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title: "Vanocker Canyon to Nemo — 32 mi ride from Sturgis"
description: "A local's favorite — twisty, tree-lined pavement south of Sturgis dumping you at the Nemo Guest Ranch for a cold one."
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●  Sturgis Ride Guide

# Vanocker Canyon to Nemo

A local's favorite — twisty, tree-lined pavement south of Sturgis dumping you at the Nemo Guest Ranch for a cold one.

Miles

32

Time

1 – 1.5 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=Nemo%2C+SD&travelmode=driving)

## The Route

Sturgis, SD → Nemo, SD

## What to Expect

Vanocker Canyon Road south out of Sturgis, then Nemo Road. Tight curves through pine forest, low traffic, fresh asphalt. Perfect first-morning ride to wake up on.

## Ride Brief

### Skill Level

Intermediate. Fresh pavement and flowing curves reward smooth throttle control. No death-defying switchbacks — just a solid backroad.

### Fuel

Fuel in Sturgis. Nothing at Nemo except the ranch bar. 32 mi round-trip stays inside a tank easily.

### Food Along the Way

Nemo Guest Ranch for burgers and a cold beer at the turnaround. Boondocks diner off SD-385 if you extend.

### Best Time to Ride

First ride of the morning — low traffic, cool pine air, and you'll be back for lunch on Main Street.

## Watch Out For

-   ! Deer and turkey in the pine forest 
-   ! Gravel washouts after summer storms 
-   ! Blind driveways in the last few miles into Nemo 

## Eat · Gas · See

3 Stops 

[

Drink 

Nemo Guest Ranch

Cold beer, burgers and a rustic bar

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

See 

Steamboat Rock

Roadside boulder that looks like a ship's bow

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

Eat 

Boondocks (nearby)

50s-themed diner off SD-385

](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Boondocks%20\(nearby\)%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)

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