2022 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally: Everything You Need To Know June 2023

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The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is one of the world’s top destinations for motorcycle enthusiasts.

In fact, The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has been named the ‘World’s Largest Biker Rally’ by the Guinness Book of World Records, and will host thousands of bikers when the 82nd rally takes place August 5 – 14, 2022.

While the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is only around for a couple weeks every year in August, there is so much more to do and see than just attend the rally – even if you don’t have a motorcycle!

After more than 80 years, organizers have attendance down to a science and the event’s reputation provides a road map to having the best time while you’re in town. Bikers can take part in various competitions, buy and sell their favorite machines, attend hundreds of music concerts, watch thrilling stunt shows and play games with their clan.

Here is everything you need to know about everything related to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

What is the History of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally?

Clarence “Pappy” Hoel bought an Indian motorcycle franchise in 1936 and formed the Jackpine Gypsies MotorCycle Club soon after. Two years later, the club had the first Sturgis Rally on August 14, 1938. To this day, the club owns and maintains the tracks, hillclimb, and fields where Sturgis is held.

The rally’s first ever event was a single race called the “Black Hills Classic”. Just nine riders participated in front of a small audience. Originally a platform for racing and stunts, by 1961 Sturgis included Hillclimb and Motocross races. That’s when intentional board wall crashes, ramp jumps, and head on collisions with cars also came into the mix.

In 1982, Jerry Lee Lewis became the first musician to perform at Sturgis. Since then, concerts have become a Sturgis staple.

When is the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally?

In 2015, the city of Sturgis proclaimed that the Rally’s start date will be Friday before the first full week of August and end on the second Sunday.

In 2016, the city council even passed a resolution that said the Rally would start the first Friday of August!

With the dates set in stone, the city and all the participants can gear up for an event that usually attracts 500,000 people yearly while generating $800 million in revenue!

Where is the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally?

Sturgis is a small town in South Dakota. Its population was measured as 6,796 in 2020 making it the 16th largest city in South Dakota.

Although Sturgis is the epicenter of the Rally, the entire state of South Dakota experiences an economic boost thanks to the hundreds of thousands of attendees, as well as all the businesses that come to service the Rally.

Are Helmets Required in South Dakota or Neighboring States?

Harley-Davidson recommends that you always wear a helmet, but in South Dakota, motorcycle helmets are required only for riders under the age of 18. After that, all helmets are off! Or on, it’s up to you.

Meanwhile, neighboring states have different laws. In North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, and Montana, riders under 18 years of age have to wear helmets. In Nebraska, all riders have to wear helmets. While in Iowa no one has to wear a helmet at all.

What are the Speed Limits in South Dakota?

There’s over 82,000 miles of road in South Dakota. The interstate speed limit is 80 MPH and the speed minimum is 40 MPH. On secondary highways, the speed limit is 65 MPH.

Scenic highways, meanwhile, have reduced speeds because of all the bridges, curves, and at times limited visibility. In urban areas, speed limits are less. If you’re driving through city streets, for example, the speed limit is 25 MPH. School zones and obstructed intersections, meanwhile, are 15 MPH.

When Should I Come, and How Long Should I Stay?

When you come and for how long depends on how long you can put your life on hold to attend, how long you can afford to attend, and what you want out of your trip.

There’s so much to do and fear of missing out may compel you to stay the whole time, but don’t forget to leave room for some of the rides you can take far beyond Sturgis.

How Much Does Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Cost?

The rally is free to attend. The city charges vendors a fee for their booths and activities, but there are no entrance fees. Nearly all the events are free to attend, including some of the largest concerts of the year. Even the parking lots that charge a fee only cost $5 per car per day.

However, there are costs associated with attending the rally. You will need to pay for food, drinks and a place to stay if you want to camp or rent out a room or bed.

Buffalo Chip Pass

If you’re going to be at the Buffalo Chip. then a full festival pass ranges from $305.00 to $365.00 depending on when you buy your pass and how much of the rally you want to attend.

Accommodations

Sturgis hotels charge double or triple their normal rates during the motorcycle rally so it’s best to find an RV or camper van if you want to save money on accommodations at Sturgis. Week of, hotel rooms can range from $300 to $400 a night or more.

