The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is known by bikers all over the world as the party of the year. There is no shortage of entertainment, and planning your rally experience can get crazy with all the options available. FOMO no more. We’ve made it easy by putting together a list of the 10 best things to do at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally that will guarantee a good time.
1. Ride the Black Hills
We’ll admit, the whole point of a motorcycle rally is to hang out, show off your ride, and party with bikers from all over the world. However, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally hits different, because it happens to be located in one of the best areas to ride in the entire country. The city of Sturgis, South Dakota is surrounded by amazing roads, epic scenery, and hundreds of historic and awe-inspiring landmarks. Whether you’re a curve afficionado who loves the twisties, a lover of American history, or a geology nerd, there’s something for you right around the corner from Main Street Sturgis. Everywhere you go (and there are an absolute metric ton of places to go and things to do at the Sturgis Rally), getting there is half – if not more – of the fun.
Here’s a few of our favorite places to ride in the world-famous Black Hills of South Dakota:
- Mount Rushmore (Route 244) – A fun and curvy – but not too challenging – bucket list ride you’ll never forget.
- Crazy Horse Memorial (Hwy 385) – This long, meandering ride from Deadwood to Custer, with a stop at the awe-inspiring statue of the Lakota leader, is our pick for best relaxing cruise.
- Iron Mountain Road (16A) – Several tunnels, tight turns and corkscrew pigtail bridges make this the most challenging ride in the Black Hills.
- Needles Highway (Route 87) – A beautiful ride through granite spires and high mountain lakes makes this ride the most dramatic of the bunch.
- Spearfish Canyon (14A) – Steep cliffs, bubbling streams, waterfalls, and striking vistas at every turn make this our scenic ride of choice.
- Devils Tower (Route 34 SD/24 WY) – A ride with wide open spaces that let you really open up the throttle makes this our pick for fastest ride and your best option for wind therapy. The unique lava cone formation at the end is also pretty cool.
- Badlands Loop Scenic Byway – best when ridden just after dawn, this is a perfect example of “the early bird gets the worm” because the scenery on this ride is jaw-droppingly cool. Afterwards, you can visit the Wall General Store to make this a truly quirky adventure.
2. Visit Main Street in Downtown Sturgis
A trip to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Main Street. Park your bike anywhere you can find a spot, then check out the sea of motorcycles that washes over the city of Sturgis, South Dakota every year for the rally. While you’re on Main Street, you’ll have a slew of vendors at your disposal, where you can get all the memorabilia your heart desires. You can also hit up the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame while cruising around downtown Sturgis on foot, and swing by Sturgis’ Food Court for some delicious fare. Of course, your Sturgis Motorcycle Rally experience wouldn’t be complete without a stop at One Eyed Jack’s Saloon located right on Main Street.
3. Attend a Block Party
No matter what you do on Main Street in downtown Sturgis, be sure to make a turn down Sly street to visit Sasha’s Cycles of Sturgis for their annual Block Party. Sasha’s Cycles of Sturgis is a 1950s gas station turned vintage motorcycle restoration and build garage. Their Block Party features live music, boonie races, beautiful choppers and good vibes – and is always one of the best parties at the Sturgis Rally every year – so don’t miss it.
This year, it’s happening on Saturday, August 5, 2023. Check out Rusty Coones’ interview with Sasha’s Cycles of Sturgis.
4. See a Concert
There are so many chances to see live music at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Whether you’re a fan of blues, rock, metal, hair bands, bluegrass, punk, or hip-hop, Sturgis Rally has you covered. There are several places to see major headliners, but the best big concert venue is, hands down, the world-class amphitheater at the Buffalo Chip.
If there’s one Buffalo Chip show you cannot miss during the 2023 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, it’s Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd on Sunday, August 6, 2023. In 2023, Lynyrd Skynyrd is celebrating 50 years of rocking through tragedy, reunion and redemption. No one does Southern Rock better, and it’s guaranteed to be a concert to remember.
Pro tip: camping at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip gets you into all of their concerts for free.
5. Participate in a Charity Ride
What’s better than riding the awesome roads around Sturgis, South Dakota? Answer: Riding alongside celebrities and hundreds of your fellow bikers on a guided ride through the world-famous Black Hills for worthy causes. There are several Sturgis Rally charity rides to choose from, but there’s none better than the Sturgis Legends Ride hosted by Sturgis Buffalo Chip. Not only will you get to rub elbows and ride motorcycles with a bunch of celebrities, but you’ll also be donating to several local charities like Special Olympics South Dakota and The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame.
