[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUrFigCCUSE[/youtube]

Have you taken one of the best 14 mile drives in the Black Hills? If you haven’t been through The Needles Highway in the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, you’re missing out.

Peter Norbeck, former South Dakota governor, wanted to be able to share the beauty of what is now The Needles Highway with the public. 150,000 pounds of dynamite later, a highway was constructed through magnificent rock formations and towering granite pinnacles. The road, often referred to as a ‘pigtail,’ passes through six rock tunnels and provides a view of Sylvan Lake, Harney Peak and Mount Rushmore.

Recreational activities are available within the Norbeck scenic Byway. Hiking along the Centennial Trail and cross-country skiing are very popular activities, and it’s quite common to see wildlife venturing through the Black Hills National Forest.

For more info, take a look at the video provided by the South Dakota Department of Tourism and State Development. You can also check out Custer State Park Resort, or the National Scenic Byways Program.