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Cycle South Dakota: Mount Rushmore & Badlands

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Cycle South Dakota: Mount Rushmore & Badlands

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Description

Cycle some of the USA’s most magnificent roads, walk in the footsteps of Wild West outlaws and come face to face with one of the world’s most recognised monuments on a six-day cycling adventure through South Dakota. The Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park and Black Hills National Forest deliver in otherworldly scenery while the fabled towns you pedal to serve up a side of American history. The towering carvings of past presidents on the side of Mount Rushmore must be seen to be believed, and travelling with a local leader ensures you’ll hear the stories behind all the sights you uncover along the way.

Trip Name
Cycle South Dakota: Mount Rushmore & Badlands
Last Updated
2023-01-29
Days
5
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Take a wild ride along the famed Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park, searching for bison, elk, antelope, mountain goat, and deer as you pedal.
  • When you’re not on two wheels, there’s plenty to discover on foot – tour a section of one of the world’s longest caves in Wind Cave National Park and admire its unique formations.
  • Cycle one of the USA’s most spectacular roads – the Iron Mountain Road weaves through South Dakota’s Black Hills, revealing a different view with each of its curves.
  • Park your bike at the iconic Mount Rushmore and follow the Presidential Trail for a close-up view of the granite-hewn faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln.
  • Scenic rides lead you to storied places – explore legendary Deadwood and learn about its Wild West past, and visit the Custer State Park, known for one of the largest bison herds in the world.
  • Cycle in the company of an experienced cycling guide as they share their unique perspective of this fascinating region.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested in the Group Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Rapid City, Badlands Cycling & Hot Springs
Welcome to Rapid City, gateway to South Dakota’s Black Hills, Badlands National Park and the iconic Mount Rushmore. If you arrive early there is plenty to see and do here – perhaps stroll through the Historic District and the City of Presidents, a street dotted with bronze statues of past presidents beyond the four you’ll meet at Mount Rushmore. You may like to get to know the creatures at the acclaimed Reptile Gardens, or just kick back at one of the many local breweries in and around town. Meet your fellow cyclists and guide at midday (12pm) then enjoy a scenic drive (approximately 1 hour) to the Badlands National Park. After a group meeting, get fitted to your bike then take an enjoyable 16km/10 mile introductory test ride through the dramatic landscape along the Badlands Loop Road. From here its back into the vehicle for the drive to the small city of Hot Springs (approximately 2 hours), renowned for centuries for its hot springs, considered by the Sioux and Cheyenne people as sacred. The evening is free for you to explore or relax. Soothe your muscles at the Evans Plunge or Moccasin Mineral Springs or head into town for dinner with your new riding buddies.
Day 2 - Cycle Custer State Park
After breakfast, leave Hot Springs and drive north along straight roads that cut through rolling green hills before arriving at Wind Cave National Park, an extraordinary landscape home to one of the world’s largest caves. Step into a hidden world as you tour the Garden of Eden section of the Wind Cave. Learn about this intriguing environment as you pass by unique boxwork, cave popcorn, and flowstone formations. From here it's onto your bike for the ride to the western entrance of the Custer State Park (approximately 30 minutes), then enjoy a scenic 30km/19-mile ride along the famed Wildlife Loop in the southern section of the park. Keep a keen eye out along the road and the nearby hills are for the bison, elk, antelope, mountain goat, and deer that inhabit this pristine environment.
Day 3 - Iron Mountain Road Cycling & Mt Rushmore
Today is short and at times challenging ride, but definitely one you’ll remember for a lifetime. Leaving Custer State Park behind, make you way north up the sublime Iron Mountain Road. This architectural masterpiece carves its way through the forests, valleys and mountains of South Dakota as it winds up the Black Hills, each of its 314 curves revealing a different view. While the journey is inspiring, the destination just as remarkable as you emerge from the trees to the spectacular view of Mount Rushmore. Park your bike and take a leisurely stroll up the Presidential Trail for a close-up view of sculptor Gutzon Borglum’s colossal masterpiece as the granite-hewn faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln stare out across the Black Hills. Grab lunch and take your time to soak it all in before a final drive to Hill City and an afternoon relaxing those leg muscles.
Day 4 - George S. Mickelson Trail Cycling & Deadwood
A longer but far flatter ride awaits you today as you cycle the excellent George S. Mickelson Trail though the heart of the beautiful Black Hills. The trail runs for 109 miles, but you’ll only cover a fraction of that as you cycle the traffic-free path through spruce and ponderosa pine forests, across countless converted railroad bridges and the occasional rock tunnels. Start the day with a short drive (approximately 45 minutes) before joining the trail at Rochford, riding a gentle uphill to the high point of the trail at Dumont, then enjoying a gradual 21-kilometre descent into the legendary town of Deadwood. For those looking for an extra challenge you’re welcome to ride the entire trail section and its two long but not overly steep climbs (and descents!) from Hill City to all the way to Deadwood. This afternoon is free for you to explore the fabled city of Deadwood, home to Wild West luminaries such as Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. The streets are paved with history and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby to soak up the atmosphere.
Day 5 - Cycle Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway & Rapid City
After an early breakfast take a short vehicle transfer to Savoy (approximately 30 minutes) and begin your last day of cycling. This ride is short but certainly memorable as you pedal mostly downhill along the stunning Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. Named by Bicycling magazine as one of the country’s most scenic bike paths, the smooth road through vibrant foliage, past gorgeous waterfalls and beneath towering 1000-foot-high cliffs is a cyclist’s paradise and a perfect final ride. Hop back aboard the support vehicle and make the short drive back to Deadwood where you’ll have some time to freshen up before driving back to Rapid City (approximately 1 hour), where upon arrival your cycling adventure will come to and end.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
25-06-202329-06-2023AUD $ 2,644-
23-07-202327-07-2023AUD $ 2,996-
27-08-202331-08-2023AUD $ 2,996-
10-09-202314-09-2023AUD $ 2,996-
28-04-202402-05-2024AUD $ 3,205-
26-05-202430-05-2024AUD $ 3,205-
30-06-202404-07-2024AUD $ 3,205-
21-07-202425-07-2024AUD $ 3,205-
18-08-202422-08-2024AUD $ 3,205-
15-09-202419-09-2024AUD $ 3,205-

Accommodation

Simple Hotel/Motel (4 nights)

Transport

Bicycle (e-bike option available,subject to availability),Support vehicle

Map

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