The Needle’s Eye Highway is a point where two rock outcroppings touch. Beneath it is one narrow lane big enough to comfortably fit a Volkswagen Beetle through and not much else… Well, that’s what we thought, at least. How could a 44-passenger charter bus even hope to squeeze through such a narrow enclosure? If you are anything like us, you were probably betting the side paint, mirrors, lights, something would get scraped off easily.
After all passenger coaches aren’t known for their small dimensions or low profile. Heck, we’d feel nervous taking a brand new Chevy Silverado through that gap, let alone a commercially driven bus. For those unfamiliar with the area, Needle’s Eye Highway is located near Rapid City, South Dakota. It’s part of a scenic byway that crosses through Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park.
It definitely offers some breathtaking views of the mountainous stretches of South Dakota and it’s not quite the “badlands” that the rest of South Dakota sometimes gets pegged with. All in all, the Needle’s Eye Highway is a perfect adventure for those looking to explore the northern reaches of the midwest. That said, something tells us that the driver of this fleet bus had probably passed through this point once before.
It is hilarious, though, you’ve got to admit, when you see the passengers inside the bus move away from the windows. The cameraman, the passengers, and every single onlooker was probably just waiting for that bus to get stuck in that passage and shut down traffic both ways. After all, it’s a one way road at this point, and one wrong move could effectively seal it shut for quite some time. Thankfully, this Needle’s Eye Highway charter bus driver knew a thing or two about his own bus that nobody else did.
Needle’s Eye Highway – Just One Awesome Stop In The Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway
All in all, the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway stretches across roughly 68 miles of variable terrain. The Norbeck Byway is known for it’s spiraling “pig tail” shaped bridges, treacherous rock tunnels, and massive granite outcroppings. It’s just one of the reasons why the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway is one of the top byways to visit if you’re planning on making a road trip. If you do plan it, though, you best wait for warmer months – the Needle’s Eye Highway is closed throughout the winter. Otherwise, it would guaranteeably be jammed with stuck vehicles.
Cathedral Spires – A short 1.62 mile walk into Custer State Park will reveal the glory and splendor of these granite fingers pointing to the sky. Cathedral Spires is a beautiful landmark and provides an excellent opportunity to stretch your legs after driving through the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway. The Cathedral Spires also offer an excellent opportunity for both amateur and advanced rock climbers. The rough granite hewn from the glaciers provides an excellent course for those who see rocks and just need to climb to the top of them.
Sylvan Lake – This is an artificially made lake, constructed in 1881. Theodore Reder erected a dam across the Sunday Gulch river. Since then, it’s become a staple of local parks and recreation allure. In 1921, Sylvan Lake was added to the formation of the Custer State Park where it stands today as a testament to South Dakotan heritage and ingenuity.
Harney Peak – At an elevation of 7,242 feet, Harney Peak is the highest natural point in all of South Dakota. Some experts even believe it is the highest point east of the Rocky Mountains – making it a king of elevation on both sides of the Mississippi. If you plan on visiting Sylvan Lake, there’s a path that brings you right up to the top of Harney Peak. To the summit of Harney Peak and back is about 7 miles – so it’s definitely not a light hike for some. Bring lots of water, snacks, and warmer layers as South Dakota is known for its sudden changes in weather. If you decide to make the trip, you’ll be walking on the same ground as the legendary Dr. Valentine McGillycuddy – the first known person to climb that mountain back in in the 1850s. He was also South Dakota’s first surgeon general and all-around embodied the spirit of what it meant to be a South Dakotan.
Mt. Rushmore – In October of 1941, four legendary faces of early American history appear in their respective likenesses for the first time on the beautiful granite face of Six Grandfathers mountain. If you haven’t heard of Mt. Rushmore, then your trip down the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway is about to get a lot more interesting.
So, thankfully if you take a tour bus down the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, you’ll now know when you get to the Needle’s Eye Highway pass there’s no need to jump into the middle of the aisle to avoid anything – chances are good, your bus driver has it covered.
