Abounding in history and splendid scenery, there is always something happening in and around Sturgis. Discover for yourself the perfect Black Hills hiking trail or the well-worn paths of wagon trains and cavalries heading into the great American west. Start off on your own adventure, riding miles of America’s best roads or experience the sights and sounds of Main street during the legendary Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Welcome to Sturgis, South Dakota! We invite you to come stay awhile...

35 Things to do within 15 mins of Downtown Sturgis

Sturgis History
The city of Sturgis was founded in 1878 as a boom town catering to off-duty soldiers just outside the U.S. Cavalry's Fort Meade and is named for Ft. Meade’s commander, Colonel Samuel D. Sturgis. Later it became a port of entry to the Black Hills goldfields.

Today, Sturgis is known worldwide as "Motorcycle City USA” and hosts "Rodeos to Rallies." A gateway community with 7,000 residents on I-90 at Exits 30 and 32, Sturgis features the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Black Hills National Cemetery, Bear Butte State Park, Fort Meade Cavalry Museum, Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame and Wonderland Cave. Enjoy the local public golf course and scenic drives through Vanocker Canyon or Boulder Canyon

Fort Meade Cavalry Museum
Fort Meade was established in 1878 to protect the gold seekers and settlers against hostile Sioux Indians, who saw the invasion as a break in the Black Hills Treaty of 1877. The treaty had designated the Black Hills and surrounding prairie as Sioux Indian land. The military installation lasted until 1944, outliving other frontier posts of the Upper Missouri West. The “Star Spangled Banner” was part of the evening military retreat ceremony at Fort Meade in 1892, long before it became our National Anthem and in effect, helped the song earn such national merit.

The fort today is home to Fort Meade Museum, many original buildings, parade grounds and a Veterans Administration Hospital.  The museum is open mid-May through August, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; located two miles east of Sturgis on State Hwy. 34.

History buffs who want to experience the days when Fort Meade was a frontier cavalry post should make sure they stop by the historic Fort Meade Cavalry Museum to learn more about the history and the culture of military life in the late 1800s.

Bear Butte State Park
Visitors to this sentinel mountain just east of Sturgis should stop at the Bear Butte Education Center. There you will learn the geological story of this almost-volcano; its role as a pioneer landmark; and its continuing role as a holy mountain and founding place of religion for several tribes of Plains Indians. From here, a two-mile trail makes the climb to the summit, the first trailhead of the 111-mile, Black Hills Centennial Trail. Summer hours at the Education Center are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Visit the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame Home to an ever-growing variety of motorcycles, from vintage classics to modern customs.   On display are a large selection of American and metric bikes dating form 1905 that are on loan from private individuals.  Also featured are exhibits, photographs, memorabilia, and Sturgis Motorcycle Rally History. 

The museum is open year around!  Take a ride back into time and visit this one-of-a-kind museum.  Take home a piece of Sturgis when you purchase an item from the gift shop.