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2025 SPRING TOUR
BLACK HILLS

MINNESOTA - SOUTH DAKOTA - WYOMING
5/16 - 5/20/2025

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2025 Spring Tour: Welcome

JOIN US!

Free fun with a group of Porsche nuts during the week before Memorial Day 2025!

WHEN IS THIS?

May 16th - 20th 2025 starting in Minneapolis MN and touring around the incredible canyons and vistas of the Black Hills of South Dakota and into Wyoming to the world famous Devil's Tower.

See below for the rough order of events / activities.

IS THERE A FEE? HOW ABOUT ACCOMMODATION?

Besides paying for your own gas, food and lodging there are no registration or event fees. Just show up!

For accommodation, base yourself in or near to Sturgis SD which is where each day trip will start and finish.

CAN I JOIN THE DRIVES?

Absolutely! Anyone with a Porsche is welcome to join in for some or all of the road tour. You don't need to come along for everything, but you are very welcome to! We want to give everyone as much flexibility as possible - join where/when you can, stay with the group for as much as you wish!

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?

Bookmark this page which will be updated as event details and logistics are confirmed. Follow our social media feeds for other updates and news too.​

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Instagram:

@Auto.Amateur

@MotorsandMeats88

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Use the form at the bottom to subscribe and get updates via email.

2025 Spring Tour: Resources
2025 Spring Tour: Schedule

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

All times are local (Central Standard Time - CST)

A core group will be departing Lakeville MN on Friday 5/16 and returning on Tuesday 5/20. Anyone is welcome to join us from Lakeville MN, or meet us along the way - on any day! With Friday and Tuesday being travel days between Minneapolis MN and Sturgis SD, the main touring days are Saturday, Sunday and Monday. 

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Scroll down to the end for detailed Day by Day Route Guidance.

SAT 5/17/25

Day 1: Old West Towns, Epic Canyons & an Iconic Monolith

Rally Point: Crew Cabin, Sturgis SD

Address: 20759 Baneberry Loop, Sturgis, SD 57785  I  Time: 10am Central

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Route Highlights:

  • Deadwood (historic gold rush town)

  • Spearfish Canyon (waterfalls, dramatic cliffs)

  • Devils Tower (legendary monolith, sacred site)

  • Aladdin General Store (Old West roadside charm)​

SUN 5/18/25

Day 2: Central Black Hills – Mt. Rushmore, Needles Highway, Custer State Park

Rally Point: Crew Cabin, Sturgis SD

Address: 20759 Baneberry Loop, Sturgis, SD 57785  I  Time: 10am Central

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Route Highlights:

  • Mt. Rushmore – iconic national monument

  • Iron Mountain Road – engineered to showcase the monument through scenic tunnels

  • Custer State Park – wildlife loop, scenic valleys

  • Needles Highway – granite formations, narrow tunnels

  • Sylvan Lake – picturesque, perfect rest point

MON 5/19/25

Day 3: Southern Hills & Badlands Edge

Rally Point: Crew Cabin, Sturgis SD

Address: 20759 Baneberry Loop, Sturgis, SD 57785  I  Time: 10am Central

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Route Highlights:

  • Mammoth Site – Ice Age fossils in situ

  • Hot Springs – Historic town, geothermal waters

  • Wind Cave National Park – Underground cave systems and surface wildlife

  • Rankin Ridge Lookout – short uphill walk with a sweeping view

  • Nemo Rd return – quiet and curvy forest drive

DAY ONE

Start/End: Sturgis, SD

Total Drive Time: ~5.5 hours

Distance: ~160 miles

Day 1 Route

Old West Towns, Epic Canyons & an Iconic Monolith

 

Route:

  1. Sturgis to Deadwood – via Boulder Canyon Rd (US-14A Alt)
    Scenic start through forested hills into a historic mining town

  2. Deadwood to Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway – via US-85 to Cheyenne Crossing, then down US-14A
    Stop at:

    • Bridal Veil Falls

    • Roughlock Falls (short detour from Savoy)

  3. Spearfish Canyon to Devils Tower –

    • Exit canyon via Spearfish, then take SD-34 west into Wyoming

    • From Belle Fourche, take WY-24 to Hulett, then south to Devils Tower

  4. Visit:

    • Devils Tower National Monument – walk the Tower Trail (1.3 mi loop)

    • Visitor center and prairie dog town nearby

  5. Return to Sturgis –

    • Take WY-24 back through Aladdin (a funky general store worth a photo)

