Black Hills, South Dakota - Part 2

The history of the Needles Highway is intertwined with the former South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck. In the early 1920s, Norbeck planned the route now known as Needles Highway by traversing the area on foot and horseback. The purpose was to bring visitors into close contact with the Black Hills' most spectacular scenery. 

Completed in 1922 and considered a feat of engineering genius, Needles Highway or SD Hwy 87 is a 14-mile road that winds through pine forests, passes by the beautiful Sylvan Lake, traverses narrow tunnels carved from solid rock, and displays a skyline of granite spires . The most notable granite spire is the Needle's Eye, a rock formation with a wind-carved opening.

Needles Eye Tunnel - I had to pull my truck mirrors in

Needles Eye

At the end of Needles Hwy lies beautiful Sylvan Lake, the crown jewel of South Dakota's Custer State Park. This man-made lake was intentionally created when Theodore Reder built a dam across Sunday Gulch Creek in 1881. Consequently, the dam created a 17 acre lake. Today the lake and surrounding area offers breathtaking views of its granite formations and Ponderosa pine forests. Popular for hiking, swimming, and picnicking, it serves as a major starting point for trails leading to Black Elk Peak formerly Harney Peak.

The dam

Nothing tops of the day but seeing Texas Longhorns in a pasture chowing down on sweet prairie grass. 

Black Hills, South Dakota - Part 1

Custer State Park is a premier natural treasure in South Dakota, celebrated for its vast landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich history. Encompassing 71,000 acres of the Black Hills, the park showcases a stunning and diverse ecosystem, from rugged granite mountains and serene forests to rolling prairie grasslands. Custer State Park officially opened on July 1, 1919, transformed from the former Custer State Forest into South Dakota's first state park.  

I booked seven nights at Legion Lake Campground almost a year prior to arrival. It's a popular destination within Custer State Park offering a serene natural setting and a resort-style experience with cabins, a restaurant, a store, and of course a campground. The lake itself provided great opportunities for water activities and supports fishing. The trail around the lake was the go to hike each morning with the dogs. 

Our campsite with Legion Lake in the background

Legion Lake

Legion Lake Lodge

Our nightly visitor at our campsite

One of the favorites of the park is the Wildlife Loop Road, an 18-mile drive that traverses the park's prairie grasslands and forested hills, offering great opportunities for spotting free roaming bison. These massive animals are often seen grazing near the road causing a "Buffalo Jam" when they venture across the pavement. In addition to the bison I was fortunate enough to spot white tailed deer,  mule deer, pronghorns, burros, wild turkey and of course prairie dogs.

Begging Burros

Male Pronghorn

Mama & calf

Female Bighorn Sheep