The legendary Great Plains and Black Hills of South Dakota and are the perfect backdrop for your 6-day biking adventure. Pedal back roads through a sea of open prairie. Follow an abandoned railroad along the Mickelson Trail, traversing countless bridges and rock tunnels. Hike the base of Mount Rushmore, explore the Crazy Horse Monument and snap photos of bison, elk, sheep and prairie dogs on a ride along the aptly named Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park.
Recreational, Mountain bike
6 days
196 km / 122 mi
$ 3,499.-
Hike to the top of Bear Butte, an igneous rock intrusion in the Black Hills that is sacred to many American Indian tribes
Bike all 109 miles of the Mickelson Trail over the course of 6 days, traversing countless railroad bridges and 4 rock tunnels
Eat local favorites like buffalo stroganoff, elk tenderloin and stuffed pheasant breast while dining in Custer State Park
Discover the world’s largest mountain carving as you learn the stories about Crazy Horse, a leader of the Lakota people
Explore the vast underground world of Wind Cave National Park on a ranger-led tour keeping an eye out for formations like frostwork, popcorn, and box work.
Deadwood: explore the historic gambling town where legendary outlaws of the wild west once roamed.
The tour will operate on the dates and itinerary scheduled and will not be cancelled due to lack of participation.
Deposit for this tour is 25%, if you cancel the tour USD $500.- is non refundable
Gallery
Details
Type
Recreational, Mountain bike
Duration
6 days
Level
Easy = untrained, normal physical condition Moderate = regular cyclist, good condition Challenging = experienced, well trained
Moderate
Technical level
Easy = unpaved roads, almost flat Average = narrow paths, steep climbing Difficult = barely used trails, rocks
Easy
Support
Guided = with cycling guide(s) - support van Self Guided = individual - directions+maps
Guided
Daily distance
40-60 km / 25-37 mi
Total distance
196 km / 122 mi
Lodging
Deluxe = 4-5 star hotel or excellent B&B Basic = 1-2 star hotel/motel or B&B Camping = tent, sports hall or campus
If you travel alone a single supplement is charged. With some group tours you can avoid a single supplement by sharing a room with another rider.
$ 699.-
Itinerary
Included / Not included
Day 1: Explore Bear Butte State Park, bike Spearfish Canyon
Your trip begins in Rapid City, known as the gateway to Mt. Rushmore.
Please plan on arriving at least one day prior to your trip departure as your guides will pick you up bright and early.
The first stop takes us to Bear Butte State Park where you’ll summit the mountain trail yielding sweeping panoramic views for as far as the eye can see. Experience the Old West and learn why Bear Butte is considered one of the most sacred lands by the Plains Indians.
After a short tour of the visitor’s center, we head over to the famous biker town of Sturgis for lunch at a local spot. Load up in the van to travel a short distance away to the town of Spearfish for a bike ride through Spearfish Canyon. This evening, we arrive at Deadwood, our home for the next two nights. We’ll walk the same sidewalks as the likes of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Wyatt Earp, and Buffalo Bill, to name just a few. Enjoy dinner in downtown Deadwood tonight, a short walk from our hotel.
Four Points by Sheraton Deadwood (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Bear Butte hiking distance: 7 kilometres (4.4 miles), elevation gain 304 metres (1000 feet)
Spearfish Canyon biking distance: 22.5 kilometres (14 miles), elevation gain 518 metres (1700 feet)
Day 2: Bike Mickelson Trail, explore Deadwood
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel this morning before heading up to the old gold town of Rochford to begin our first leg biking the Mickelson Trail. The trail follows the historic Deadwood to Edgemont Burlington Northern rail line, which serviced gold country for nearly a century. We ride the trail “backward” as we make our way back towards Deadwood. Enjoy lunch and some downtime before spending your afternoon exploring Deadwood on your own. This National Historic Landmark was originally settled illegally by gold rushers and still embodies the lawless west. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Four Points by Sheraton Deadwood (Breakfast, lunch)
Michelson Trail, Rochford to Deadwood biking distance: 42 kilometres (26 miles)
Day 3: Bike Mickelson Trail, explore Mount Rushmore
We have another big and exciting day ahead of us! We’ll first transfer by van to Rochford where our continuing ride up and down the Mickelson Trail begins. Pass by the Mystic Trailhead as you make your way to Hill City, the second oldest town in the Black Hills. Near here, we’ll stop for lunch and enjoy a bit of swimming if the mood beckons. We’ll check into our accommodation for the next three nights, Sylvan Lake Lodge before we depart for a scenic tour of the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road. Explore Mount Rushmore, America’s Shrine of Democracy then have dinner at a local restaurant.
