Needles Highway

[Mountain_Mama]

Is this doable in a dually?

[BarabooBob]

The Needles Highway is indeed one of my favorite roads, but then, I have about 100 favorite roads. Which is the best? The one right around the corner as I drive onto it or maybe the one that I will visit next week. I am so confused. So much beauty and only one lifetime.

[dodge_guy]

Busskipper wrote:

dodge guy wrote:
Not sure, but a lot of people get Needles HWY and Iron MTN Road confused. Both are great drives, but Iron MTN Road is much more scenic. and it has 3 tunnes that frame Mt Rushmore as you are driving through!

Iron Mountain Road - Images

Needles Highway - Images

So yes, most people do not spend enough time in the Area!

Just Beautiful,

Right! But maybe I shouldn’t have said one is more scenic. They are both scenic, but in here own way! If I had the opportunity the Black Hills is where we would retire at!

[GTO66]

Did a 6500 mile trip from florida in 2017 that area was by far the best, with the beartooth highway a close second will be going back. Thanks for the pictures.

[2oldman]

There's another Needles hwy in CA.

[Busskipper]

dodge guy wrote:
Not sure, but a lot of people get Needles HWY and Iron MTN Road confused. Both are great drives, but Iron MTN Road is much more scenic. and it has 3 tunnes that frame Mt Rushmore as you are driving through!

Iron Mountain Road - Images

Needles Highway - Images

So yes, most people do not spend enough time in the Area!

Just Beautiful,

[dodge_guy]

Not sure, but a lot of people get Needles HWY and Iron MTN Road confused. Both are great drives, but Iron MTN Road is much more scenic. and it has 3 tunnes that frame Mt Rushmore as you are driving through!

[CharlesinGA]

Co-worker did it in his '04 3500 Ram duallie. He did measure it first, and folded the mirrors.

The area is quite different than the rest of the Black Hills, and rather unique.

Be sure and drive the Iron Mountain highway in the morning and from south to north. This way the faces of Rushmore are visible and framed by one or two of the tunnels. The faces look South East and the afternoon sun makes it about impossible to see them coming thru the tunnels. (I didn't know any better at the time). I also messed up and drove the wildlife loop in the early afternoon, however a lot of the wildlife is not out till near sunset, so again, I messed up.

My Black Hills visit was way too short, I intend to return to the area and spend more time.

Charles

[KrowNB]

Tried to post a photo here but obviously was not doing it properly. To late to read up on it right now. Sorry. Moderators should delete this of they can. I couldn't figure out how to.

[dieseltruckdriv]

azdryheat wrote:
So what is the attraction to Needles HWY other than jeopardizing your rig? Never heard of the place.

It is one of the places that helps put Custer State Park in South Dakota on par or better than several national parks.

Yes tour buses can do it. I agree, it is much more fun on a motorcycle.

[Busskipper]

azdryheat wrote:
So what is the attraction to Needles HWY other than jeopardizing your rig? Never heard of the place.

Just a Bunch of Beautiful Rocks in the Woods!

Do not Miss Them.

[htss]

We have went through with our GM SRW without a problem. While I am sure a DRW will fit, it is going to be tight. If you are off just a little, you will be leaving some paint in the tunnel. 😛

[Atlee]

I went from Game Lodge CG inside Custer State Park to Mt Rushmore via Iron Mountain Scenic Highway. The tunnels were a little tight but had no problem with my F150. The most interesting thing about Iron Mountain Highway are all the switchbacks as you climb the mountain,

We went back to Game Lodge CG via Needles Scenic Highway. I found one of the tunnels to be very, very tight. I believe if I had put my fist on the outside of both mirrors, they would have been scrapped.

I see the picture, but I still find it hard to believe a tour bus, and by extension a Class A, could go through every tunnel on Needles Highway.

dodge guy wrote:
Yes you can. Tour busses do It all the time! Now Iron Mountains Road is tight and you cannot do it in an RV or even towing a trailer. But I followed a dually through the tunnels.

[Thom02099]

azdryheat wrote:
So what is the attraction to Needles HWY other than jeopardizing your rig? Never heard of the place.

H E R E is one answer to the question. Some beautiful pictures as well. And H E R E - SDDOT is a map from the SD DOT with the dimensions of the tunnels. The narrowest tunnel in the area is 8'4". If you're vehicle is wider than that, there could be another use for WD40. 😉

[Big_Katuna]

More fun on a bike!