The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is America’s premier motorcycle event. Hundreds of thousands of classic and modern bike owners cruise into Sturgis every August for a ride they’ll never forget.

The Sturgis Rally is a meeting ground to race, rally and party with its scenic atmosphere and wild attitude. Visitors can trade Harley Davidson parts, see the hottest custom bikes and even get a souvenir tattoo. The city of Sturgis welcomes visitors with an abundance of food, big name entertainment and Midwestern hospitality. Visit our maps section to plan your routes for scenic riding in the Black Hills and visit our Sturgis Rally Lodging section to bookyour stay during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

The Rally’s Past

With the help of J.C. "Pappy" Hoel, owner of a local motorcycle shop, the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club held the first Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, or the Black Hills Motor Classic, on August 14, 1938 with only 19 racers on a half mile track. The celebration also featured stunts such as board wall crashes, ramp jumps and head-on collisions.

Rally attendance dramatically increased in the late 1980s, and today the rally attracts hundreds of thousands of people from around the world. The Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club is still running strong and holds 12 events during rally week, including motocross racing, hill climbs, road tours and short track racing.

Future Rally Dates

• 2011: August 8-14
• 2012: August 6-12