Self Guided Mickelson Trail

• All shuttles AND luggage transfers (note that luggage transfers are INCLUDED, some self guided tours operating in the area do not include your luggage transfers)
• 3 nights lodging 
• Some breakfasts (depending on hotels)
• Ride with GPs Mapping 
• Information pack with details of the towns and restaurant recommendations etc. 
• Local trail knowledge and trail updates

• Meals – some breakfasts are provided at the hotels and we will offer recommendations for your lunch/dinner stops
• Trail fee ($15)
• Bike Rentals (unless requested)
• Entry to Crazy Horse (if you choose to visit)
• Accommodation in Rapid City before or after the tour (ie. Sunday evening for Monday morning pick up & Thursday evening after final shuttle drop off). If you choose to add on a guided ride in the Badlands, you will need an additional night lodging in Rapid City. We can assist in arranging this if required. 

We can operate this tour in a private capacity or we can look at opening up other weeks through the season with a 4 person minimum. Pricing may change according to room rates. 

Ask us about a custom itinerary if there are other things in the area you want to do or see. We often tie in this self-guided ride with some additional riding days, or guided afternoon tours. 

Some parts of the Mickelson Trail are quite remote. In order to ensure that riders end up in areas with lodging/restaurants we break up the northern remote section of the trail. This also works the incline in favor of the riders, so we have a descent coming into Deadwood, rather than a climb!

Gravel bikes are perfect the packed crushed gravel on the Mickelson trail. Mountain bikes are not necessary but suitable to ride. 
Ebikes are also a great option – please note there are no charging stations along the trail. 

We would recommend tires no smaller than 35mm. Our bike rentals have 38mm tires or larger. 

• Cell service can be spotty along remote sections of the trail – but majority of the trail you will have service. Being a self-supported ride you must come prepared. 
• Cell service is good at each town where your lodging is set up. 
• We recommend downloading or printing your personalized information pack to have with you. 

• Each trailhead has potable water pumps available and bathroom facilities. 
• We’ll provide updated recommendations for meals along your ride. We suggest bringing a few snacks along for the ride, and then making a stop for lunch at your final destination. This is achievable with the distances set each day. 
• Lodging is set up in towns with restaurants in walking distance.

Challenge level – each days rides are moderate. Being a rail-to-trail there are no steep incline/declines for the way we have the ride set up. 

There is nothing over 4% grade except for an option short cut in the northern section of the trail. 

Our standard trailers are not set up for tandem or recumbent bikes, however please ask as we may be able set up something on a case by case basis. 

Ebikes can easily be transported, we prefer if the battery can be removed for transport but this is not a strict requirement. 

Please notify us if you have extra wide tires on your bike. 

We recommend that you book the same hotel lodging in Rapid City either side of the tour, and then you can arrange parking at the hotel for your vehicle. 

If this is not an option for you, please let us know and we can help you work out a plan. 

Our guides will be providing support to set you up on the trail, and when shuttles are provided (see itinerary). We also transfer your baggage for each day so you do not have to carry that along the trail. 

We do not provide a guide to ride the entirety of the trail with the group. As shuttles are provided on the first two mornings of the tour, any issues can typically be troubleshooted before the ride. You will also be provided a cell phone number for contact over the 4 days. 

We are based in Rapid City, as the trail runs along the entirety of the Black Hills we may not always be readily available. Given that, it is recommended to have a good basis of bike knowledge (how to get your chain on, how to change a flat tire). 

In the case of an emergency – cell numbers are provided and situations will be managed on a case by case basis. 

The afternoon Mount Rushmore/Custer State Park tour is van based. Our guide will pick up the group at the lodging in Hill City, for about a 4 hour guided tour. We visit Iron Mountain Road, Mt Rushmore and Sylvan Needles Hwy in Custer State Park. Our guides know the history and geology of this marvelous area – well worth your time visiting and great asset to have our guide share their knowledge with you. We return to your lodging by about 7pm. 

The Badlands tour is a full day guided outing with pick up from your chosen hotel in Rapid City. We travel by van out to the National Park (about 1 hour) and then ride through the main loop of the park (22mi). Included in your tour fee is park entrance and lunch. Typically the full day runs about 7 hours door to door, just depending on the number or participants. It is a shared road ride, however the road through the national park is very slow, there is a decent shoulder, and typically we start in the morning when traffic is very minimal in the park.
Seeing the national park by bike is definitely the best way to experience the wild beauty of the Badlands!