South Dakota 87 Reviews

What a drive along Needles Highway. I would recommend going in the north direction so your drive ends spectacularly.
Maybe the best thing to do in the Black Hills.

This is such a wow moment. If you are there take the time and go for the drive. I did this on my motorcycle, but a car ride is certain to be enjoyable as well.

We recently drove the Needles Highway while on a visit to Custer State Park. The drive definitely has some white knuckle moments as the road is narrow and windy and has a steep drop off. There are several one land tunnels where you have to take turns getting through. The scenery is absolutely stunning. We especially enjoyed the overlooks where we could get out of our car and just enjoy the experience.

Outstanding drive! Beautiful spot for photos, but be careful of the drop offs on the road with few guardrails. Take this road slow, with the traffic and the scenery.

This drive is north of Mt. Rushmore and worth the drive. The rock formations and very, very small one-way tunnels are a fun drive. There are numerous turnouts and parking places to take in the views and snap a few photos.

Our second time here, the last was over 10 years ago. We went in late in the afternoon this time, very little traffic, and plenty of time to stop in the pullouts to take pictures. This drive is about 14 miles long, and takes at least an hour with the narrow road and many blind hairpin turns . Take your time, and use the pullouts to see some great views. All of Custer Park is well worth spending some time there.

This road is awesome! Beautiful rock formations! Twisting roads! Gorgeous vistas! Do not go in a large vehicle! There are some very small tunnels! We have a Ford 150 truck and had to bring our side mirrors in! We had such fun driving this!

This is a gorgeous 14 mile scenic drive through the Black Hills. You drive through unusual rock formations and tunnels with some of the oldest rocks in North America. It is here you will see the granite Needles Eye and Cathedral Spires. If you are uneasy about driving the 14 mile drive on hairpin turns, you can always take a guided tour and leave the driving to someone else. The scenery is amazing. You will see some of the most gorgeous country on this highway.

Fantastic ride! The views, turns, and shouts kept coming! Around every turn you'll see beautiful sites of the Black Hills, from rolling hills to the famous Needles rock formations. This is one of Peter Norbeck's engineering marvel highways, the others being Iron Mountain and the Wildlife loop roads. Be sure to stop at the many cutoffs to marvel in the scenery and take those photos. The highlights are the needles rock formation along with the carved out tunnels. Be patient waiting in line to pass through the tunnels; if you are impatient it will lessen your experience but we found it rather fun jockeying for position. Some travelers have a person jump out on the opposite side to get pictures of their car coming through. It can be a challenging ride for some, but we found it very manageable. The only problem was trying to drive while engaging in the sites, that's why pulling over is necessary.

Entered highway from southern end [Hwy. 16A, near Legion Lake]. Many turnouts for picture taking and view enjoyment. Overlook for Cathedral Spires was tremendous. Single lane tunnels are just exhilarating. Needles Eye is worth the time to park and see [close to road and single lane tunnel]. Sylvan Lake [a set from Natural Treasure movie] is wonderful to see and walk around [parking is a slight hassle]. NOTE: Must pay entry fee for Custer State Park to access Needles Highway, but it is well worth the cost.

What can I say, this is an awesome road trip. Loads of scenery and overall, drivers were considerate of each other. Plenty of great places to pull over and snap a nice pic. I'm not sure how they've managed to keep this area so clean compared to other destinations that have been destroyed with graffiti and trash. Best thing to keep in mind is take your time and enjoy the scenery.

We throughly enjoyed this gorgeous drive - twice!

Once was accidentally in the dark, but that's another story for another day. :)

Throughout the drive we listened to the GyPSy App and enjoyed both the commentary and the gorgeous scenery. We pulled off the road a few times for some photo opps.

A highlight was getting the iconic shot of the president's face through the tunnel.

Highly recommended!

Impressive drive up into the heights. Not as many overlooks or outstanding views as I would like but still very worthwhile.

We stayed in Deadwood and im glad we ventured out and about because this was fantastic and worth the trip! Beautiful views and so much to look at. I can only imagine how much better this would be on a motorcycle. GORGEOUS!

There are 2 memories high on our list from our SD visit, the Badlands and Needles Highway. Beautiful views added to fantastic rock formations, added to the tunnels! WOW! If you have time drive the Spearfish Canyon too.

We drove this route on Wed. in the offseason. It might be difficult when the road is busy because of the narrow tunnels. The rock formations are incredible and worth the trip to see. This must have been a very difficult road to build.

Absolutely incredible views on the Needles Highway. It is a $20 fee but you can also drive the wildlife loop through Custer State Park with the same pass. This is a must do drive when visiting the Black Hills.

Needles Highway is a narrow road with a narrow tunnel on it, head the signs. If you don't like narrow roads this drive is not for you. I always enjoy this drive. On this trip we did not get out and climb any of the area but we have in the past. We went through mid afternoon and traffic was a bit heavy and it took 4-5 min to get through the tunnel as traffic the other direction was backed up. If you have time stop and climb some of the structures and enjoy the views.

Highly recommend driving this road. It is such beautiful country. Will do it again if in the area. Don't miss it!

This is the best drive in the area in my opinion. Dramatic scenery, fantastic views, fun driving. Loved it

If in the area make a point of doing this short drive. The rock formations and scenery seems to be from another planet. Some driving through one way tunnels that only have an 8 for wide opening is super cool. Something you can’t experience anywhere else.

We took this highway, including the tunnels, in our 24 ft RV. What an adventure. We have videos and great stories of inching our way through the one way narrows with people at both end cheering us on. Just watching the tour buses come through was such a highlight. GO for sure but not with anything bigger than 10' 4 ft high or 7 ft wide. It almost took off our awning. Repaired with duct tape

The twists and turns of Needles Highway will take you to some amazing geological formations and tunnels. Don't miss it when you visit the Black Hills.

While this stretch of highway isn’t that long mileage- wise, expect it to take at least an hour to drive if you plan on stopping for the many photo ops along the way. Add additional time if planning to walk the path at the serene Sylvan Lake. The rock formations and scenic vistas are stunning. If going through in the summer, expect your experience to be diminished as there will be ALOT of traffic. Spring or fall is the best time to go to the Black Hills and it’s not even close! Do not be in a hurry as the road can be narrow and there a lot of twists and turns. Also be aware of wildlife and other visitors in the road.

We drove the Needles drive from south to north which I would recommend as the traffic that direction is less. Also you can end up to picnic at Sylvan lake which is beautiful. It is a wonderful trip regardless of traffic.

We went in late afternoon and the stopping points were fairly crowded. There is an entrance fee but it is good for a week. We were there for only one day, but the price was not outrageous. There were many places to stop along the way for excellent pictures and hikes. The entire drive may only be 14 miles, but can take an hour if you do not stop. We stopped a number of times to hike and take pictures. There a couple of tunnels that are wide enough for a car, but not a camper or oversized vehicle. For physically challenged people, you can see many of the sights from your car.

Plan a good half day or more if you choose to pack a picnic. We drove through seven tunnels, entering, exiting and reentering Custer State Park several times. The very top is breathtaking!

Great views. Part of Custer State Park so it does cost money to drive this road but more beautiful views than anything else I found in the area. Much more scenic than the Iron Mountain Road.

This is a must see on your trip! We were there when the aspens were golden. Such a beautiful drive. One I will never forget.

Started in Custer State Oark and decided to continue on Needles Drive. At the beginning I thought: are the $20 entrance fee (per car) really worth it? Think it depends on how many mountains you have seen and what you are expecting. It’s a nice drive, sometimes pretty tight streets, tight tunnels but beautiful scenery.

I saw a ton of buffalo including 1 directly next to my truck, it was exhilarating! The rock formations are like none I've ever seen nor will I forgot. My trip to Spearfish and Custer South Dakota is 1 I will most likely do again. The whole drive was breath taking and all in a good way. Just go and see it all with your heart wide open. I can't post enough pictures here to show you how amazing it is.

From the State Game Lodge in Custer National Park, we headed out sight seeing on the Needles Highway. It was simply beautiful. It happened to be during the Sturgis Bike Rally so we were joined by many bikers who were also enjoying the amazing views.

We started on the west end and drove to the east; one of the first things you come to is Sylvan Lake; beautiful. Continuing on it becomes spectacular, the rock formations, tunnels that only one vehicle can use at a time and all the surrounding scenery make this such a beautiful ride. I think I would like to do this in September; we did it during the bike rally way too much traffic between all the bikes and then some smaller campers. There are a lot of pull-off where you can take photos and just marvel in the sites

This drive was a great way to see some beautiful views. While there are places to stop along the way, there aren't a ton of bathrooms. It was neat to drive through the tunnels that go right the through the rock and I'm glad we made this drive.

My husband, a friend and I had an awesome time driving and stopping a many turnouts along the Needles highway. Needles highway is a paved, narrow, winding and 2 lane road. We stopped then drove through the one-lane Needle Eye Tunnel. We stopped at the Cathedral Spires. We drove through the one-lane Iron Creek Tunnel. We saw one deer. The speed limit is 25 mph in most places. It took us about an hour to drive the 14 miles with the stops. The highway is in Cluster state park so there is a charge of $20 per vehicle. You cannot take an RV on this road.

It is very impressive. The road is very challenging with twists and turns. There are several one way tunnels which are hard to gauge from the other side. We have many great pictures.

The different and spectacular views of 14 mile section of SD 87 offers wilderness, rock formations, wildlife, water and much more. Switchbacks, tight turns, narrow tunnels and world class views are everything you can expect. The roads name comes from the needle-like granite formations that pierce the horizon along the highway.

The speeds are usually 25 mph or less and the travel time is 45 minutes to an 1 hour without stops. Needles Highway is not RV friendly. I would definitely recommend and would return.

The fun twists and turns and great tunnels and beautiful scenery make this a must-do road. It's a great part of the loop that you can take from Mt. Rushmore to the Crazy Horse Memorial and then down to Custer State Park. There are plenty of places to pull over and see the wonderful spires and interesting rock formations. Plus, the tunnels are so much fun to go through and it's also fun to just watch the big pick-ups have to fold in their rearview mirrors to get through.

When you are in the Hill city/Keystone area don’t miss the opportunity to drive Needles Highway. A beautiful scenic route. Many places to pull off to enjoy the views.

This was one of the highlights of our trip. The only thing is that traffic through the one-car tunnels was confusing and was cause for borderline road rage. Perhaps it was because we visited on a holiday weekend? Somebody directing traffic or a light would have been helpful.

We did a bus tour earlier in the week and part of the tour was through Custer’s State Park. Today we were back in the area and we noticed Needles Highway, which we were unable to do previously on a bus. The views of the cathedral spires and Sylvan Lake are phenomenal. And going through the narrow tunnels was fun, especially the Needles Eye Tunnel. Gorgeous views of the Black Hills.

