Originally Posted By: monterol
Going to be my first one. I'm thinking I might spend a day there, and a couple in Wyoming.... MT. Rushmore, Devils Tower...
I've ridden (and also camped) in that area many times over the years. Beautiful area!
I will say though, if you're going during the Bike week, it's CRAZY crowded in that entire part of SD and WY. Roads are packed, restaurants are packed, parking lots are packed, hotels are packed. Did I mention it gets crowded everywhere? The Black Hills get inundated during that week. It can get crazy; just be prepared. If people-watching and social buffoonery are what you crave, you'll be in the right place. Once that week passes, it becomes "normal" again.
I always plan my trips to avoid that week. But many crave that experience, often more than once. To each his own. I am not saying it's not any fun; I hear great stories and fantastic things happen (some good; some a bit harrowing). It's just that, IMHO, there are two reasons to go to Sturgis:
a) going to enjoy the entire Black Hill experience; the scenery in that 200 mile radius offers a ton of great riding and stuff to see
b) going to enjoy the zaniness that is a bike-week extravaganza
It's hard to enjoy "a" when you're caught up in "b", is all I'm saying.
If you really want to have it both ways, then do it twice. Once during bike week, then again on any other of the summer/fall weekends where the crowds and stupidity dwindle down.