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Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour Rock Formation
Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour Deer crossing river
Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour Badlands with colorful hills
Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour Deadwood

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6-Day Black Hills & Mickelson Trail Adventure Bike Tour

Bike for six days on some of the most scenic roads and trails in South Dakota including 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.

Start - End: Rapid City - Rapid City

Total trip: 6 days

Average group size: 12 people

from USD 3,999/pp including taxes and fees

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Trip Inquiry - 6-Day Black Hills & Mickelson Trail Adventure Bike Tour

Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour Rock Formation
Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour Deer crossing river
Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour Badlands with colorful hills
Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour Deadwood
Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour Rock Formation
Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour Deer crossing river
Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour Badlands with colorful hills
Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour Deadwood
Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour Devil's tower and bike
Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour Bison
Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour Mount Rushmore
Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour Biking in the badlands
Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour Deer on the road
Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour rider next to a lake
Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour field with wildlife
Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour Wildlife
Mickelson Rail Trail & Black Hills Bike Tour happy guests on the track
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Trip Inquiry - 6-Day Black Hills & Mickelson Trail Adventure Bike Tour

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Ride South Dakota’s George S. Mickelson Trail on a 6-day tour through the Black Hills. Tunnels, trestles, and stunning pine-country scenery.

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.

Trip Highlights

Day by day on your bike tour

Read about each day of the itinerary and check out the map below for the fascinating route you'll follow.

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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, Interior
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 23.3 miles (37.5 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 863 feet (263 meters) ascent, 1483 feet (452 meters) descent
Terrain: Easier to Intermediate

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, Custer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 32.4 miles (52.1 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,525 feet (770 meters) ascent, 2,417 feet (737 meters) descent
Terrain: Intermediate

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, Custer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 19.3 miles (31.1 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 963 feet (294 meters) ascent, 2,921 feet (890 meters) descent
Terrain: Intermediate

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: Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort - DoubleTree by Hilton, Deadwood
Meals: Breakfast

Biking: 25.9 miles (41.7 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,395 feet (425 meters) ascent, 1,394 feet (425 meters) descent
Terrain:  Intermediate

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, Hill City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 51.1 miles (82.2 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 3,200 feet (975 meters) ascent, 2,719 feet (829 meters) descent
Terrain: Easier

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: 17.2 miles (27.2 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,189 feet (362 meters) ascent, 877 feet (267 meters) descent
Terrain: Easier

Inns

Cedar Pass Lodge on our Mickelson Trail bike tour

Cedar Pass Lodge

Cedar Pass Lodge provides comfortable eco-friendly cabins for an authentic western experience.

Custer State Game Lodge on our Mickelson Trail bike tour

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 Hotel on our Mickelson Trail bike tour

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 on our Mickelson Trail bike tour

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.

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FAQs

We know you might have a few questions before you book. Our Frequently Asked Questions cover useful information to help you feel ready for the ride.

On the first morning of the tour please meet at the DoubleTree by Hilton Rapid City Downtown Convention Center at 8:30am. You are welcome to book your pre-tour stay at this hotel directly or any other hotel in Rapid City, though you must make your own way to the pick-up point at the pre-designated time.

Your tour ends with a drop-off back at the DoubleTree by Hilton Rapid City Downtown Convention Center at 3:30pm.

Arrival: We recommend arriving in Rapid City at least the day before your tour starts. Many guests like to arrive a day or two early to accommodate potential flight delays and/or explore the city prior to your tour start.

Departure: Flying out on the last day of the tour, we recommend departing from Rapid City after 6pm. Earlier flight times will require a separate transfer booked at your own expense.

If you plan to drive to the tour’s pick-up location, please ensure you arrange parking for the duration of your tour. If the pick-up point is a hotel, we recommend contacting them directly to inquire about parking availability. Keep in mind some hotels do not permit non-guests to park on-site, so you may need to find alternative parking options.

You’ll be fully supported throughout the tour with two experienced tour leaders — one riding alongside the group and another following in a support vehicle. The support van travels with you on all riding days, stocked with snacks and tools, and ready to help with repairs or provide a lift whenever needed.

Your tour leaders are there for more than just the cycling. They’re happy to assist with logistics, help arrange transport, and share local insights and recommendations to help you make the most of each stop along the way.

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What's included

  • 5 nights’ accommodation
  • 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
  • You’re supported from start to finish by our highly experienced guides and leaders
  • Industry leading Guest-to-Guide ratio (averaging 6:1)
  • All activities outlined in the itinerary
  • Delicious snacks and non-alcoholic drinks to keep you fueled
  • All necessary equipment (well-maintained and safe) for activities
  • Branded t-shirt and bag
  • 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
  • Transportation in our air-conditioned vans - safe, clean, modern, and comfortable! 
  • Your queries answered by our knowledgeable Customer Care Team - only a call, chat, or email away
  • You’re “trip ready” with our Customer Care Team’s calls prior to your trip
  • “My Account” - your own online space with everything required for your adventure

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