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● Sturgis Ride Guide
Rochford & Mystic Backroad Loop
Hill City out to Rochford's Moonshine Gulch Saloon and the ghost town of Mystic on some of the most remote paved miles in the Hills.
Miles
60
Time
2.5 – 3 hrs
Difficulty
Moderate
Starts at
Hill City, SD
The Route
Hill City, SD → Hill City, SD
What to Expect
Hill City north on SD-17 to Rochford, then Rochford Road down to Mystic and back to Hill City via Deerfield Road. Pavement is narrow, patchy in places, and mostly empty. Cell service is not a thing.
Ride Brief
Skill Level
Intermediate. Backroad pavement quality varies — expect patch work, gravel driveways, and blind hilltops. Reward is total solitude.
Fuel
Fuel in Hill City. There is no gas in Rochford, Mystic, or on Deerfield Road. Do the loop on a full tank.
Food Along the Way
Moonshine Gulch Saloon in Rochford — dollar-bill-covered ceiling, burgers, cold beer. That's it, and it's perfect.
Best Time to Ride
Any day, mid-morning. Save it for a Rally day when Main Street is packed and you need out.
Watch Out For
- !Free-range cattle on Rochford Road
- !Rough pavement seams and frost heaves
- !No cell service — tell someone your plan