The Needles of the Black Hills★5.0

Midwest > South Dakota > The Needles of the Black Hills

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Scenic mountain roadway winding through granite spires, narrow rock tunnels, forested landscapes, and dramatic overlooks within a large wildlife preserve.

General Information

Hours:
Open 24 hours a day when accessible; closed to vehicle traffic during the winter season and typically open from April through mid-October depending on weather conditions
Fees:
Custer State Park entrance license required
Standard park admission fees apply
Pet Policy:
Pets are allowed no longer than 10 feet and are not permitted in park buildings or on designated swimming beaches
Closest cities with hotels:
Custer (6 mi)
Seasons:
Spring, Summer, and Fall; typically closed to vehicles during winter
Location:
https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Needles+Highway+SD+87+Custer+State+Park+South+DakotaNeedles Highway (SD 87), Custer State Park, South Dakota
Website:
fp.sd.gov/csp-scenic-drives/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">gfp.sd.gov/csp-scenic-drives/

How to Get There

From Custer (6 mi): Take US-16A east from Custer to SD-87 and follow the signs into Custer State Park to reach the southern end of the scenic roadway.

Overview

The Needles of the Black Hills of South Dakota are a region of eroded granite pillars, towers, and spires within Custer State Park. Popular with rock climbers and tourists alike, the Needles are accessed from the Needles Highway, which is a part of Sylvan Lake Road (SD 87/89). The Cathedral Spires and Limber Pine Natural Area, a 637-acre (258 ha) portion of the Needles containing six ridges of pillars as well as a disjunct stand of limber pine, was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1976.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Needles (Black Hills)", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0

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