Originally Posted by
badger_biker
If you have time ride up Spearfish Canyon. It is a nice road alternative to the trail and much safer than Needles Highway. Otherwise as others have mentioned the northern part of the trail is more green and the valleys are very nice. I hope you have cold weather gear because it can change very fast in that area. The Black Hills are one of my favorite destinations - enjoy!
I am flying to RC on June 17th. Riding to Spearfish the first day then riding the canyon the next day then onto the trail at the Engelwood trailhead and staying in Hill City. Plan is to ride the remainder of the trail to Edgemont then head into NW Nebraska for a few days.
Near the end of the trip I plan to stay at Stockcade Lake, a few miles east of Custer, and then take SD 87 to SD 244 to the Mt. Rushmore KOA. SD 87 is the Needles Highway, yes? If so, what is unsafe about it?