Southern Black Hills Bicycle Tour – Day Trip

Where we go on our Southern Black Hills Bicycle Tour

If you could pick one road loop to do in the Black Hills, this is it.

On this Black Hills bicycle tour, we hit some of the hills best gems: Sylvan Lake, Needles Highway, Iron Mt. Road, and Mount Rushmore.  We’ll start this tour at the beautiful Lakota Lake.  It begins with a long climb up to Peter Norbeck Overlook for our first panoramic view of Mount Rushmore.  After a brief stop at the overlook, we commence a six mile down hill descent that is arguably the best section of road riding anywhere!  It comprises of multiple tunnels blasted to frame Mount Rushmore and numerous log bridges that spiral down the hill side earning their name “pigtail bridges!”  The smooth asphalt road also splits a couple of times into single lane shoulder-less paths through the forest that are sure to earn a grin from you ear to ear!

These unique features lead us to the base of the hill that Mt. Rushmore sits atop.  After the steep climb up you’ll be ready for a break and a nice lunch with a view of the famous faces.  Passing by the side profile view of George Washington, the road leads us back behind Rushmore through some staggering rock pinnacles and formations as we make our way to Sylvan Lake and the start of Needles Highway.  The climb up to Sylvan earns the elevation gain for a 10+ mile thrilling descent on Needles Highway past the Cathedral Spires and through several more rock tunnels; a fun section of road that you’ll be sharing in stories for years to come!  We then have a nice moderate and beautiful road past Center Lake and the Black Hills Playhouse back to Lakota Lake.

Price and what’s included

All prices include bike rental, helmets, private guide, onboard snacks, drinks and  picnic lunch.

2 person minimum – $320+ tax per person
3-4  people $265+ tax per person
5-6 people $235+ tax per person
7+ people $210 + tax per person

E-bike up-charge $40 per person

Large groups please enquire for additional discounts

Multi-day discounts available.

Other things to know

This tour is run as a private tour and is fully customizable, with lengths available from less than 24 miles to 54 miles or more.  The map below is the recommended full circumnavigation of Black Elk Peak, the highest peak of the hills.  It does however, involve a fair amount of climbing and will require a descent level of fitness.  There are some great shorter routes we can do as well!   Learn more about and see our other bike tours here!

Check out our bike fleet that we use on these tours!  All sizes and both drop and flat handle bars are available!

Click here to see a gallery of our Black Hills and Badlands Scenic Tours

Southern Hills Bike Tour, Needles Hwy