The Northern Hills Loop, The Northern Hills
Motorcycle trip United States
The Northern Hills
Motorcycle rental
Duration
1 Day
Tour Type
Rental
Vintage Rides → Destinations → North America → United States → The Northern Hills
Wendy
Your motorcycle expert
Wendy
She has ridden more than a million moto-miles in countries around the world, and loves to help riders discover new adventures and hidden gems!
Our Motorcycles
Ride a 2025 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, the same bike used on Vintage Rides expeditions across the Himalayas, the Andes, and the Atlas Mountains. At 452cc, it's light enough for the rolling sweepers of Spearfish Canyon, stable enough for the elevation changes of Vanocker Canyon, and comfortable for a full day in the saddle. Panniers, a phone/GPS mount, a full-face helmet and insurance included.
Our Motorcycles
Our Motorcycles
Our Motorcycles
On the agenda

The Northern Hills are the gentlest of the three Black Hills circuits, and the most flexible. You can ride the base loop in half a day or stretch it into a full day by adding Vanocker Canyon and some of the maintained gravel roads around the former ghost town of Galena. Either way, you leave Rapid City, and within 30 minutes, the road will have already earned its reputation.

This is the circuit for riders who want canyon riding, history, and the option to go off-pavement without committing to a full day of dirt riding. Spearfish Canyon delivers the kind of ride that stays with you: limestone walls rising a thousand feet, waterfalls dropping into a roadside creek, and curves that feel crafted specifically for motorcycle enthusiasts. Deadwood adds a layer of history that most riders don't expect. This isn't a theme park version of the Old West, it's the real thing.

Come in August and the Northern Hills take on a different energy entirely. The world-famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally brings hundreds of thousands of riders to these roads, with racing events, concerts, vendors and wall-to-wall motorcycles: it is the largest motorcycle gathering in the world, and this loop runs straight through the heart of it.

Compare this loop with the Southern Hills, the Badlands and our self-guided tours: motorcycle rentals and tours in the USA.

The Northern Hills
Price
  • Use of a Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 motorcycle

  • Insurance on the motorcycle: liability and damage ($1,000 deductible)

  • A full-face helmet in your size

  • Fuel

  • Accommodation

  • Riding gear beyond the helmet (bring your jacket, gloves and boots)

Important
Documents requested :
International motorcycle license if necessary
Motorcycle Driving License
Passport valid for the whole trip
Valid Visa, if required
Daily Rate
$130
+$15,47 tax · per bike / per day
Explore the Black Hills by motorcycle

Sturgis motorcycle rental

Renting a motorcycle in Sturgis opens the door to the Black Hills, a legendary region of South Dakota where winding roads and spectacular scenery come together. Whether you want to ride through the gorges of Spearfish Canyon or discover historic Deadwood, the right motorcycle rental transforms your trip into an unforgettable experience. The bikes available through this black hills motorcycle rental, by Vintage Rides, like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, are built to handle rugged roads while delivering comfort for long distances. To book, go to our Sturgis motorcycle rental page on Vintage Rides USA, and pick your roads in our guide to the best Black Hills motorcycle rides.

Sturgis isn't just an iconic destination for riders looking for a sturgis motorcycle rental. It's also the perfect starting point for exploring the Black Hills. Every August, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally draws thousands of enthusiasts, but the region is worth discovering well beyond that event. The roads that wind through the hills offer breathtaking panoramas, with curves that riding enthusiasts love.

The classic loop connecting Sturgis to Spearfish Canyon, Deadwood, and Vanocker Canyon can be ridden in half a day. For those who prefer dirt roads, a detour through the ghost town of Galena adds an extra layer of adventure. This flexibility lets you shape your itinerary around your schedule and mood, whether you're after a short ride or a full day out.

Among the most popular routes, the spearfish canyon motorcycle ride stands out for its waterfalls and towering limestone walls. Often described as one of the best Black Hills motorcycle rides, it offers fluid curves and varied scenery ideal for dynamic riding. Continuing toward Deadwood, you'll pass through historic areas where the old Western atmosphere is still very much alive.

For a wilder experience, the Vanocker Canyon road offers a return to Sturgis through less-traveled landscapes. If you enjoy unpaved trails, the detour through Galena - an abandoned former mining town - adds an exploratory dimension to your ride. Whether you're looking for a motorcycle rental in Spearfish SD as a starting point or prefer to base yourself in Sturgis, these routes are all accessible on a motorcycle rental suited for varied terrain, like those offered by Vintage Rides.

