Story by Allison Parker / Photos by Ken Engelman & Kevin Wing
The 86th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally runs Aug. 7‑16, and the Black Hills of South Dakota will soon welcome hundreds of thousands of bikers. As always, the schedule is packed with 10 days of nonstop action, from concerts to bike shows, charity rides to racing, and everything in between.
Not even the most ambitious rallygoer can see and do everything Sturgis has to offer, so we’re providing a rundown of not‑to‑be‑missed events and happenings to help you make your experience an unforgettable one.
With 18 bands scheduled to perform between the Buffalo Chip and the Full Throttle Saloon, if you can’t get your music fix at Sturgis, you can’t get it anywhere.
The Buffalo Chip is music central and kicks off the rally with David Lee Roth performing Aug. 7. Other concerts include Megadeth, Hairball, Skillet, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lainey Wilson, Buckcherry, Collective Soul, and Drowning Pool.
The Full Throttle Saloon has a packed music schedule this year, starting Aug. 7 with Blackberry Smoke. The saloon will also host Sammy Hagar and Friends, Jamey Johnson, Journey, Rob Zombie, Jackyl, and Insane Clown Posse.
Give your ears a rest between concerts and check out some of the many bike shows set to take place during the rally. The High Octane Ride‑In Bike Show sets the scene on Aug. 7, and the Motorcycles as Art exhibition runs Aug. 8‑14.
Other bike shows on the schedule include David Mann Chopper Fest Sturgis, School’s Out Chopper Show, FXR Show & Dyna Mixer, Camp Zero Contraption Show, Evo Entanglement Bike Show, Global Getdown Bike Show, Sportster Showdown Bike Show, Biker Belles Women’s Bike Show, Camp Zero Mini Bike Show, Bikini Beach Bike Show, Pretty Fast Bike Show, and Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show.
On Aug. 14, the Buffalo Chip Custom King invites the Best in Show winner from each bike show to compete for the 2026 Sturgis Buffalo Chip Custom Series Championship Ring.
Bikers flock to Sturgis to enjoy the scene, and many give back through charity rides and events. Charity rides are also a great way to experience some of the epic roads in the Black Hills.
Before the official start of the rally, the Heroes Honor Ride celebrates veterans and first responders on Aug. 3 with a ride from the Geographic Center of the Nation Monument in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, to the Buffalo Chip.
The Legends Ride raises funds for local charities by inviting participants to ride from Deadwood to the Buffalo Chip alongside celebrities on Aug 10. The Biker Belles Women’s Day on Aug. 11 kicks off with the Morning Ride from Deadwood to the Buffalo Chip. On Aug. 14, the Rusty Wallace Charity Ride invites riders to join the NASCAR Hall of Famer and other racing celebrities to raise funds for local charities and the NASCAR Foundation.
American Flat Track brings extra excitement to Sturgis with the Jackpine Gypsies Super TT on Aug. 8 and Jackpine Gypsies ST on Aug. 10. Both days of racing include the AFT Singles, SuperTwins, and AdventureTrackers classes. Other racing during the rally includes hillclimbs, time trials, motocross, arenacross, minibike races, and more.
When you need to get away from the crowds, the surrounding areas offer gorgeous scenery and epic riding. In South Dakota, plan a ride along Iron Mountain Road, Needles Highway, Spearfish Canyon, Vanocker Canyon, or the Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway, or make the journey to Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial. Venture into Wyoming to visit Devils Tower National Monument or Thunder Basin National Grassland.
Riding to Sturgis is a rite of passage, and there are great routes to get there from neighboring states. If you’re coming from the east, plan a route through southern Minnesota. In Austin, you’ll find winding roads through farmland and river valleys, as well as a unique stop at the SPAM Museum. A little farther west, Albert Lea offers scenic lakeside roads, rolling countryside, and a welcoming small‑town atmosphere.
From the west, check out Carbon County in southern Wyoming, where you’ll find sweeping curves and mountain scenery on the Snowy Range Scenic Byway as well as wide‑open vistas of high desert and sagebrush country. Historic towns, wide‑open spaces, epic roads, and authentic Western character make Carbon County an ideal destination.
Resources:
• Sturgis Motorcycle Rally: SturgisMotorcycleRally.com
• Buffalo Chip: BuffaloChip.com
• Austin, MN: AustinMN.com
• Albert Lea, MN: ExploreAlbertLea.com
• Carbon County, WY: WyomingCarbonCounty.com