Black Hills Blast: Self-Guided Motorcycle Tour

It is our shortest self-guided tour: a 3-day weekend and about 311 miles (500 km) on a loop from Rapid City, via Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Sturgis, Deadwood and Spearfish Canyon. Best of the Black Hills follows the same format over 9 days and 770 miles (1,240 km), with an optional off-road version. If you only want a motorcycle, without hotels or a prepared route, we also rent our bikes by the day on vintageridesusa.com.

You ride on your own or with friends, without a guide or support vehicle. We take care of everything else: the motorcycle, two hotel nights booked in Custer and Deadwood, and a roadbook app with the route and places to visit. If you need help, phone assistance answers 24/7 and roadside assistance comes out in case of a breakdown.

You need to be confident and independent on a motorcycle, since nobody rides with you. The whole route is on tarmac, on winding and sometimes narrow roads through the hills, with no off-road. You will often meet bison and other wildlife in Custer State Park: ride at their pace and keep your distance.

About 311 miles (500 km) over 3 days, so 96 to 115 miles (155 to 185 km) a day. The stages leave time to stop at Mount Rushmore, Sturgis, Deadwood or Spearfish Canyon: you set your own pace.

A recent Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, fitted with side panniers and a top case for your things. If your height makes you hesitate, talk to your travel advisor before booking. In the USA, we can provide a full-face helmet in your size: just mention it to your travel advisor when you book.

Yes, this weekend works very well two-up on the same bike, all on tarmac. The tour costs £790 (€850) per rider and £290 (€340) per pillion.

£790 (€850) per rider and £290 (€340) per pillion. The price includes the motorcycle, two nights in standard hotels on a shared basis (single room supplement £290 (€340)), the roadbook, the luggage system, roadside and phone assistance, entry to Custer State Park and the Black Hills National Forest, and comprehensive motorcycle insurance ($1,000 deductible). You pay for your flights and transfers, meals, fuel, medical and repatriation insurance, and a £31 (€35) registration fee on your first trip with us.

Roadside assistance is included in case of a breakdown, and our team answers the phone 24/7 in an emergency. The motorcycle has comprehensive insurance with a $1,000 deductible. Your travel insurance must cover medical expenses and repatriation after a motorcycle accident.

UK and EU passport holders enter the USA as tourists with an ESTA travel authorisation. You can ride in South Dakota with your valid national licence, including the motorcycle category. The UK government notes that some states may also ask for an International Driving Permit (1949 version), so we recommend bringing one. The details are in our documents list for the USA.

The tour starts and ends in Rapid City, where you collect the motorcycle on day 1 and return it on day 3; you book your own flights and transfers. Rapid City is reached with a connection in the USA. There is space at the garage to leave your suitcases. Departures run at weekends from May to early September: open dates are shown on this page.