Needles Highway

Cycle the Custer loop via Needles Highway, a moderate 31.7-mile route through Custer State Park with stunning granite formations and tunnels

The Hill City via Iron Mountain Road offers a truly distinctive road cycling experience, blending remarkable engineering with the raw beauty of the Black Hills. You'll navigate the famously winding Iron Mountain Road, a difficult 47.8-mile (77.0 km) route that packs in 4540 feet (1384 metres) of elevation gain over approximately 4 hours and 8 minutes. Expect to encounter unique "pigtail" bridges and tunnels carved through granite, with strategic views of Mount Rushmore National Memorial, making it a challenging yet highly rewarding ride.

For planning your visit, Hill City provides an ideal starting point with convenient parking options. Due to the road's popularity and narrow sections, especially the one-lane tunnels, it's advisable to cycle early in the morning or during the off-season to avoid heavy vehicle traffic, particularly RVs. The road was intentionally designed for slow travel, encouraging you to take your time and appreciate the surroundings.

This route is part of the historic Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, an engineering marvel constructed in 1933 that was once deemed impossible. It showcases a diverse landscape of pine forests, aspen groves, and rugged granite formations, offering opportunities to spot wildlife like deer and even bighorn sheep. The blend of natural beauty and human ingenuity makes this a standout cycling destination in South Dakota.