Needles Highway is a scenic curvy road in South Dakota
Usa, north-america
22.53 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
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!
Where is it?
Needles Highway is a scenic curvy road in South Dakota is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 39.3276, -94.8434
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 22.53 km
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 39.3276, -94.8434
Related Roads in north-america
moderateJames Ridge
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip fans, let's talk James Ridge! This high-altitude gem sits way up in Otero County, New Mexico, clocking in at 8,612 feet above sea level. You'll find it nestled within the gorgeous Lincoln National Forest. The road itself, known as 16 Springs Canyon Road, is gravel and generally in pretty good shape. Most of the time, it's a smooth and easy cruise. But, and this is a BIG but, things can get dicey if it's been raining. Think mud, think slippery, and sometimes even impassable conditions. So, check the weather before you go. The reward for the climb? A killer lookout tower at the summit with views for days!
extremeWhere Is Starr Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventurers, buckle up for Starr Peak in Gilpin County, Colorado! This beast of a mountain sits high up in the Roosevelt National Forest in northern Colorado. The summit's rocking a serious antenna – think major rooftop vibes. Word on the street is, it used to house something else entirely back in the day. The road up? Totally unpaved, bone-rattling rocky, and begging for a 4x4 that laughs in the face of rugged terrain. You'll start your climb with a whopping 1,210 feet of elevation gain over just 1.5 miles. I'm not kidding, that's an average gradient of over 15%! Prepare for a seriously steep grind. Heads up: this trek is a summer fling only. The Thorodin Mountain Range throws down a winter weather gauntlet, so plan your trip accordingly. And keep your eyes peeled for wildlife – this area is known to be a hotspot for roadkill.
hardWhere is Mount Mansfield?
🇺🇸 Usa
Mount Mansfield is a mountain peak at an elevation of above sea level, located in Lamoille County, in the U.S. state of Vermont. The road to the summit offers along the way, with plenty of twists and turns. It’s one of the highest roads in Vermont Where is Mount Mansfield? The peak is located in the northern part of Vermont, within the Mount Mansfield State Forest . At this elevation, it’s the highest peak in Vermont. The drive provides stunning views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks When Was the Road to Mount Mansfield Built? The road was originally completed in 1870 for horse-drawn carriages , making it a historic route to the summit. Is the Road to Mount Mansfield Unpaved? The toll road to the summit is paved only for the first ; the rest is entirely unpaved. This road is known as the Mt. Mansfield Auto Toll Road How Long is the Road to Mount Mansfield? The road is quite steep. Starting from . Over this distance, the elevation gain is , with an average gradient of . The road ends at a parking area near Mt. Mansfield's Visitor Center. How Challenging is the Road to Mount Mansfield? The road is barely wide enough for two vehicles. It has and is not recommended for novice drivers or for vehicles longer than a pickup truck. It’s advised to drive down in to avoid overworking your brakes. Vehicles should be in good condition, and brakes, radiators, and transmissions should be checked beforehand. There are along certain points, and descending vehicles have the right of way, so be prepared to pull over for oncoming traffic. Although narrow, the drive is not particularly frightening. Can I Drive My Vehicle on the Road to Mount Mansfield? Trailers, RVs, campers, vans converted to RVs, mopeds, scooters, motorcycles, and bicycles are not permitted on the road. Is the Road to Mount Mansfield Open in Winter? The road is open only from due to snow, with operating hours from . Keep in mind, weather at the summit can vary significantly from the base. Exploring the scenic Mouse's Tank Road in Nevada Crossing the Briceburg Bridge in California isn't for the sissies Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardHow long is Sawyers Bar Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Sawyers Bar Road is a hidden gem nestled in California's Klamath National Forest! This isn't just a drive, it's an experience. We're talking a 64km (almost 40-mile) adventure from Forks of Salmon (at the river forks, duh!) to Etna in Scott Valley. The best part? The section between Etna Summit (almost 6,000 feet up!) and Sawyers Bar. You’ll start with a steady climb on a fairly straight road, but hold on tight – after the summit, the road narrows, gets way more scenic, and starts twisting like a pretzel! The drop on the other side can hit a wild 18% grade! Expect some seriously slow speeds, like 15-25 km/h, and plan for around 1.5 hours without stops. Speaking of elevation, you'll reach a height of almost 6,000 feet, with stunning views along the way. But be warned: this isn't for the faint of heart (or those with massive RVs). We're talking one-lane sections, steep drop-offs (think 500 feet straight down!), and the potential for rock slides. It hugs the North Fork of the Salmon River, and the scenery is unreal. Just remember to honk on those blind curves and keep an eye out for erosion. Summer afternoons can get seriously hot! Services are scarce, so fuel up and pack accordingly. If you're an experienced mountain driver looking for a remote, gorgeous, and challenging road, Sawyers Bar is calling your name.