Riding Needles Highway features spectacular Black Hills scenery including; granite spires, the Needles Eye, narrow tunnels and hairpin curves. It is a part of the South Dakota Highway 87 and goes through the Black Hills mountain range and Custer State Park. It is also a section of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, which is 109 km long, is in shape of the figure 8 and runs along the high granite peaks, pine forests, tunnels and rock formations.

The Needle’s Eye is one of the most memorable granite needles along the ride, with its signature ‘eye’ formed by countless years of rain, ice and wind.

How many kilometres is it / How long does it take to ride it?
The Needles Highway is only 23 kilometres (14 miles) in length and expected travel time is 45-60 minutes to enjoy the route.

Are there any accommodation or camping options along the way?
Nearest Campsites along the route are Legion Lake Campground, Grace Coolidge Campground, Game Lodge Campground, Sylvan Lake Campground, Horse Thief Campground & Resort, Center Lake Campground, Blue Bell Campground

Interesting sights on the route?
This scenic road offers several tourist attractions such as panoramic views and Cathedral Spires across Custer State Park. Along the route, you can also visit The Needles Eye, Sylvan Lake, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial. For those, who want to truly experience the Wild West, an interesting place to visit would be the town of Deadwood.

What is the best time of year to travel the route?
Traffic along the route is average. The best times to drive this route are summer, late spring, or early fall. It is Usually open from April to the end of mid-October, but can be closed earlier depending on the snowfall.

Where are people able to get fuel when they are riding the route?
You can have your gas refill in the towns of Custer and Hill City.

Photo credit: dvs / CC BY

Photo credit: Jennifer Kirkland / CC BY

Photo credit: Cecilia / CC BY

Photo credit: Brian Bennett / CC BY

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Needles Highway

Needles Highway

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