Iron Mountain Road: 17 Miles, 314 Curves, 14 Switchbacks, 3 Pigtails, and 3 Tunnels
Usa, north-america
56.3 km
1,660 m
moderate
Year-round
# Iron Mountain Road: South Dakota's Epic Twisty Adventure
Ready for one of the most thrilling 17-mile drives in the country? Iron Mountain Road in South Dakota's Black Hills is calling your name—and trust us, it's an unforgettable ride.
Nestled in the southwestern corner of South Dakota (straddling Pennington and Custer counties), this paved mountain route is an engineering marvel that'll make your head spin—literally. With 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, and three insane pigtails (those loop-de-loop turns that let the road climb nearly straight up the mountainside), this isn't your average scenic drive. The road spirals up to 5,445 feet, weaving through Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park with Mount Rushmore as your dramatic backdrop.
Here's what makes Iron Mountain Road legendary: three incredible tunnels that frame perfect views of Mount Rushmore's granite presidents. These one-lane passages are so cool they've become Instagram gold. Fair warning though—if tight curves make your stomach queasy, maybe sit this one out. Seriously.
Built way back in 1933, this road was intentionally designed to keep you crawling at 35 mph so you'd actually *experience* the scenery instead of zooming through it. Drop your windows, breathe in that pine-scented mountain air, and soak in the views of valleys and peaks that change with every bend.
Just know: this road hibernates in winter (including the summit overlook), and if you're rolling in an RV or hauling a massive trailer, think twice. But if you love curves, mountain vistas, and a drive that'll make you feel genuinely alive? Iron Mountain Road delivers in spades.
Where is it?
Iron Mountain Road: 17 Miles, 314 Curves, 14 Switchbacks, 3 Pigtails, and 3 Tunnels is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 42.0649, -98.3429
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 56.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,660 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 42.0649, -98.3429
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