Needles Highway
SD-87, Custer, SD, 57730
If there’s one spot that proves South Dakota doesn’t get its due, it just might be the Needles Highway, aka SD-87. A spectacular 14-mile (22-kilometer) stretch through a landscape of granite-like needles, spruce forests, one glittering lake, and curious bison just beyond each hairpin turn, this drive within Custer State Park puts “wild” in the “wild, wild West.”
The basics
The Needles Highway is part of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway—“scenic” being an understatement. Windshield warriors will zig and zag among the craggiest section of the Black Hills, driving through rocky tunnels, ridiculously narrow openings between spires, dense forests, and, at times, wide-open prairie. Lakeside picnic spots, lodges, and more make for obvious pit stops; hikers and climbers can get out of the car for some pretty fantastic trails and climbing routes, too.
Many Black Hills tours feature the Needles Highway, as it’s such a scene-stealer. If you want to skip tackling the hairpin turns on your own, a tour is the way to go.
Things to know before you go
The Needles Highway is inside Custer State Park, which has an entrance fee.
For the suggested route, start at the southern entrance, ending at Sylvan Lake.
The road is typically closed to vehicles from November to April; it remains open for hikers, bikers, and skiers.
Without stops, the drive takes 45 minutes to an hour.
How to get there
Head east from the town of Custer, South Dakota, and turn left on SD-87, at the Needles Southern Entrance station, within Custer State Park (fee required). The road will wind—and wind, and wind—all the way to Sylvan Lake, where the journey technically ends. At its terminus, head south back to Custer, or north toward Hill City.
When to get there
The best time to drive the Needles Highway is May through October—it’s also the only time, as the road closes to vehicles for the winter. Early mornings and late afternoons provide softer light for photos, not to mention fewer crowds and better chances at spotting wildlife. Avoid going in the wintertime, unless you’re hoping to experience the highway on foot or two wheels.
Experiencing Custer State Park
Since you’ve paid the admission fee to drive the Needles Highway, you might as well get your money’s worth in Custer State Park—which will be easy to do, as it’s one of the best state parks in the country. Don’t miss the 18-mile (29-kilometer) Wildlife Loop for yet another scenic drive, this time through prairie-dog towns, along hillsides dotted with bison, and more.
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