Canyon Run

 

Simple, unaffected pure joy in the ride, spiced with a wide variety of sidetrips, the Canyon Run changes from season to season, day to day, hour to hour. Leave your cares behind as you enter the cool pine-shaded paradise of Vanocker Canyon (south of Sturgis off Exit 32, Hwy 170 to Hwy 135), where the two-lane asphalt is so beautifully banked, you only need to lean back and enjoy the scenery. Half-way through the Canyon, you can sneak through the back door (on FS Road 137) to beautiful Wonderland Cave. The Canyon ends at Nemo Road/County Road 234, where you can swing left for a leisurely rest in Nemo, home of a turn-of-the-century General Store and Old West Restaurant/Bar – where the ice cream sandwiches and the sasparilla are equally refreshing. West on Nemo Road, you experience the heart and soul of the Hills – breathtaking views and a ride that is equally laid-back and simple. Your biggest decision of the day will be at the intersection of Hwy 385. Do you stick to the main road and sail down Strawberry Hill to the infamous gaming town of Deadwood? Or do you take to the gravel on FS Road 227 through Icebox Canyon to Highway 14A? If you decide on the latter, you will be well rewarded at Cheyenne Crossing (a rest stop on the historic Deadwood/Cheyenne Stagecoach Route), where Kathy Stewart provides some of the best food anywhere. From there head north to the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway and any of dozens of diversions, including three awe-inspiring waterfalls (Roughlock, Savoy and Bridalveil), the Latchstring Inn, and the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery. Just upon reaching Spearfish, get back on the gravel and take FS Road 195 and the back roads to Deadwood. When you’ve had your fill, head for the final canyon – Boulder Canyon/Hwy 14A – and home to Sturgis.