Choosing the right bike is key to making the most of your sturgis motorcycle rental on the Black Hills roads. For anyone planning a motorcycle rental in Black Hills SD, models like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 are particularly well-suited: lightweight, agile, and equipped with robust suspension, they handle both paved roads and dirt tracks with ease. Before heading out, check tire condition, brakes, and fluid levels to avoid any unpleasant surprises on the road.

The time of year also shapes your experience. In August, during the rally, the roads are busier but the atmosphere is unlike anything else. Outside peak season, you'll enjoy a quieter setting perfect for exploration. Be sure to book your bike in advance - especially if you're planning an adventure motorcycle tour, where spots can fill up quickly.

Skipping protective gear is one of the most common mistakes for anyone planning a sturgis motorcycle rental. Even for a short ride, a certified helmet, gloves, and a reinforced jacket are essential. The Black Hills roads, beautiful as they are, can throw surprises at you: loose gravel, tight corners, or sudden changes in road surface. Proper gear significantly reduces risk in case of a fall.

Underestimating ride times is another trap. Distances may look short on a map, but winding roads and frequent stops to take in the views add up quickly. Always leave extra time for the unexpected - a flat tire, a longer-than-planned overlook stop. And avoid overloading your bike: too much luggage affects handling and comfort on these roads. For a motorcycle rental South Dakota experience that goes smoothly from start to finish, preparation is everything.
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The Northern Hills: your questions

A rental. You pick up a Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 at our garage in Rapid City, 30 minutes south of Sturgis, and ride the Northern Hills loop on your own, at your own pace, then bring the bike back. If you would rather have your hotels and a full roadbook arranged for you, look at our self-guided tours: Black Hills Blast over a 3-day weekend, or Best of the Black Hills over 9 days.

Nemo Road and US-385 take you into the hills toward Deadwood, the gold rush town where Wild Bill Hickok died, and its sister town of Lead, home of the old Homestake gold mine. Then comes Spearfish Canyon, with limestone walls a thousand feet high and stops at Bridal Veil Falls and Roughlock Falls, before Spearfish, Sturgis and the ride home through the pine forest of Vanocker Canyon.

Yes. The base loop fits in half a day, and it is the only one of our three Black Hills circuits that does. Add a long lunch in Deadwood and Vanocker Canyon Road on the way back and it becomes a full day. If you are comfortable off pavement, the gravel roads around the ghost town of Galena extend the ride; we can share GPX tracks on request.

For a first ride in the area, start here: canyon curves, waterfalls and Deadwood history, with the most flexible timing. The Southern Hills strings together Custer State Park, Iron Mountain Road and the Needles Highway in a dense full day. The Badlands is the longest day, east across open prairie to the eroded buttes of the national park. Rent for two or three days and you can ride all three.

This is the gentlest of our three Black Hills loops: paved roads, sweeping curves and no technical sections on the base route. You should be a confident, independent rider, since nobody rides with you. The Galena detour ranges from maintained gravel to single track, so only take it if you already have some off-road experience.

$130 per bike per day, plus 11.9% South Dakota sales tax ($15.47). During the Sturgis Rally, from August 6 to 15, 2027, it is $200 a day with a 3-day minimum. The rate covers the Himalayan 450, motorcycle insurance with a $1,000 deductible, a full-face helmet in your size, side cases and a phone/GPS mount, a tool kit, Custer State Park and Black Hills National Forest passes, and 24/7 emergency support. Gas, lodging and the rest of your riding gear are on you. There is no registration fee on a rental.

Yes, one passenger per motorcycle, and the daily rate stays per bike. The paved loop works well two-up; we would keep the Galena gravel for solo riding. We can provide a helmet in your passenger’s size too: just mention it when you book, and bring the rest of their riding gear.

You must be at least 21 and hold a valid motorcycle license or motorcycle endorsement for the whole rental. Riders licensed outside the US need their home-country motorcycle license plus an International Driving Permit. Bring your license to the pickup, where we run through the bike with you before you leave.

We rent year-round. The prime season runs from May through September, with every road open; winter riding depends on the weather, so tell us your dates and we will tell you what is rideable. In August the Sturgis Rally fills these roads: ride Spearfish Canyon at sunrise to have it to yourself, and book 3 to 6 months ahead, as our 10 bikes go fast. More on renting for the Sturgis Rally.

At our garage, 1715 Samco Rd #107 in Rapid City, about 14 miles from Rapid City Regional Airport. Pickups run every half hour from 8 AM to 6 PM by appointment; drop-off and after-hours times can be arranged. Bring your own jacket, gloves and boots, plus a warm layer for the canyon mornings. Check availability and book on vintageridesusa.com.

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Since 2006, Vintage Rides has been the specialist in characterful motorcycle travel.
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