A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for one or more of six "intrinsic qualities": archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often less-traveled roads and promote tourism and economic development. The National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) is administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Needles Highway:
This roadway was named for the needle-like rock formations that pierce the sky along the highway. Peter Norbeck scouted and marked the entire course of the road on foot and by horseback. The highway tunnels through two high granite walls. Sharp turns are in every mile. Norbeck intended the road to be traveled slowly so that it would be relished
Along your journey, you will pass the acclaimed Needles Eye, a unique rock formation created by rain, freezing, and thawing.
Tunnels:
Needles Eye Tunnel (Near Needle's Eye), 8' 0" wide by 9’9" high;
Iron Creek Tunnel, 8' 9" wide by 10’10” high.
Length: 14 miles
Time to Allow: 45-60 minutes
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Iron Mountain Road:
Iron Mountain Road was intended to be a work of art. The scenic highway between Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Custer State Park was constructed in the 1930s. Peter Norbeck planned the route that he declared “is not meant to be a super highway, to do the scenery justice you should drive no more than 20 mph and to do it full justice you should simply get out and walk.”
Norbeck’s artistic expressions are shown in the three tunnels, each one framing Mount Rushmore from a different angle, and the three “pigtail bridges,” corkscrew-like structures that accommodate elevation changes while preserving the natural features.
Tunnels:
Doane Robinson Tunnel, 12' 0" wide by 11' 4" high;
C.C. Gideon Tunnel, 11' 6" wide by 10' 9" high;
Scovel Johnson Tunnel, 10' 9" wide by 11' 0" high.
Length: 17 miles
Time to Allow: All 45-60 minutes
