Keystone to Spearfish – 93 Miles

Start your adventure in Keystone, SD, a great place to explore the many tourist attractions before departing on your journey. Almost immediately, you’ll be greeted with a rugged stretch of dirt road through tall pine forests. Meandering through the woods, top out at Pactola Reservoir for a great view before getting back on the dirt. After a short section on primitive two-track, the route continues on and off pavement as you get even deeper into the Black Hills.

Take a rest at the Nemo Country Store for gas and a snack, then enjoy a mixture of fast, flowing gravel roads into the historic mining towns of Lead and Deadwood. Famous for wild west lawlessness and the town where Wild Bill Hickok was killed on August 2, 1876, Deadwood offers great lodging and cuisine on the historic downtown main street.

Take a spin up to the Mt. Roosevelt Friendship Tower where a short hike will take you to incredible views of the tower before dropping back to Deadwood. Your final stretch north includes gravel switchbacks and rustic homes before settling into the town of Spearfish, with multiple opportunities for food, fuel, and lodging and another convenient access point to the route.