If you’re camping, you may want to reserve upwards of 15 days so that you can enjoy the rally and have some buffer space for extra fun. That can run you $100 to $175 per camper.

If you have an RV you may end up paying up to $650 for 50 Amp service. Some campgrounds add an additional camper fee of $100 to $175 per camper.

Renting a house for $2,500 for a group may actually be your best bet.

Gas

Bikers also need to pay for gas to get to and from Sturgis. Most bikes get about 45 miles per gallon, so to make the gas math easier just assume you’ll be paying $7 for 100 miles.

Add up your ride to and from Sturgis and add how much you’ll ride while you’re there too. Touring around the area may run you 300 miles a day. So, if you ride 1,200 to and from the rally and 900 while there, that’s going to be $147 on gas alone ([2,100 miles ÷ 100 miles] x $7 = $147).

Food and Dining

Expect to pay at least $15 to $30 per day on food since it’s mostly going to be food from diners, bars, or stands.

Is Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Family Friendly?

Sturgis isn’t really kid friendly, but it can be if you want it to be.

For a family friendly version of the Rally, you’ll want to avoid nighttime activities when things tend to get wild. You’ll also want to steer clear of hotels that host a lot of attendees because rally-goers frequently like to party late into the night.

Even a campground with a lot of motorcycles can keep you and your kids up if there’s revving late into the night.

What Should I Wear at Sturgis?

Make sure you bring appropriate riding gear. Otherwise, what you wear is going to depend on the weather and you won’t know that until the rally approaches.

Either way, don’t forget the sunscreen!

What Should I Pack?

Be minimalist in your packing. That way you have room for souvenirs! You can even buy items of clothing at the rally that you wear during the rally, saving further space. Prioritize rain gear and shower supplies.

And don’t forget your motorcycle insurance information!

What is the Weather During the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally?

Check the weather regularly as your trip date approaches. Some years the rally has been hot while others it was cold.

Knowing how to stay cool in hot weather and best practices when riding in cold weather can make a big difference. Although, you can always buy weather appropriate souvenirs!

What are the Best Rides During Sturgis?

Come for the rally but stay for the rides. Sturgis wouldn’t be Sturgis if it wasn’t surrounded by legendary roadways to satisfy your lust for life!

Mt. Rushmore

It’s only an hour to Mt. Rushmore from Sturgis, so make the time to go! What you’ve seen in films and in photos pales in comparison to seeing the monument in real life.

As you approach it during your ride, you’ll start to see the mountain in bits and pieces, excitement building the closer you get. But even that won’t adequately prepare you for what it’s like to see Mt. Rushmore in person. It truly is awe inspiring!

Iron Mountain Road

Iron Mountain Road is part of the Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway, US 16A. The ride begins between Keystone and Mt Rushmore and ends just east of Custer State Park Wildlife Loop.

You’ll want to make the time for this ride as well because nothing compares to seeing America’s natural beauty in person.

Spearfish Canyon

Accessed off I-90 exits 12 or 14, Spearfish Canyon is 22 miles of scenic curves sure to leave a lasting impression!

Vanocker Canyon

The 17- mile long Vanocker Canyon has the reputation as one of the most exciting rides to take in the Black Hills. Twists, turns, and a downhill plunge five miles in.

What Are Some Other Things to Do at Sturgis?

While the main event is the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally itself, there’s no shortage of other awesome things to do during the rally.

But if you’re going to one of the biggest motorcycle rallies in the world, why not take advantage of all that’s offered? Here are some of the additional highlights:

Pappy Hoel Campground

Check out the Pappy Hoel campground. Open daily from 9am to 7pm. Pappy Hoel will also be offering pinstriping, tattoos, and selling commemorative merch.

Live Music

Live music is an integral part of each day’s events at the Rally and can be heard throughout the Black Hills area. Concerts are also scheduled most nights in conjunction with vendor promotions and parties. There are also several charity fundraisers held during the week which raise money for many local non-profit organizations.

Some of this year’s highlights include:

Snoop Dog – Saturday, August 6, 2022
Bush – Sunday, August 7, 2022
Rob Zombie – Monday, August 8, 2022
Travis Tritt – Wednesday, August 10, 2022
Puddle of Mudd – Friday, August 12, 2022

Past artists have included Willie Nelson & Family, REO Speedwagon, Shinedown, and many more.

