Sturgis and Mt Rushmore

wana65stang · 07-04-2015, 04:42 PM

Can anyone tell me how much affect the Sturgis bike rally has on the Mt Rushmore area, as far as being able to get camp sites? Want to go around Aug 1 to 9 and just saw that the rally is on at that time. Thanks

dj3spots · 07-04-2015, 04:52 PM

If it was me. I'd stay home. But, it's doable. Bikers pretty much stay near Sturgis. Some go sight seeing but I don't think it's a major issue. My brothers went two years ago and their wives went too. They visited a lot of the attractions and said they had no problems.

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Ford Idaho · 07-04-2015, 05:02 PM

This year is the 75th annual I have read that around 1,000,000 people are to be in and around there.

http://www.sturgismotorcyclerally.co...ally-stats.pdf

http://www.sturgismotorcyclerally.co...ddot-rally.pdf

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...b2MlTJMIxx23Ag

wana65stang · 07-04-2015, 05:19 PM

So...... Are you kind of saying don't go near there......

Ford Idaho · 07-04-2015, 05:26 PM

What I am getting at is if you go be prepared for lines just about any place within 50-75 miles.
If you do not have a site you should get on the phone Monday am and start checking, I would not drive there blind.

aspengirl · 07-04-2015, 05:30 PM

From our experience as South Dakotans, we can say it's extremely busy all over the Black Hills during Rally Week. I can't speak to this completely, but from what we hear, hotels, motels, campgrounds are booked well in advance. That said, if you're set on going then, we'd suggest you start making calls and reservations now. There are a LOT of bikers who don't even go to Sturgis, but rather just use the rally time as an excuse to tour the beautiful Black Hills""

wana65stang · 07-04-2015, 05:34 PM

Thanks for you info, going to have to rethink this.We were going to use this route to return to Ontario Can. from brother in law in Calgary.

Ford Idaho · 07-04-2015, 05:37 PM

There are a number of CG between Rapid City and Mt, Rushmore I'd start in that area.

HWY 16.

fander · 07-05-2015, 11:31 AM

Traffic at Sturgis during the rally is crazy. I would not come to the Black Hills without a campground reservation during rally week. Angostura state park which is on the southern edge of the Black Hills near Hot Springs may have some spots. However they only have electric with no water and sewer. Main streets in towns like Custer and Hill City are packed with motorcycles all week long. By the time you get to Hot Springs there are very few motorcycles. Traffic is heavy during the rally but motorcyclists are generally very nice. Most of the cyclists I see have grey hair and are relatively affluent.

Husker country · 07-05-2015, 01:24 PM

I definitely would steer clear of the area at that time. The roads are busy because a lot of the bikers are also touring the hills while there. I sure wouldn't want to be attempting to pull an rv through the congestion. Some residents rent out their yards for parking and their homes and leave for the week! It is amazing how many people will be there. incomprehensible actually. Some haul their bikes in from New York, etc. we always plan our visits there to avoid that time. We have been there the week before and even then there are bikers starting to come in. It's a beautiful area if you can shift your times a little to visit it when the rally isn't there. Well worth the effort to see.

ejw7213 · 07-05-2015, 01:33 PM

I have camped there during bike week and it is bad everywhere in the hills all of the campgrounds are full and the bikes are zipping in and out of traffic right in front of the motorhome. This is the 75th anniversary and it will be worse than normal.

JPSPete20 · 07-05-2015, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wana65stang

Can anyone tell me how much affect the Sturgis bike rally has on the Mt Rushmore area, as far as being able to get camp sites? Want to go around Aug 1 to 9 and just saw that the rally is on at that time. Thanks

IF you get to the area, there is a "hidden gem" there. Just East of the town of Sturgis is Fort Meade. This the fort where the Seventh Calvary was stationed before the battle of the Little Big Horn and it is where the survivors returned. There is a great 7th Calvary museum. The fort itself is now a National Guard base, but it is open and you may just drive in. The original parade ground, many of the officer's quarters and barracks are still in use today.

Pete

Vince and Charlette · 07-05-2015, 03:56 PM

Just last fall, we unknowingly stumbled into the Sturgis bike rally when we stayed just southeast in Rapid City. There were 450,000 bikes! We found a three day cancellation and grabbed it. Bikers were everywhere. Surprisingly, many are in their 60s...leftovers from the hippie days. Our next stop was Cody WY on the western half of the state. Still, there were bikers taking up almost every slot even though we were over 100 miles away. My recommendation, pass through Rapid City, stay on the interstate, but don't stop!

47chevy · 07-05-2015, 05:06 PM

more than likely won't get any camping site within at least 100 miles ! Most camp grounds even have a waiting list in case of cancellations. I you are going farther west I would change my plans , go west then back to the area after the rally.
We have the Beartooth Rally 2 weeks before
Sturgis and we are 150% booked (all sites booked and every overflow and grass spot that will hold a tent and bike) So I kinda have a clue..............
Camp Host , Red Lodge MT. KOA

47chevy · 07-05-2015, 05:13 PM

sounds like you hit Cody during the Hells Angels Mandatory annual meeting

LairdT · 07-05-2015, 05:15 PM

As a biker I will tell you that this rally will be huge - lots of people,bikes,trailers,RV's,tents anything you can think of that people can stay in will be there competing with you for a camp spot. My experience has been campgrounds will only rent to you for the whole week at rates 2 - 3 times higher than normal. State campgrounds of course can't charge like that, but are likely reserved already. The week before or the week after you probably have a chance, but not the week of the rally. Route to the north or south if you have to travel during the rally or change your time frame. The interstate is still workable though - if you are heading west, travel a little longer and go to Buffalo or Sheridan and check them out..

Ford Idaho · 07-05-2015, 05:18 PM

Glacier National Park?
Devils Tower National Monument?

47chevy · 07-05-2015, 05:19 PM

LairdT
You coming to Beartooth ?

OldCoot · 07-05-2015, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPSPete20

IF you get to the area, there is a "hidden gem" there. Just East of the town of Sturgis is Fort Meade. This the fort where the Seventh Calvary was stationed before the battle of the Little Big Horn and it is where the survivors returned... Pete

I didn't think there were any survivors.

NoviBill · 07-05-2015, 06:02 PM

I have been in the area with Boy Scouts during bike week. 90+% of the bikers are great people, if they are wearing colors or look rough avoid them. If you do go, do the evening lighting ceremony at Mt Rushmore (it's a thank you to Vets - many of the bikers are Vets). The Mt Rushmore/Custer KOA is good. Custer State Park is great! Avoid Keystone (I bit if a pit + bikers). Make sure to drive through Bad Lands National Park and the wildlife loop in Custer State Park.
These are not labeled yet (and I am still uploading) but here are photos - Michigan, Bad Lands, Custer, Mt Rushmore, Devil's Tower, Theodore Roosevelt: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cdrdwd...57654837210899

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