We are going to be running Hwy 44 through South Dakota to the Black Hills, and wanted to run through the Badlands. I see there is a couple roads that loop through it, anyone know if it is all hard surface? I presume 377 and 240 are, but there's a road called Sage Creek road and Rim Road?

 

Quick search says the only paved road is Badlands Loop Road.

 

my trick is I use google earth or google maps satellite view.

if you can see painted stripes on the road...then it is paved

I've used that all over the Southwest to pick my way through new places

with abs even dirt roads are less of a challenge- I've done roads on my bagger where usually only the KLR's play

mike

 

Last year there were a couple of spots that were being repaired but other than that all paved

 

I don't know whether Sage and Rim roads are paved. I've been through the badlands several times but haven't ridden those roads. You'll find plenty of beautiful scenery and scenic overlooks (parking areas) on the main roads. You could check the paved status at the visitor center. I recommend checking out the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site at exit 131, its very cool.

 

+1 on the missile silo and the main loop road is paved.

 

All paved the two times that I went through several years ago.

 

Thanks for the info guys, appreciate it. I did the Google Earth, very good idea, even looked at street view. Looks like the Sage Creek Road loop is not paved, so we may just have to run a portion of the loop then return to Hwy 44.

 

I believe you will have a good time just riding the main loop, plenty to see and its an amazing sight to see.

 

44, 377 and the main 240 loop are paved. To my knowledge nothing else is. If your on 44, you'll turn onto 377 to get to the 240 loop. If you have time, I would suggest riding to Wall, then east on I90 back to the loop. That way you'll see it all. It's a very beautiful place. I live in SD and I've been there many times. One piece of advice I can give to anyone wanting to visit. If it has just rained and the ground is wet, the clay gets very slippery. Stay back from the edge when on foot. You can very easily slide right off the edge. Have a safe trip and I hope you enjoy SD.