Highlight • Structure
Needles Highway
This Highlight is in a protected area
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Custer State Park
Tips
mtm05005
October 25, 2025
The Needles Highway is a 14-mile road that is often called the most scenic road in the world. It passes through pine and spruce forests, meadows surrounded by birch and aspen, and rugged granite mountains. The road’s name comes from the needlelike granite formations that seem to pierce the horizon along the highway.
The road was planned by former South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck and before it was constructed it was considered impossible to build. However, the road was completed in 1922 and is now a very popular destination.
The road was planned by former South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck and before it was constructed it was considered impossible to build. However, the road was completed in 1922 and is now a very popular destination.
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Elevation 1,550 m
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Thursday 9 July
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Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h