Crazy Horse Monument and Visitor Center -- At
the invitation of Chief Henry Standing Bear, Sculptor
Korczak Ziolkowski returned to the Black Hills after assisting work on Mt. Rushmore in 1947 and is still in the
process of completion. The memorial is privately funded and is on Indian lands. The purpose of the memorial
is to protect and preserve the culture, tradition and living heritage of the North American native peoples, and
features a cultural center, museum and gift shop. The
memorial is easily accessed from US 385.
Badlands National Park -- Extreme temperatures,
lack of water and the rough terrain led the indigenous
peoples to give this
region its name.
Established
in
1939 as a National
Monument, the park
is visited by one
million people a year
and is approximately
100 miles east of
Sturgis. Plan your
ride accordingly.
and rolling terrain. Home to a herd of free ranging bison,
it is easy to become surrounded on your bike the way
I did. Serenity is the key to such encounters and the
herd passed in peace. Not so the begging donkeys that
will push their head through open windows of stopped
cars looking for handouts on the backroads.
Devil’s Tower National Monument -- The tower, a
1,267 foot geological formation rising from the floor of
the plateau below, is sacred to six major indigenous
tribes in the region. There is an organized day for
riding to the tower from the rally including stops for
refreshments and souvenir hunting along the way. The
Monument is located approximately 85 miles west of
Sturgis and can be accessed from the Interstate or via
SD 24 from Belle Fourche, SD.
A couple of rides you must take while at the rally are
Vanocker Canyon, the closest ‘long’ ride into Sturgis. The
ride is a combination of gently rolling hills, tight S-curves
and steep grades of nine and ten percent that take the
rider out to the community of Nemo and ends on the
south side of Rapid City. The mileage is approximately 35
miles and with the return on the Interstate allow two and a
half to three hours unless you stop at Wonderland Cave.
Also, Spearfish Canyon is another favorite ride, though
access takes a little time through the National Forest or
via the Interstate. Leave early, and enjoy the silence of
the canyon and stops at Bridal Veil Falls and Savoy.
Custer State Park -- Be prepared to do a few close
encounters with wildlife in Custer State Park. Wildlife
abounds in this park which covers both mountainous
www.thunderroadscolorado.com
October 2016
Thunder Roads Magazine® Colorado 15