Southern Black Hills Bicycle Tour

On this Black Hills bicycle tour, we hit some of the hills' best gems: Sylvan Lake, Needles Highway, Iron Mt. Road, and Mount Rushmore. The tour starts at beautiful Lakota Lake. It begins with a long climb up to Peter Norbeck Overlook for the first panoramic view of Mount Rushmore. After a brief stop at the overlook, you commence a six mile downhill descent that is arguably the best section of road riding anywhere. It comprises of multiple tunnels blasted to frame Mount Rushmore and numerous log bridges that spiral down the hillside earning their name “pigtail bridges.” The smooth asphalt road also splits a couple of times into single lane shoulder-less paths through the forest that are sure to earn an ear-to-ear grin.

These unique features lead to the base of the hill that Mt. Rushmore sits atop. After the steep climb up, you’ll be ready for a break and a nice lunch with a view of the famous faces. Passing by the side profile view of George Washington, the road leads back behind Rushmore through some staggering rock pinnacles and formations as you make your way to Sylvan Lake and the start of Needles Highway. The climb up to Sylvan earns the elevation gain for a 10+ mile thrilling descent on Needles Highway past the Cathedral Spires, through several more rock tunnels; a fun section of road that you’ll be sharing in stories for years to come. You then have a nice moderate and beautiful road past Center Lake and the Black Hills Playhouse back to Lakota Lake.

This tour includes lunch and complimentary hotel pick-up and drop-off.