Self Guided Mickelson Trail

Join us on an iconic 109mi ride along the Mickelson Trail, one of the most historic and scenic rail-to-trails in the nation.
This tour is a 3 night, 4 day self guided/semi supported ride with options to add on visits to Mt Rushmore & Custer State Park as well as the Badlands National Park.

This wonderful 109-mile rail-to-trail utilizes the original Black Hills Railroad line built to supply the Homestake Mine in Deadwood. Being built on an existing rail line, the Mickelson Trail is easy to follow and moderate in grade making it a perfect self-guided trail!

Our semi supported/self guided tour includes transport to and from Rapid City to the start and end of the trail, lodging and the necessary shuttles and baggage transports while on the trail. While you ride the entirety of the trail on this tour, we do not ride it in linear order. We do this so that riders have access to hotels and restaurants at the end of each ride (some of the trail is very remote), and also so that the incline is in your favor!

Gravel or e-bikes are perfect for riding the packed gravel on the Mickelson and we can supply everything else you need for several days along the trail including bike rental. This makes our self-guided tour a great option for people flying into the Black Hills as well as those driving here.

If you have a larger group, contact us to discuss a private tour that is customizable for your group.

See a sample itinerary here

$ 975pp + tax

OPTIONAL EXTRA Mt Rushmore Afternoon Tour $150pp + tax
OPTIONAL EXTRA Badlands Guided Day Tour $275pp + tax
OPTIONAL EXTRA Bike Rental from $220 for Gravel Bike, $400 for ebike + tax.

2024 Tour Dates

Monday May 27 – Thursday May 30
Monday June 10 – Thursday June 13
** Expressions of Interest for start date of Monday June 16th – please contact us if you are interested in these dates. 4 persons needed to run this tour.
Monday June 24 – Thursday June 28
Monday August 19 – Thursday August 22
Monday September 2 – Thursday September 5
Monday September 16 – Thursday September 19

Inclusions, Exclusions and other things to note

Included in tour fee – Shuttles and luggage transport, 3 nights lodging, some breakfasts, ride with GPS mapping, information pack with details of the towns and restaurant recommendations etc.
Excluded from tour fee – Lunches, dinners, trail fee ($15), entry to Crazy Horse (if you are visiting).
This is a SELF – SUPPORTED ride. Cell service can be spotty on the trail. You must come prepared.
Challenge level – each days rides are moderate. Being a rail-to-trail there are no steep incline/declines the trail is at a low grade.
Lodging either side of the 3 night/4 day tour is not included. Ie. the night prior to the start of your tour and on the last day of the self guided tour, lodging required in Rapid City. 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.
Each trailhead has water pumps available and bathroom facilities.
Lodging is set up in towns with restaurants in walking distance.
Ask us about tandem, recumbent transport – we may be able to accommodate these bikes.
We are a LOCAL Rapid City, SD business – we know the area and trail well and would love to share it with you!

Private Groups

We can operate this tour in a private capacity with a 4 person mininum.

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.

DAY ONE - Rochford to Deadwood

DAY TWO - Rochford to Hill City

DAY THREE -
Hill City to Custer Via Crazy Horse

DAY FOUR -
Custer to Edgemont

OPTIONAL DAY Badlands National Park

See a sample itinerary here