Is the Open Road Less Traveled?

Hi, this is Marsha, the receptionist at Wareing Sturgis Ford.

There’s one simple activity most of us can do that helps reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and offer an escape from the daily routine.

Who couldn’t use more of that?

Have you guessed it already?

It’s simply going for a drive.

Simple — and especially therapeutic here in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

There are miles and miles of scenic drives in the Hills, with winding roads, granite spires, and waterfalls. There are wide-open prairie drives where deer and antelope roam and calves play in the fields. And for those who enjoy it, there are miles of off-road trails — what some enthusiasts call “dirt therapy.”

Can’t you just feel the distractions fade away? Time in your personal sanctuary — whether it’s a Mustang, a Bronco, an Explorer, or the open space of an Expedition.

Some even call it “moving meditation.”

If you’re new to the area, let me recommend a few of the Black Hills’ most popular drives. And if you’ve lived here for years, maybe this is just your reminder to get out, unplug, and rediscover them.

Popular Scenic Drives:

• Boulder Canyon Scenic Drive
• Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway
• Belle Fourche to Devils Tower Scenic Drive
• Badlands Loop Scenic Byway
• Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
• Vanocker Canyon to Nemo Scenic Drive
• Wildlife Loop Road (Custer State Park)

For our Bronco owners and off-road enthusiasts, the Forest Service notes there are over 3,600 miles of roads and trails in the Black Hills designated for motorized travel.

Popular Off-Road Trails:

• Camp 5 Trailhead (Deadwood): Gateway to popular rock-crawling and 4×4 routes.
• Ditch Creek System: Over 100 miles of trails with aspen groves and mountain streams.
• Hell Canyon Area: A mix of prairie trails, gullies, and rock climbs.
• Blacktail Trailhead: Access to dozens of miles of trails west of Cook Lake.
• Hardcore Rock Crawling: Trails like Kong (rated 8/10) and Iceman offer challenging terrain.

I’m not a therapist, but I do have a couple of personal favorite prairie drives — especially in late summer when the wildlife is out and the wildflowers are in bloom. These are the drives I like to share with visitors.

Long Prairie Loop Drive:
Head north on Highway 79 from Sturgis, through Newell, then west on Highway 169, and south on Highway 85 back to Belle Fourche. Along the way, you can visit the Center of the Nation monument. (About 100 miles of therapy.)

Extra Long Prairie Loop:
Take Highway 79 north from Sturgis to the Slim Buttes area, then west on Highway 20 at Reva, and south on Highway 85 near Buffalo, returning to Belle Fourche. (About 200 miles of therapy.)

Thanks for reading.

Now relax your shoulders, loosen your grip, lean back, and start planning your next drive in the Hills.

And if you find yourself at the entrance to Vanocker Canyon, give a little honk as you drive by — we’ll know you’re headed for the open road.

— Marsha