---
title: "Rochford & Mystic Backroad Loop — 60 mi ride from Sturgis"
description: "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."
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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

[Directions to Start](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Main%20Street%2C%20Hill%20City%2C%20SD%2057745&travelmode=driving) [Open Full Route in Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&origin=Hill+City%2C+SD&destination=Hill+City%2C+SD&travelmode=driving&waypoints=Rochford%2C+SD%7CMystic%2C+SD%7CDeerfield+Lake%2C+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 

## Eat · Gas · See

3 Stops 

[

Drink 

Moonshine Gulch Saloon

The whole reason for the ride

](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Moonshine%20Gulch%20Saloon%20Hill%20City%2C%20SD)[

See 

Mystic Ghost Town

Old mining town remnants

](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Mystic%20Ghost%20Town%20Hill%20City%2C%20SD)[

See 

Deerfield Lake Overlook

Quick photo pull-off

](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Deerfield%20Lake%20Overlook%20Hill%20City%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)

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