Needles hwy is stunning and just a great place to visit. The natural beauty of this place is just unreal. Coming from a state that is mostly flat and then coming here just blew us away. Make sure to take your time and spend as much time as you can in this area. If you hurry thru it you will miss so much. We almost need another vacation to come back and spend more time here.

What a beautiful scenic drive with amazing rock formations. So many twists and turns and the narrow one way tunnel is fantastic. A must do in the area. Does get the heart going.

Beautiful drive! Interesting views of Mount Rushmore the way they align with three tunnels. Then take the wildlife loop through Custer State Park.

We have been to the Black Hills several times and the Needles Highway never gets old. Great views, winding roads and nail biting edges. This is one of our favourite rides in South Dakota.

What a thrilling ride through the needles. The tunnels will get your heart pumping. Don’t miss this one!

We had two cars, four people each, 3 generations that made the drive and it was wonderful. The scenic view can't be beat. The one car tunnels (2 of them) were a little tricky, but doable. It is a slow drive, but so worth the time to see the beautiful formations. We did see one bison resting in one of the wooded areas.

We toured the Needles Highway in Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The scenery was beautiful and the rock formations were just amazing. Hopefully you have a patient person at the wheel as you will continually want to hop out and take pictures. Gorgeous!

In the Black Hills for our 32nd anniversary and we did everything the hills had to offer including this amazing drive. This is a must do.

We really enjoyed the drive - it’s about 1-2 hours depending on how much you stop - great afternoon trip! I will go again when we come back !

very pretty with “needles”. Most of it is a switch back road that is pretty but no needles. Meh. Not sure I’d do it again.

We made another trip along Needles Highway on our most recent trip to "the Hills".
I recommend this part of the trip to everyone for the scenery - but I recommend to leave the camper, fifth wheel or other RV or camper before going on Needles Highway - if not for your own comfort and peace of mind but that of others.
Hiking trails take off from a number of spots, know where you are going and be sure to have water and snacks with you.

This ride through the Black Hills is thrilling and beautiful! A real adventure in your own vehicle! The needles are spectacular. The narrow road is scary at times but we’ll worth it. Beautiful mountain lakes and natural rock formations add to the ride watch for wildlife. A memorable part of our Black Hills vacation

Spectacular scenery, exciting driving, narrow tunnels. Be SURE you know how wide (and tall, if you have a larger than usual pickup or SUV) your vehicle is. You don't want to get stuck in a granite tunnel!

This highway is soooooo cool. Not only is it the perfect way to connect you from the Wind Cave National Park to Mt. Rushmore or visa versa ~ BUT the views; the twist and turns, and the heart pounding Edges and 3 Tunnels (Hood, Needle and Iron Creek)... WOW!!! This highway is just spectacular and is just overall a MUST.... with that being said it is not for the faint at heart. If you can take your time enjoy and not waste rushing through it then its for you! And it's FREE! Just follow rt 87!

There are many wonderful aspects to Custer State Park, and this stretch of highway is certainly near the the top of the list.
Magnificent stone spires, grand carved tunnels and beautiful vistas inundate this mountain pathway.
Being early May, we appreciated the low traffic flow; which allowed for slower speeds and easy pulling over, without impeding others. The sharp curves and dramatic mountain cutbacks were much easier to navigate without a heavy progression of vehicles.
If one only has limited time in the area; experiencing this drive should be a priority.

We saw so many cool things along Needles Highway but the highlight were the buffaloes that we saw. I would love to go back in the fall.

We (my DH and I) were originally nervous to drive this based on comments that it had some really curvy roads and hairpin turns but we are so glad we did it! DH said it wasn't even that bad. Beautiful scenery not to be missed.

I love the Needles Highway, dear readers.

Love it.

Sure, it costs 20 bucks if you want to check it out, but that is good for a week and, I think, should be budgeted in for anyone looking to hit the Black Hills.

And when you do hit it, take your time. Linger. Make stops to get out and wander where you can. It is just beautiful and there are many trails in the area for you to explore. All of Custer State Park, actually. So get that pass and use it.

I'll admit, there were a few butt puckering legs of the highway coming around corners and meeting other vehicles, to be sure. Overall, however, the drive wasn't too bad for our Traverse to handle. I don't know that I would want to attempt it in something pulling a camper or anything like that. Actually, I'm not sure you CAN do that as the tunnels would prevent that. Older vehicles might also struggle at a few points, but I'm sure most people will be fine.

Lots of motorcycles cruise this highway, which I have to imagine is a really fun way to do it.

While there are a variety of places to pull over and take a gander at the wide world around you, we found the little spot West of of Sylvan Lake that had some of the best views. Every one of these stops has something special to offer, I’m sure, but we did not stop at ALL of them. But you should pull over now and then to appreciate the views. I found, as I was driving and paying diligent attention to the road, I could not personally drink in all there was to see, but the family had a good gander out the windows. A few times my eyes would wander and a turn in the road would make my heart skip a beat for a second, reminding me to keep my damn eyes on the road.

Not far off the highway, and if you do explore the trails around Sylvan Lake, you are very closes to the highest point in the Black Hills, Black Elk Peak. From the Sylvan Lake lodge, it is just over 4 miles, so if you feel like a hike, you should check it out.

Treat yourself to this one, friends. After hours of driving across the planes to GET here it is nice to enjoy some topography. Please note: This road closes in the late fall through spring.

We drove Needles Highway just after peak season - and glad we did. Not only were the views spectacular, but we weren't rushed by other cars trying to go through.
This isn't an experience you want to rush through. Take your time. Pull over at the side outs to let cars pass. Get out and take pictures. This a a beautiful experience (when you're not cringing as you go around the switchbacks (hairpin curves) or going through the tunnels (one car at a time). The leaves were just starting to change on the aspens and it added some beautiful color to an already spectacular landscape.

One of the highlights of my I90 Roadtrippers from Boston to Seattle!! It is a must do! Many miles of awesome!! Can be difficult to find/figure out the route but so worth hanging in and following it to the end...especially to the “Eye of the Needle “!

We did this ride about 30 years ago and it appears that nothing has changed… fortunately. The Needles are as beautiful as ever. There is an area where you can park, my granddaughters enjoyed climbing the structures. A must visit.

Do not miss this trip if you are in the Black Hills. It is well worth the slow pace and the curvy roads. Loved it so much we may go back to drive it again before we leave to go home.

Together with Iron Mountain Road, Trail Ridge Road this is a must do if you are in the Black Hills area. Keystone is the ideal base.

One of the Most beautiful highway I ever drived on in the United states. Thr rocks formation is an art work of nature.

Scenic drive that is not difficult. Unique experience is the one lane tunnels through the mountains.

This was an amazing experience for our family, and I am pretty sure this ended up being their favorite part of our 5-day trip to the Black Hills. Most people say that it takes about an hour to drive the entire highway, and that was about what we needed, as well.

We were a little wary of the $20 entrance fee, but I considered it a bargain in the end!

The only thing I would add is that I have a mild fear of heights, but this drive really didn't bother me too much. The road never seemed remotely unsafe, even with some wet pavement, and it's not nearly as scary as some roads that I've driven in the Rocky Mountains. The tunnels might be a little tight for larger vehicles, but again, just take your time & you'll be fine.

If you happen by Mt Rushmore and wonder what else to do, head for the Needles Highway. It is just 14 miles of constant wow's. We were amazed at the needle rock formations around every turn. Every view seems to outshine its predecessors. Plan to take your time, 10 to 20 miles per hour. Take water and possibly a snack or two. It will take you into Custer State park where there is a $20 fee. Well worth the time. WOW!

The Needles Highway is one of the natural beauties. The highway has many places to safely pull over for taking pictures or exploring. Take the time to check it out!

I am so glad I was not driving! I was able to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the amazing ride through the various tunnels, without the stress of trying to fit. We were in our new larger pick-up truck, and even though the map and signs say how wide the tunnels are, they seem much more narrow when you're going through. If you're not a really confident driver and/or are in a larger vehicle, skip this area - you can get similar views and experience on the other stretch of the Peter Norbeck Byway; Iron Mountain Road. The tunnels there are large enough to fit in without fear (or maybe that's because we had already done the super skinny ones, so those just seemed easier?). If I'm ever back in the area as the driver of a truck, I'd avoid Needles and just enjoy the Iron Mountain Road.

If you are in a smaller car, though, this is a must-do. Even with getting stuck in a brief hailstorm, the views were amazing. The experience is awesome, and definitely worth doing.

Loved the Black Hills including of course Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse - creations of man into the creations of the Good Lord - and really loved the creations of Him on this Highway! One amazing sight after the other. The rock formations are beautiful and I took a couple of a zillion photos - none of which can capture the true beauty. But I sure did enjoy trying! Highly recommend the Black Hill’s and definitely including this amazing drive!

If you are anywhere near the Needles Senic Highway, you have got to spend a little time to make the drive. The highway itself could take a few hours to drive, so if you only have a short amount of time, cut off from Custer SD and head towards Sylvan lake and at least drive to the first tunnel and the overlook a short distance from the tunnel. We were short on time, it was getting dark, but we still made the effort to detour and I am so glad we did. The granite formations were like nothing else i have ever seen. The views were spectacular and Sylvan lake was awesome, especailly at sunset. Its not to far from Custer (the city not the park) We maybe spent an hour on the road here, but what we saw was spectacular. Wish we had time to make the drive along the entire highway. There is a fee for this area becsue it is part of Custer State Park, but well worth the $20 admission fee to spend some time in the park and along this beautiful highway. When I say highway, its not a freeway, its a narrow 2 lane road but easy to drive. There are some restrictions on the senic highway due to tunnels and narrow roads.

This highway is unique and beautiful. Just make sure your kids have the camera ready when you drive through the tunnel. They will never forget this experience.

Put on your favorite jams, put down your windows and slow all the way down! This ride is a bit long because you will take your time. Speed limit is from 15-25mi/hr. The hairpin turns may not be for those with a sensitive stomach,but man...this ride doesn’t disappoint. The views are beautiful. The tunnels are tight. Get out to take pics. Everyone enjoyed it!

It's a beautiful drive that rewards you with breathtaking views and keeps your heart racing the entire ride - not just from the beauty, but also because of the heights.

We decided to take this scenic drive to Sylvan Lake, and I'm so glad we had - even though I'm terrified of heights and literally closed my eyes briefly at a couple of spots.

So this is an absolutely amazing drive. The view at the top was absolutely stunning! And the view coming out of the second tunnel (going towards Sylvan Lake) was so impressive! If you take the drive from this direction, I recommend slowing down to pull over coming out.

