Dakota Adventure Loop
Funding
All of the work to provide and maintain the DakAL is done by volunteers of the non-profit corporation, Trail Stewards. We work to protect existing trails and to build new ones. It takes some money to make all of this happen. Everyone that rides the DakAL is passionate about our sport.
You can obtain the tracks by following the instructions on the ROUTE page and making a $58 donation. You can also support our efforts with a larger donation. We encourage each rider of the DakAL to make a tax-deductible contribution of $100 or $200 to aid in preserving the passion we all enjoy.
You can donate right here, right now! Thanks for your support.
Donate NowMaps & Navigation
A GPS device is strongly recommended. If using a phone app for navigation, OnX Offroad is recommended. Navigation via maps only will be difficult and will greatly increase the time to complete each day's ride.
There is no single map that can show the entire route. The maps listed below will help greatly if you plan to travel with or without a GPS. The SAICON offers a service for $100 to source and mark the paper maps for you. Contact Bill Hearne at wchearne@gmail.com.
Free Maps (highly recommended)
| Source | Map Needed |
|---|---|
| Black Hills National Forest office, (605) 673-9200, Custer, SD | MVUM for both Bearlodge/Northern Hills & Mystic/Hell Canyon Districts |
| Custer National Forest, (605) 797-4432, Camp Crook, SD | MVUM for Sioux Ranger District (South Dakota) |
| Buffalo Gap National Grassland, Fall River Station, 605-745-4107, Hot Springs, SD | MVUM of Fall River Ranger District |
| Custer State Park, 605-394-2693, Custer State Park | Your Guide to Custer State Park |
| SD Department of Tourism, (605) 773-5034, Pierre, SD | SD Highway Map |
Maps for Purchase
- Black Hills National Forest waterproof map (2014) — $13
- DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer — South Dakota ($19.95)
Permits & Passes
Bikes will be required to have a Black Hills National Forest Trail Permit (cost is $25). You may get them in a variety of ways:
- Order online at the Black Hills Parks website (expect ~10 days delivery).
- Purchase at any regional office.
- Available at some retail outlets — most motorcycle shops carry them.
A Custer State Park permit is required. Cost is $20 for seven days or $36 for an annual permit, obtained at entrance points. This permit also allows access to Bear Butte State Park near Sturgis. More info at custerstatepark.com.
Where to start and where to park your tow rig?
Since the DakAL is a loop, you can start from anywhere. The following are recommended start points. For each of these locations we have relationships with select motels. If you stay at least one night at their location, you can leave your tow rig there for the 4–6 days you will be gone. All of these have the features you desire: Park your bike beside your room, group area for beer drinking and storytelling, meal service within walking distance, bike wash and gas nearby. We recommend these locations.
Edgemont: Cowboy Inn
Very modest, clean and inexpensive motel. Easy to walk to dinner and C-store. The drinking water in all of Edgemont is of poor quality. Mention that you are riding the DakAL and they will give you 3 bottles of water. Upon request they will make some killer breakfast burritos for $5 each! Operated by father/daughter team of Mark & Megan Roberts.
Rockerville: Rockerville Lodge and Cabins
Operated by Joey & Cindy LeMere. Your choice of cool cabins or efficiency motel rooms. Adjacent to Gas Light Restaurant. Perfectly clean and well maintained. Breakfast grub and bike wash available.
(605) 394-9866 — rockervillelodgeandcabins.com — 13525 Main Street, Rockerville, SD
Savoy: Spearfish Canyon Resort
Time to treat yourself! A premier facility in a stunningly beautiful location. Restaurant, bar, and gas are on site. Enjoy the deluxe outdoor hot tubs while you gaze at the stars. Take the best 20-minute hike in the United States to Spearfish Falls.
Tread Lightly
Be part of the solution! We have plenty of bird brains who think it is cool to tear up trails and ride in wet conditions. Don't be a bird brain! Adhere to Tread Lightly principles. Quickly review the tenets of responsible riding before you go. Dirt Biking — Tread Lightly
Supporting Dealers
Black Hills Powersports
Rapid City
Kawasaki, Yamaha, Royal Enfield
(605) 342-5500
Spearfish Canyon Motorsports
Spearfish
Honda, Yamaha, Gas Gas
(605) 642-7731
Rice's Rushmore Motorsports
Rapid City
Honda, KTM, Suzuki
(605) 342-2242
Black Hills Harley-Davidson
Rapid City
Harley
(800) 727-2482
Rosco's
Beta, Sherco, TM, Rokon, Oset, UBCO
(605) 348-3946
Emergency Contacts
Hospitals
- Edgemont Clinic: (605) 662-7250
- Custer Hospital: (605) 673-2229
- Rapid City Regional Hospital: (605) 644-4000 — 353 Fairmont Blvd, Rapid City
- Spearfish Hospital: (605) 644-4000 — 1440 N Main St, Spearfish
- Hot Springs Hospital: 1201 S Dakota 71, Hot Springs, (605) 745-3159
- Belle Fourche Clinic: 2200 13th Avenue, Belle Fourche, (605) 723-8970
- Buffalo Medical Clinic: 209 Ramsland Street, Buffalo, (605) 375-3744