The Black Hills are the perfect place for gliding around curvy mountain roads and stopping to enjoy the views . Black asphalt ribbons weave in and out of cool pine forests and race down canyons . Iron Mountain Road is known locally as the Tail of the Dragon of the West , with its 314 curves in 17 miles . Not to be outdone by the legendary North Carolina byway , Iron Mountain Road also includes 14 switchbacks , 3 pigtail turns , 3 rock tunnels , 2 splits and 4 U . S . Presidents ( carved into the face of Mount Rushmore ).
But as fun as the paved roads are , the unpaved ones are even better , at least in my opinion . Over 3000 miles of dirt and gravel roads and trails wind through nearly every corner of the region . Bill Hearne , a local rider , and his companions completed the inaugural run of his newly created route , the Dakota Adventure Loop , in 2013 . The DakAL includes 900 miles of adventure riding in western South Dakota , both in the Black Hills and on the surrounding prairie . I ’ ve been told it ’ s an excellent way to explore the local terrain . Although I ’ ve ridden sections of the DakAL , I have yet to ride the route . But it ’ s on my list .
Forest service roads and fire trails are where I spend most of my riding days . Hundreds of abandoned mines dot the countryside along with the remnants of several ghost towns , making for interesting places to stop during a riding day . There is so much history here . I usually wind up alternating my time between riding and researching because I love to know the stories behind the hidden gems I uncover .
From 1874 to 1878 , towns were established almost overnight to support the prospectors pouring into the area . Deadwood , the epicenter of the gold rush , started as a mining camp town near its
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