| CCR 2009 Area Attractions and Cool Places |
|
Welcome to the CCR Area ttractions and Cool Places page. Many thanks to Douglas Shonley (Douglas911) for the bulk of the work on this list. It is a work in progress and will be updated from time to time until the event. In no particular order.... While we are in the rarea there is a large Mustang rally. It runs from September 3rd to September 7th. Many events including Autocross, Drag Races and Show and Shine. The 1880 train runs between Keystone and Hill City. It usually fills so sign up early in the day for your ride. It is a pretty ride in which they point out historic sites. The Alpine Inn has excellent dining in Hill City. There is usually a waiting line, especially in the evening. The meals are always good The Badlands is an absolutely beautiful ride. It costs $10 to ride through but definitely worth it. There are Perfect roads in a very beautiful setting. Early morning brings out the brightest colors. This is a must do. While at the Badlands, you must stop at the world famous Wall Drug. This amazing maze of merchandise is worth the stop. Bear Country is an open wild life area where various bear run free. For motorcyclist you use their car to ride though. At the end of the tour there is the usual gift shop, but this one overlooks the cubs. They are really cute. Up the hill from Rapid City in the same area as Bear Country you can find Reptile Gardens. Many different types of cold blooded crawly things. There are the snake handler shows and also alligator wrestling. Always a good show. Wind Cave is one of the favorites in the Black Hills. The tour is a nice break on a hot day. It is really interesting how the cave was discovered. Also watch for the prairie dog town nearby. The Discovery Map Guide has some points of interest in and around the Rapid City Area The Chapel in the Hills is on the west edge of Rapid City. It is an exact reproduction of the Borgun Stavkirke of Laerdal, Norway. It is really cool to see. Cosmos is kind of a neat tourist thing. The buildings are built on a hill and water appears to run up hill. Crazy Horse monument is a private project that they have been working on for years. It is really huge. The nostril of the horse will hold the head of Washington from Mount Rushmore. They sell tours to the top of the monument and have a very large gift shop. Custer State Park has some really great motorcycle roads. If you plan on stopping they will want you to pay a park fee. You will most likely see buffalo and possibly some elk and mountain goats. Also be sure the bring along some treats for the donkeys. This is a great ride and a beautiful area. Evans Plunge is in Hot Springs, SD. It’s water is from a natural spring with a temperature of 87 degrees. The pool is about five feet deep and very warm. Most of the pool is indoors along with a couple slides and rings to swing across the pool. The rings are those who have more upper body strength than I. It is really a fun place to spend a rainy afternoon. Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper & Cowboy Music Show is the most popular dinner theater entertainment in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Stop on your way to or from Mount Rushmore to see the Dances With Wolves film set and buy tickets to our supper/show. Hill City is a cool mountain town. Several good places to eat and lots of neat shops. We usually stop in Hill City several times during the year. It’s just fun. Don’t know if this place is any good, but looks interesting. 100 wines under $25. It is right in downtown Rapid City. Iron Mountain Road is one of our more technical roads. Many 15 mph curves in a wooded environment. The roads are among the best maintained in the country. During the Sturgis Rally this road is heavy traveled, but the rest of the year it is really fun. Be sure to stop at each tunnel and take a picture. The tunnels are cut so you see Mount Rushmore through them. This is a GREAT ride. The town is Keystone is so touristy it is really fun. There is a 7 foot cowboy that walks up and down main street cracking his bull whip. This guy is a national quick draw champion. Pay the 4 bucks and go see his show. It’s cool. Many good places to eat and way too many places to shop. We haven’t done this yet but have heard that the tour here is very good. This is where Black Hills Gold Jewelry is made. This will have to be added to the “Bucket List”. This is part of the Custer State Park. To go to the top is about a two mile ride on gravel with no guard rails. The passenger might hate it, but the view is fabulous. You get a great view of Crazy Horse, Rushmore, and the Badlands. It is really awesome. Mount Rushmore is a must see for the Black Hills. They do charge for parking, but you gotta do it. There is a hiking trail that will take you just below the heads. Nice gift shop and you can eat there too. The lighting ceremony at dusk is awesome. The Prairie Edge is a store in Rapid City. The store is loaded with beautiful product, exclusively made by local Native American artisans. This is a must see in downtown Rapid City. Roughlock Falls is located in Spearfish Canyon. It is about a half mile of gravel to get to it but it is well worth it. You can get right up close and personal with this waterfalls. You will not be disappointed. While we will be putting up our own set of suggested riding routes, here is a site of some motorcycle roads around the Black Hills. Rock climbing adventures from mild to wild. You can arrange climbs in Custer State Park or Devil's Tower. This is a very popular museum in Rapid City. The Journey Museum takes you on an incredible trek through time, from the violent upheaval that formed the mystical Black Hills over 2.5 billion years ago to the continuing saga of the Western Frontier.
