---
title: "Badlands Loop — 68 mi ride from Sturgis"
description: "I-90 east to Wall Drug, then SD-240 through the alien-planet spires of Badlands National Park. A must-do day ride."
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●  Sturgis Ride Guide

# Badlands Loop

I-90 east to Wall Drug, then SD-240 through the alien-planet spires of Badlands National Park. A must-do day ride.

Miles

68

Time

2.5 – 3 hrs

Difficulty

Easy

Starts at

Sturgis (I-90 East)

[Directions to Start](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Sturgis%2C%20SD%2057785&travelmode=driving) [Open Full Route in Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&origin=Sturgis%2C+SD&destination=Badlands+National+Park%2C+Interior%2C+SD&travelmode=driving&waypoints=Wall+Drug+Store%2C+Wall%2C+SD%7CPinnacles+Overlook%2C+Badlands+National+Park%2C+SD)

## The Route

Sturgis, SD → Badlands National Park, Interior, SD

## What to Expect

Long, wide-open interstate run followed by the Badlands Loop Road with a dozen overlooks. Hot, exposed and treeless — hydrate, sunscreen, mid-day gets brutal. Park entrance fee applies.

## Ride Brief

### Skill Level

Easy. Interstate cruise and a wide two-lane loop. Anyone comfortable on the highway can do this.

### Fuel

Gas in Wall before dropping into the park. The loop is 30+ mi of nothing — do not enter on a quarter tank.

### Food Along the Way

Wall Drug and Cactus Cafe in Wall are the only real options. Bring water; the visitor center has vending only.

### Best Time to Ride

Early morning or late afternoon — mid-day the pavement radiates like a griddle and there's zero shade.

## Watch Out For

-   ! Extreme heat and dehydration 
-   ! Crosswinds on I-90 
-   ! Bighorn sheep at overlooks 

## Eat · Gas · See

4 Stops 

[

See 

Wall Drug Store

Free ice water, 5-cent coffee, tourist mecca

](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Wall%20Drug%20Store%20Sturgis%20\(I-90%20East\))[

Eat 

Cactus Cafe & Lounge (Wall)

Steak and cold beer on Main Street

](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Cactus%20Cafe%20%26%20Lounge%20\(Wall\)%20Sturgis%20\(I-90%20East\))[

See 

Pinnacles Overlook

Best sunrise pull-off in the park

](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Pinnacles%20Overlook%20Sturgis%20\(I-90%20East\))[

Gas 

Wall Shell Station

Top off before the loop

](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Wall%20Shell%20Station%20Sturgis%20\(I-90%20East\))

## More Rides

[

14 mi · 1 – 1.5 hrs

Needles Highway

](/rides/needles-highway)[

17 mi · 1 hr

Iron Mountain Road

](/rides/iron-mountain-road)[

22 mi · 45 min – 1 hr

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway

](/rides/spearfish-canyon)

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