This September, Wheelin’ to Wall is celebrating 10 years of putting on a ride for casual and avid cyclists held in the Badlands National Park.
Last fall 11 states were represented at the event, including Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Wyoming, North Dakota, Louisiana, and Utah.
“It’s the only locally organized and supported ride through Badlands National Park and Buffalo Gap National Grassland,” said event director Charon Geigle. “It’s also the only event that offers Wall Drug [Store] donuts!”
The ride began as a community collaboration project through Marketing Hometown America, which is an extension-based community engagement program used in South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Iowa to empower communities to create a vision to attract new residents and visitors.
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SEPTEMBER 26, 2026
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Encouraging dialogue and pushing rural communities toward an action to accomplish a goal, the people of Wall came together to create the annual cycling event.
“The community collaboration brought forth many ideas from residents of Wall to connect with each other and the landscape where they live,” recalled Geigle.
Wheelin’ to Wall showcases Badlands National Park, Buffalo Gap National Grassland, and Wall as “the perfect trifecta” of experiences and places.
“This event creates and/or deepens the participants’ experience of the town and terrain,” said Geigle. “The experience creates a sense of place.”
The Saturday kicks off at 511 Glenn Street, where riders check in and pick up their packet while grabbing a cup of Dark Canyon Coffee Company and snagging an aforementioned donut from the famous Wall Drug. When signing up, entrants can choose between four rides: pavement (31 or 38 miles) or gravel/mixed surface (35 or 68 miles).
“The ride is an event for this community and an invitation to others to come and enjoy what we have in and surrounding our town.”CHARON GEIGLE
Which Path Will You Choose?
From the open roads of the Buffalo Gap Grasslands to the rugged beauty of Badlands National Park, each route offers a new way to experience the landscape and also challenge yourself.
SHORT GRAVEL
35 miles of off-road adventure.
LONG GRAVEL
64 miles pushes deeper into the dirt for “more miles and more grit.”
THIRTY SOMETHING
30 miles of pavement “to conquer your fear of distance.”
FULL FORTY
40 miles of “smooth power” through the Badlands.
All courses are fully stocked with aid stations and mobile Support and Gear (SAG). John Berry of Madison founded Berry Fast Bicycles, where he travels in his decked out Ford Transit van to similar events in South Dakota and the surrounding states.
“When he’s not working with events, he provides bike repair service to communities with no bike shops,” said Geigle. “Last year in Wall, we had 10 bikes waiting for him to repair.”
Wheelin’ to Wall takes place the fourth Saturday in September on National Public Lands Day, which encourages people to get outdoors, enjoy nature, and give back to the community through environmental conservation and restoration. Proceeds from the ride are used to improve the walking and biking infrastructure in the Wall-Badlands area, which benefit locals and visitors alike.
“One improvement includes the Dero Self-Repair Bike Station by the Wall Community Library,” said Geigle.
Last year was the event’s first time participating in the three-part, gravel points series competition traversing through USFS National Grasslands dubbed the Grasslands Triple Crown. The three events include Grassland Gravel in Fort Pierre on July 18, Thunderhawk Wide Open in Lemmon on August 15, and Wheelin’ to Wall on September 26.
Originally Geigle had simply asked the groups if they would be willing to share their participation lists to continue to grow attendance.
“When asked, the event directors not only said yes, but yes to a collaboration to market the three events in a royal effort,” said Geigle. “I realized how small my dream was, and they saw possibilities beyond my imagination.”
Finishers of all three rides receive a custom commemorative metal sculpture designed by Lemmon rancher and artist Ethan Thom. Point series winners are awarded hand-tooled leather crowns.
Wheel Around Wall
Check out spots around town via the Wall-Badlands Area Chamber of Commerce.
BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK
BADLANDS SALOON & GRILLE
BUFFALO GIFT SHOP
BEST WESTERN PLAINS MOTEL
CUP OF JOE BAKING CO.
DAKOTA SKY STONE
DAHL’S CHAINSAW ART
GOLD DIGGERS
HANSEN INN & CABINS
HOME RANCH
NANNA’S MERCANTILE
NATIONAL GRASSLANDS VISITORS CENTER
RED ROCK RESTAURANT
SALTY STEER
SUNSHINE INN
SUE’S AVON
THE LITTLE OUTPOST
TREAT U BOUTIQUE
WAKIN’ BACON
WALL DRUG STORE
WELSH MOTEL
After the award ceremony, participants are welcomed to join the Pedal Parade of Lights by adorning their bikes with special lights, reflective gear, and more. Helmets are required, but for those who don’t have one, helmets have been donated by the state EMS Coordinators Office in Sioux Falls.
“My favorite is watching the kids decorate their bikes and helmets, and how they help one another,” said Geigle. “It’s touching to watch them get a helmet for someone who doesn’t have one—it’s these moments that create lifetime memories.”
A S’more Party hosted by Wakin’ Bacon occurs after the parade to end the event with sweet treats and to reflect on the day.
Along with the participants themselves, Geigle says it’s the volunteers who are the backbone of the ride.
“They are a key element to augmenting the participants’ experience,” she said. “You may be out in the middle of the Badlands, you may be by yourself, but you’re not alone in this beautiful place.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WALL-BADLANDS.COM+