The entire drive was just so rewarding. However, you need to be ready to drive with the feeling that you can go off the cliff at times. It's pretty narrow and winding for the most part.

This scenic drive takes you through some of the most awesome rock formations and stunning scenery. Of course you have to stop at The Needles Eye formation. Several one lane tunnels along the way.

Lots of places to stop and take pictures. Make sure to stop at Sylvan Lake as the reflections are beautiful! Be prepared for some tough hikes if you're looking to do the cathedral spires hike or rock climbing.

Experienced this drive on a tour bus. Roads winding, high elevations, narrow tunnels. Glad someone else was driving. Sites was breathtaking. Loved the mountains, rock formations, bridges and tunnels.

This is one of the scenic drive with attractions that are inside the Custer State park area, if you touring the attractions there, you need to pay the $20 admission fee of Custer state park (although if you just drive through, without stop, is no need to pay). There are 3 tunnels along this highway, from North to South is Hood tunnel, then Needle eye tunnel, then Iron Creek tunnel. Besides the rock tunnels, there are some other attractions, such the Sylvan lake, the "Eye" of the Needle (or the "Needle Eye") rock formation, the Cathedral Spires trail, all is worthwhile to take a look.

This is one of the most dramatic, gorgeous drives on earth. The tunnels are a challenge, the formations of the rock cliffs are just jaw dropping gorgeous. Use the turn outs, and by going in September after Labor Day, we missed some of the heavy traffic. Fantastic!

This is a beautiful drive with many pull offs for photo ops. The landscape is just so unique, it was a treat to drive amongst and actually through the needle like projections. So cool! This is part of Custer State Park at the Sylvan Lake area and does require a fee but is well worth it. We drove the highway in the fall which just added to the beauty of it all! Fantastic!

Took the Needles Highway from Mt. Rushmore to Crazy Horse. It was an unforgetable adventure. The scenery was amazing and the tunnels were really cool. Can't imagine how they cut those narrow tunnels through the rock. It was a must travel roadway for anyone going to the Mt. Rushmore area.

It was worth my wife freaking out in the passenger seat. Very scenic drive and worth the visit. Probably one of my favorite parts of our trip. Even though every couple minutes my wife kept saying "you're to close to the edge." There are some trails along the way that you can hike. It was snowing when we went in October but definitely worth the visit.

Friends had told us to go to custard State Park and we’re glad we did. The needles highway was an easy drive winding through the countryside. I expected it to have a long line of cars but that was not the case there is plenty a pull outs to stop and see The view. On the day of our trip there is sleet and hail in July. The hail was the size of gum balls. It was quite exciting for us Floridians.

If you have the time, then drive the needles highway; the rock formations are fascinating. There is plenty of wildlife in Custer Park, but even if there wasn’t, the needles highway would be worth the visit.
The road is fairly narrow so an oversized vehicle will be a tight squeeze in some areas, but don’t let that dissuade you; a tour bus was able to drive it.

We loved the scenery on the Needles Highway so much we drove it a second time before leaving the area. We were fortunate to be visiting at a not busy time. I imagine it would be less enjoyable with more traffic making it hard to find a spot in the turnouts or pass on the narrow road. We drove south on the Needles Highway from Hill City, east on Rt. 16A, north on Iron Mountain Rd., then visited Mt. Rushmore (not nearly as impressive to us as the Needles formations).

The road is easy to find. I drove early in the morning and it wasn’t crowded. There are places to stop and take pictures. I found the drive fairly easy and loved the scenery. This is a must do if in the area.

We traveled Needles Highway a couple days after an unusual October snowstorm.
Some of the curvy roads were iced up making driving challenging. The scenery was outstanding with spectacular rock formations, a couple of single-lane tunnels, and aspens aglow in gold. We even saw an adult male mountain goat in one of the tunnels licking minerals on the rocks...what are the chances! We snapped some great photos as it finally emerged out of the tunnel to graze on a nearby hillside. This is a must visit if you are in the Black Hills.

This is a road best left to an experience tour guide so that you can fully appreciate the view without worrying about running into or off something. The pigtail turns are amazing and the tunnels that are aligned for a view of Mt Rushmore are impressive. Also impressive is the full size coach buses can squeeze through these.

We went during the Sturgis Rally and was great to see all the bikes. Plenty of stops along the way to have a snack if you've packed one. You wont see much wild life at times because of the windy roads but the views are awesome. Very narrow, and something just to say you've done when you go to SD.

Located in Custer State Park. A must for Nature Lovers. We saw a Beautiful Large Mountain Goat, just hangin' out on some rocks. I was totally Amazed at the rock formations, drive through tunnels and at how many trees just grow right up through the towering Rocks!

Such a beautiful area! The rock formations are absolutely stunning and there are many places to pull over and enjoy them. Make sure to allow time to take some of the hikes and watch for wildlife along the way.

What a spectacular drive through these granite beauties. The views and the tunnels along the way are awesome. My 3 teens loved it as well. If you are in the area you must drive through here. We went to Mt Rushmore via Custer Park and the Needles Highway... highly recommended.

Needles Highway was a wonderful scenic drive for our family. Amazing to see such beauty around you in all directions. Plan to take your time as you enjoy each part. Traffic was not bad at all. Wonderful when those who wish to go super slow pull over to let others pass by. Tunnels were amazing!! Park fee to enter is $20. Will last you 7 days.

Even though it is a very twisting road, the views are spectacular as is driving through the "eye of the needle".

It's very beautiful highway. Bad idea to drive alone, because you are distracted from driving, because of the beauty of the nature. Optional, to mount the Go-Pro on the roof of the car and record everything. I was stopping many times, taking many pictures. I wish to have more time for hiking in the area. Definitely worth to visit one more time, hopefully for longer time period.
I strongly recommend this area.

RomanP

I was given this recommendation from my son who had driven cross country in 2018. It was amazing, all the twists and turns and tunnels cut out of the rock. The scenery was amazing. If you have a chance to drive this road you should definitely do it. We ended at Sylvan Lake which was breathtaking.

My family and I enjoyed the drive on Needles Highway named after the rock formations that line the road. There are a few really cool tunnels cut through the mountain which only allow one car to pass at a time. The scenery is amazing and well worth the time.

Great drive. Especially love the tunnels and the awesome views of the area and the abundance of wildlife.

My friend and I rode our motorcycles on this highway. Well, highway is a strong term for this scenic byway.
It is very narrow, twisty, curvy and features low narrow tunnels.

It is a technical ride on the cycle, especially when meeting cars on curves. But worth every minute. Traffic moves along at the posted speed (35 mph max) and there are plenty of pull outs for scenic views.

Don't be in a hurry, enjoy the scenery. There are no services along the route.

Totally worth the drive just to say you have done it. Spent several hours at Custer prior to doing needles. It was not nearly as terrifying as I made it up to be in my head. Take it slow and it is just a ride with beautiful sights that you can pull off to the side to enjoy and climb around.

We drove this from Sylvan lake down and I wish I'd spent more time appreciating the needles at the start as that's where you get the closest to them and toward the end there aren't any. We enjoyed a short hike off the highway about halfway through. The tunnels are narrow and wouldn't be suited to hauling a trailer nor a large RV.

The scenery was breathtaking. We all thoroughly enjoyed the whole drive. Would recommend this to everyone who visits the Black Hills.

Wow! This was such an amazing experience! It was absolutely beautiful! You have to stop here if you are in South Dakota. When we got there, it was actually raining but it was so pretty that we still got out of the car. By the time we climbed up a short mountain area, it stopped raining and the sky cleared up. I would recommend wearing athletic shoes. I had flip flops on and went back to car to switch them so we could actually climbed up pretty high. It wasn't too hard and my husband even carried our 2 year old. It was definitely a sight to see and you had a great review of the surrounding area. We probably stayed here for 45 mins but we could have probably stayed even longer. The needles eye was also here but we didn't get a chance to go in and climb it. It was crowded and our toddler had enough but it did look really pretty even from ground level. One thing I can tell you is that pictures don't do this place justice. I don't think you can really understand how large these structures are until you see them in person. We would highly recommend stopping here!

We were on a tour when we were on Needles Hwy. The views were amazing. Narrow roads & lots of switchbacks. Loved the narrow tunnels and 3 you can see Mount Rushmore in the distance as you enter each tunnel. A number of stopping points to stop & enjoy the views.

Very cool views, saw some wildlife. $20 to get into park, good for 7 days; may be able to use ticket from badlands to get in but not sure. 1 of the tunnels had a tour bus coming through it when we were getting ready to go through had to literally pull over with many others to wait for it to come through! Some big trucks not willing to share the road made the narrow passages a little hairy. Inspiration for Mt Rushmore in here. Overall, we thought it was cool and worth the $$

Don't be in a hurry. If it says 20mph it means 20 mph. Don't be intimidated, but pay attention. If your motor-home is big, don't try to squeeze through the tunnels, it just makes misery for the rangers and others! Views are awesome.

It was very exciting and beautiful but the road was very curvy and some places had to take turns letting cars pass. The tunnels were one lane as well. For an adrenaline rush, this is for you. Scared of heights not so much.

What a great drive! Beautiful scenery along the way and fun to go thru the one-way tunnels. We saw mountain goats along the side of the road, which was a nice bonus. There were 4 of them, 2 being young ones. Lucky to see them. We did this ride more than once, so that we did it from each direction. Don't miss this drive.

Amazing something you just have to do and experience just dont take a large vehicle as it will have trouble going through the mountains

Another of the great scenic drives in the black hills. Narrow roads, one way tunnels and beautiful scenery. Not for campers or tall vehicles. A bit scary at times, but well worth it.

Very scenic drive. It is a very winding narrow drive that is amazing. You will see cathedral spire mountains, tunnels, rolling hills, amazing rock formations, and wildlife. There are several spots where you can pullover to enjoy the view and/or take pictures. Definitely a must do.

We rode Needles Highway on our motorcycle. Magnificent ride to say the least. This was our favorite of entire trip. Did this run twice. Pictures and video doesn’t do this adventure justice. The cliffs and canyons were something. Go slow not just for safety. Take it all in. Passing through the very narrow by-passes was a cool experience . Rangers were there to stop and direct traffic. Plenty of safe areas to stop and take it all in and get great photos. Enjoy this ride of a lifetime!

It was with a little trepidation I agreed to take this highway so soon after we’d arrived in US. Big 4x4, left hand drive, .... but once we’d started I was so pleased we did. Such stunning scenery, fabulous views with plenty of turnout and lookout points it was magical. Definitely worth doing.

THE single most beautiful road I have ever been on in my 50 years of life! Highly highly recommend ded to everyone. A must see!!

