Needles Highway is a scenic curvy road in South Dakota

Cruising through South Dakota's Black Hills in Custer State Park? You HAVE to check out Needles Highway (SD 87)!

This paved byway is part of the larger Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway and it's a 14-mile (22.53km) rollercoaster of twists and turns. Get ready for hairpin corners, skinny tunnels, and those iconic granite spires jutting from the landscape. Think pine and spruce forests, shimmering birch and aspen meadows, and rugged granite peaks. Seriously, you won't need any gear higher than second on this road!

The highlight? Those tunnels! The Needles Eye Tunnel is legendary, barely wide enough at 8' 4" and just 12' high. It's an awesome photo op! There are two other tunnels along the way: Hood Tunnel and Iron Creek Tunnel.

Best time to visit is spring through fall, as winter snows close the road. Aim for early April to mid-October, but always check ahead. This is tourist central so be prepared for some other traffic.

RVs and big trailers? Probably best to skip this one. The narrow lanes and tight turns make enjoying the views a real challenge. The granite "needles" themselves give the road its name and the whole thing was designed by Governor Peter Norbeck back in the day, who apparently walked the entire route himself!

There's an entrance fee for Custer State Park, so factor that in.

My tip? Go early. Like, sunrise early. The drive itself takes about 45-60 minutes, but you'll want to stop a million times for photos. Seriously, go slow and savor it – you'll probably find yourself cruising at 20 mph. Don't miss Sylvan Lake and Needle's Eye. Keep an eye out for mountain goats, deer, and cute little chipmunks, too!