Meet in Rapid City in the morning. Our first stop is in Hot Springs at The Mammoth Site, an active paleontological dig where we pay a visit to the fossils of 61 woolly mammoths from the Ice Age. In Edgemont, at the south end of the Mickelson Trail, we hop on the bikes to ride the trail to the tiny town of Pringle (pop. 112). Lodging is at the Red Rock River Resort in Hot Springs tonight. There should be time for a soak before walking to Silk Road for a privately hosted al fresco dinner.
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01.09-06.09.25 scheduled
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08.09-13.09.25 request
Itinerary
The George S. Mickelson Trail is one of the premier rail-trails in the West, rich with boom-and-bust gold mining history, American history and the sublime scenery of the Black Hills. Bike to Mt. Rushmore. Explore Deadwood, onetime home of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, and Crazy Horse Memorial. Visit the world's largest cave and the country's biggest mammoth dig. Ride the whole of the Mickelson - along with a few fascinating side trips - on this 6-day bike tour. Perfect for those who prefer as little traffic as possible, eminently do-able routes and terrific scenery, this tour packs a lot of wallop for the buck!
Tour program
Day 1
Meet in Rapid City. Visit Mammoth Site today. Then ride onward to Hot Springs for a soak.
Day 2
Bicycle the Mickelson Trail to the town of Pringle. Keep going to explore one of the world's biggest caves. Stay at Legion Lake tonight.
In the morning visit Wind Cave, one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. The Lakota (Sioux), who live in the region, spoke of a hole that blew air, a place they consider sacred as the site where they first emerged from the underworld. In 1881, brothers Tom and Jesse Bingham heard wind rushing out from a 10-inch hole in the ground. According to the story, when Tom looked into the hole, the "wind" (exiting cave air) blew his hat off of his head. A mining company purchased the land but when it turned up no valuable mineral deposits the project turned to tourism. This was the first cave in the world to be designated a national park. Continue on the Mickelson Trail from Pringle to Legion Lake Lodge for the night.
Day 3
Ride to Crazy Horse Memorial, ride to Sylvan Lake Lodge.
This morning, ride the car-free trail to Crazy Horse Memorial, the world's largest mountain carving. Lakota leader Crazy Horse led a war party to victory against Federal Government troops at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876. This fascinating memorial has been under construction since 1948 and receives no government funding. It's so large that if Mt. Rushmore could be moved, it would fit inside Crazy Horse's shoulder! Ride onward to Hill City. Hop in the van for the transfer up the hill to Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Sylvan Lake Lodge – Custer State Park's 'Crown Jewel' and our home for the next two nights.
Day 4
Hike Black Elk Peak this morning. Visit Mt. Rushmore this afternoon.
Hike Black Elk Peak this morning. At 7,242 feet, Black Elk Peak is the highest point in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Standing sentinel over the Black Hills, Black Elk Peak is topped by a stone fire tower that provides a magnificent view of the surrounding landscape. Explore Mt. Rushmore National Memorial in the afternoon. Gaze in awe at the 60-foot sculptures of four United States presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Lunch and dinner are on your own today.
Day 5
Ride from Hill City to the gold-rush-era town of Rochford then on to Deadwood for the night.
Ride from Hill City, the first settlement established in conjunction with the discovery of Black Hills gold in French Creek, to tiny Rochford (pop. 26), home to the Montezuma Mine, the Moonshine Gulch Saloon and the 'Small of America.' After lunch, bike or van onward to Deadwood, onetime home of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Plan for time to explore! Stay at Deadwood’s Holiday Inn Express Gold Dust.
Day 6
Ride through Spearfish Canyon. After lunch, it's time to head back to Rapid City.
Enjoy a leisurely ride through Spearfish Canyon this morning. Older than the Grand Canyon, the spectacular 1000-foot walls and limestone palisades of this creek-carved gorge offer some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Black Hills. Finish riding at the city park in Spearfish where we'll celebrate the completion of the tour with lunch before returning to Rapid City in the afternoon.
