Mickelson Trail
Black Hills of SOUTH DAKOTA
- Experience the Black Hills of South Dakota
- Ride Custer State Park & visit Mount Rushmore
- All Nights at the Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins
- All Meals Included
Check Out Our Tour Brochure
Tour Video
Tour Map
Experience cycling in the Black Hills of South Dakota on both the Mickelson Trail and inside Custer State Park. Three riding days feature the stunning George S. Mickelson Trail (GMT), which spans over 100 miles of dedicated rail-trail on crushed stone, winding through wilderness and rock tunnels in the Black Hills of picturesque western South Dakota. On the fourth riding day, you’ll explore the jaw-dropping Custer State Park and the acclaimed Wildlife Loop. Your stay for the week will be in charming Custer, SD, an ideal base for these scenic routes. The tour features a variety of spectacular routes over four riding days plus a non riding day to visit local attractions such as Mount Rushmore. For 2026, the trip is being moved to mid June to take advantage of warmer weather.
Over the week, you’ll be captivated by the region’s natural beauty and abundant wildlife, all set in one of the most sparsely populated areas of the USA. While some might think it’s too far to travel, the rave reviews from our 2024 and 2025 riders, along with the outstanding efforts by the state of South Dakota trails team, makes this trip an unforgettable experience you won’t want to miss.
This five-day, six-night, all-inclusive, fully supported bicycle vacation will be based out of the renowned Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins in Custer, SD. You can book a cozy lodge room or upgrade in style to a spacious cabin on the hill. Each day offers flexible ride options, ensuring you can pedal at your own pace. BPP will handle all the details, including shuttles for you and your bike, so you can focus on enjoying your adventure. After all this is PAMPERING.
Day 0 - Custer
- Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins provides an inviting retreat for the week with easy access to the Mickelson Trail in the town of Custer, SD. Enjoy a short stroll to unique shops, delightful eateries, and the Mount Rushmore Brewing Company.
Day 1 - Custer to Edgemont(Mickelson Trail)
- Moments after you step outside your room and mount your bike, you’ll be riding south on the Mickelson Trail. Monday’s ride takes you from pine-covered hills to the edge of the prairie lands in Edgemont, SD. As you descend from the hills of Custer, be sure to stop and check out the bicycle sculpture next to our SAG stop in Pringle.
Day 2 - Custer to Hill City and back (Mickelson Trail)
- On Tuesday, we’ll return to the Mickelson Trail, this time heading north toward Hill City. Begin with a gradual climb through a photogenic landscape, peaking with a quintessential view of the Crazy Horse Memorial. Then enjoy coasting downhill into the charming town of Hill City, where you can explore and even take an old time steam train ride before biking back to Custer.
Day 3 - Custer State Park - Needles Highway To The Wildlife Loop
- In Custer State Park, begin your journey at the iconic Needles Eye rock formation and pass through the narrow Needles Eye Tunnel. The Needles Highway is a stunning and challenging route that showcases the rugged beauty of the Black Hills. Next, connect to the 18-mile Wildlife Loop where you’ll pedal among the park’s large herd of majestic bison. Just remember, don’t pet the “fluffy cows!” The loop is also renowned for its pronghorn antelope, burros, elk, and more, allowing you to enjoy seeing wildlife in their natural habitat.
Day 4 - Mount Rushmore or Optional Ride
- Visit nearby sights or take an optional Ride through Wind Cave National Park Join our shuttle crew to visit nearby sights such as Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Alternatively, we’ll offer an optional ride featuring Wind Cave National Park.
Day 5 - Deadwood to Hill City
- Starting in the historic town of Deadwood, famous for its Wild West heritage, the ride begins with an energizing uphill stretch out of town toward the first SAG stop at Dumont. After recharging, get ready for a fun descent, winding through old railroad tunnels and across trestles, all the while enjoying views of Castle Creek on the way to our second SAG stop at Mystic. From there, the route takes you through dramatic rock formations and more tunnels as you roll through the hills, eventually arriving in Hill City, perfectly concluding this scenic segment of the Mickelson Trail.
