All Rides
● Sturgis Ride Guide
Needles Highway
Granite spires, one-lane tunnels and hairpin switchbacks through Custer State Park's most jaw-dropping stretch of blacktop.
Miles
14
Time
1 – 1.5 hrs
Difficulty
Advanced
Starts at
Sylvan Lake, Custer State Park
The Route
Sylvan Lake, Custer, SD → Legion Lake, Custer State Park, SD
What to Expect
SD-87 climbs into a forest of granite Needles with tight tunnels — including the 8'4" wide Needle's Eye — hair-pin curves, and pigtail bridges. Take it slow, mind your bars in the tunnels, and watch for buffalo. Park entry fee applies.
Ride Brief
Skill Level
Intermediate to advanced. Tight one-lane granite tunnels and blind switchbacks demand slow-speed clutch control and confident low-lean cornering. Not for a first-week rider or a wide bagger without patience.
Fuel
No gas on the highway itself. Top off in Custer or Hill City before you go in. Longest dry stretch is ~25 mi.
Food Along the Way
Sylvan Lake Lodge at the north end and Legion Lake Lodge at the south end are the only sit-down options along the road.
Best Time to Ride
Weekday mornings before 10am — tunnels back up fast with RVs. Snow can close SD-87 into May.
Watch Out For
- !Buffalo and mountain goats in the roadway
- !8'4" wide tunnels — bagger mirrors clip
- !Loose gravel in shaded curves after rain