Needles Highway and Needles Eye Tunnel
Custer, SD
SD-87 twists 23 km through granite spires and three one-lane tunnels, the narrowest about 2.5 m wide at the Needles Eye. Closed in winter; check tunnel sizes before taking an RV or large truck.
- Nearest town
- Custer, SD
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 43.8367, -103.5461
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Custer's Gulch RV Park and CampgroundCampsite5 mi from Needles Highway and Needles Eye TunnelTentsCaravansWaste disposal
- Happy Holidays RV ResortMotorhome stopover17 mi from Needles Highway and Needles Eye Tunnel · 100 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Black Hills RV ParkMotorhome stopover18 mi from Needles Highway and Needles Eye TunnelMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Elk Mountain CampgroundCampsite19 mi from Needles Highway and Needles Eye Tunnel · 48 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToilets
- Rapid City RV Park & CampgroundMotorhome stopover21 mi from Needles Highway and Needles Eye TunnelMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Rapid City - Black Hills KOA HolidayMotorhome stopover25 mi from Needles Highway and Needles Eye TunnelTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in South Dakota · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Needles Highway and Needles Eye Tunnel?
Needles Highway and Needles Eye Tunnel is in Custer, SD, at GPS 43.8367, -103.5461. It is about 5 mi from Mount Rushmore.
Can you camp near Needles Highway and Needles Eye Tunnel?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Sylvan Lake Campground, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 57 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Needles Highway and Needles Eye Tunnel?
Needles Highway and Needles Eye Tunnel is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Southern Black Hills: Crazy Horse, the Needles and Wind Cave.
What is there to see near Needles Highway and Needles Eye Tunnel?
Places worth a stop nearby: Sylvan Lake (1 mi), Crazy Horse Memorial (4 mi), Mount Rushmore National Memorial (5 mi) and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop (10 mi).
When is the best time to visit Needles Highway and Needles Eye Tunnel?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)