Avoiding the Hills in Rally Week
When the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally fills roads and lodging across the Black Hills, an ATV or UTV ride can take more planning than expected. Traffic, crowded trailheads, and limited room for trailers may change the day you had in mind. This guide explains how to avoid the busiest Hills areas, consider other South Dakota riding options, and check access before hauling your machine.
Why the Black Hills Can Be a Tough Choice During Rally Week
Expect more traffic beyond Sturgis
Rally activity is centered around Sturgis, but the extra traffic can spread across nearby communities and roads, including routes around Spearfish, Deadwood, Lead, and Rapid City. Even if you are not attending the Rally, you may encounter motorcycles, event traffic, busy fuel stops, and slower travel on roads leading to the Hills.
That matters when you are trailering an ATV or UTV. A trip that looks straightforward on a map may involve extra time finding a place to park, navigating a busy town, or waiting for space at a staging area. If your plan includes several stops or a fixed rental pickup, an unexpectedly slow drive can make the whole day feel rushed.
Crowds do not mean every trail is busy all the time, and conditions vary. But if avoiding congestion is the main goal, do not assume that choosing a trail a few miles outside Sturgis will automatically get you away from Rally traffic. Check the route to the trailhead as well as the riding area itself.
Treat trail access and road access as separate questions
A route being quiet is not the same as being open to ATV or UTV use. Some public roads, forest routes, and trails have different rules, vehicle limits, or seasonal restrictions. A trail map can help you explore possibilities, but confirm that the specific route is open to your machine and that you have the required permit. For a broader overview, start with South Dakota Trail Permits Explained.
Also consider where you will park and unload. A trailhead with limited space can be difficult to use when traffic is heavy, especially if you are towing a wide trailer or travelling with a group. Before setting out, check access details and identify a second legal staging option rather than relying on a single busy lot.
For the Black Hills National Forest, use current forest information to confirm which routes are open and appropriate for your vehicle. Tools such as onX Offroad can help you review mapped routes and plan alternatives, but a mapping app should not replace official closure notices or posted signs. A line shown on a screen is not permission to ride it.
Consider Riding Areas Outside the Hills
Look at established riding areas near the Missouri River
If the Black Hills are not a good fit during Rally week, consider whether a designated riding area farther east works for your trip. Oahe Downstream OHV Area near Fort Pierre and Revheim Bay OHV Area near Pierre are options to investigate. They offer a different setting from the forest roads and trails around the Hills, so they may suit riders who are willing to change the feel of the day as well as the location.
These areas are not interchangeable with a long Black Hills trail ride. A designated OHV area may offer a more contained riding experience, while a Hills trip can involve a larger network of routes and longer travel between stops. Check the area’s operating information, access rules, permitted vehicle types, and any current restrictions before you leave home. For a closer look at one option, see South Dakota’s Oahe Downstream Riding Area.
Do not assume that riding is available on nearby public land simply because an OHV area is close by. Boundaries can be easy to misread, and open land is not automatically open to motorized travel. Verify the riding area itself and stay within its posted limits. Unmarked Boundaries at an Open Area is worth reviewing if your plans include an area where the riding boundary is not obvious.
Be realistic about eastern South Dakota
There are fewer well-known ATV and UTV trail options east of the Missouri River than in the Black Hills. That does not mean there is nowhere to ride, but it does mean that an eastern-South-Dakota alternative may require a more focused plan. You might spend a day at a designated riding area rather than building a full day around a network of forest routes.
