Bus in Needles Tunnel in the Black Hills of South Dakota

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.

Tour Bus in Needles Tunnel deep in the Black Hills of South Dakota

These people are waiting on the tour bus to make it's way though the tunnel. Cameras in hand!

Yes, that is a tour bus you see with the lights on heading our way. Hang on, it gets better. VBG

Tour bus in the Needles Tunnel deep in the Black Hills of South Dakota

Here it comes! Mike and I remembered several years ago when we were here in this very spot and looked up and saw a tour bus coming though the tunnel. We couldn't believe our eyes! It didn't surprise us as much this time, but our friends Macklyn and Les were with us and they couldn't believe what they were seeing either. Until you have actually seen it the feat seems impossible.

Tour bus in Needles Tunnel deep in the Black Hills of South Dakota

The driver is inching the bus through this tunnel which is 8 foot 4 inches wide and 12 ft high.

The driver has to keep his mirror within 3" of the tunnel wall. If he does that he knows he has 3" on the other side. He watches his mirror as he negotiates the tunnel instead of looking out the windshield.

Tour bus in Needles Tunnel deep in the Black Hills of South Dakota

The bus has almost cleared the tunnel! Everyone is anxiously watching and cheering him on! Note how much room is on either side of the bus.

Tight squeeze in Needles Tunnel deep in the Black Hills of South Dakota

The driver is moving very slowly even as he approaches the end of the tunnel. As you can see there is still very little room on either side. Look at the drivers face, he is still watching his mirror keeping it within 3" of the side.

Tour bus exiting the Needles Tunnel deep in the Black Hills of South Dakota

He did it! I am sure the people on the bus are having a good time. I know for a fact that those watching from the parking lot were having fun. I might add there were cars backed up on both sides of the tunnel waiting for the bus to make its way though. There weren't enough parking spaces for everyone to get out and watch. We just happen to be lucky enough to get a parking space.

Tour bus exiting the Needles Tunnel deep in the Black Hills of South Dakota

As you might expect a good size crowd had gathered to watch this bus negotiate the Needles Tunnel. Just as the bus emerged from the tunnel the driver has (gets) a startled look on his face then opens his window and looks out at the crowd asking " Can I get to Mt. Rushmore from here" ---- a sure sign he is lost. This lady quickly stepped out of the crowd to give the tour bus driver directions to Mt. Rushmore. I am sure that the entire bus got a belly laugh out of that hoax since the driver probably makes this run at least 3 times a day. In any event it gets a good laugh every time a bus pops out of that tunnel.

The lady was totally "wooshed" -------- she came back to the crowd to tell us that the bus driver was lost and needed directions to Mt. Rushmore. I do not think she was totally convinced until she looked up to see another tour bus coming through. We didn't stick around to see if she gave him directions as well. VBG

Needles Scenic Drive deep 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.

That is all there is.