SD 87 · South Dakota

Needles Highway motorcycle ride

The Needles Highway winds through Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota, past granite spires and through narrow tunnels blasted in the rock. It is short and slow, one of the most famous rides around Sturgis.

Distance
10 mi
Riding time
27 min
Lowest
4,930 ft
Highest
6,510 ft
Plan this rideDownload GPX

Opens Sylvan Lake to Legion Lake in the MotoCurve planner on the Curvy style. Change the start to your home or hotel, then send it to the app for voice navigation.

Is the Needles Highway open?

Closed in winter, from the first heavy snow in late fall until spring.

Official status: South Dakota 511 · Custer State Park

Highlights

  • The Needles Eye Tunnel, a narrow single-lane tunnel through the rock.
  • Sylvan Lake at the west end.
  • Pairs with Iron Mountain Road and the Wildlife Loop in the same park.

Before you ride

  • Custer State Park requires an entrance license.
  • The tunnels are one lane. Wait your turn and watch for buses and RVs.
  • Bison roam the park and walk on the roads. Give them plenty of room.

When to ride

Closed in winter. Spring to fall; the Sturgis rally in August makes it very busy.

Questions

Is the Needles Highway open?
Closed in winter, from the first heavy snow in late fall until spring. Today's status is posted by South Dakota 511 and Custer State Park.
How long is the Needles Highway?
As MotoCurve routes it, Sylvan Lake to Legion Lake is about 10 miles, roughly 27 min of riding without stops.
When can you ride the Needles Highway?
Closed in winter. Spring to fall; the Sturgis rally in August makes it very busy.
How high does the Needles Highway go?
The route runs between about 4,930 and 6,510 feet above sea level.
Can I get turn-by-turn directions for the Needles Highway?
Yes. Open it in the free MotoCurve planner, change the start to your home or hotel, and send it to the MotoCurve app for voice navigation on Android or iPhone. You can also download the GPX for a Garmin or another GPS.

Put this road on your site

Riding club, blog or ride report? Paste this and your readers get a card of the Needles Highway that opens its map, GPX and directions. Free to use.

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Distance, time and elevation are measured on MotoCurve's own routing. See every road.