State Route 87 - South Dakota
AKA: Needles Highway
Hill City - Jct. US 385
Distance/Driving time: 39 miles/1h, 3m
County(ies): Custer
Submit your on this road.
Rider Comments:
- Great road and you must pay attention when approaching the single lane tunnels. Very twisty, reminds me of 'The Dragon'. The Custer Park pass is now $10 for 5 days. Well worth the price for Needles and Iron Mountain. Do go up after Sturgis. We were there the week prior to Labor Day. Not much traffic at all. - Malcolm Duke (9/8/11)
- The Needles Highway is one of those roads that will give you an idea of how good of a rider that you are. It is definitely a challenge, but it is worth it. But beware of big motor homes trying to drive on this road during the summer. The best time to take this road is in September after the crowds have left and the weather is still good. - Lou, Sturgis, SD (7/31/08)
- Needles Highway, the most notable section of Route 87, is a jewel to be savored in one's memory for many years.
Considered one of the most scenic drives in America, it is a unique, narrow winding road with hairpin curves and one-lane tunnels among magnificent natural, red granite towers rising through tree tops.
The prominent Needles Eye, is a 3-foot wide fissure in a spire reaching 30-40' into the sky.
Driving Needles Highway, motorcyclists are challenged simultaneously to: keeping eyes on the road; and, enjoying the natural scenery of pine covered mountains and wildlife. Here, Black Hills pronghorn antelope, buffalo, prairie dogs, mountain goats, mule, deer, and big horn sheep have learned to co-exist with tourists. While touring this area during mid-afternoon, a startled fawn careened off the front-end of my motorcycle. I managed to stay upright and the animal, stunned but apparently unscathed from the 30-mph hit, vaulted back into the woods. Being a slow speed collision, we both survived the incident. - Charles Peterson (3/8/08) - The northern section of this road is called 'The Needles' due to the rock formations. Passes through 2 – one-lane tunnels. There is a $5.00 per person admission fee / pass into Custer State Park. The pass is good for 7 days. You will need 7 days of riding to go through the area. You can’t go wrong in your choice of rides anywhere in the area. The bottom line on riding in this part of America – If this is not some of the best riding your have ever encountered, you might want to think about selling your bike. The whole area is the most biker friendly I have ever encountered – from roads, to restaurants, bars, campgrounds, motels to non-bikers. - Tom Dyer (7/22/07)
Other Resources:
- Dan Kalal - The Motorcycle Roads
- Rand McNally Road Atlas