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All 234 South Dakota Attractions »

Needles Highway

Custer State Park, SD
Ranked #41 of 218 attractions in South Dakota
4.5 of 5 stars 35 Reviews
Type: Scenic Drives
Activities: Driving, Watching sunrise/sunset
Traveler Description: Needles Highway (SD Highway 87 between Sylvan Lake and Legion Lake ) is located in Custer State Park in the Black Hills of western South Dakota. The... more »
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35 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    20
    13
    1
    0
    1
Date Rating
Flagstaff, AZ
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 26, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

This is a beautiful drive through Custer State Park near Mt Rushmore. It connects with two other great highways that are nice to do as well (Wildlife Loop and Iron Mountain Road). We did most of all three but it took us 6 hours because we stopped alot for pictures, etc so we cut out a little bit of the... More

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Washington DC, District of Columbia
Top Contributor
150 reviews 150 reviews
Reviews in 55 cities Reviews in 55 cities
329 helpful votes 329 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 11, 2012
3
people found this review helpful

The Needle Eye is one of the most unforgettable features of this lovely state park. The highway that leads to it is aptly named so. This a beautiful 14 mile 1-2 hour drive, depending on how many stops you make and how many pictures you take. The road is part of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway and should not be... More

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Buenos Aires, Argentina
Senior Contributor
31 reviews 31 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
61 helpful votes 61 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed January 23, 2012
4
people found this review helpful

My partner and I spent 24hs in Rapid City, which was the final stop on our trip to the southwest and Yellowstone. While in town, we visited Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial and the Air and Space Museum. As part of our driving for going from one attraction to the other, we took the Needles Highway. Originally planned as a... More

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LC
Senior Contributor
36 reviews 36 reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed November 1, 2011
1
person found this review helpful

Was very disappointed the highway was closed to allow loggers. Most disappointed went out of our way to see. Because of a bathroom break found out it was closed NO SIGNS prior..... SO<>> back tracked....... More

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Redcar, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
37 reviews 37 reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
31 helpful votes 31 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 25, 2011
2
people found this review helpful

excellent drive to be had here on the needles highway you see of course the needles fomations and wonderful views winding bending curving tight roads really worth it , and dont forget the tunnels super days drive dont miss it this really is a must do drive while in the blackhills More

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MIAMI
Top Contributor
138 reviews 138 reviews
Reviews in 44 cities Reviews in 44 cities
32 helpful votes 32 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 21, 2011
2
people found this review helpful

Spectacular scenery and not to be missed, with magnificent spires, one lane tunnels, animals, etc. Take your time driving and take lots of pictures. More

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Los Angeles
Top Contributor
79 reviews 79 reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
30 helpful votes 30 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed September 17, 2011
1
person found this review helpful

The Needles highway was a nice drive. Who would have thought someone wanted to turn those needles into a carving (thank goodness they chose the mountain that now holds Mount Rushmore.) We met and talked to other tourists during the drive. Took pics, etc. Wished we had more time. Really nice drive. More

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Iowa City
Top Contributor
66 reviews 66 reviews
Reviews in 29 cities Reviews in 29 cities
34 helpful votes 34 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed September 15, 2011
3
people found this review helpful

This is a nice road that takes you through the scenic needles. You can begin over by Sylvan Lake which is a beautiful little area. There are a couple places to stop and take some pictures. The road felt kind of long by the end, but it's worth a visit. We took the highway from Sylvan Lake and then circled... More

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Bellevue, Washington
Top Contributor
84 reviews 84 reviews
Reviews in 40 cities Reviews in 40 cities
26 helpful votes 26 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 13, 2011

Everyone should drive this scenic highway at least once. Yes, it takes a bit of time and patience to wind around its many twists and turns but the pay off is huge. Awesome granite spires, one lane tunnels carved out of the rocks and beautiful vista views of the Black Hills. Words cannot do it justice, so just go!!! There... More

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Cambridge, Massachusetts
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 4, 2011
3
people found this review helpful

Kids loved this drive, and we stopped often to climb on the rocks, take amazing photos and enjoy those amazing views. Highly recommended. More

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