Rider check-in is Sunday June 14, 2026 from 3-5 PM
No hotel changes on this ride.
Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins, 15 West Mt Rushmore Rd, Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4323
Riders must make their own arrangements for bike rental.
Rabbit Bicycles, 175 Walnut Ave Hill City, SD 57745 (605) 574-4302,
Points of contact: Stacy, rabbitbicycles@gmail.com
Bubba’s Pampered Pedalers has limited bikes for rent which need to be reserved in advance. Call or email us.
Free secure long-term parking is available at the host hotel.
Most of the tour riding will be on crushed stone with varying terrain and elevation. This time of year the trail can also be muddy. For comfort it’s recommended that tires should be puncture resistant and a minimum of 32mm in width. If you are adventurous, you may ride the routes on skinnier road tires.
Yes, E-Bikes are welcomed on all Bubba’s PAMPERED Pedalers tours. Year by year a higher percentage of our riders ride them. Remember, when deciding which bike to bring or rent, this entire tour will be on crushed stone with varying terrain and elevation.
No worries. The tour offers bicycle support to assist if needed. That said, all riders are required to have tools, knowledge and willingness to repair a flat tire.
| Package | Standard Room | Cabin |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $3,350 | $3,550 |
| Double | $2,850 | $3,050 |
Pricing is based on the date of the receipt of your registration and deposit.
Mail-In registrations with payment in full must be postmarked on or before the stated promo code expiration date to be honored.
Please note that there is an expiration date associated with promo codes.
Note: To pass savings onto riders, we have moved to Double pricing base rates; for Triple & Quad rates please reach out to us by email. (pamperedpedalers@gmail.com)
Bubba’s PAMPERED Pedalers offers a limited number of bicycles available for rent. The button is a link to our limited inventory, which primarily consists of hybrid bikes, with a small selection of gravel bikes, sorry but no EBikes at this time. If we have enough advance notice, we can typically find a bike that fits your needs. Our goal is to offer customers well-maintained bikes that are not new, but are priced affordably. If you’d like to rent a bike from us, please reach out to discuss our inventory and determine if we have a suitable option for you. Keep in mind that if you decide the bike doesn’t work for you when you arrive for the ride, you won’t be able to switch it out.
Experience cycling in the Black Hills of South Dakota on both the Mickelson Trail and inside Custer State Park. Three riding days feature the stunning George S. Mickelson Trail (GMT), which spans over 100 miles of dedicated rail-trail on crushed stone, winding through wilderness and rock tunnels in the Black Hills of picturesque western South Dakota. On the fourth riding day, you’ll explore the jaw-dropping Custer State Park and the acclaimed Wildlife Loop. Your stay for the week will be in charming Custer, SD, an ideal base for these scenic routes. The tour features a variety of spectacular routes over four riding days plus a non riding day to visit local attractions such as Mount Rushmore. For 2026, the trip is being moved to mid June to take advantage of warmer weather.
Over the week, you’ll be captivated by the region’s natural beauty and abundant wildlife, all set in one of the most sparsely populated areas of the USA. While some might think it’s too far to travel, the rave reviews from our 2024 and 2025 riders, along with the outstanding efforts by the state of South Dakota trails team, makes this trip an unforgettable experience you won’t want to miss.
This five-day, six-night, all-inclusive, fully supported bicycle vacation will be based out of the renowned Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins in Custer, SD. You can book a cozy lodge room or upgrade in style to a spacious cabin on the hill. Each day offers flexible ride options, ensuring you can pedal at your own pace. BPP will handle all the details, including shuttles for you and your bike, so you can focus on enjoying your adventure. After all this is PAMPERING.
Day 0 - Custer
- Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins provides an inviting retreat for the week with easy access to the Mickelson Trail in the town of Custer, SD. Enjoy a short stroll to unique shops, delightful eateries, and the Mount Rushmore Brewing Company.
Day 1 - Custer to Edgemont(Mickelson Trail)
- Moments after you step outside your room and mount your bike, you’ll be riding south on the Mickelson Trail. Monday’s ride takes you from pine-covered hills to the edge of the prairie lands in Edgemont, SD. As you descend from the hills of Custer, be sure to stop and check out the bicycle sculpture next to our SAG stop in Pringle.
