RV Squid: On the Edge of the Sturgis Rally

Usually we are gone from the Black Hills area by the time the Sturgis Rally rolls around. This year, with Harold's knee replacement surgery and physical therapy sessions, we knew we were going to be in the area during Rally. We planned accordingly. We booked our campground, Heartland RV Park and Cabins, early in the year and booked the entire month of August. Heartland is in Hermosa, an hour from Sturgis and about 15-20 minutes south of Rapid. While the campground was full and the cabins sold out, it was relatively quiet compared to closer locations.

In the weeks prior to Rally, Sturgis and surrounding areas fill with vendors setting up. Tents start to line the streets and once empty, open fields fill with tents, portapotties, RVs and cargo trailers. Speed limits are temporarily lowered; I-90 goes from 75 mph to 65 mph. City streets go from 45 mph to 35 mph. Temporary stop lights and stop signs spring up.

According to DOT statistics, Rally attendance was down 8% this year. Attendance was shy of 500k. Even though events are spread over a number of venues and the surrounding area, it's still crowded. Google some of the statistics. It's crazy.

Large groups take on roads like Iron Mountain and Needles Highway. Cars are prohibited on main street in Deadwood. Lead, Keystone, Spearfish, Custer, and Hill City are favorite destinations. The Badlands, Wind Cave, Hot Springs, and Devils Tower get their fair share of riders too.

So, what was our plan during this week? Quite simply, pretty much stay put except for the physical therapy sessions. We deliberately stayed away from restaurants and roads in and around any of the tourist areas.

We did take a picnic lunch to Hole in the Wall Picnic Area in Custer State Park one day. With the roar of the motorcycles echoing through the rocks, it was rather noisy. We did not attempt to go through any of the one-lane tunnels or park at any of the overlooks.

We did stop at the Central State Fairgrounds in Rapid to view the Budweiser Clydesdales who were in town for Rally. We didn't go to any of the official events though so we didn't see the team hitched to the wagon.

Harold had two physical therapy sessions at Ft. Meade in Sturgis during Rally. We scheduled them for 9:00 a.m. with the goal of avoiding traffic. It worked beautifully. We'd arrive in Sturgis at 8:00 a.m. and grab breakfast in the hospital cafeteria. When we left Ft. Meade, we took dirt roads back to the freeway.

Our photos below don't show a lot of motorcycles and people because we stayed away. The Rally wasn't too bad for us, better than expected really.