Sturgis Week comes once a year and should be on every Bikers Bucket List. If you’ve been before you know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t been, what are you waiting for? Now is the time to go.
Welcome Riders – Sturgis Week
Here is a check list for Sturgis Week:
- When to Go
- What to Bring
- Where to Stay
- Must Do’s and Dont’s
When to Go –
Sturgis week is held the first week of August. You should check every year for the exact dates. The official week starts on Monday and goes through Sunday, even though the festivities get going several days before the official start.
The vendors and most people are all packed up and gone by the last official day of the Rally.
You can get some really great deals on merchandise the last days of the rally, especially on the last Saturday.
Arrival Tip – Plan to arrive a few days early or stay a few days after the official Sturgis Week to experience the excellent rides with a lot less crowds.
Sturgis Rides
What to Bring –
It can be both hot and cold during Sturgis Week.
Make sure you pack accordingly, even though it’s summer, make sure to bring along some light cold weather gear, rain gear, you never know when it is going to rain around the area.
Sunscreen, it can be really hot, you don’t want to get fried. Besides these few important essentials, extra cash and your motorcycle, the rest is up to you.
People dress any way they want, with as much or as little as they can get away with.
One of the coolest things to do during the rally is to check out the beautiful custom bikes, along with the colorful people who ride them.
Gear Tip – I’ve seen no rain with excessive heat, torrential rains, cold and even hail storms during this week, so try to come prepared for just about any weather situation.
Where to Stay –
There are a multitude of places to stay during Sturgis Week.
Hotels and homes are an alternative.
There are many hotels, all major chains and many small local spots. You could also look into renting a home for the Rally. There are several sites on the web to use such as flipkey.com.
Although there are a bunch of spots to hold up during the rally, it is very important that you secure a place at least 6 months or more before Sturgis week starts.
Rates go way up for Sturgis Week. So, the earlier you book the better chance you have of securing a place and saving a little money.
Remember that the town of Sturgis is just the epicenter of the festivities.
There are activities and places to stay in South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Nebraska, all within hours of Sturgis.
Staying outside of Sturgis is a great idea, towns like Deadwood, Spearfish, Rapid City, Sundance, Hill City, Custer, Keystone, just to name a few. They all are mini Sturgis’s offering Vendors and live music.
You can save some money and escape the crowds by not staying in Sturgis. Deadwood, SD is my personal favorite. Not only is it very close to Sturgis but offers music, bars, restaurants, and many Casinos on and off the main drag.
There also is another alternative that is very popular, Camping and RV’s.
A multitude of Campgrounds and RV Parks populate Sturgis and the surrounding area.
The larger ones, like The Buffalo Chip, will offer some excellent live concerts by national and local acts.
Taking a Break Sturgis Week
Gone to Sturgis
Camping Tip – Some of the campgrounds can offer a wilder side of Sturgis. Maybe you should leave the kids at home. Do a little research about lodging.
Do’s & Dont’s –
Sturgis Week offers not only a great Rally, but some of the best riding in the country.
A great time can be had by all, but there are a few do’s and dont’s that will make your Sturgis experience a great and safe one.
Sturgis Week
Do have fun, go ahead have a few drinks and enjoy yourself.
The police are pretty tolerant of the crowd, but make sure to pace yourself, you don’t want to end up in the Sturgis Jail for the night.
Do wear just about anything or almost nothing. Don’t get caught up in the moment and show a little too much. Again, the cops are tolerant but do not condone public nudity.
Do enjoy the great rides of Sturgis. Don’t ride unless you are sober. A DUI or worse would truly ruin your trip.
Do look out for your fellow riders. The roads will be crowded with everyone looking at the scenery and some cases, not the road.
Fun Tip – Have a blast, just use common sense. Especially your first time there, it can be a bit overwhelming. Enjoy yourself!
So, whether you ride yours, trailer it, or jump on the back, every motorcycle enthusiast needs to experience Sturgis at least once in their lifetime. A true Bucket List item that absolutely should be checked off any bikers list.
