Park Attractions/Scenic Drives

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  Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park

  The 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road takes visitors through the open grasslands and pine-speckled hills that much of the park’s wildlife calls home. Visitors will often see bison, pronghorn, whitetail and mule deer, elk, coyotes, burros, prairie dogs, eagles, hawks, and a variety of other birds. The morning and evening hours are the best times to view the wildlife, as during that time the animals are most active. On the southeast part of the loop, the Wildlife Station Visitor Center gives visitors shade and information on wildlife and outdoor habitats. Winding drives throughout the park are enjoyed at a slower pace. When making plans, please allow ample time to travel at a safe speed – generally 25 miles per hour or slower. Expect travel time of about 45 minutes to enjoy the Wildlife Loop. Our Guided Wildlife Loop Caravan tour is a great alternative way to observe nature. Grab your binoculars and experience the beauty and wildlife on a guided tour of the park’s Wildlife Loop Road. During the caravan, participants may observe bison, pronghorns, elk, whitetail deer, mule deer, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and coyotes. The road is also famous for its wide variety of colorful wildflowers and prairie grasses. You can be guided along this scenic route with a naturalist daily at 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. from Memorial Day to mid-August. Photo courtesy South Dakota Tourism.

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  Needles Highway

  The Needles Highway is more than a 14-mile road – it’s a spectacular drive 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 which seem to pierce the horizon along the highway. The roadway was carefully planned by former South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck, who marked the entire course on foot and by horseback. Construction was completed in 1922. Visitors traveling the highway pass Sylvan Lake and a unique rock formation called the Needle's Eye, so named for the opening created by wind, rain, freezing, and thawing. Winding drives throughout the park are most enjoyable at a slower pace. When making plans, please allow ample time to travel at a safe speed – generally 25 miles per hour or slower. Expect travel time of about 45 to 60 minutes to enjoy Needles Highway. Photo courtesy South Dakota Tourism.

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  Iron Mountain Road

  This winding road runs between Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the junction of US 16A and SD 36. Constructed in 1933, only a portion of this road lies within the park, but it is a must-see. Along the highway, visitors will find wildfire exhibits, pigtail bridges, magnificent Black Hills scenery, and tunnels that frame Mount Rushmore. Winding drives throughout the park are optimal when enjoyed at a slower pace. When making plans, please allow ample time to travel at a safe speed – generally 25 miles per hour or slower. Expect travel time of about 45 to 60 minutes. Photo courtesy South Dakota Tourism.

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  Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway

  The Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway complements the park's three scenic drives and includes some of the most dramatic natural and historic features in the Black Hills. Sites include the Needles, Mount Rushmore, and a bird’s-eye view of the rocky peaks and forested hills of the Black Hills National Forest. This designated scenic byway includes all or portions of two scenic drives within the park. The byway was named for former South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck, who planned and surveyed most of the roads located within the park. Expect travel time of about two to three hours. Photo courtesy South Dakota Tourism.

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  Mount Coolidge Lookout and Fire Tower

  The Mount Coolidge Lookout and Fire Tower was built in 1940 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It rests atop a 6,023-foot peak and is used for communications and spotting fires. The turnoff is located on SD 87. A 1.7-mile gravel road leads visitors to the top of the mountain, but large vehicles and motorhomes should avoid making the trip, as the road is narrow and winding. From the top, visitors can see as far away as the Badlands. Photo courtesy Custer State Park.