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This 14 mi mountain road twists and turns its way past towering needle-like granite formations and through narrow tunnels, one as small as 8 ft wide and 10 ft high. Allow about an hour to drive.
At the end of a tunnel stands this granite spire, with a slit only 3-4 ft feet wide but reaching 30 to 40 ft in the air.
1.5 mi one-way. Hike to the base of the striking granite pillars along the Needles Highway. Connects to Little Devils Tower Trail.
1.5 mi one-way. Leads to a scramble of a rock with a steep cliff on one side, vaguely resembling the formation in Wyoming. Makes a loop with Trail #9.
3.3 mi one-way. The most direct trail to Black Elk Peak, the highest point in South Dakota at 7,242 ft. There's an impressive lookout tower and observation deck at the top. Makes a loop with Trail #4.