Custer State Park: Needles Highway

Needles Highway (SD Highway 87) is one of America's most dramatic scenic drives, winding 14 unforgettable miles through the granite spires and pine forests of Custer State Park in the Black Hills. Completed in 1922 under the direction of visionary Governor Peter Norbeck — who personally scouted the entire route on foot and horseback — the road was once considered impossible to build. It earns its name from the towering needle-like granite formations that pierce the sky along the route, including the magnificent Cathedral Spires, which served as the very inspiration for Mount Rushmore. The highway's crown jewel is the Needles Eye Tunnel, a breathtakingly narrow one-lane passage carved through solid granite, just wide enough for a single vehicle. Along the way, travelers pass sparkling Sylvan Lake, pine-filled meadows, and sweeping panoramic overlooks. Mountain goats, deer, marmots, and bison are regularly spotted. Allow one to two hours with stops — and bring your camera. Not recommended for RVs or large trailers.