We drove through on a rainy overcast day. When we started our drive through we didn’t know if we would be able to see anything. The foggy cloudy sky made some of the needle formations harder to see but made for some amazing pictures when we could see. The highway is quite tight with several single lane tunnels along the way. It took a long time to go through stopping lots to view the different rock formations.

we traveled this road at the end of our visit to Custer State Park. It was dusk and getting darker. Wonderful road, we had to pull in our truck mirrors going thru a few of the tunnels. Very exciting at dusk.

While I enjoyed the Needles Eye & Iron Creek Tunnels, the Needles Highway wasn't as spectacular as I thought it would be based on the reviews. While it's certainly scenic, it's not as breathtaking as some of my favorite scenic drives like California's Pacific Coast Highway, Alaska's Seward Highway, The Apache Trail in Arizona, Colorado's Trail Ridge Road, Florida's Overseas Highway, etc. It's pretty and worth a drive, but I wouldn't go too far out of my way for it.

Amazing views. Can't get enough of the scenery. I'm glad I wasn't the one who was driving though, narrow road.

Nice drive. Not sure it’s worth the $20, though, especially because you’ll spend quite a bit of time to get their cheap, crappy sticker off your windshield. Don’t get me wrong. The view is amazing. The tunnels are tight. But the long lasting souvenir on my windshield has been irritating me for weeks now. Ask if there is any other option.

This road will bring you thru tunnels, some hairpin turns and rather 'narrow' sections so not a place for a truck, camper or RV. Vehicles are often 'backed up' in busy times so don't be in a hurry. Also, a slow drive will give you unique views not found elsewhere in the Hills. Drive slow and enjoy the views.

Ok everyone, you should by now be getting used to my reviews. This was brilliant, a real buzz as far as I was concerned. Unfortunately my wife is sh*t scared of heights but credit to her she persevered and came along. The only 'bad' thing is the fee to get into the area. It's a lot but in real terms is it worth it? Yes!
I'm told that the fee can be waivered for local people and read one review that said if you say to the staff that you ar continuing on the Route 16A, they'll not charge you, but this is rubbish in my opinion. Anyway, back to the drive, it's totally wicked, lots of steep curves and 180 degree bends. W stopped at the 'Needle' from which the highway gets its name and the views and rocks are awesome. There's plenty of room to stop and get out and take a look around. The missus also got out of the car, so it can't be all that bad up there! If you are up there on holiday or just passing through, you simply must drive this route. Either form the north or south, it matters not. Both ways are great.

Panoramic views were amazing. Best traveled in a smaller vehicle for sure, but if not just drive carefully. Other tourists tend to stop in or around the tunnel entrances to take photos- be on alert! Many great photo ops along the way- you won't regret taking Needles Highway for a spin.

Needles Highway takes you to the high ground in Black Hills, via hairpin bends and some narrow passages. There are beautiful rock formations (needles), and view points where you get off the road to allow photography. Treat yourself to this scenic byway. Additional value for your Custer State Park Pass!

The most amazing sites I have ever seen. The rock formations “needles” are just incredible nothing I have ever seen before. Take your time and drive slowly. Needles tunnel is very narrow and roads very curvy. Plenty of spots to pull over and take pics. This scenic drive will be most memorable!

We traversed this winding road adventure as we went from Sylvan Lake down to Custer. Truly amazing and jaw dropping experience with the views and hairpin turns! Just take your time and drive slow - there are plenty of pull off areas where you can stop for views and pictures. Also, there are some one way stone tunnels to drive through. If you aren’t driving a massive pickup or tour bus you should be fine! If you have a fear of heights, I’d still recommend and you can always close your eyes…assuming you are not driving!

The Needles Highway is a must see when in South Dakota. The scenery is breathtaking and not for the faint of heart if you don't like narrow roadways and tunnels, not to mention frequent stops for mountain goats and sheep.

So glad a fellow camper told us about this highway. They said our RV wouldn’t work, but our Jeep would. We took the T-top off and strapped our GoPro camera on the roof. The scenery was breathtaking and the drive was awesome. Lots of switchbacks and a few tunnels too. If you are in the area, make sure to take this drive.

Needles Highway is a must-do drive when visiting the Black Hills. It twists and turns through the tall, needle-like rock formations from which it gets it name, and offers one spectacular view after another of the surrounding hills. It passes Sylvan Lake as well as several trailheads. Finally, and perhaps coolest of all, it goes through three tight tunnels cut in the rock. Even in my mid-size rental, they felt like tight squeezes. I highly recommend at least one drive on the Needles Highway.

A fellow traveler told us about the Needles Highway, and we are grateful we took the advice. We traveled for several miles seeing amazing mountain points and even through the very narrow tunnels along the way. It is quite an experience.

This road is hilly and curvy. Sharp turns and neat road formations. Beautiful scenery along the road.
The tunnels are amazing and fun to see. One was a one car tunnel and not very wide. You have to wait your turn to pass through. The rock tunnels are fun to see and go through. Several along this highway if you drive all of it.
This is worth the time to enjoy it.
Would do it again.

A must see IMO! We saw some wildlife, the windy drive was very scenic, and the through mountain tunnels were really cool. Be aware that some of the clearance is only 8’ so motor homes and campers won’t be able to enjoy parts of it.

Needles Hwy is one of my favorite drives in South Dakota! Lot of sharp curves, so warning don’t go too fast! Enjoy the drive and see the scenery. Before driving through the tunnel, there is parking and you’ll be able to take pictures. We went during sunset and got some amazing pictures! Highly recommended!!

Well worth the $20. Its $20 but that's for a 7 day pass for Custer park and needles highway but it's worth it if it was just the highway. Unbelievable views and fun driving. The tunnels were really neat too. Great picture opportunities.

The roadway was planned by former South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck, who marked the course on foot and by horseback. Construction was completed in 1922. 3 Narrow tunnels to drive through. Many curves in the road. The name comes from the needlelike granite formations. Areas to pull over to take in the view, pictures and access to hiking trails. Going through my pictures at home came across rock climbers in the background of two different areas.

This is a great drive providing great views. It's another great drive within Custer State Park. You cannot take a vehicle all the way through this drive is it's over 8.5 feet tall and 8.5 feet wide. You'll see from the pictures that there are two tunnels carved through stone that are very narrow. The needle like spires are extraordinary. There are so many places to stop and take pictures. I had to fold in my mirrors just to be sure they did not hit the side of the tunnels. Of course it's only one lane. If you are an experienced rock climber, you can climb some of the spires.

Gorgeous drive. Takes a little time but worth it. The one way tunnels are a bit scary when you can't see around the corner, but it was fun. Glad we were not in any larger of a vehicle! It was scenic and enjoyable.

Quite possibly one of the most scenic motorcycle rides in the country, maybe the world. This is great on a bike, and possibly nearly as good in a convertible.

Narrow road and tunnels for my 3/4 ton Ram.. had to fold in the mirrors a couple of times. Loved driving all 6 tunnels in the area!

This was a beautiful outdoor experience. You need a park sticker which you can buy at the entrance. You drive through the park and the “Needles” portion is kind of in the center. The scenery and rock formations are breath taking. The road is narrow and travel slow so you get ample time fir viewing. There are pull offs for photo taking. There are three tunnels to go through. I drive a full sized pickup that fit through fine!

Such a cool experience with beautiful views! Be patient as it is busy and you have to take turns but worth the wait! Stop at Sylvan lake too!

A big group of us visited on a motorcycle trip!! So much fun and so very beautiful!! Don't forget to take your camera!! Pictures area must!

This highway is worth the trip to South Dakota itself! The mountain views are unbelievable! It's one of the prettiest spots we've visited in the U.S.

We were lucky enough to go through here in May before the heavy tourist season. This is a must do drive if you are visiting Mount Rushmore. Plan on taking a couple of hours at least so you can stop often and hike and take pictures. The rock formations are pretty spectacular and the views phenomenal. You go through roughly ten one-way tunnels. These are hewn through the solid rock and each one is an experience to go through. Two of them were specifically designed and placed to give you a view of Mount Rushmore when you look through one end of the tunnel. This is a very windy road so be prepared to take your time and be aware if you get car sick easily. One of the highlights of our trip.

This was really an amazing, awe Inspring and breath taking day adventure. The elevation is 6,339ft so the view even on a cloudy day was like Wow!. Recommend approx speed between 20-30 mph. Needles Highway is 14 miles of snake like curves and bends in the road leading to the super cool Needles eye Tunnel of sparkling granite. Driving through it was the icing on the cake!. Amazing rock formations, wildlife and ponderosa pines everywhere you look. Quite a few overlook places to stop and take pictures too. Not a dull moment, for the thrill seeker and nature lover in us all! Highly recommend .

There are many scenic drives around Custer State Park but this was my favorite. The scenery is stunning and it's super fun going through the one-way tunnels. Be sure to stop the many pull-outs for pictures.

Take the whole day and stop at all the viewpoints so you can relax and take it all in.
PRO TIP: Honk your horn as you enter the tunnels so oncoming cars know you’re in there!

This was an amazing, picturesque and windy road. There were many stops along the highway, we tried to stop at them all. Amazing. Each view was different and beautiful. We did this drive in late afternoon, so great shadows and colors for photos. we did a couple small hikes/walks too. The drive can be done quickly, but we enjoyed each stop and took our time exploring.

Nature is a thing of beauty. Everyone needs to go out and discover our beautiful sites. This Highway has rock formations and tunnels to drive through. Fold in your mirrors on your cars to be safe. So cool!

When you enter Custer State Park on the west, you are given a choice of going the Needles Highway, or a shorter,more level route. I was a coward, but glad husband was adventurous. Stop at beautiful small Sylvan Lake - gift shop, restrooms. This highway is NOT for cowardly driver or a large vehicle. They probably won't let you go if in an RV, because the tunnels are 1-way & too small. The Needle rock formation is the big attraction & not much parking. A climber repelled down it while we were there. You have to wait to go through the short tunnel. I really hope they have a park ranger there in the busy summer time because I could see it being a traffic nightmare. But we enjoyed the turns & vistas & glad we went this way. Several folks on bikes & some motorcycles. Guess you could climb around on the rocks if young & gutsy. No restrooms except at visitor centers. Great photo ops but only at turnouts which were few. An adventure! Not maintained in winter.

