NEEDLES HIGHWAY

On our way to Custer State Park, we drove the Needles Highway.  This highway was built back in the 20s and 30s.  It could barely fit two cars passing each other without one sliding off the cliff, so the speed limit was like maybe 20 mph (or less).   With speed cut to 5 mph for the hairpin turns.  It was fun.

It’s called the Needles Highway because of the rock formations all through the area that look like needles pointing to the sky.

See what I mean?

This is a beautiful reservoir we drove past on our way to Needles

Clear water

Just a little further on was a Park Service building with a boat ramp and swimming area.   I’m sure the fishing was really good.

ONWARD TO NEEDLES HIGHWAY

The first tunnel we came to on the Needles Highway was a single lane about 9.5’ wide, maybe 10 to 12 feet high.  It was a short tunnel so we didn’t have any trouble getting through it before cars going the other way blocked us.

There is a turnout and some parking for people who want to take pictures of the second tunnel.  The second tunnel is 8.5 feet wide and 10-12 feet high but it is probably about 30-40 feet long.

Take a look.  The tunnel is that little square right in the center of the picture.

Here’s a car just coming out of the tunnel

Same car just moving out of the way.

A brave soul just heading in.  We lined up and had to wait for about 5 cars to come through from the opposite direction before we could start in.  They just kept coming, one after another.  One of them had the windows rolled down and the kids in the back seat had their arms out the window and were brushing the sides of the tunnel with their hands as they went through.  We waited our turn then just as we started through, past the point of no return, another car started in from the other end.  However, they were able to stop and back out so we could go on through.

This is the other end of the tunnel we just came through.

Same tunnel with a car just getting ready to start through

Another picture of the beautiful vistas we saw

Tunnel entrance and some more needles.

Driving the Needles Highway is a “must do” for visitors to the Black Hills.  You can see why.  It’s spectacular, a little scary, and totally worth the time.  We enjoyed this drive very much but there were times we wished we were in a smaller vehicle than Maxie.