Hiking Needle’s Highway In Winter
This national scenic byway was considered impossible to construct by some before it was finished in 1922. It is named after the high granite "needles" it winds among. On the highway, you'll drive by the needles eye, around tight turns, through low tunnels and near the Cathedral Spires. One of the most famous parts of the drive is the Needle Eye Tunnel. This one-way tunnel is only 8′ 4″ wide by 12′ 0″ high so make sure your vehicle will fit through before starting up the highway because once you reach the tunnel, there isn't much room to turn around.
The Needles Highway starts near Sylvan Lake and ends up near Legion Lake, State Game Lodge, or Center Lake and is full of adventure and beautiful scenery whichever way you choose to go.
During the winter the road is closed and people walk the road or cross country ski it. It is just gorgeous and you can get up close with all the majestic spirals. This is one of our favorite trails to do in the winter. Be warned though the road is not plowed in the winter so walking it can be tricky if there has been a lot of snow. I recommend bringing poles. This is also one of the winter challenges for Custer State Park every year that we partake in. It is about 1.25 miles to the Needle’s Eye from Sylvan Lake. We usually walk to the Cathedral Spires and back making it a 4 mile hike round trip.
Just amazing scenery.
Road at times covered in snow making it hard to walk with all the other tracks.
In the summer this part is packed and it’s hard to even find a parking space.
The Needle.
Part of the Custer State Park winter challenge - have to take a selfie to win a prize at the end of the challenge.
After the winter challenge we keep walking to get to the spirals.
Walking through the tunnel. Lots of snow in the beginning of it.
Cathedral Spires.
Spirals up close with a zoom lens.
Love old trees.
Good timing.
Road all to yourself.
Walking back.
Check out Sylvan Lake at the end of the hike.