Dogs are welcome here on every kind of site we rent — the 18 dry cabins, the oversized tent sites, and the full-hookup RV sites — and most people have no trouble at all as long as two things are handled: a leash whenever the dog is off your own patch of grass, and a serious plan for August heat. Rally week in Sturgis is hot, loud and busy, with bikes rolling in and out of camp from early morning until very late. That's a lot for a dog to take in, and a little preparation on your end makes the difference between a good week and a miserable one.
How hot does it actually get during Rally week?
Afternoons in early August around Sturgis regularly push into the 90s, and the sun here is stronger than most visitors expect at 3,000 feet. A closed vehicle or trailer becomes an oven in a matter of minutes, even parked under a tree. If you're staying in one of our dry cabins, remember there's no power running to it, so a cabin is not a cool place to shut a dog in while you ride. Shade and moving water are the answer: our tent sites come with shade awnings, RV sites have room to set up a canopy, and a bowl that gets refilled with cold water several times a day beats one big bowl in the morning. Gravel and pavement get hot enough to hurt paws by noon, so walk early and walk late.
What about the noise and all the bikes?
We don't run quiet hours and generators are fine here, which is exactly why a lot of riders book with us — and it's also something to think about with a nervous dog. Pipes firing up at 6 a.m. will startle an animal that isn't used to it. Keep the leash short near the lanes through camp, since riders are often moving with a trailer in tow and may not see a dog that steps out. If your dog is reactive to strangers, a site farther from the main traffic is worth asking about when you book a campsite for Rally week.
Where can I take the dog for a walk?
One of the better things about this spot two miles south of Sturgis off I-90 Exit 34 is that Forest Service land wraps around us, with trail access heading toward the Black Hills and Custer State Park. Leashed dogs do well on those trails in the cool part of the day. Keep in mind that Mount Rushmore, about 15 minutes away, restricts pets to parking and designated areas rather than the main walkways, and rules vary at state parks and at Bear Butte, so check before you drive out. For an easy day, Spearfish and Deadwood are both within about half an hour and have plenty of outdoor patios.
What should I bring for the dog?
A long tie-out with a shaded anchor point, a collapsible bowl for the bike, a copy of vaccination records, flea and tick prevention, and more poop bags than you think you need. Clean up every time — the grass stays usable for the next family that way. Bring a towel too; after a creek walk, Miss Suzie's Bath House is for people, not for washing a muddy retriever.
What if I want to ride all day?
Then plan for the dog before you plan the route. Either someone stays in camp, or you arrange a Sturgis-area doggy daycare or boarding kennel ahead of time, because they fill up fast in August. Leaving an animal tied at the site to bark for eight hours isn't fair to the dog and isn't fair to the neighbors camped on either side of you.
Call or message us before you arrive if you have questions about your dog and the site you've reserved. We'd rather sort it out early than on a 95-degree afternoon.