National Forest · South Dakota & Wyoming
Black Hills National Forest
Granite spires, Needles Highway & Black Elk Peak
TypeNational Forest
StatesSouth Dakota & Wyoming
Best seasonLate spring through fall
Don’t missThe Needles Highway
An island of dark ponderosa hills rising from the plains, crowned by the granite Needles and the highest summit east of the Rockies. The pigtail bridges and needle-eye tunnels of the Needles Highway are a drive in themselves.
What to see
- Needles Highway
- Black Elk Peak
- Cathedral Spires
- Sylvan Lake
- Mount Rushmore nearby
Plan around it
On public wild lands, services are sparse and conditions change fast — check the managing agency (Forest Service / BLM / Park Service) for road and seasonal closures, fire restrictions, and any permits before you go, and pack out what you pack in.
Build a trip around wild places like this.
Roamward turns spots like this into a real road trip on your phone — the scenic drive, the stops, and the detours, planned around the vibe you’re after. Get early access: