Needles Highway Guide (SD-87)
Needles Highway isn't a road so much as a route dynamited through granite. Fourteen miles of SD-87 cut through Custer State Park's signature stone forest — vertical spires, narrow one-lane tunnels, hairpin curves and wide meadows opening to Sylvan Lake at the end. It's one of America's great scenic drives and a rite of passage for any rider visiting Sturgis.
The signature stop is the Needles Eye — a narrow slit in a tall granite spire right beside the road. Park, walk the short trail, and you'll understand why this formation anchors every Needles Highway photo. A short distance on, Cathedral Spires offers a trailhead into the vertical rock forest for a longer walk if you want to stretch.
The drive ends (or begins) at Sylvan Lake — a blue-green gem ringed by granite that's worth an hour of swimming, paddling or simply walking the shoreline trail.
Most riders pair Needles Highway with Iron Mountain Road for the full-day Custer loop. Plan food ahead — dining options inside the park are limited.
RV & Trailer Warning
The Needle's Eye Tunnel is 8'4" wide and 9'8" high. The Iron Creek Tunnel is 9'0" wide and 12'0" high. No large RVs, fifth wheels, travel trailers or tall vehicles can pass. Park your rig at Rush No More and bring a car, motorcycle or toad.
Needles Highway FAQ
How long is Needles Highway?+
Needles Highway (SD-87) is about 14 miles. Plan 1.5 to 2 hours with stops at Needles Eye and Cathedral Spires.
Can large RVs drive Needles Highway?+
No. The tunnels are narrow — the smallest is just 8 feet 4 inches wide and 9 feet 8 inches high. Large motorhomes, trailers and wide vehicles cannot pass. Leave the rig at Rush No More and drive a car or ride a motorcycle.
Is there an entry fee?+
Yes — Needles Highway runs through Custer State Park, which requires a park entrance license. A 7-day pass is the most cost-effective for visitors.
What's the Needles Eye?+
The Needles Eye is a narrow slit in a towering granite spire along SD-87 — the signature landmark of the drive and one of the most photographed formations in the Black Hills.
Can you combine Needles Highway with Iron Mountain Road?+
Yes — and you should. The two roads form the classic full-day Black Hills scenic loop with Mount Rushmore framed through the Iron Mountain tunnels. See our Iron Mountain Road Guide.
Leave the Rig. Take the Ride.
Base out of Rush No More, then ride Custer.