The Needles of South Dakota's Black Hills

July 6 through 13, 2009

Needles Tunnel & Scenic Drive in the Black Hills of South Dakota

The Needles Tunnel & Scenic Drive is one of our favorite things to do when we are in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Stopping at the long narrow one way tunnel to watch a tour bus ease through the tunnel is one of the really exciting things we enjoy.

Just watching the people watching the bus creep through the tunnel is entertainment enough. Folks that have never seen a bus negotiate the tunnel believe it is impossible until they see one actually do it.

We are camped near Custer State Park and the town of Custer in the southern part of the Black Hills at Custer's Gulch RV-Park. It is an OK commercial campground just like dozens of others in this area.

Needles Tunnel in the heart of the Black Hills of South Dakota

This is the famous tunnel on the Needles Highway. The rock formations are awesome to say the least. There are three very narrow tunnels on the Needles Highway. You don't want to take your motorhome on this road.

Some of the "needles" on the Needles Highway Scenic Drive: Black Hills of South Dakota

The geology of these "needles" is awesome.

Needles in the heart of the Black Hills of South Dakota

This is the eye of the Needle.

Eye of the needle on Needles Highway in the Black Hills of South Dakota

This is another picture of the "eye of the needle" from a different angle.

Needles Highway Scenic Drive in the heart of the Black Hills of South Dakota

This is another beautiful sight along the Needles Highway. Most of the drivers are polite on the narrow twisting road. Everyone wants to take in all the awesome views.

Tour Buss negotiating hairpin turn on Needles Highway Scenic Drive in the Black Hills of South Dakota

I took this picture of a tour bus on the "Needles highway" needless to say he can not negotiate the switchbacks without taking his half out of our side of the highway.