    • Then head back via SD-34 east to Whitewood, and finish on Whitewood Service Rd

 

Stops & Highlights:

  • Deadwood (historic gold rush town)

  • Spearfish Canyon (waterfalls, dramatic cliffs)

  • Devils Tower (legendary monolith, sacred site)

  • Aladdin General Store (Old West roadside charm)

 

Lunch:

  • Latchstring Inn (Spearfish Canyon)

  • Or picnic at Devils Tower

DAY TWO

Start/End: Sturgis, SD

Total Drive Time: ~5.5 hours

Distance: ~140 miles

Day 2 Route

Central Black Hills – Mt. Rushmore, Needles Highway, Custer State Park

 

Route:

  1. Sturgis to Keystone – via Vanocker Canyon Rd

    • From Sturgis, take Vanocker Canyon Rd south toward Nemo (paved, winding road through forested hills).

    • Continue through Nemo, then east on SD-44 to US-16A north into Keystone.

  2. Keystone to Mt. Rushmore – 10-minute scenic uphill drive

    • Optional Visit: Walk the Presidential Trail and stop by the visitor center or just enjoy a photo stop.

  3. Mt. Rushmore to Iron Mountain Road (US-16A)

    • Head south on Iron Mountain Road through pigtail bridges, tunnels, and sweeping turns with framed views of Mt. Rushmore.

  4. Iron Mountain Road to Custer State Park – Enter via Wildlife Loop Rd

    • Drive east to Custer State Park Visitor Center, then take the Wildlife Loop (watch for bison, pronghorn, and burros).

  5. Wildlife Loop to Needles Highway (SD-87)

    • Connect to Needles Highway, heading north past towering granite spires and through tight tunnels (e.g., Needles Eye Tunnel).

  6. Sylvan Lake stop – great for a short hike, snack break, or photo op.

    • Optional hike: Easy loop around the lake (~1 mile).

  7. Return to Sturgis

    • Take SD-89 north to Hill City, then Nemo Rd back north to Sturgis.

    • Enjoy forested curves and light traffic.

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Stops & Highlights:

  • Mt. Rushmore – iconic national monument

  • Iron Mountain Road – engineered to showcase the monument through scenic tunnels

  • Custer State Park – wildlife loop, scenic valleys

  • Needles Highway – granite formations, narrow tunnels

  • Sylvan Lake – picturesque, perfect rest point

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Lunch:

  • Blue Bell Lodge – Along Wildlife Loop Rd (Location: 25453 SD-87, Custer, SD)

  • Rustic Western charm, cowboy-themed meals, and a good chance to spot wildlife nearby.

DAY THREE

Start/End: Sturgis, SD

Total Drive Time: ~4.5 hours

Distance: ~130 miles

Day 3 Route

Southern Hills & Badlands Edge

 

Route:

  1. Sturgis to Hot Springs – via Red Valley Rd & Cascade Rd

    • Take SD-34 east briefly, then Red Valley Rd south through open rangeland and rolling hills.

    • Connect to Cascade Rd for a scenic descent into Hot Springs.

  2. Hot Springs Stop

    • Optional Visit: Mammoth Site (self-guided tour of an active paleontology dig)​

  3. Hot Springs to Wind Cave National Park – via US-385 north, then enter via SD-87

    • Optional cave tour or enjoy the scenic Prairie Dog Towns and wildlife on surface roads.

    • Drive through Rankin Ridge Rd (short hike to a fire lookout tower).

  4. Wind Cave to Custer State Park (east entrance)

    • Connect north via SD-87 and then loop briefly into Custer State Park if you missed the Wildlife Loop on Day 2.

  5. Return to Sturgis

    • Take SD-385 north toward Pactola Reservoir, then turn east at Nemo Rd for the scenic final stretch back to Sturgis.

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Stops & Highlights:

  • Mammoth Site – Ice Age fossils in situ

  • Hot Springs – Historic town, geothermal waters

  • Wind Cave National Park – Underground cave systems and surface wildlife

  • Rankin Ridge Lookout – short uphill walk with a sweeping view

  • Nemo Rd return – quiet and curvy forest drive

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Lunch:

  • Woolly’s Grill and Cellar – (Location: 1648 US-18 Bypass, Hot Springs, SD)

  • Large menu with steaks, pasta, burgers, and local wines/beer. Ideal after visiting the Mammoth Site.

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