In 2023, our friend Rusty Coones will be one of the ride leaders for the Sturgis Legends Ride, which happens on Monday, August 7, 2023.
6. Attend a Custom Bike Show
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally features several custom bike shows every day. No matter what type of motorcycle tickles your fancy, there’s a custom show for you. In fact, there are so many custom bike shows featuring so many different genres of motorcycles, it is hard to choose only one.
Every year, the Mama Tried Ride-In Motorcycle Show is always a crowd favorite during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, with multiple categories and lots of cool merchandise to wear on your ride home. The longest-running custom bike show, and arguably the most categories and trophies up for grabs, is the Rat’s Hole Custom Chopper Show. The Rat’s Hole custom chopper show has been happening every year during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for 35 years… and counting.
Our pick for best bike show at the 2023 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the Sportster Showdown™ Bike Show, Party, & Dirt Drags, Presented by Harley-Davidson – Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at Camp Zero. Why? The show is free to attend and free to enter. It is also one of the best times to check out Camp Zero at the Buffalo Chip. All our favorite brands will be there, including Chop Cult, Biltwell, Lowbrow Customs, and V-twin Visionary, just to name a few. To top it all off, there’s an afterparty chock full of games, minibike obstacle course races, and other shenanigans.
7. Head to a Biker Bar
There’s no shortage of places to throw down a cold one at the Sturgis Rally. One place in particular can claim the title of “The World’s Largest Biker Bar.” So much more than just a bar, the Full Throttle Saloon is a definite do-not-miss while attending the 2023 Sturgis Rally. If you’re looking for a spirited beverage or two while the bike stays parked, the Full Throttle Saloon Distillery tour and tasting is an epic experience all on its own. On this guided tour, you can witness the distilling process up close and sample a selection of Full Throttle’s house-distilled spirits. Please avoid a preventable and potentially costly or painful motorcycle accident; don’t drink and ride.
8. Watch a Motorcycle Race
We highly suggest making a true nod and a tip-of-the-hat to the history of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally by attending one of the many motorcycle races hosted by the Jackpine Gyspies Motorcycle Club. Afterall, motorcycle racing with the Jackpine Gypsies is where, how and why the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally started. Now, throughout the entire Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the Jackpine Gypsies put on heart-pumping races including flat track, time trials, hill climbs, and supermoto. No matter which you choose to attend, these AMA sanctioned races do not disappoint, and are guaranteed to add a ton of value to your Sturgis Motorcycle Rally experience.
For a more laid-back racing experience, Full Throttle Saloon also plays host to a slew of fun and awesome Hooligan-style races which happen throughout the week of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally every year. In 2023, the Hooligan Races at Full Throttle are presented by Harley-Davidson.
9. Go to a Motorcycle Stunt Show
There’s nothing quite like seeing a 700+ pound motorcycle being thrown around like it weighs nothing. For all the bikers who refuse to grow up, watching professional riders playing with their big boy toys, showcasing what these beloved performance machines can do when pushed to the limit, is a favorite Sturgis Motorcycle Rally past time. If you’re a fan of motorcycle history, you should definitely check out the Wall of Death. If you’re a fan of watching history being made, some of the most daring and death-defying motorcycle stunts are attempted during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally every year.
In 2023, the Death Wire Daredevil Spectacular happening on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023 at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip is certain to make a mark on the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally’s history books. Blake Wallenda will attempt a 375ft highwire walk across the Sturgis Buffalo Chip amphitheater while Kyle Ives jumps his motorcycle over Blake. This is the mind-blowing history-making stuff that motorcycle stunt dreams are made of.
10. Hang Out in Deadwood
Deadwood, South Dakota is an absolute do-not-miss place to visit during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Between 24/7 casino action, amazing food, art galleries, bars, saloons, and thousands of riders rolling through every hour, there is no shortage of entertainment in this historic Wild West town. Whether you choose to visit (or stay) during the day or night, you are sure to find gold in the Black Hills of Deadwood during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Finally, if you’re looking to round out your Sturgis Motorcycle Rally experience with a little culture, Deadwood, South Dakota is where you’ll find it.
For a fine-dining experience, there are several places to choose from in Deadwood – 10 fine-dining restaurants to be exact! Need help deciding? Take it from a local: dine at Deadwood Social Club and/or Jacob’s Brewhouse.
For Americana and motorcycle-inspired art, the Scott Jacobs Gallery in Deadwood, South Dakota has you covered. Stop in to step away from the crowded streets and view the breathtaking work of multiple artists. In 2023, fir the first time ever, you can sample MotoDoffo “Rally Red” wine at the Scott Jacobs Gallery in Deadwood during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
