “pigtail bridges,” … log-built bridges that spiral down, multiple tunnels that frame Mount Rushmore, and sections of rolling single lane pavement through the woods that’s sure to leave you grinning ear to ear. Your lunch destination today is Lakota Lake Picnic area. From here, you can ride or shuttle the hills, tunnels and switchbacks to Mount Rushmore. Dinner is at the Custer State Game Lodge Restaurant. Optional off-bike activities: Custer State Game Park Visitor Center or an off-road Jeep safari.
Accommodation: Custer State Game Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Biking: 21 miles (34 kilometres)
Terrain: Intermediate
Devil’s Tower
This is a beautiful day of riding through buttes and red sandstone cliffs up to the majestic Devils Tower National Monument. Shuttle to Aladin for a look at a fun general store and then on to Hulett for the ride to Devils Tower. You have the option for a short hike near Devils Tower and then ride to Hulett for lunch. Next, shuttle to Deadwood in the afternoon. Dinner is on your own at the Six String or Santana’s. Optional off-bike activities: Deadwood trolley car shuttle, Wild Bill Hickok shooting and legendary trial of Jack McCall (street re-enactment), shopping, Broken Boot Gold Mine tour.
Optional off-bike activities: Deadwood trolley car shuttle, Wild Bill Hickok shooting and legendary trial of Jack McCall (street re-enactment), shopping, Broken Boot Gold Mine tour.
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Deadwood at Cadillac Jack's
Meals: Breakfast
Biking: 10 to 36 miles (16 or 58 kilometres)
Terrain: Intermediate
George S. Mickelson Trail
One of the premiere Rail-to-trails in the U.S., the Mickelson is a 109-mile trail that uses the old Black Hills Railroad line, which used to supply the Homestake Mine for many years. Today you ride the trail from Deadwood, a town known for its gold rush history, to the ghost town of Mystic. This section of the trail includes numerous bridges and tunnels and runs through one of the most beautiful areas of the Black Hills. Dinner is at Alpine Inn.
Accommodation: Best Western Golden Spike Inn and Suites
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Biking: 42 miles (67.5 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier
Departure Day
Your final day of cycling features a section of the Mickelson Trail from Hill City to Custer, where you will find decorative painted buffalo statues all through the downtown. Today you ride near the Crazy Horse Memorial with a great view of the monument. In the afternoon we offer a shuttle back to Rapid City.
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast
Biking: 16 or 20 miles (26 or 32 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier
Dates
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). A deposit of $750 holds your reservation for most tours. For tours less than 6 days, the deposit is $500.
What's Included
- 5 nights’ accommodation
- 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
- Our own highly experienced trip leaders, with you from start to finish
- Industry leading Guest-to-Guide ratio (averaging 6:1)
- Your own ‘Account’, an online space with everything required for your adventure
- Our knowledgeable Customer Service Team to answer your queries - just a phone call, email or chat away
- Customer Service pre-trip phone calls to ensure you’re 'trip ready'
- Delicious snacks and non-alcoholic drinks to keep you fueled
- Gravel bikes with drop handlebars, Hybrid with flat-bar handlebars or E-Bikes, equipped with a front handlebar bag or rear carrier, branded water bottle, mirror and flat pedals
- Ride with GPS for navigation along with the detailed maps and itineraries
- Branded t-shirt and bag
- All activities outlined in the itinerary
- All necessary equipment (well-maintained and safe) for activities
- Transportation in our air-conditioned vans - safe, clean, modern and comfortable!
Inns
Cedar Pass Lodge
Cedar Pass Lodge provides comfortable eco-friendly cabins for an authentic western experience.
Custer State Game Lodge
Nestled in a tranquil forest, the State Game Lodge at Custer State Park is a stately lodge with a stone foundation surrounded by cabins. It was the “Summer White House” for president Calvin Coolidge.
Cadillac Jack's Doubletree at Deadwood
Whether you’re seeking an exciting night of gaming, a romantic escape, or a home base for your family’s Black Hills adventure, you can count on fun and relaxation at this hotel. Discover the luxurious guest rooms at DoubleTree by Hilton in Deadwood, SD. Their modern, convenient features create a contemporary atmosphere perfect for a relaxing and productive stay.
Best Western Golden Spike
This family owned and operated hotel is located in the heart of Hill City, South Dakota. It offers convenient access to many area activities including sightseeing, hiking, and biking on Michelson Trail, rock climbing, fishing, boating and golf at Custer's Golf Course. Stay at this 3 Diamond Hotel located minutes from Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park and Crazy Horse Memorial.