Day 2 - Custer to Hill City and back (Mickelson Trail)
- On Tuesday, we’ll return to the Mickelson Trail, this time heading north toward Hill City. Begin with a gradual climb through a photogenic landscape, peaking with a quintessential view of the Crazy Horse Memorial. Then enjoy coasting downhill into the charming town of Hill City, where you can explore and even take an old time steam train ride before biking back to Custer.
Day 3 - Custer State Park - Needles Highway To The Wildlife Loop
- In Custer State Park, begin your journey at the iconic Needles Eye rock formation and pass through the narrow Needles Eye Tunnel. The Needles Highway is a stunning and challenging route that showcases the rugged beauty of the Black Hills. Next, connect to the 18-mile Wildlife Loop where you’ll pedal among the park’s large herd of majestic bison. Just remember, don’t pet the “fluffy cows!” The loop is also renowned for its pronghorn antelope, burros, elk, and more, allowing you to enjoy seeing wildlife in their natural habitat.
Day 4 - Mount Rushmore or Optional Ride
- Visit nearby sights or take an optional Ride through Wind Cave National Park Join our shuttle crew to visit nearby sights such as Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Alternatively, we’ll offer an optional ride featuring Wind Cave National Park.
Day 5 - Deadwood to Hill City
- Starting in the historic town of Deadwood, famous for its Wild West heritage, the ride begins with an energizing uphill stretch out of town toward the first SAG stop at Dumont. After recharging, get ready for a fun descent, winding through old railroad tunnels and across trestles, all the while enjoying views of Castle Creek on the way to our second SAG stop at Mystic. From there, the route takes you through dramatic rock formations and more tunnels as you roll through the hills, eventually arriving in Hill City, perfectly concluding this scenic segment of the Mickelson Trail.
Rider check-in is Sunday June 14, 2026 from 3-5 PM
No hotel changes on this ride.
Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins, 15 West Mt Rushmore Rd, Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4323
Riders must make their own arrangements for bike rental.
Rabbit Bicycles, 175 Walnut Ave Hill City, SD 57745 (605) 574-4302,
Points of contact: Stacy, rabbitbicycles@gmail.com
Bubba’s Pampered Pedalers has limited bikes for rent which need to be reserved in advance. Call or email us.
Free secure long-term parking is available at the host hotel.
Most of the tour riding will be on crushed stone with varying terrain and elevation. This time of year the trail can also be muddy. For comfort it’s recommended that tires should be puncture resistant and a minimum of 32mm in width. If you are adventurous, you may ride the routes on skinnier road tires.
Yes, E-Bikes are welcomed on all Bubba’s PAMPERED Pedalers tours. Year by year a higher percentage of our riders ride them. Remember, when deciding which bike to bring or rent, this entire tour will be on crushed stone with varying terrain and elevation.
No worries. The tour offers bicycle support to assist if needed. That said, all riders are required to have tools, knowledge and willingness to repair a flat tire.
| Package | Standard Room | Cabin |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $3,350 | $3,550 |
| Double | $2,850 | $3,050 |
Pricing is based on the date of the receipt of your registration and deposit.
Mail-In registrations with payment in full must be postmarked on or before the stated promo code expiration date to be honored.
Please note that there is an expiration date associated with promo codes.
Note: To pass savings onto riders, we have moved to Double pricing base rates; for Triple & Quad rates please reach out to us by email. (pamperedpedalers@gmail.com)
Bubba’s PAMPERED Pedalers offers a limited number of bicycles available for rent. The button is a link to our limited inventory, which primarily consists of hybrid bikes, with a small selection of gravel bikes, sorry but no EBikes at this time. If we have enough advance notice, we can typically find a bike that fits your needs. Our goal is to offer customers well-maintained bikes that are not new, but are priced affordably. If you’d like to rent a bike from us, please reach out to discuss our inventory and determine if we have a suitable option for you. Keep in mind that if you decide the bike doesn’t work for you when you arrive for the ride, you won’t be able to switch it out.
Mickelson Trail Memories
