---
title: "Wind Cave & Hot Springs Southern Loop — 130 mi ride from Sturgis"
description: "Skip the Rally crowds and ride the southern Hills — Wind Cave National Park, the historic warm-water town of Hot Springs, and the Mammoth Site."
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●  Sturgis Ride Guide

# Wind Cave & Hot Springs Southern Loop

Skip the Rally crowds and ride the southern Hills — Wind Cave National Park, the historic warm-water town of Hot Springs, and the Mammoth Site.

Miles

130

Time

4 – 5 hrs

Difficulty

Easy

Starts at

Custer, SD

[Directions to Start](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Main%20Street%2C%20Custer%2C%20SD%2057730&travelmode=driving) [Open Full Route in Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&origin=Custer%2C+SD&destination=Custer%2C+SD&travelmode=driving&waypoints=Wind+Cave+National+Park%2C+SD%7CHot+Springs%2C+SD%7CState+Game+Lodge%2C+Custer+State+Park%2C+SD)

## The Route

Custer, SD → Custer, SD

## What to Expect

Custer south on US-385 through Wind Cave National Park (bison, prairie dogs, cave tours), on to Hot Springs, then loop back through Custer State Park. Open, rolling, easy pavement — the antidote to Needles Highway congestion.

## Ride Brief

### Skill Level

Easy. Wide two-lane, gentle sweepers, and long straight prairie sections. Any Rally rider can do this.

### Fuel

Fuel in Custer to start and Hot Springs at the halfway. 130 mi loop is easy in two tanks.

### Food Along the Way

Woolly's Grill & Cellar in Hot Springs, State Game Lodge on the return leg, Skogen Kitchen back in Custer.

### Best Time to Ride

Mid-week during Rally when Needles and Iron Mountain are gridlocked. You'll have the road.

## Watch Out For

-   ! Bison in Wind Cave — same rules as Custer State Park 
-   ! Prairie crosswinds south of the park 
-   ! Rattlesnakes at overlooks — stay on pavement 

## Eat · Gas · See

4 Stops 

[

See 

Wind Cave National Park

Cave tours + bison herds

](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Wind%20Cave%20National%20Park%20Custer%2C%20SD)[

See 

The Mammoth Site (Hot Springs)

Active fossil dig, indoor

](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=The%20Mammoth%20Site%20\(Hot%20Springs\)%20Custer%2C%20SD)[

Eat 

Woolly's Grill & Cellar

Solid lunch stop in Hot Springs

](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Woolly's%20Grill%20%26%20Cellar%20Custer%2C%20SD)[

Gas 

Hot Springs Sinclair

](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Hot%20Springs%20Sinclair%20Custer%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](/)

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