Sturgis, South Dakota, United States
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
A town of about 7,000 hosts hundreds of thousands of riders, and the whole Black Hills becomes a racetrack.
The straight answer
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally runs for ten days in early August every year, and it transforms the entire Black Hills region, not just the town.
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally runs for ten days in early August, and it is one of the largest motorcycle gatherings in the world. Sturgis, South Dakota, a town of about 7,000 on the northern edge of the Black Hills, swells with hundreds of thousands of riders. It started in 1938 with a local motorcycle club's race and has run nearly every year since.
The rally is really two things. Downtown Sturgis, with Main Street lined with bikes and vendors, bars, and live music, is the scene. The Black Hills around it are the reason people ride here: some of the best motorcycle roads in the country, from the tunnels of Needles Highway to the pigtail bridges of Iron Mountain Road and the curves of Spearfish Canyon.
For everyone else, the rally is a fact of August. Hotels across the Black Hills, including Rapid City, Deadwood, Spearfish, and Custer, fill and triple their prices, and roads to Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park are crowded with motorcycles. If you are not coming for the rally, plan around it.
The event, explained
Main Street in Sturgis is closed to cars and packed with bikes parked in long rows, with vendors, bars, tattoo shops, and people-watching from morning into the night. Large campground venues outside town host big-name concerts nightly and camping for tens of thousands.
The riding is the other half: rides through Custer State Park's Wildlife Loop, Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road with its views of Mount Rushmore, Spearfish Canyon, and day trips to Devils Tower in Wyoming and Badlands National Park. Organized rides, races, and shows fill the schedule.
The crowd is diverse, from long-time riders on vintage bikes to retirees on touring machines, but the rally is adult oriented, with a hard-partying reputation after dark.
How to play it right
- 01Book lodging as early as possible, often a year ahead. Hotels, campgrounds, and rentals across the Black Hills fill up and charge rally rates for the whole ten days.
- 02Plan the riding for early morning. Scenic roads like Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road get congested by midday, and tunnels on Needles Highway are narrow; take them slowly.
- 03Watch the weather. Early August highs near 85F (29C) are common, but afternoon thunderstorms can bring hail and sudden downpours. Carry rain gear and check forecasts daily.
- 04Ride defensively. The volume of riders on unfamiliar roads leads to accidents every year; be cautious with gravel, wildlife, and distracted drivers.
- 05Rent or ship a bike if you are flying in. Rapid City Regional Airport is the closest, and rental bikes are available but must be reserved well ahead.
With kids in tow
- The rally is not a family event: loud nights, heavy drinking, and adult-oriented entertainment. Families should generally avoid Sturgis during those ten days.
- Families visiting the Black Hills in summer should plan for late June, July, or late August instead, when Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and Badlands are busy but manageable.
- If you must travel during the rally, base yourself south in the Hills and visit sights early in the morning.
Book your stay for Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
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- Hotels for August
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Sturgis Motorcycle RallyOpens a hotel search for Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Sturgis Motorcycle RallyWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Sturgis Motorcycle RallyTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, quick answers
When is the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally?
For ten days in early August every year, starting on a Friday. The rally publishes exact dates years in advance.
How many people attend Sturgis?
Hundreds of thousands of visitors attend each year, with attendance varying. The town's normal population is around 7,000.
Where should you stay for Sturgis?
Campgrounds near Sturgis, or hotels in Rapid City, Spearfish, and Deadwood. Book as early as possible, often a year ahead, as rally rates and minimum stays are the norm.
What are the best rides near Sturgis?
Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road, the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park, and Spearfish Canyon. Devils Tower and Badlands National Park are popular day rides.
Is Sturgis a good time to visit Mount Rushmore?
Not if you are not there for the rally. The Black Hills are at their busiest and most expensive. Visit in June or late August instead.
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