Tour Details
accommodation
Our regional expertise, a constant re-evaluation of last year's inns, and continuing search for the best experience ensure that our lodging is always among the finest the area has to offer. By limiting the number of guests on each trip, we expand our choices and are able to fit into some smaller, award-winning bed and breakfasts and country inns that wouldn't be able to accommodate a larger group.
Lodging is based upon two people sharing a room with a private bath. If you're traveling solo on any of our trips, we'll assign you a roommate of the same gender, and often of the same age range. There is no extra charge if we can't find you a roommate, even if you sign up the day before the trip starts. You can guarantee yourself a private room and bath if you pay the Single Supplement Fee. Occasionally a room with two beds consists of one bed plus a rollaway bed or sofa bed. Call our office to see if this is applicable to the trip and date you select.
guide
Our guides are selected and trained for unparalleled personal service. Their backgrounds vary, but all share a love for the outdoors and, most importantly, a desire to help people make the most of their vacation. There are several ski instructors, a political analyst, an Emmy-winning journalist, and a college professor, among others. Almost all are college graduates. All are mature adults with expertise in leading our tours and extensive knowledge of the region we travel through. Almost all of last year's guides will be returning to lead our trips again, so you can count on having experienced leaders who love what they do.
insurance
Insurance is not included in the price of your tour but it is strongly recommended for all Bicycle Adventures tours.
meals
All meals except for one lunch and one dinner are included in the cost of your tour. On the days that you're on your own for a meal, there will be ample options within walking distance of our location.
At Bicycle Adventures we like to eat well. Dinner is eaten together at the best restaurant in the area each night. If we have to shuttle everyone a short distance to get to that special place, we do it. At most restaurants, you order what you want from the menu. Except for alcohol, everything is included, even appetizers, salad, soup, and dessert. Breakfast is typically provided by the hotels and inns that we stay at, but if there's a local spot known for great breakfast, we'll find it and you'll be treated to a nutritious meal to start off your day. Lunch is provided at a state park or similar scenic setting midway during the day’s ride. Guests are always surprised at the variety and quality of lunches we prepare. Besides sandwich fixings and cold drinks, we offer fresh fruits and vegetables and hot lunches such as tortellini with pesto or veggie burritos. If you prefer a certain item of food or drink, just let your tour guide know and we will be sure to prepare just the right lunch to keep your energy up for the rest of the day.
During the day water, fruit juices, soft drinks, energy bars, fruit, and snacks are available from the van. A cold beer from our cooler waits at the end of the day, and you can relive the day’s highlights at our wine and cheese party before dinner.
others
- Biking (bikes included)
- Cave tour
- Mammoth site
- Mt. Rushmore
transport
You are welcome to ride in the van at any time - no explanation required. Some want a lift for just a few miles; others have ridden in the van for the entire trip. It's your vacation - you decide.
We use a fleet of specially ordered and customized 15-passenger vans. Most have a seven-liter V-10 engine, high rear axle ratio, and heavy-duty trailer towing package for efficiently moving a van full of people pulling a large trailer full of luggage and food. Each van also has heavy-duty professional bicycle racks on top of a custom-made, steelwork platform on the roof. An additional bicycle rack mounted on a front hitch allows us to quickly load and unload a bicycle when a guest wants a short ride in the van.
Good to know
Currency
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US Dollar
USA
Faq Tour
How can I book a tour?
You can order a tour on our website by selecting the desired dates and clicking the “Confirm dates” button. You can also contact our sales department by phone or email.
Which payment options are available?
We accept credit cards, bank transfers and other popular payment methods.
Can I change or cancel my reservation?
Yes, changes or cancellations are possible, however penalties may apply depending on the time before the tour starts.
What documents are required to participate in the tour?
You will need a passport with a valid visa (if required) to visit countries along the tour route.
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