MYSTERY MOUNTAIN C.G. RESORT in Rapid City. Great location, owner rides and takes very good care of his patrons. The location is close to everything. Heading back again this year. Ya, bring the gear...better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it. You can run into just about anything out there during that time of year. Check out the hail storms there on Y-tube, man they do some damage. Good luck, you'll have an incredible time.

 

Yep Shade Valley http://shadevalley.com is a real nice place to Camp ... great people too, However, I hope you know that is NOTHING going on in early July ... Sturgis is just a little bitty ghost town for most of the year, that is until Bike Week .... However the scenery is still great and the roads/rides are excellent. Have a safe trip Brother!
P.S. I've taken the US Badger across Lake Michigan but haven't taken the ferry from Muskegon to Milwaukee ... it's supposed to be a lot quicker, and more expensive too!

 

EDS... will eventually take the Sturgis ride, did Cabot trail last year... watch this video clip.. it'll scare u a little....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5VSk2WjScQ

 

Thanks for all the input fellas!! Papi that's some crazy **** storm of hail mother f'n Mary!!!!! We specifically chose to ride not during bike week as we prefer less crowds and more peace and quiet! Cheers!

 

thats my plan too when day arises, doubt it will be this year though.....im looking at early june 2014, hear little chance of hail early june...

 

Not sure of this time of year, but I stay at Glencoe. Just outside of Sturgis and about 2 blocks away from Full Throttle (Full Throttle won't be open at that time of year though). It costs $125 per person during the ralley. Good times....Not sure if they are open during July, but here is the info on that.

http://www.glencoecamp.com/

Shane

 

Made a mistake...

$150 per person.

 

I stayed at the Rapid City KOA for Sturgis 2011. They had pancake breakfast every morning with eggs and sausage/bacon for 5 bucks. Showers, electric, laundry, check it out.

If you need a map...
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/road-...gis-rides.html

 

Like they've said "the weather can be extreme" but I've hit more nice weather than bad. 11 trips to the rally and haven't been hailed on yet. It did hit 105 degrees going across South Dakota once. Don't forget the sunscreen.

 

I'm just outside Toronto and will be making that trip at some point in the future too - just not this year.

I would probably look into a Good Sam membership. It's like CAA but half the price, and includes the US, Canada and Mexico. No limits on the amount of times you use it per year, and they also give a camping discount and have maps across the US of camp sites and camp site ratings.

I would get my Blue Cross/Blue Shield and travellers insurance set up before going. You don't want to be sick or injured in the U.S. - it can cost you your house/life-savings etc. Bring any medication with you - you won't be getting it cheap down there either.

I lived in Wisconsin as a Canadian for a number of years. Probably one of the most beautiful places I've ever driven in. It will be a fantastic trip. I wish I were going.