South Dakota’s Hidden Gem: Needles Highway
A hidden gem close to Mount Rushmore. It is a nice way to get to Mount Rushmore from Badlands/ Rapid City or the other way around.
Table of Contents
- The Route
- Best Stops
The Route
Needles Highway is a part of South Dakota Highway 87 (SD 87). The northern 14 miles (23 km) is Needles Highway and winds through Custer State Park. Because of the road’s mountainous nature, it is closed during the winter.
The highway is called “Needles Highway” after the high granite “needles” it winds around. There are 3 tunnels in total, Needles Eye Tunnel is the best known and isn’t doable with an RV.
Best Stops
Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake is situated in the hills of Custer State Park. The lake's water is cool and perfect for paddle boating, kayaking, and swimming. The views at Sylvan Lake are mesmerizing and the best time to visit the lake is from late spring to early fall when the weather is warm. The lake offers picnic places, rental boats, hiking trails, and rock climbing.
Cathedral Spires Trail
Cathedral Spires Trail is a 1.7-mile (2.7 km) out-and-back trail. The trail starts at the Cathedral Spires trail head parking lot. Parking spots are limited and fill up in the afternoon.
The trail has a steep gradient, rocky terrain, and a few sections with scramble-like conditions. But the views of the Spires are wonderful and you’ll be able to overlook the Black Hills and the nearby prairie lands. The best way to do the trial is from April through October.
Needles Eye Tunnel
The Needles Eye Tunnel is the tunnel at Needles Eye. This is a shaped art right before the tunnel. The tunnel itself is small. There is footage of people going through with RVs and buses, but it’s not recommended. With only 2 inches of space on each side, you have to be an experienced driver. The tunnel is in total 9 feet wide.
There is a parking lot at the tunnel, perfect to stop and get photos of this wonderful rock formation.
Needles Highway is a part of this wonderful road trip from Chicago to Seattle.