Sylvan Lake Lodge (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Mickelson Trail to Hill City biking distance: 36 kilometres (22.5 miles)
Day 4: Bike Mickelson Trail, explore Wind Cave National Park
Another amazing day awaits you! We’ll resume our Mickelson Trail bike ride, pedaling a 29-mile (47km) stretch with rewarding views of Crazy Horse before we pedal back down to the town of Custer where picnic lunch awaits. After a nice break, we’ll begin our ride where we left off to pedal to the tiny town of Pringle. This afternoon we will take in natural beauty as we transfer to Wind Cave to tour one of the most complex and longest caves in the world. Enjoy tonight’s dinner at our accommodation’s restaurant.
Overnight: Sylvan Lake Lodge, Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hill City to Custer biking distance: 24 kilometres (15 miles)
Custer to Pringle biking distance: 19 kilometres (12 miles)
Day 5: Bike final section of Mickelson Trail, visit Edgemont
Today we will continue our journey south on the Mickelson Trail, completing the final section of our 110-mile(177km) journey. This easygoing section of trail passes through rolling foothills, expansive private ranches, and “as-far-as-the-eye-can-see” prairies. Lunch is at the City Park in Edgemont, the official end of the trail, where we will celebrate our last day of biking with a toast! After lunch, enjoy a bit of free time before shuttling to the State Game Lodge for a final dinner together. Tonight, toast to a great week spent exploring the Black Hills!
Overnight: Sylvan Lake Lodge, Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Mickelson Trail to Edgemont biking distance: 51 kilometres (32 miles), mostly downhill
Day 6: Visit Crazy Horse Memorial, transfer to Rapid City
This morning we head over to the world’s largest mountain carving, Crazy Horse. Still, in progress, the Memorial is destined to be some 10 times the size of Mt Rushmore. This is more than just carvings in stone; it is a compound that will eventually pay tribute to the American Indians and the great Indian Chief, Crazy Horse, housing the Indian Museum of North America, Indian University of North America, and a host of other properties. After your tour we will say good bye to the Black Hills and head back to Rapid City for our final farewells.
Meals: breakfast
* This is a general itinerary. Tour itineraries are subject to change based on the group, available accommodations and other unforeseen circumstances such as the weather, local conditions, government intervention, that may affect the quality of the trip and/or safety of the participants. Please view this itinerary as an outline as to what to expect on this tour.
On the first morning of the trip, our two pick-up locations are Alex Johnson Hotel at 8am or the Hampton Inn at 8:20am. You are welcome to stay at any hotel in Rapid City for your pre-night, though you must make your own way to one of the two pick-up points at the pre-designated times.
Your trip ends with a drop-off at either the Rapid City Airport at 11:30am in time for flights below or at a hotel of your choice in Rapid City around 12pm.
Included:
Double occupancy rooms with private baths.
All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments and receptions, except one dinner on your own.
Fully trained, first-aid certified professional guides and knowledgeable local partners.
Bikes, helmets and other necessary equipment -all safe and well maintained.
Vehicle support and land transportation during the trip.
T-shirt, water bottle, luggage tags and luggage service.
Pre-departure and packing information.
Incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local partner and expert gratuities and national park entrance and permit fees.
Not included:
One dinner on your own.|
Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities.
Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses.
Air and land transportation to/from host cities.
All types of personal insurance.
Personal expenses
Gratuities to tour guides.
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