Needles Highway
United States, north-america
22 km
1,890 m
moderate
May-October (closed in winter)
Needles Highway (South Dakota Highway 87) is a 22-kilometer route winding through the Black Hills of South Dakota, famous for its impossibly narrow granite tunnels and towering rock spires called "needles." The road was a visionary project completed in 1922 by South Dakota's first state highway engineer, Scovel Johnson, who wanted to create a scenic route rivaling anything in the national parks.
The highway features sharp switchbacks, pigtail bridges (spiral overpasses designed to gain elevation in tight spaces), and tunnels so narrow that larger vehicles cannot pass through. The most famous is the Needles Eye Tunnel, a passage carved through solid granite that is just 2.4 meters wide and 3.7 meters tall. The road threads between the Cathedral Spires, dramatic granite formations that have made this area a world-class rock climbing destination. The route connects to Custer State Park, where free-roaming bison herds number around 1,300.
Where is it?
Needles Highway is located in South Dakota, United States (north-america). Coordinates: 43.7993, -103.4620
Driving Tips
Vehicles over 2.4 meters wide or 3.4 meters tall cannot fit through the tunnels. Pull over for oncoming traffic at tunnel entrances. Combine with the Iron Mountain Road and Wildlife Loop Road for a full day of scenic driving. Watch for bison on the road in Custer State Park. A park entrance fee is required.
Road Surface
Paved, very narrow with tight tunnels and sharp switchbacks
Road Details
- Country
- United States
- Continent
- north-america
- Region
- South Dakota
- Length
- 22 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,890 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Surface
- Paved, very narrow with tight tunnels and sharp switchbacks
- Best Season
- May-October (closed in winter)
- Coordinates
- 43.7993, -103.4620
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