Sturgis 2015

[Russtj60]

Just noticed there was a similar thread in October.... my apologies for duplicating. If anyone has anything new to add - I would appreciate . Making reservations shortly.

Russ

[PanJH]

I was just checking the other day and some places are already at capacity. Guess it will be huge, but then again, it always is.

[Arch Hoagland]

I suspect with the drop in fuel prices that a lot more people will go to it this coming year.

[Russtj60]

I'll start looking on Monday!

[jiaandus]

We stayed at Rush no More RV Park in May of 2013, very nice, don't know about during "the event" time. Close to town.

[Russtj60]

It looks like all of the parks are full--- so unless some space frees up I'll be staying at Spearfish Canyon lodge. Great place- but wanted to take the motorhome.

Originally Posted by jiaandus

We stayed at Rush no More RV Park in May of 2013, very nice, don't know about during "the event" time. Close to town.

[Russtj60]

As an update, it seems every park close to Sturgis is full. Sweat pumps went on the line when I checked on reservations we made at Spearfish Canyon Lodge last year (didn't have a MH then) and was told that my reservations (made with a credit card) were only for the waiting list. Wished they had told me that last year. They apologized using manager turnover as a reason. Not happy. We did find a campground in Custer. Longer ride to Sturgis, but closer to some of the nicer rides ... Custer State Park, Needles Hwy, Iron Mountain, Badlands, etc... My advice is if you are going and need reservations..... make them now!

Russ

[Scarab0088]

It's gonna be a big one this year at Sturgis, so I have merged the 3 existing threads into 1.

Best luck and safe travels to all who make the run

[j52wf]

Taking 4 days to get to Sturgis from NJ. Booked night before Sturgis at Crooked Creek Resort CG in Hill City. In Sturgis, we will be at Sturgis RV Park. Formerly Mt. Rodney CG. Staying Wed to Sun.

[Up North]

Originally Posted by rbr

Passing thru the Black Hills area now. Staying at Rafter J Bar Ranch - good location, nice scenery, wide open sites, strong wifi but terrible internet, and way too pricey for what you get. fwiw....

Talked to some folks in a grocery in Rapid City as we passed thru - said they're expecting 800,000-1,000,000 folks for the rally next year!

Dang! I was just about to make reservations at Rafter J for a Black Hills tour in September. Maybe I will look elsewhere now. Thanks for the input!
I have heard a lot of good things about Big Pines campground. Maybe I will look there.

[oakcreekeric]

If you're looking for a place to stay... check out Bulldog Creek Campground... ask for Zach..

He may only have water and 30amp.. but it's only for 7 miles away...

bulldogcreekcampground.com

[courtjester]

Keep in mind that the attendance figures are always guestimates. They do stuff like count the tons of garbage to estimate crowd sizes. And, its to the advantage of all the wonderful folks who control the sturgis economy to have high estimates; increases rental and tax revenues. there was a time when the rally was indirectly responsible for something like 7% of the commercial business of the state. Just as an example, for years it was the policy at the rally that if you were stopped and if any contraband were found, you vehicle was impounded and seized subject to a civil forfeiture. The standard deal was that you paid 1/2 the value of the vehicle to "buy" it back from the state. We even had to buy back a top fuel harley one year!

Another one is that if you get drunk and wad your motorcyle up and get hurt in the wreck, they immediately release you..and impound your bike. That way you aren't in their custody while getting medical treatment...you're on your own and they know you'll come back to court to get your bike back.

Having said that, it will no doubt be huge this year and there will be a lot of trouble getting around. I remember going to my first rally, which was the 50th and everyone was just blown away by how jammed everything was. Over the years, the rally has spread out a lot and once you learn some of the shortcuts, you can get around ok.

Everyone have fun. Assuming the WMDRA has the races again this year, stop by the track and watch the fun. the drag strip is north of town, almost accross the street from the Full Throttle Saloon. If you've never seen top fuel bikes run down the track, its worth an afternoon. Heck..you can even have a ride if you want to.

One last thing: make sure your RV and trailer are covered for hail damage. I've seen serious hail there several times. We had it destroy all the skylights, break out the windshield, tear up the satellite dish and actually put holes in the trailer. Come to find out our comprehensive did NOT cover the trailer. Almost 10k in motorhome damage.

Sorry for dragging this a bit off topic.

[Russtj60]

Thanks for the great advice. We have been going to the rally since 2004 and really love the riding. Nothing, in our opinion, compares to riding the wildlife areas - seeing buffalo roam, riding Needles Highway and Badlands. Rides through Wyoming including visits to Devil's Tower have always been the highlight of our trip. We are planning to hed up to Cody Wyoming this year and want to see the museum.

Our nightlife is an obligatory visit to Full Throttle - always fun, but we love Deadwood. Roaming Deadwood with the ghosts of the likes of Wild Bill Hickok adds a special ambience. This year, it looks like we'll spend our evenings in Custer and Hill City. Good breweries in both places including the Naked Winery. The brewery in Custer has a great IPA and Kolsch - I can't remember it's name, but I do remember deciding to wait a few hours before riding home after "lunch."

Don't miss the vendors. All of them are there and I usually take a day or two to wander and talk Motorcycle stuff - usually includes some test rides. I miss the drag strip and hill climb every year, but I am going this year for sure.

Some of the small towns have special event days e.g.Huelett has a special event on Wednesday.

I would remiss if I didn't mention that the "eyeball liberty" for us sailors and former sailors is second to none. I love it!

Only problem we ever had with the cops is my wife was pulled over for blowing a Stop sign that was put up the day before (she believes traffic signs are "recommendations"). He was nice and issued her warning. She showed her CCW and had a nice discussion about state reciprocity - that was it. I did notice two police vans strategically show up. I guess they were bored. She got a warning. My advice is know the local laws published on the Sturgis web site and obey them - especially Stop signs -they are anal about them.

For us Eastcoasters, Sturgis is always the highlight of our riding season. Enjoy and be safe. Maybe we will see you there!

[Tha_Rooster]

I had a partner years ago who went every year, he talked about mostly nude women wrestling in coleslaw sounds like a blast.