Mayor’s Ride

Jack Daniels and the city of Sturgis present their Annual Sturgis Mayor’s Ride. You’ll go on a ride through the Black Hills led by Sturgis Mayor Carstensen along with the Rally’s Grand Marshal. You’ll swing by Mount Rushmore, and then have lunch with and enjoy a presentation from Mayor Carstensen.

You’ll receive a special souvenir pack that includes a limited-edition decanter signed by the Mayor, a Challenge Coin, and other goodies provided by the Rally’s Sponsors. All proceeds will benefit local emergency services.

Act quickly because this is a good time for a good cause and spaces are limited to 150 participants!

Where Should I Stay During the Sturgis Bike Rally?

There’s plenty of places to stay while at Sturgis, but The Legendary Sturgis Buffalo Chip® arguably offers the most authentic rally experience. The venue held its first party in 1982 and, 40 years later, continues to attract riders from around the world.

At the Buffalo Chip you get everything from 5 performance stages and free pancake breakfasts to a 24/7 gas station and an actual zipline over the amphitheater.

It’s like someone decided to go all out TWICE!

Staying at a Campground?

Private bus services will transport you from most of the campgrounds in the area. You can even buy discounted wristbands or pay in person as needed.

If you’re staying at Buffalo Chip, you can reserve an EZ Camp Package (with or without electricity). That way your campsite will be ready to go as soon as you arrive!

How Can I Get My Gear to Sturgis?

Don’t want to ride with all your gear? Don’t!

Send it using UPS, and for a $15 fee the Spearfish UPS Store will bring your gear to Sturgis Buffalo Chip! Just make sure to call the UPS store in advance. Call (605) 717-8771 or email store5137@theupsstore.com to make arrangements.

Pro Tip: Make sure to time things out right so that you get to the Rally just as your gear does.

It’s recommended that your packages get there by July 31st at the latest. You’ll be able to collect your gear between 8AM and 5PM.

How Can I Get My Bike to Sturgis?

If for whatever reason you don’t want to ride to Sturgis, there are many ways to ship your bike and gear in enclosed transport to the Sturgis Rally ahead of time.

Just make sure to do your research in advance because some services only ship from particular regions.

Where Should I Park During Sturgis?

There’s free parking on the East end of the Buffalo Chip.

Needless to say, during the rally, parking will be limited. As a result, parking violations will be strictly enforced. Not only that, but there’s no parking on Main Street or its side streets between 2AM and 6AM due to street cleaning.

Make sure to take proper precautions to ensure that your bike isn’t stolen. Yet another reason to bring your motorcycle insurance information since a failed attempt at theft can damage your bike.

Where are the Best Biker Bars and Food?

The internet is full of lists of the top biker food spots in Sturgis. And Yelp and TripAdvisor both offer plenty of reviews.

The Full Throttle Saloon has a reputation as being a must-see for any rally attendee. The Dungeon Bar and Loud American Roadhouse also get their fair share of visitors while The Knuckle Saloon, Jambonz Grill & Pub, the Loud American RoadHouse, and One-Eyed Jack’s Saloon have all earned high marks from top review sites.

What are Additional Helpful Resources?

The official Sturgis Rally page on Harley-Davidson.com.
Check in with the official Sturgis Motorcycle Rally website for all up-to-date information
For changing road conditions and weather updates, dial “511” toll-free or visit Safe Travel USA for mile-by-mile construction updates and images.
Get up to speed with South Dakota’s Motorcycle driving laws here.
Future Dates of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally:
- August 4-13, 2023 (83rd Anniversary)
- August 2-11, 2024 (84th Anniversary)
- August 1-10, 2025 (85th Anniversary)
Stay protected while on the road with motorcycle insurance coverage

Wrapping Up

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally – also known by fans as “The Rally” – is a must-visit destination for motorcycle enthusiasts. Even passionate riders who have experienced the legendary event first-hand would agree that there’s nothing else like it.

The rally will continue to be an event that is talked about for years to come, and with so many incredible things to see and do around Sturgis, there’s not even a close second.

If you’re a fan of the open road and motorcycles, then the Sturgis Rally is a must-do.