Do not miss this on your vacation! Road the Needles Highway on a motorcycle and it was beyond breath taking!

this drive is perfect. i don't think i can offer anything that hasn't been said.

we did enjoy a tour bus navigating the eye tunnel. long time coming through... when he finally inched through...he put his head in his hands and shook his head.

the views afforded on this loop are worth stopping often and real short walks from pull off areas afford majestic views.

needles hwy....a can't miss opportunity

My husband and I were lucky to visit Custer State Park for a few days while on a road trip in North and South Dakota. What a beautiful wilderness area so abundant with wildlife (bison, prairie dogs, bighorn sheep, elk, pronghorn antelope, etc). Needles Highway was windingly beautiful-sometimes scary-and had many pull-out areas for majestic views and photo opportunities. Tunnels were easy to navigate due to very little traffic in September. I suggest you head out earlier in the day to avoid traffic congestion.

it was an amazing experience. we were on motorcycles and we had no idea what to expect. weather was nice and the roads were in very good shape. the highway is so curvy and steep and kinda stressful but the view is amazing. i recommend this to all motorcycle drivers and small cars or suv s not suer bigger vehicles would fit thru tunnels.

Needles HWY lived up to its kind of scary reputation as a "better watch out " thoroughfare - tight , narrow and a wonder!! of engineering and access - the two tiny tunnels in the granite mountainsides made you wonder for a second if you were really going to make it through or be stuck in a car sized lemon squeeze - the soaring pinnacles made the drive more iffy since you had to take your eyes off the road to stare at them

The scenery was just totally amazing on our ride through this road. I still think it was the most beautiful and scenic road I have ever been on. If you visit Custer and don't take a ride on this highway you are definitely missing out.

Needles Highway (aka Hwy 87) is a scenic byway that includes granite Spires and rock tunnels. There is hiking along the way (Cathedral Spires); however, we skipped it this time around. It's definitely worth taking a few extra minutes to take this route at least once while in Custer State Park

I suppose if you like heights, tight spaces, narrow roads, the white line being the edge of the mountain.... and are a thrill seeker... this is for you! Personally, I found it terrifying! I'm glad I did it once ... but never again! My husband loved it.... nope, never again.

Needles Highway is an amazing journey with sharp turns, streams, picnic areas and rock formations everywhere you look. Start from the south end and work your way slowly up the drive to Lake Sylvan. Just when you think you are going to start heading back down, your car keeps climbing. Then you start driving through very narrow tunnels. It can get a pretty tight on crowded days, but if everyone works together there are views and fun for everyone.

Amazing. The long tunnel was a little nerve wracking with two way traffic. I love nature's ways. Plenty pull over spots.

Very scenic drive. If you are afraid of heights have someone drive who isn’t. There are quite a few pull out sections to view the areas and they are quite picturesque.

The Needles Highway is a must-do on your Black Hills vacation! It is absolutely beautiful. On our drive through the highway we saw a mountain goat and stopped at a few look-out points to take short walks and enjoy the view. We saw a tour bus going through the Needles Eye tunnel which was amazing! Glad I wasn't driving :) We did this after the Wildlife Loop, as they are fairly close to one another.

Beautiful scenery. I can’t say enough about Needles Highway and the beauty it has to offer! Take in every second you see…you will be in aww! Stop at the side stops and capture the beauty that’s here!!!!

Needles Highway is within Custer State Park which charges a $20 entrance fee. If you're planning on exploring the park, the cost is well worth it. If you aren't, well, that's the only way to get to the highway. The scenery is amazing and there are view points where you can pull off and take it all in. Expect delays at the Needles Eye Tunnel; it's just part of driving through a one-way tunnel.

This is so near to the Badlands (in the grand scheme of things), and yet, it is so strikingly different. I've honestly never seen rock formations like these before. Well worth the slow, circuitous drive. Note: one member in our party required Dramamine, so if you are sensitive to such things as twisting, turning, hairpin roads, you might want to come prepared! Also, if you plan to take this route, please brush up on the etiquette of driving through one-lane tunnels. So many drivers during our drive had no idea of when to go and when not to go and caused unnecessary traffic jams through the tunnels. There is two famous tunnels through which you can see Mount Rushmore (if you are traveling west to east), and coming upon that vision is truly astonishing!

Was a little skeptical after reading some other review's but glad we drove it, yes it's narrow and tight but we took our Ford F150 and we made it just fine even through the narrow tunnel and I left the mirrors out to gauge the distance through the tunnel,now these are standard mirrors,I'm sure if you have trailer mirrors you would have to fold in,as far as the road itself do yourself a favor drive the speed limits and take your time this is not a race and you will be fine.

When we were traveling on this road I wondered how in the world did someone build this road! Thank you to them as this drive was one of the prettiest drives that I have been on. It climbed, swerved, descended mountains, hills, curves. It was truly wonderful. I kept hearing amazement out of the back seat when I said kids, look over there!

We did this two times. First time was rather foggy so we were only able to see what was right in front of us. The next day with clearer weather, we drove from the other direction and couldn't believe what we had missed the first time around. WOW! We hiked the 2.2 mile Cathedral Spire trail and it was so worth it for the up close and personal formations.

Drive this road and take your time. It is scenic, with twists and turns and some of the narrowest tunnels ever. Pull over in multiple places to enjoy the views, rock formations and the wildlife. The mountain goats were the most fun, they seem to effortlessly climb straight up the walls. How do they do that?

A must do as far as I'm concerned. We travelled the road from Sylvan Lake north to the intersection with Hwy 16. Beautiful views along the way, some cool tunnels, and nice fall colors in late September. Don't be worried about the road itself. Just plan to go slow and use your steering wheel a lot.

We took this drive to get from the arts festival at the game lodge to our cabin at Sylvan Lake. Not terribly crowded in late September. The views were very pretty and we enjoyed seeing where we would be hiking the next day.

Scenic route 87 goes from Custer State Park toward Hill City. It is quite the drive. Narrow, winding road with interesting rock formations. There are narrow, short tunnels. Views are great. There are a few places to stop and take in the views. If you are roaming around the Black hills area this should be on your list. If car sickness is an issue watch out.

Loved the drive so many turns and tunnels but we all missed the needle eye rock formation this is one of the nicest drives that I taken in the U S

Needles Highway is absolutely breathtaking. There is no other topography like it except for the Badlands State Scenic Byway!! When going to the Black Hills, you must make the drive incorporating Needles Highway with WIldlife Loop Road, and Iron Mountain Road. It took us three hours to drive the loop because we stopped to take so many pictures. Needles Highway was not scary at all, and does not make you feel claustrophobic. Don't let other reviews scare you.

Gorgeous drive, only really busy around the first tunnel. Beautiful spires, green and verdant. The lake is idyllic.

It was one of the highlights of the trip to drive this road. It offers so much to see and many tunnels. Definitely wouldn’t drive it with very large vehicles or trailers. It has lots of tight turns and one way tunnels.

We started out the loop going through Custer Park wildlife loop and then up through the Needles HWY. I'm afraid of heights so parts of this drive were a bit scary but it was so worth it. There were plenty of spots to stop and take pictures. Don't miss this, it's spectacular!

It was way up there! Hairpin turns, narrow roads and Majesty. Just a beautiful ride. Can pull over and hike further up if interested Gorgeous views. Worth the hour to really enjoy.

Truly unique road, very twisty and unlike any road I’ve been on. It was very busy mid June during a weekday afternoon. There was heavy traffic coming from both directions through a one way tunnel. Huge tour buses were barely making it through. We parked, walked to see the mess of traffic and people then turned around the other direction. Really need someone directing traffic bc people were not taking turns. Still a beautiful landscape!

Needles Highway is in Custer State Park. The landscape is amazing and the formations are astounding. Take the winding roads to several overlooks and through a couple right fitting tunnels. This small section of the park takes about an hour to drive through and stop to see the sights.

We rented an atv to take through as our camper was to large. Totally worth it! Wish we had more time to stop and hike. Adrenaline trill for sure.

Definitely a must-see. The rock formations, the valleys and trees you will see are astoundingly beautiful.

An incredible experience.

This is a scary and beautiful drive! We did it twice.
Once on a beautiful day and the other day a pop-up Storm with hail! A great experience.

We drove Needles Highway on a Thursday morning in early June from Hill City (US365/16) south into Custer State Park (US16A) and traffic was light. This was one of the best activities we did in the Black Hills - Breathtaking mountain vistas are framed by fascinating granite pinnacles that dance along the hillsides. Despite the name Needles "Highway", this scenic jaunt is more of a backcountry byway. The roadway is paved and two lanes wide most of the way, though some sections narrow to pass through tunnels or between rocks. It twists and switch-backs over a rocky ridge in the Black Hills, winding through shady pine forest and past a sparkling mountain lake. There are some pull-outs where you can stop for photos, though I wished there were more! Watch for wildlife, we saw several deer along the roadside. The route passes through Custer State Park* so an entrance fee is required; $20/vehicle or $10/motorcycle, valid throughout the park for 7 days. Although the byway is only 14 miles long, allow at least an hour or two to drive it. Posted speed limits are low for safety as there are steep drop-offs and tight, blind curves. The road is not recommended for large vehicles like RVs or travel trailers because of the hairpin turns and three one-lane tunnels that are chiseled through the rock: Hood Tunnel (10'6" x 9'10"), Needle's Eye* (8'4" x 11'3"), and Iron Creek Tunnel (9' x 11'4"). A marker designating the route as a Blue Star Memorial Highway to honor members of the armed forces is posted at the switchbacks just north of Hood Tunnel (about 4 miles south of US385). I highly recommend that you stop and get out of the car at Sylvan Lake*, Needle's Eye*, Cathedral Spires, and Grace Coolidge Creek* Picnic Area (all points of interest noted here are listed in order from north to south). There is an easy trail around the shore of Sylvan Lake that is wheelchair accessible on the west bank. This lake trail leads about .5 mile to the dam and a small slot canyon that connects to Sunday Gulch Trail* (3.9 miles, difficult). There's also a trail head for Black Elk Peak Trail (6.4 miles, moderate) on the north side of the lake. The lodge at Sylvan Lake has restrooms, restaurant, store and kayak rentals. Additional trails along the byway include Little Devil's Tower* (3.6 miles, moderate) and Cathedral Spires* (1.6 miles, moderate). The picnic area at Grace Coolidge Creek* features a lovely grotto plus a restroom. Note that Needles Highway is closed during the winter months; check the state park website to be sure it's open before you go. Some previous reviewers have confused Needles Highway with Iron Mountain Road*. While both of these Black Hills scenic drives pass through part of Custer State Park and each has narrow stone tunnels, it is Iron Mountain Road that has the famous "pigtail" bridges and view of Mt. Rushmore. (* This attraction has its own Tripadvisor page.)

This drive is like no other. Unique rock formations, wildlife, frozen Sylvan Lake in late April. Trees growing out of rocks. The one way tunnel is so cool! This is a must do and see!

This highway in SD is so fun to travel. Especially if you are on a tour bus. Tunnels are not for the faint hearted but very fun.

