Mickelson Trail & The Badlands Bike Tour

Whether you enjoy history, scenery or just being in the saddle, biking through South Dakota has something for everyone. Beginning in Badlands National Park, you’ll come face-to-face with bison, prairie dogs, big-horned sheep, and the incomparable landscape that the American Lakota called “mako sica,” or “land bad.” Hear first-hand from travel writer, Karen Rubin, as she recounts her thrilling experience on this tour including two encounters in one day with bison!

The George S. Mickelson Trail, also known as “The Big Mick,” was dedicated in 1998 in memory of the late governor who acted in strong support of transforming the former rail line into a multi-use trail. As the trail weaves its way through the Black Hills, monuments to Crazy Horse and the founding fathers break up the rolling landscape of an incredible ride.

Day 1: Meet your group in Rapid City, SD and shuttle to the Pinnacles Entrance of Badlands National Park. Glide around its smooth, paved roads and keep your eyes open for bison, prairie dogs and many other native species residing in the park.

Day 2: Shuttle from Badlands National Park to mile “44.5” of the Mickelson rail-trail in Custer. Ride downhill on the crushed limestone surface toward the city of Edgemont then shuttle to Custer for your lodging for the night.

Day 3: Following Custer, ride to the Crazy Horse Memorial statue and into Hill City, home of the South Dakota State Railroad Museum. End your day at the Mystic Trail Head.  We will shuttle to Mount Rushmore at the end of the day.

Day 4: Start riding on the famous Needles Highway, and make your way to Custer State Park. Ride the park’s Wildlife Loop, hopefully catching a glimpse of some of South Dakota’s native wildlife.

Day 5: Enjoy another day on the trail. Ride the final miles of the Mickelson Trail all the way to Deadwood, a true wild west town made famous by the murder of Wild Bill Hickok.

Day 6: Savor your last bit of time on the Mickelson Trail as we ride through beautiful Spearfish Canyon.  We shuttle back to Rapid City from Spearfish SD at the end of the day.