Avoid treating gravel roads, section lines, farm tracks, or public access roads as recreational ATV routes unless their rules expressly allow your machine. Permission from a landowner is essential for private property, and a route that appears passable on a map may cross land where motorized riding is not allowed. [South Dakota Rules for Riding Private Property] explains why checking permission matters.
| Option to investigate | What may make it a fit | What to confirm before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Oahe Downstream OHV Area near Fort Pierre | A designated riding option away from the Black Hills | Current access, riding boundaries, vehicle rules, and permits |
| Revheim Bay OHV Area near Pierre | A different setting for riders willing to plan around a specific area | Whether the area is open, what riding is permitted, and where to stage |
| Black Hills routes outside the busiest towns | Keeps a Hills itinerary while potentially avoiding some town traffic | Current route status, trail permit, width limits, parking, and closures |
| Private land with permission | Can work for a local visit or an arranged outing | Explicit landowner approval and any restrictions on the route |
Plan a Lower-Stress Ride During Rally Week
Choose your base and travel route carefully
If you still want to ride in the Hills, think about where you will stay and how you will reach the trailhead. Lodging near Sturgis or Deadwood may put you close to Rally activity, while a base farther from the busiest corridors may better suit a quieter riding plan. Compare the drive time to the riding area, not just the distance between towns.
Leave extra room in the schedule for towing, fuel, and stops. A morning departure may reduce the stress of getting through busy roads, but it does not guarantee an empty trailhead or an open route. Have a backup activity or riding location in mind in case parking is full, a closure changes your plan, or the journey takes longer than expected.
Use a reliable map to understand the route and nearby alternatives, then check official information before departing. onX Offroad can be useful for viewing mapped routes and organizing a ride plan. Still, treat it as one planning aid: posted signs, land-management notices, and local restrictions take priority. If a route’s status is unclear, do not ride it until you have confirmed that it is allowed.
Check the details that can derail a ride
Before loading the machine, confirm the permit requirements for the place you intend to ride. South Dakota’s Black Hills motorized trail system has permit rules that differ from simply driving a plated machine on a road. A permit requirement can depend on where you ride, so do not assume that an out-of-state plate replaces a trail permit. Why a Plate Does Not Replace a Trail Permit explains that distinction.
Check closures and seasonal access close to your departure date. Weather, maintenance, fire danger, or other conditions may affect a route. If you are riding forest routes, review the current travel information and pay attention to gates and signs on the ground. For planning help with route status, see South Dakota Trail Conditions Before You Ride and South Dakota Trail Closures to Check First.
Finally, make a practical checklist: fuel range, water, basic recovery equipment, a charged phone, and a map that remains useful if cell service drops. Let someone know where you plan to ride and when you expect to be back. Rally-week traffic can make a small delay less predictable, so avoid planning a ride that depends on reaching one specific town or fuel stop at an exact time.
Decide Whether to Skip the Hills or Adjust Your Plan
Pick the alternative that matches your riding style
A designated OHV area near Pierre or Fort Pierre may be a sensible choice if you are happy with a more contained outing and would rather avoid the busy Black Hills corridor. It may be less appealing if what you really want is a long forest ride with multiple route choices. Be honest about that difference before changing your plans; otherwise, an alternative can feel like a compromise rather than a relaxing day out.
If the Hills are the main reason for your trip, you do not necessarily have to abandon them. You could stay away from the busiest towns, choose a route after checking current conditions, and build in time for congestion. If avoiding crowds is more important than riding a particular landscape, choose a location based on verified access rather than trying to force a Hills itinerary to work.
Use onX Offroad to compare possible routes and keep a backup plan organized, then verify each option with the relevant land manager or local authority. The useful question is not just, “Can I see a route on the map?” It is, “Is this route currently open to my machine, can I legally reach it, and is there somewhere suitable to unload?”
Make the final check before you tow
The day before departure, review your intended location, route, permit needs, trail or area status, and parking plan. Confirm that everyone in your group understands where to meet and what the backup plan is. If you are travelling with children or inexperienced riders, avoid leaving route choices until you are already at a crowded trailhead.
If the plan no longer looks comfortable, changing locations is reasonable. A quieter day at a designated riding area can be more enjoyable than spending hours in traffic or trying to find access at a full staging lot. And if no suitable alternative is open, waiting for a less congested period may be the better call. The goal is not to ride somewhere at any cost; it is to have a legal, manageable day that suits your group.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