We just finished a 14000 mile road trip ........ visited the last 9 states, so we have been in all 50. The Dakotas were the last two and we will be back! Absoutely beautiful! The Needles Highway is gorgeous! The rock formations and tunnels were incredible. We traveled several scenic scary roads on this trip, but this one is a standout! So much to see nearby, also.

did this early in the morning and glad for it. not many cars as the road is narrow. saw goats and deer along the way.

The views and rock formations would be awesome on their own. But the narrow tunnels just make it so much cooler. Well worth the time and park fee.

Must do nice scenic drive

Took this as a route through Custer State Park to go to Mount Rushmore, twisty and turny it is fun, but you need to concentrate as there are a number of blind bends.

The tunnels are fine for a large SUV and pre signing gives heights and widths. Route has many scenic viewpoints and if you're on vacation and only in this area once then you'll probably regret it if you don't drive it.

In an area with a lot of scenic drives, we feel beautiful Needles Highway is the best as it winds through conifer forests, past birch and aspen stands surrounding meadows, and about rugged mountains with many protruding, needle-like granite formations giving the highway its name.

The Needles Highway is the 14 mile (22.5k) stretch of SD-87 between its intersection with Hwy 16A to the south in Custer State Park and it intersection with SD-89 in the north near Sylvan Lake. Like Iron Mountain Road, the experience is best when driven from the south to the north; however, if time limitations mandate driving only one from south to north and the other from the north to the south, I would recommend choosing the Needles Highway as the north to south leg as the quality of the drive suffers less than that of Iron Mountain Road.

Without stops, I would plan on allowing about 45 to 60 minutes to drive the road but more if one wants to spend time at the two excellent stops along the road that make this drive, in addition to the spectacular scenery and potential wildlife sightings, the best of the scenic drives in the region. One stop is a little to the south of Needles Eye Tunnel at the large pullout called the Needles Highway Scenic Overlook where it is worth stopping getting out, stretching one’s legs, and exploring the different views of the Needles. The other stop is the pullout immediately north of the same tunnel where one can stop and take a closer look of the Needles Eye formation and the one lane tunnel cut through the granite; this stop also offers some excellent rock scrambling for those that are interested.

some beautiful views with pinnacle rocks, some narrow passages in rock tunnels, but compared to the worthy routes of the large parks of the south there is no comparison, however the Custer State Park is nice, if you are in the area it is worth a visit

Okay, I'm seeing the 1* reviews and yes, they DO have postings on when you can visit. So, I don't understand why people are saying there's no postings. Of course they will be closed during fall/winter.
We went 8/19/2023 and we had to deal with it being super sunny one second to it hailing the next second and then back to it being sunny.
I couldn't imagine going later on in the year and dealing with hail and snow. Also, this is in the mountains where it's cold. I could understand if you're in Utah and dealing with closed roads on the canyons, but you'd think it's common sense to do all your research before any road trip.
We've planned this trip for over a year, I was on every website, review pages, etc as much as possible. I wanted to be a tourist but find things that most people would overlook due to bigger attractions like Mt Rushmore.
Locals all stated to NOT begin where most people will start. We didn't start at Needles point, but ended there. Driving this way, we were closer to the mountain side than the drop off. It was also a beautiful little build up and seeing the needle and lake was a beautiful end to the drive

The sites were amazing. Can't even pick one that stood out. We are planning to go back again. Great for kids, adults and seniors - memories forever.

After traveling the Iron Mountain Road I didn't think it could get any better, but wait until you travel the Needles in Custer State Park. Pictures just can't do this place justice. There is something amazing around every curve. But make sure you pull in those mirrors if you are in a big SUV because if you don't.....then you may not have one after you drive through the Needles Tunnel. It is definitely worth the drive!

This highway is beautiful...but extremely scary driving....there are many turns and cliffs and you need to keep your eyes on the road...at one tunnel it frames mount rushmore...gorgeous....something you should experiencine

Worth the drive and time to see. Many areas to take pictures. Animals and nature. Spectacular views.

A bit of a white knuckle drive, especially when going through the narrow tunnels in a rental car that you are unfamiliar with, but well worth it. Awesome scenery throughout. Take your time and experience the sights throughout. A definite must for anyone visiting the area.

After Zion, Bryce, Arches, Colorado monument we thought we had lost the wow factor. Some of Needles still caused a few wows. Pity they dont tell you where to stand to see the actual needle. A lovely drive. A pity noone here has investigated use of mirrors on the corners

We visited the first week of November and were disappointed to find that the Highway was closed for the season. We had been checking with the nearby parks and no one mentioned any of this. When we called, we were told that "DoT" had made the decision and closed it. Totally get that weather can be problematic in November, but wished someone could have provided more comprehensive information. BTW - The roads in the Wildlife Loop and the Iron Mountain road also had some needles and tunnels, so we weren't totally shut out.

Oh my the tunnel is tight! The views on this highway are just amazing. Hairpin curves, tunnels and beautiful views of these amazing rocks. We were not able to hike the trail because of the snow and sleet. But, it was still quite the ride.

Awesome scenery and majestic beauty. My family and I loved the Needles Hwy trip and even went back at night to watch a sunset. Rock formations are unbelievable.

You're going to have to pull your truck mirrors in to get through the rock tunnels! So cool! Great views and drive!

Make sure you do not get car sick, as there are many curves. There are some one way tunnels to drive through. There are many scenic photos to be taken on this drive. Nature’s beauty is amazing!

Absolutely amazing views. We were amazed by the towering bolders and vast expanse views on this route. Some of the turns were a little tense as you can't see oncoming traffic but as long as you go slow there is no issue. A definite highlight of our trip to South Dakota.

We encountered no traffic coming the other way while actually on the road. Views were magnificent and we were able to move through the highway at under 20 miles per hour without holding up anybody else. So if you have the chance to drive this highway on a clear day when almost nobody is in Custer State Park -- by all means do it!

Wow! What views!! we entered at the northern end of Needles Highway Rte 87 and saw the spectacular rock formations early. This part of Custer State Park makes Mt Rushmore pale in comparison.

If you have time try to do this road, it has stunning scenery. Don't worry that it can get narrow at points, there are plenty of pull ins and most of the drivers are there to have a relaxing drive, no ones in a rush. If you have to decide between needles highway or Iron Mountain Road, then do this one.

we drove Needles Highway after leaving Mount Rushmore. It was overcast and a little rainy so there wasn't a lot of traffic allowing us to stop and enjoy the spectacular views. You drive through tunnels that have more than enough room for a car or truck but they sure seem tight at the time, a tight curvy road going up and out. Highly recommended drive. My only regret is not recording the drive.

What a stunning drive, winding roads with amazing look outs and stops. It is lots of fun to squeeze your giant SUV through tunnels cut out in the mountain as we take in all the sites and sounds of thr SD countryside. This drive was invigorating from the moment we started!

Gorgeous views and a fun drive. Definitely don't skip if you are in the area. Some tunnels are very tight, check your vehicle size before going!

What an exciting drive on this highway. The views were magnificent and it was very cool to drive through the one-way tunnels. I would highly recommend this drive through Custer State Park!

Lots of terrific views but not a drive for the faint hearted. Road is narrow and respect for other road users is essential. Take your time and enjoy.

When in Custer State Park, you must take the time to take a northern loop road and visit the Needles Highway. Named for the rocky terrain and scenery, there is nothing like it that I've seen! There are rocky tunnels to drive through, rock formations that look other-worldly, and scenery that is unforgettable. Do not miss this opportunity while in Custer State Park

We drove the entire Needles Highway and enjoyed every bit of it! Be careful when you reach the actual Needle - people are stopped and out everywhere!

Although the day we drove this route it was foggy, it was still worth it. Of what we could see, we saw many unusual rock formations and a narrow one lane tunnel that you drive through. It was very interesting, just wish it hadn’t been foggy or we would have seen so much more. We did enjoy what we saw.

What an amazing ride through the Needles Highway. I was so excited to take our grandsons. They were totally amazed and a little afraid if the narrow roads and curvy road. What an adventure. Driving through the Needle had to be the highlight. Perfect weather for our drive

*This is a toll road, and it's closed during winter months. The toll goes to the maintenance of this amazing road. Visiting in mid-September, traffic wasn't as bad as it can be in mid-summer. Breathtaking roads and stunning views! The engineering involved in building the roads and tunnels is amazing, especially considering that the road was built in the early 1920s. Be aware: if you're sensitive to heights you should find someone else to drive - there are sheer drops, no guardrails on extremely narrow, twisty, bendy roads. I had a blast watching my passenger tip toward the center of our vehicle to avoid falling over the edges :-) We entered on the west end and came out on the east end, near Custer State Park. In that direction, the road begins as flat woodland but quickly rises, literally, into the rock formations of the upper elevations. Beyond the thrilling twists, turns and tunnels of the rock formations, and numerous scenic overlooks, the road smooths out once again to flat woodland during the final several miles.

This really is a spectacular drive, equal to driving through the Badlands in my opinion for jaw dropping scenery. Follow the route to the 3 tunnels, all easy to drive through in our rented mid size SUV. Lots of places to pull over along the route to take in the jagged needle rocks and gorgeous trees. Take a picnic, make sure to take everything away with you when finished, and enjoy watching the birds fly above the trees and towering rock spires.

The needles highway was a very interesting drive! The cost to get into the state park is $20 per vehicle but your pass is good for 7 days. You will need a typical car or truck to get through the tunnels as they are very tight. Our family enjoyed this part of our South Dakota trip!

We did the needles highway drive and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have a fear of heights so I actually couldn’t drive through it the first time as the road is quite windy and u do go up quite high, for a Praire boy , it high. When I did drive through the tunnel , it was an amazing feeling. Well worth the drive

If you are going to Mt Rushmore, I highly encourage you to visit Custer State Park. We took a motorcycle trip through the park and got really up close with some American Bison. They took over the road for a few minutes. Then within a mile we were able to let the ‘wild’ burros which appeared bored with all of the tourists! Antelope rounded out the wildlife. It is beautiful drive and worth your time!

Love taking friends on this drive. It is one of the more interesting drives in the hills. You just need to see it to believe it. Just be wary of those one lane tunnels.

The road can be challenging. There are many tight turns and tunnels blown into rock. The views are breathtaking.

Of course there are many pictures of the Needles Highway and lots of reviews. So here is a couple of quick tips if you are traveling with a family and watching your budget. First, buy gas and food when you are not in the Black Hills tourist towns (e.g. buy gas in Rapid City or along the I-90 corridor). Second, you don’t have to pay to go into Custer State Park although you get better views and more tunnels. There are several pull-offs on the way to Custer Park that you can see the rock formations and hike 3-4 miles. There is one tunnel you go through prior to arriving at the entrance of Custer State Park. If you are on a quick driving tour you can these things as well as Mt Rushmore without paying all the fees.

