GREAT MOTORCYCLE ROADS IN SOUTH DAKOTA & NORTH DAKOTA
NORTH DAKOTA & SOUTH DAKOTA MOTORCYCLE RIDES
Below is our in-depth list of the best motorcycle roads in North Dakota and South Dakota. Ride among gorgeous rolling prairies, twisting mountain roads, and iconic American monuments like Mount Rushmore & Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Click on the motorcycle map links for the direct Google Maps route.
WHAT ARE THE BEST MOTORCYCLE ROADS IN NORTH DAKOTA?
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway
- Enchanted Highway
WHAT ARE THE BEST MOTORCYCLE ROADS IN SOUTH DAKOTA?
- Rapid City to Badlands National Park
- Needles Highway
- Custer to Mt Rushmore
- Spearfish Canyon Byway
NORTH DAKOTA
THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK
DISTANCE: 28 miles
TIME: 1 hour
This ND motorcycle ride is a scenic loop that goes travels through the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Watch for various wildlife on this national park road including prairie dogs, deer and buffalo. As with most national parks in the United States, the road is very well maintained.
SHEYENNE RIVER VALLEY SCENIC BYWAY
DISTANCE: 30 miles
TIME: 40 mins
This north/south National Scenic Byway passes farmland, ranches, and open fields. It's considered one of the best motorcycle roads in North Dakota with its scenery with rolling hills, gentle turns and good road conditions. There's some wide open, vast stretches to open up and take advantage of the minimal traffic.
ENCHANTED HIGHWAY
DISTANCE: 32 miles
TIME: 40 mins
This country highway leads through rolling farmland of the eastern side of the state from Regent to Interstate 94. One interesting feature of this North Dakota motorcycle road is the giant metal structures located every few miles. There's some vast, open straights with some variety of hills, valleys and a few bends.
SOUTH DAKOTA
RAPID CITY TO BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Routes 144, 240
DISTANCE: 120 miles
TIME: 3 hours
Take this ride through the incredibly unique Badlands National Park. Its dramatic landscapes span layered rock formations, steep canyons and towering spires. Bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs inhabit its sprawling grasslands. The Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240) winds past numerous scenic lookouts, making it one of the best motorcycle rides in South Dakota.
NEEDLES HIGHWAY
DISTANCE: 39 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours
There are more than a few spectacular motorcycle roads in the Black Hills/Custer State Park region, but SD-87 is one of the finest. The highway is named after the high granite "needles" it winds among, and passes through two tunnels blasted through sheer granite walls. It's an extremely impressive ride that includes sharp turns, narrow tunnels, granite spires and world class views. Enjoy the sensation of threading your motorcycle through the eye of a needle on this great motorcycle road in South Dakota!
CUSTER TO MT RUSHMORE
Route 16A, 244
DISTANCE: 35 miles
TIME: 1 hour 20 min
Take this South Dakota motorcycle ride through the vast Custer State Park with granite peaks and rolling plains. Loop around north to Route 244 for some great scenery of Mt Rushmore. Along this entire route, there are plenty of curves with a few tight switchbacks along with some steep elevation changes that make this a truly great motorcycle road. Just watch out for those bison!
SPEARFISH CANYON BYWAY
US-14A
DISTANCE: 32 miles
TIME: 1 hour
This is another great motorcycle ride in the Black Hills region. This scenic byway offers winding roads with beautiful rock formations that line the highway for much of the route. See the Northern Great Plains Grasslands, along with waterfalls, pine forests and miles of hiking trails. These curves are generally nice and smooth, which would be suitable for riders of most skill levels. Find out why the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway has been called "the most marvelous canyon of the west"!