Hill City to Keystone – 156 Miles

Section 3 starts in the town of Hill City, yet another iconic South Dakota town featuring great restaurants and attractions. You’ll quickly get onto dirt after leaving town, where the route gives you the option to take the harder track up Bear Mountain or stay on the main route. Bear Mountain is a rocky and tight stretch of two-track with a constant climb through dense aspen forests, and would be particularly challenging when wet. The reward as you summit is Bear Mountain lookout tower, where you can climb to the top for great views. If you take the main route, you can backtrack to the tower on gravel, the views are well worth it.

Heading south and even further into the National Forest, this next stretch is full of fast gravel roads, before turning into some of the most remote sections of overgrown two-track roads, a highlight section on the route. Passing through Pringle, head east and stop at Wind Cave National Park before the route takes you north. As you enter this area of the Hills, you’re now in Custer State Park territory and will need a park pass. Grab one at the entrance station before starting the Wildlife Loop where you’re sure to see bison, burros, and even bighorn sheep on this great stretch of pavement and prairie dirt roads.

Stop at Blue Bell Lodge for gas and a great burger, and get ready for some of the best pavement in the country! After a few stretches on and off gravel, the remaining part of the route is all paved, and includes the iconic Needles Highway, a stop at Mount Rushmore, and the grand finale on Iron Mountain Road as you ride back to Keystone.