stayed at Palmer Gulch Lodge last year, I'll more than likely be there again this year. It's a reasonably quiet place in the middle of nowhere, but on the doorstep of the best riding in the area IMO. You can wake up early and have Iron Mt Rd to yourself without the traffic that comes by noon. I like to run up Iron Mt Rd then down Needles Hwy on my way to breakfast in Hill City before 10am with the guys who wake up late and skip my morning ritual. They got a nice little bar to unwind when the sun goes down and a restaurant/ice cream parlor/snack bar along with a general store. The only problem is it can be a long sometimes cold ride back from Sturgis, with lots of animals along the road at nite.

 

If you are planning on this being the trip of a lifetime I feel you should be there during the Rally to experience it. 500,000 to 750,000 riders in a town with a normal population of 6000. It's just one of those things you should be a part of at least once. Obviously you'll want to ride all of the Black Hills routes (they are spectacular) but if you still have time you should head further west to Beartooth pass in Montana/Wyoming. People come from all over the world to ride that. Out of this world beautiful

 

i have a friend who lives in sturgis and no you can't have her phone number

 

Try Chris's Campground in Spearfish. Great place, kinda out of the way but a great place to start alot of rides. Its about 15 to 20 miles north of Sturgis.

 

The place we stay is the best kept secret in Sturgis. HeHe! 18 dollars a night cabin rentals.

 

Late July/early August I stayed at:

Foothills Inn
Rapid City, SD
605-348-5640

$104/night

Decent room, free conti-breakfast, computer/internet access, nice pool.

From there it's nice little ride to Sturgis!!!

We did the whole "epic ride of a lifetime."

Black Hills
Badlands
Big Horn
Beartooth
Lolo Pass
Northern Cascades
(and back again)

16 days, 10 states, 5800+ miles.

Best of luck,
Ken

 

The Rocket Motel in Custer,SD is my suggestion if you are into affordable places and good people. Great owners and clean as a whistle, nice beds, air conditioned, stuff to wash bikes and they even BBQ'd 2 times for everyone that stayed with them. Back to the 50's style.

 

OH man you gotta hook up a fellow east TN rider... lol
i plan on going in a couple of years. i want to ride to milwakee then to sturgis. interested how you went up ther (roads) and if you rode or trailered it. i figure i want to plan it out the best i can and let the minor details work themselves out. PM me for further closed discussion.
not meaning to hi jack subject. Sorry OP. good luck on your trip planning.

 

Rapid City has lots of motels but unfortunately they all try to get as much as possible out of your pocket during the event. Lots to see lots to do and the riding is great. Consider staying a little further out if you can't afford an "in town" motel and ride to Sturigis for the day. If you ride, Sturgis should be on your bucket list. Have a safe and fun trip, take lots of pictures. It's worth it.

 

holy **** man, thats insane.