If there is one place that should visited beyond Mt. Rushmore when traveling to the Black Hills of South Dakota, it is Custer State Park. Many (including this blog author) consider it to be as great as many of our nation’s national parks for its scenery, diversity, recreation, and wildlife. Among the park’s many attributes is the jaw-dropping Needles Highway.
Though hardly a highway in the traditional sense of the word, this beautiful 14-mile long scenic byway opened in 1922 and traverses the granite needle-like mountains and rock formations in the northwest portions of the state park. It also includes three incredibly narrow and short (in height) tunnels, which are listed below from north to south:
- Hood Tunnel = 8 feet 9 inches wide by 9 feet 8 inches tall
- Needles Eye Tunnel = 8 feet 0 inches wide by 9 feet 9 inches tall
- Iron Creek Tunnel = 8 feet 9 inches wide by 10 feet 10 inches tall
Source: https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/scenic-drives/needles-highway
The vistas along the Needles Highway are simply breathtaking, while the varied stone formations are otherworldly. Though just 14 miles in length, any trip along the byway will quickly endear the visitor causing them to pull off the road for photos and an appreciation of the sheer majesty of this incredible landscape. Peace!
p.s. Be sure to travel the nearby Iron Mountain and Wildlife Loop Roads too!
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Panethos 