When your journey is complete, you will fully understand the legacy of the land and its people. IN Custer, SD, "One of the Most Unique Museums in America!" Cheyenne Crossing is one of those little places you just should stop at. It is a quaint little restaurant at the south end of Spearfish Canyon. Ask for Margaret for your waitress. Book an air tour of the great beauty of the Black Hills. This is really a great place to see. From the air just really puts it in perspective. They are located between Hill City and Custer on Hwy 385. Enjoy your flight. This is a great place for breakfast or lunch. It is located at Savoy in Spearfish Canyon. Great place on a great ride. Spearfish Canyon is a gorgeous ride starting at Spearfish and ending at Cheyenne Crossing. This is really beautiful. Along the way see Bridal Veil Falls and then Roughlock falls at Savoy. Then take a break at Cheyenne Crossing. Then turn around and ride it back. You want to do this road more than once. South Dakota Air and Space Museum South Dakota Air and Space Museum is really a great museum. Especially if you are into airplanes. Over 25 different aircraft and a really cool tour of the base. There is even a tour of a missile silo. The museum is free, but the is a charge for the tour. Just 10 miles East of Rapid City. South Dakota Museum of Geology The Museum of Geology at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, is a leader in conserving the rich geological heritage of South Dakota and the Black Hills by collecting, conserving, and housing the unique and often rare resources. You just can’t come the Black Hills and not experience Deadwood. This town has so much history. There are many casinos that will be happy to take your money. Walk up main street and enjoy the old west architecture. We like to eat at Cadillac Jacks, Mineral Palace, The Silverado, and Jakes. Great buffet at the Silverado. Every couple hours they have a reenactment of the hanging of Jack McCall after the shot Wild Bill Hickok. And of course, several places claim to be the real place where he was shot. Sturgis is famous for the annual motorcycle rally. During the annual rally a crush of hundreds of motorcycles makes it impossible to see the town. If you have been to the rally you know what we mean. Come see what it is like the rest of the year. The transformation is amazing. We like to eat at the Chat and Chew. Ask for Betty. This is not your grandma’s go cart. This is an indoor go cart track. These things go over 40mph. At the end you get a print out of your performance. We have done this a couple times. It is really fun. There is also Laser Tag and some other games, but the Go Carts are King. Bet I can beat you… Complimentary wine testing. We have been told that this is really a cool place. Just North of Hill City on Hwy 385. Bear Butte is mountain the just sticks up out of the plain. When we feel up for a little extra exercise we walk the trail to the top. It goes up about a 1000 feet so the view is great at the top. The trail is well maintained, but bring water with you. See you at the top. Just east of Sturgis. Devils Tower is over in Wyoming. It is a very interesting area. There is a walking trail around the tower, about two miles around. You will see many people climbing the tower on any day. About 110 miles from Rapid City it makes an easy day ride. The area is almost spooky. Not but a few miles north is Hulett or "Little Sturgis". Coming across South Dakota from the East can be a boring trip. Break it up at the Pioneer Auto Museum in Murdo. Murdo is about 135 miles east of Rapid City on I-90. You can spend hours in here so pace yourself. We have been through several times. They have over 60 different motorcycles and over 275 cars. Lots of strange stuff and ones you will remember from the movies. Enjoy. Vanocker Canyon Road There isn’t a website for this one. This road runs for 18 miles from Sturgis to Nemo. Mostly 35 mph curves. One right after another. The road has a real rhythm to it. This has to be one of my favorite roads. And only about 6 miles from my house too. Enjoy the ride. Stop in at the little restaurant behind the general store at Nemo. Great burgers, but don’t be in a hurry.
Combine a few of these destinations to make for a wonderful all-day adventure. |
This material is for personal use only.
Contact the for more information.
Fight Spam! Click Here!