---
title: "Nemo Road & Norris Peak Loop — 55 mi ride from Sturgis"
description: "The locals' escape from Rally traffic — Nemo Road south into Rapid City, then Norris Peak Road back through pine forest with almost nobody on it."
lang: en
json-ld: |
  [
    {
      "@context": "https://schema.org",
      "@type": "TouristAttraction",
      "name": "Nemo Road & Norris Peak Loop",
      "description": "The locals' escape from Rally traffic — Nemo Road south into Rapid City, then Norris Peak Road back through pine forest with almost nobody on it.",
      "url": "https://sturgisgo.com/rides/nemo-norris-peak",
      "touristType": "Motorcyclists",
      "isAccessibleForFree": true
    },
    {
      "@context": "https://schema.org",
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "Home",
          "item": "https://sturgisgo.com/"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Rides",
          "item": "https://sturgisgo.com/rides"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "Nemo Road & Norris Peak Loop",
          "item": "https://sturgisgo.com/rides/nemo-norris-peak"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
---

[![Sturgis GO](/__l5e/assets-v1/825af66a-9c59-4c6a-a97c-14a735d4514a/skull-logo.png)STURGIS GO ](/)

[Main St](/downtown)[Rides](/rides)[Saloons](/saloons)[Stay](/stay)[Rally](/rally)[Guide](/guide)[Be Seen](/be-seen)

[Pick a Ride](/rides)

[All Rides](/rides)

●  Sturgis Ride Guide

# Nemo Road & Norris Peak Loop

The locals' escape from Rally traffic — Nemo Road south into Rapid City, then Norris Peak Road back through pine forest with almost nobody on it.

Miles

55

Time

2 – 3 hrs

Difficulty

Moderate

Starts at

Sturgis, SD

[Directions to Start](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Main%20Street%2C%20Sturgis%2C%20SD%2057785&travelmode=driving) [Open Full Route in Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&origin=Sturgis%2C+SD&destination=Sturgis%2C+SD&travelmode=driving&waypoints=Nemo%2C+SD%7CNorris+Peak+Road%2C+Rapid+City%2C+SD)

## The Route

Sturgis, SD → Sturgis, SD

## What to Expect

Sturgis south on Vanocker Canyon to Nemo, then Nemo Road toward Rapid City, returning via Norris Peak Road. Twisty, tree-lined, low traffic, unbeatable pavement. Very few Rally tourists find this one.

## Ride Brief

### Skill Level

Intermediate. Sustained twisty riding with elevation change. Nothing scary, but you're on the throttle for two hours straight — pace yourself.

### Fuel

Fuel in Sturgis. Nemo Guest Ranch has no pump; nearest re-fuel is Rapid City or back in Sturgis.

### Food Along the Way

Nemo Guest Ranch mid-ride for a burger and a beer. Colonial House in Rapid City if you extend.

### Best Time to Ride

Mid-morning any day of Rally — you'll leave the crowds behind five miles in.

## Watch Out For

-   ! Deer and wild turkey in the pine sections 
-   ! Loose gravel on shaded downhill curves 
-   ! Cell dead zones for long stretches 

## Eat · Gas · See

3 Stops 

[

Drink 

Nemo Guest Ranch

Cold beer, buffalo burgers

](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Nemo%20Guest%20Ranch%20Sturgis%2C%20SD)[

See 

Steamboat Rock

Landmark boulder on Nemo Road

](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Steamboat%20Rock%20Sturgis%2C%20SD)[

Gas 

Rapid City Sinclair

If you dip into town

](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Rapid%20City%20Sinclair%20Sturgis%2C%20SD)

## 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)

 [![Sturgis GO](/__l5e/assets-v1/825af66a-9c59-4c6a-a97c-14a735d4514a/skull-logo.png) Sturgis Go](/)

[Guide](/guide)[Get Listed](/get-listed)

Black Hills, South Dakota · © 2026

Engineered by [Eary Digital](https://earydigital.com) | Architecture · Design · Marketing