Tag Archives: Needles Highway

Dancing With Wolves Along Spearfish Canyon

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My internet searches led me to Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway for spectacular views of South Dakota.   I  started the scenic roadway from I-90 and began heading south.

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Somewhat similar to the Needles Highway, palisades were the highlight of the skyline while canyons and gorges gave the feeling of being surrounded by a natural biodome.

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Also known as Route 14, there were two waterfalls,  Roughlock and Bridal Veil Falls which were used as the backdrop for the final scenes in Dances with Wolves.

Spearfish Canyon was well worth the drive to experience the natural beauty of the Black Hills.  I had not included the additional time for retracing my route, which added a couple of hours, but I was able to reach my next destination before nightfall.

Have you driven the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for reading my post and Happy Travels!

Preparing for Yellowstone, The Grand Tetons and the Sites In Between

I have been counting down the days until my vacation out west!

I picked up the rental car (Alamo Car Rental) from Dayton International airport in the evening so I could leave Ohio early in the morning.   Through the website carrentals.com, I found a midsize car, unlimited mileage for only $141.40 for 9 days.  When I arrived at the rental counter,  I was provided a Volkswagen Jetta for my trip, roomy and  extremely comfortable.

With plans to depart at 5AM, I will be settling in early for the night.  The first stop on my agenda will be Sioux Falls, South Dakota and I am hoping to reach this point before sundown.  I am prepared for the long day because the excitement and adrenaline overcome any thought of the dread of a long drive.  Besides, I will be exploring some of the most beautiful parks in the United States.

In preparation for my trip I used the following resources

  • Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks, A Lonely Planet Guide
  • Fodor’s Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks
  • Yellowstone in Photographs, by George Wuerther
  • Moon Handbooks Yellowstone & Grand Teton

My itinerary for the first couple of days consists of the following places to visit, but I am prepared to make any necessary changes should I decide to add or subtract items on my list.

I have the next few days packed with activities and attractions, but I am totally ready and can’t wait to see what an amazing adventure lies ahead.

If you have any suggestions for places to visit while I take on this expedition, please let me know. I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.

Pigtails and Tunnels on the Iron Mountain Road

South Dakota boasts some of the most beautiful landscapes in the United States and there are several scenic roads that visitors can drive to take in the wonders of this part of the world.  Traveling from Mount Rushmore to Custer State Park, Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway is a 70 mile stretch of roadway that includes Needles Highway as well as Iron Mountain Road.

The first section of the byway is US Highway 18A which is most commonly known as the Iron Mountain Road.  According to history, it was the road that “couldn’t be built”.  The major features of this drive are three granite tunnels and three pigtail bridges.  There are stopping points at the tunnels where glimpses of Mount Rushmore are framed by the tunnels and provide for fabulous photo opportunities.  Without stopping it will take me approximately 1 hour to drive Iron Mountain Drive, but even I can’t resist the occasion to pull over and take in all of the scenic views.

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One of the pigtail turns

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Gorgeous View from Peter Norbeck Overlook

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A view of Mt. Rushmore from the Iron Mountain Drive

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A map of the scenic drives

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Scenic Views Along Iron Mountain Drive

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One of the granite tunnels along Iron Mountain Drive!

Have you driven the Iron Mountain Drive?  I would love to hear about your experience if you kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for checking out my photos of the Iron Mountain Drive!  Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Iron Mountain Drive

Seventeen mile stretch of road in the Black Hills of South Dakota, also known as 16A

Where to Stay:

Country Inn & Suites
2321 N. Lacrosse Street
Rapid City, SD  57701
Telephone:  866 522 8891

Where to Eat:

BaRLee’s food and drink
253 Swanzey Street
Keystone, SD  57751
Telephone:  605 666 5509

Down home cooking where everything is made from scratch!

Searching for the Needle Among the Abstract

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Granite spires towered over the thick forest of fir trees as I approached Needles Highway.  Also known as South Dakota Highway 87, this scenic byway lies within Custer Park, just outside of Rapid City.  This road, winding through some of the most unique formations in the United States, is a part of the park’s Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway.  I prepared myself for amazing views, interesting geological features and a crazy drive of switchbacks over the next 14 miles.

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As the night began to fall, I had a few miles until I reached The Needle, but the abstract formations continued to fascinate me and I couldn’t resist pulling over for a moment to photograph them.  I enjoyed finding images in the interesting rocks such as animal figures or even human likenesses.

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Several tunnels, hairpin turns and tight spaces make up the scenic course that was completed in 1922.  As the night began to fall, I had only a few miles until I reached The Needle, but I was distracted by the peculiar formations which continued to fascinate me, peering between the pines.

I noticed the highway to beautiful Sylvan Lake and several trails before reaching the Needle’s Eye.  At one moment, I wondered if my car would fit between the large boulders flanking the highway.  According to the map, the Needle should appear at any moment and as the sky was darkening, I was concerned there was a chance that I may not be able to see it.

I finally made it to the Eye of the Needle and was so saddened that it was too difficult to see in the darkness. I could not have driven all of this way without a clear view of the Needle’s Eye, so I decided to make the trip back up the byway the next morning.  Without a doubt, it was one of the most fascinating attractions in the park.  I wished I would have set aside some time to enjoy an afternoon of rock climbing or hiking the Cathedral Spires, but it was on to my next stop for some well-awaited animal viewing at Custer State Park.

Have you taken The Needles Highway?  What did you think about the drive?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for reading my post and Happy Travels!

For more information about the Needles Highway, check out South Dakota’s state  park website atwww.gfp.sd.gov.

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