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

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