So glad I read a comment about which way to drive this loop. One way you get to go through the tunnels and you can see the faces of Mt Rushmore best way to see an awesome site. Very unique place, and must drive. Much better than Custer park drive.

Pictures are nothing compared to actually being there! $20 for a 7 day pass to all South Dakota state parks, didn’t seem too bad for some amazing views

We drove the Needles Highway after a visit to Mt Rushmore. We started at Sylvan lake. The drive is on a narrow road with several one lane tunnels along its length. The views are beautiful with some wonderful rock formations. Got out of the car at one point & the chipmunks will eat out of your hands. If you’re in the area this is a worthwhile drive

slow down and enjoy the drive. it really is amazing to see and drive. my only suggestion would be when driving through the "eyes" make sure you honk your horn to let others you are driving through.

park off on the side to get some really great pictures.

Tons of great views on the drive. It was snowing during our trip so the road was very slippery. Be aware that they do not plow the road in winter so it will be snow covered or impassible during winter. Very light traffic during our visit.

WOW! This has nothing on all the other scenic drives I've done. The wow factor is HUGE on this road! The tunnels, the views, the rocks...all of it is super amazing! Take your time to view the overlooks and take a hike, its well worth your time.

You need a State Park Pass which you get at either end for $20 Car, $10 Motorcycle or you do not go. Limited ability to get through tunnels because of clearance. We spent 1 hour + coming in from the Sylvan Lake entrance.

Parking is somewhat available to see the tunnels and there are some areas that you could pull over easily to stop see and get pictures. Use care some think this is a speedway

Great views and photo ops to take. Enjoy and be safe

We took the drive a on the Needles Highway and through the Needles Eye. The views were amazing. There are plenty of spaces to pull over and take pictures.

I think the Needles Highway was a highlight of our family trip. It is peaceful, spectacular views, amazing rocks/formations, exciting roads and more! Don’t pass up an opportunity to drive this whole road.

The Scenery on this road was better than Iron Mountain but it was not as much fun to drive. That said, it still gets five stars, because it deserves it. If you drive in from the south, you will be required to stop and pay $20 for a seven-day park pass. If you come in from the north, you will avoid having to pay the fee. Cathedral Spires Hiking Trail, Needles Eye, and Sylvan Lake are all located on this road. This is a must do in the Black Hills - Super FUN!!

You need to start driving the scenic Needles Highway (SD-87S) by turning off of US-385. This makes you take Iron Mountain Road north through the tunnels with Mount Rushmore framed in the distance through each tunnel opening. Both highways are considered scenic highways with Iron Mountain Road being the road that engineers said couldn't be built. Several great views can be seen on Needles Highway with scenic turn-offs. You also get to drive through the extremely narrow Needles Eye Tunnel. Any vehicles wider than 8 feet wide and 10 1/2 feet high cannot make it. There is a $20.00 entrance fee for Custer State Park that is good for 7 days.

The Needles Highway is a 14-mile stretch that marks the northern end of the 37.894-mile-long South Dakota Highway 87 in the Black Hills region of southwestern South Dakota. Completed in 1922, the highway is named after the high granite "needles" or unique and spectacular rock formations it winds among. The Needles are a region of granite pillars, towers and spires within Custer State Park that are popular with rock climbers and tourists alike. The Cathedral Spires and Limber Pine Natural Area, a 637-acre portion of the Needles containing six ridges of pillars as well as a disjunct stand of limber pine, was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1976. Interestingly, the Needles were the original site proposed for the Mount Rushmore carvings. The Needles Highway is a spectacular drive through pine and spruce forests, meadows surrounded by birch and aspen and rugged granite mountains. The roadway was carefully planned by former South Dakota governor Peter Norbeck, who marked the entire course on foot and by horseback. Along with the Needles, other captivating sites are Sylvan Lake and the Needle's Eye, a tunnel blasted through sheer granite walls. Access to the highway requires a Custer State Park entrance license, making that portion of SD 87 a toll road. The scenery is spectacular but drivers should keep their eyes on the narrow roadway, sharp turns and low tunnels. It isn't like taking a Sunday spin on Lake Shore Drive. Due to the danger, vehicle traffic is light, almost exclusively sightseers. What a sight!

This scenic drive inside Custer State Park is a must! You will need to pay $20 to enter, but your ticket is good for a week and it's worth it! The one way tunnel is a sight to see when there is a goat jam 😂 But there are so many unusual and amazing rock formations and the views are amazing!

this hwy is an extension of Iron Mountain road. the road requires slow going with tunnels that are only big enough for one vehicle, so everybody really takes their time on it.
The Needles Eye is a long narrow tunnel, not for RV's or big campers. it is barely wide enough for a full size pickup, the passengers and the driver could touch the walls while driving through.
When you get to the needles eye there are places to pull off and you can hike and climb.

I had several people recommend this drive. I almost didn't go because I had to pay $20 for the park fee. I'm glad I pulled the trigger. They drive was beautiful. Many switchbacks and the tunnels are all one car at a time. I say several trucks struggle through because of how wide they were. The views were phenomenal of huge formations and expansive spaces. Lots of pine trees. Took me some 4 hours to drive it with two small hikes and not stopping everywhere. Got to see mountain goats up close and up in the rocks. Take the time and spend the money.

Needles Highway was an awesome experience but would have been a lot better without the tons of motorcycles during Sturgis.

We were in Custer State Park in September and found this to be fantastic..The scenery is fantastic..Never had I seen rock formation like that before...This is a definite without a doubt must see ....

We did this after Mount Rushmore. It was excellent! The pull outs and scenery was brilliant. Pictures can not do it justice.
The drive for me, was simply wonderful, I’m driving a 20’6” full size pick up truck (F350), so the technical driving was the best I have had to do in a long time. We just managed to squeeze through the three tunnels (deep breath in!).
If you come here and don’t do this, you will have missed something special.
Hint: Leave lots of time, as the average speed is below 25mph/45km/hr.
Hint: Start early, do Rushmore first, say 8ish, then onto doing this. As you get close to the end, you will see all the turn outs and scenic stops fill up.
Definitely recommend

I recently commented on a TripAdvisor forum post that the roads in Custer Stste Park were curvy. That was before I drove this highway. These are MUCH, MUCH CURVIER that those in the rest of the park!

If coming from the south, it is quite a distance before you reach the needle area. Lots of overlooks to get good photos. A good drive, but not for the nervous driver.

How the tour bus ever got through I do not know. If you have any claustrophic leanings, avoid...the bus we were on had only 1 inch (yes, 1 inch) on each side to pass through. It would not be so constraining for cars, of course, but you will experience the tightness just the same.

The 'needles' portion of the needles highway is a pretty short segment (didn't clock it but seems like only a mile or two) but well worth it, plenty of small areas to park in and take pictures or explore. Even in peak summer times the only real crowds were right at the top in the area on either side of the needles eye.

This is a must do when visiting the area. Breathtaking views. There are points where you could pull over and get a few good photos. At times it seems like your car won’t make it through the tunnels. Don’t worry, it does.

This is a beautiful area with some very narrow tunnels. My son was driving so I could just enjoy the views. One tunnel you come out of and can see Mount Rushmore. I highly recommend this drive.

We went in October so it was fairly quiet. It was entertaining watching a bus go through the tunnel and since it wasn't busy we had ample opportunity to take pictures without having to dodge traffic. If it wasn't for the $20 toll for this tiny journey, I'd have enjoyed it better.

Words can not describe just how amazing the Needles Highway is. This thrilling road runs through Custer State Park, but the entry fee is worth every penny. I entered the Needles Highway off U. S. Highway 385 just a few miles from the Crazy Horse Memorial. Soon after entering the park the amazing views began. Do not do this drive unless you have plenty of time because you will be constantly stopping for photos and to take in the wonderful views. Sylvan Lake great but just a prelude to what is to come as you wind your way through the rocky landscape toward Cathedral Spires. Along the way you will move slowly through the Needles Eye Tunnel which is simple unbelievable. I traveled the Needles Highway all the way through from Highway 385 to U. S. Highway 16-A. Even Though it is only distance of about 20 or 25 miles the journey took me a little over two hours as I was treated to spectacular beauty at every turn and kept stopping for pictures. Along the way, I saw a variety of wildlife including deer, a bear and buffalo. This is one of the most amazing drives in the country and should be done when you have plenty of time.

We were lucky to have rented a convertible for this trip. Don't rush it - take your time, make frequent stops, take pictures. Breathtaking views, decent road condition.

We did this drive just before labor day on a week day, when school was in session, so less traffic than high summer. There are places to pull over and stop. To really enjoy all that Needles highway has to offer, you have to stop and get out of the car. I would also recommend a picnic lunch or lunch at one of the lodges on the lakes. Beautiful views and interesting rock formations. Well worth $20. We did not find the drive scary but we are from Colorado.

We almost didn’t drive the Needles Hwy, after a disappointing drive through the Wilderness Loop (only saw 2 animals on the long drive), but am so thankful that we did! The views are spectacular and we ended up pulling over at every look out to soak up the scenery. We saw so many wild animals at the look outs, from tiny chipmunks that ate out of our hands to massive Mountain Goats very close up. The rock formations are unearthly looking and driving through the needles was exciting. Coming out of one of the needles, we got an amazing view of Mt Rushmore! I would recommend this drive to anyone, just take it slow!

This is a fantastic, not-to-be-missed, road trip. There are so many interesting and spectacular sites to see along the drive. Be careful when you come up to tunnels as they often become one lane only and are around a corner so you have to get out of your vehicle to check for oncoming traffic. It's a really slow drive though so it's not difficult to do. We drove clockwise around the loop which was interesting but next visit we'll go counter clockwise to get the views of Mount Rushmore through the tunnels. Fantastic.

This is such a unique drive with beautiful sites to see. The road is slow and long so if you get car sick I recommend coming in by the three tunnels, seeing the best part of the hwy and then turning around.

Needles highway on a motorcycle is the ultimate ride! Curves and more curves, beautiful scenery and tunnels too! Watch out for cars hogging the road though! It can be very narrow and many of the tunnels are one lane only. Enjoyed this road very much!

Ok, so you don't actually get to drive (or walk) through the eye of the needle (it's actually towering over your head) but the first rock passageway is pretty darn tight for a large SUV. Just sayin'. Scenic drive - check. Challenging drive - check. Romantic drive at sundown? Double check. Plenty of spots to hop out and catch some awesome photos or just stand and gaze. For best lighting, try early morning or late afternoon. Just stunning. And for those of you playing the "wow" game, stick to water.

It starts really slow and you are just driving through a forest that seems never ending... but you are eventually rewarded with some tight one lane tunnels and awesome rock formations. Our teenager was not impressed and slept most of the way.

Was a bit of a nail biter at times, but it's a fun ride. Just beware that the tunnels can be very narrow. We were in large pickup truck and had to pull in mirrors. Park staff were on hand to direct traffic at some of the tunnels due to high traffic (Bike Week).

This highway is a must do if you are near the area. You'll need to take your time to enjoy the scenery at the turnouts. So exciting to go through tunnels that only one car can go through at al time!! There were tree tunnels in all. We really enjoyed the drive!! Take your camera!

This was one of the most beautiful scenic highways I've ever seen. We took our time, and it was absolutely beautiful. My favorite time and trip in South Dakota.

This was cool. Fun road to drive, please don't try to drive a motorhome down this road. Nice viewpoints and scenery the entire time

Another tight squeeze on the bus tour but so worth it. These beautiful places should be seen by all.

This place is stunning. What a great place to ride a motorcycle. I wish it was less busy but a place like this will attract some people. I have to go back here....

It was well worth the $20 entrance fee to Custer State Park to drive the Needles Highway. The rock formations were beautiful, and the kids loved stopping to watch a rock climber tackle one of the Needles. It took a some good nerves to handle the curves and tiny tunnels but what a great experience!

If in the area Needles Highway is a must do starting in Custer State Park. Take food and feed the donkeys in the park. Highlight of the park tour. Needles Highway is just beautiful and puts you in awe of Gods majestic creations. Words and pics do not do this area justice. A must see if traveling in this area. Tunnels are fun to go thru.

we were not blessed to see the needles in the day light but did drive it in the dark. It is a sight to see thats for sure. The tunnels are tight fit but easy. The road is very scary in the dark and or if you fear heights. We didn't see much wildlife besides mule deer a herd of 50 or more elk resting on both sides of the road and 2 big bison at the bottom of the Mt. We did it in all darkness but will be back to do it in the day time to see more.

A must see.

Wow!
Never seen anything like this!
crazy rock formations, and one-car tunnels through the rocks!
So worth the trip!

Very unique stone pillars. Great scenic drive, but road is narrow in some places. If you are trying to decide which of the many scenic routes in this area, I do recommend this one.

This is a beautiful drive. The mountain views are so unbelievable!! I would highly recommend that you drive this. The tunnels are so cool through the mountains. Scary but really, really cool. Loved this whole road. Scary but beautiful.

The views are worth a million however if you do not like driving on roads with 100'S of feet of drops on the sides and without safety barriers...you may want to reconsider the drive.

We went just before the snow fall of April 10, 2019. Thank goodness because they will close the road if it gets covered in snow.

Many parking sites along the way to take in the view. Has a very narrow tunnel...but a turnaround as well in case you cannot fit through it with your vehicle.

This is a definite do not miss location. Wildlife (deer) are everywhere.

Enjoy.

Very interesting part of our trip! We loved the tunnels and the eye of the Needle. Great time of the year to go, being it isn't so crowded.

Driving the Needles Scenic Highway in Custer State Park definitely lived up to the hype. What a thrilling drive! But, we are crazy people who like driving twisty, curvy, narrow roads, winding through mountains and gorgeous scenery. Driving through the Needles Eye Tunnel was a real adrenalin rush. This was the narrowest tunnel we have ever driven through, and we made it through without a scrape! If you’re not up to this kind of driving gymnastics, you can always book a tour bus. Just don’t miss this drive, it is that spectacular.

We drove Needles from south to north, as some have suggested, starting at the Wilson Corner Station on Route 16A. Make the turn onto Needles Scenic Drive, Route 87 and keep following this road north. The first several miles are nothing special, but once you drive through Iron Creek Tunnel, it starts to get interesting. The Cathedral Spires area is just stunning. Then you get your turn driving through the “Needle.” This tunnel is only 8 feet wide and 9 feet 9 inches tall. The sign doesn’t say how long it is, but it is the longest tunnel of the bunch too. It’s white knuckle all the way driving slowly through it, hoping you don’t scrape your vehicle in the process. It’s hard to believe that tour buses can make it through this tunnel, although I’ve heard some have scrapes on their side mirrors as proof! The area after the tunnel at the Needles Scenic Overlook is equally amazing. Keep going and you’ll wind up at Sylvan Lake. Definitely make a stop here too to take in the beauty of this lovely idyllic lake for some great photo ops.

Don’t confuse the Needles Scenic Drive with the Iron Mountain Scenic Drive. Needles is route 87 and runs up to Hill City. Iron Mountain is Route 16A and is near Mt. Rushmore and Keystone. Iron Mt. Rd. is the one where you can see Mt. Rushmore “framed” in the three tunnels on that scenic drive. That is another must see drive you need to include in your Black Hills visit.

We took the kids for a drive on the Needles highway and it was beautiful and very scenic. The highway was a slow winding drive but worth it. We all enjoyed the afternoon.

This 45 minute drive is spectacular. At first, it wasn’t doing much for me, but then the road goes into the wonderful formations and we were blown away. There is one hike about halfway through - Cathedral Valley I believe is the name - that is 2.3 mile out and back. Many single lane tunnels and magnificent photo ops. This road is not to be missed.

Needles Highway was such a beautiful drive ! We absolutely loved it and it was definitely a highlight in our trip ! Highly recommend

If you are in the area you have to do this drive.When we were there we saw mountain goats in the tunnel getting a drink.

This drive is awesome!! It has everything-scenery, views, wildlife, hiking trails, hairpin turns, drop-offs! Even I drove it and I do NOT like to drive on mountain roads! It is well worth your time and effort. Bring some pop and snacks and off you go!

We liked this drive so much we took it a of couple times. It is worth seeing all the scenic sights on the way!

The Needles Highway is one of America's great drives! Although not so long, the drive winds through spectacular scenery of rock spires, mountains, and vistas. Two narrow tunnels and the fantastic Needles Eye (not to be missed)! Visitors have to pay $20 to drive the Needles Highway, as entry to Custer State Park, but the pass is good for 7 days and allows access to all other areas of the state park. Well worth it in my view.

Did not disappoint! Beautiful drive and picture ops. Along with stopping for pictures at the needles area, Sylvan Lake is also spectacular. Don’t miss through-the-tunnel unique views of Mt. Rushmore!

This is now in my top 5 scenic drives, think US34 Big Thompson Canyon, Spearfish Canyon, Trail Ridge Road! Deemed “impossible” to construct by its critics, Needles Highway—a National Scenic Byway—was completed in 1922 and includes 14 miles of sharp turns, low tunnels and impressive granite spires. The tunnels are "one-way" and small groups of cars alternate passing through the tunnels. It is approximately 60 miles but takes over three hours due to the one way tunnels and speed limits are often only 10-20 mph due to the narrow road and frequent turns. A "must do" if you are in the Black Hills!!!

We drove through this scenic highway and were just floored by the beautiful views! This is not the route for someone in a hurry; the roads weave through many switchbacks and hairpin turns. It was designed to take advantage of the natural beauty of the hills, and it exceeded expectations.

This is an absolute must do. The drive is incredible and breathtaking. There was always an OMG every minute of the drive. Needles tunnel was really cool to go through along with the other tunnels, Hood tunnel and Iron Creek tunnel. I can't say enough how breathtaking this drive is.

Truly a beautiful drive, even better if you get out and hike . Try to go off hours or off season to avoid frustrating traffic and check the size of your vehicle — if you have concerns avoid the narrow tunnel segments. You can still get to Sylvan Lake without using the Needles Highway.

This was an amazing drive through some amazingly beautiful country. It was last in the season so the traffic was light and we stopped to admire the scenery many times. Very Beautiful. Many places to park the car and go for a hike through beautiful scenary.

Our intention was to leave the State Game Lodge and get to Mt. Rushmore for sunrise, we took a wrong turn and ended up driving Needles Hwy before dawn on a Monday morning. Best mistake ever! When we started it was still dark, but quickly started to brighten up...and when it did, there were deer everywhere along the roadside and we came across a mountain goat that looked like he needed coffee. We went through Cathedral Spires just as the sun was starting to touch their peaks. It was beautiful! But the best part, we didn't encounter a single car on the entire trip, went as slow as we wanted and took our time. Very enjoyable.

The scenery is incredible. Every turn in the road brought fresh oohs and ahhs! The rock tunnels were impressive, and rocks, mountain, and fall foliage were breath-taking. We saw LOTS of deer, and a few elk and bison.

This is definitely a must see!! Leave plenty of time to stop and take pictures. There are side trails for easy walks or can go for a hike on a more challenging trail or you can just drive through. Any way you explore this you will not be disappointed.

If you are in the Badlands or Mount Rushmore area, this is one of the best drives you'll ever go on! Winding, narrow, road with hairpin turns leading into one lane tunnels. Awesome scenery! Great fun!

We were doing the "Great American Road Trip" and stopped off at the Mount Rushmore KOA RV park. Wanting to experience all the area had to offer, we rented a car at the KOA and toured the Needles Highway. Highly recommended. A number of tight turns, great views and rock tunnels.

Went on this road on a motorcycle. Nothing short of awesome! Lots of twisties and switchbacks up and down the summit. Beautiful views! Take it slow as this is a windy road. Highly recommended on a bike or a car.

I was a little nervous taking my Ford Explorer rental thru the needles tunnel but made it with no problems. We came from the west and drove east to the Custer visitor center. This is a must do!! So many twists and turns but it was fun to drive and you get the hang of it pretty quick. Take your time and go early in the day to avoid congestion. There are many pull over areas to see the views. We stopped 3 times! We went to Mount Rushmore afterwards but I turned off of iron mountain highway and took playhouse road by mistake so I missed the Mountain View’s of Rushmore but it would have been more twists and turns up the mountain. But definitely take the needles drive you won’t regret it.

Awesome views where ever you look. Amazing rock formations-wish we had time to hike. Don't take too large a vehicle because it won't fit through the narrow tunnels-our Yukon "buzzed" us the whole way through one! Be sure to take a camera-you will want to remember!

This was cool, great scenic highway. We stopped several times and checked out the view and did a little bit of hiking. You must drive this road and see it yourself.

Wow that was a fun drive, doesn’t take super long and you can loop through to see Crazy Horse afterward. The highway can definitely get narrow, and the tunnels are only big enough for one car, the scenery is amazing!!

The road was amazing and beautiful but it was scarier than I had anticipated. The roads are very narrow and there are no guard rails anywhere. It is not for those afraid of heights

Beautiful drive. Plenty of opportunities for photos. Three one way tunnels that are cool! No campers...wouldn’t fit through tunnels!

We absolutely loved this drive. We got out several times and took countless pictures. I would love to go back and do it in an ATV.

This is in Custer Park and is a must do item. Beautiful scenery and some great places to hike. Also plenty of places to climb rocks too, with or without ropes.