Iron Mountain Road

The best way to experience Iron Mountain Road (which forms a portion of US-16A) is to drive along the entire road length and ideally both ways. Don’t miss the views of Mount Rushmore framed by the tunnels or the small parking lot at the top of Iron Mountain that offers sweeping views of the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore. Guided tours of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills often include Iron Mountain Road, which lets you fully appreciate the scenery without driving and focusing on the road.

• The road is unsuitable for RVs, large trailers, or travelers prone to motion sickness.

• The three tunnels are single-lane and have height and width restrictions.

• Iron Mountain Road is the only road through Custer State Park that doesn’t require a fee.

• You may encounter wildlife during your drive. Be careful and do not approach, feed, or harass any wildlife.

The northern end of Iron Mountain Road starts at Keystone. From Rapid City, take US-16W south 18 miles (29 kilometers) to US-16 Alt E for 2.5 miles to reach Keystone, where the road becomes the Iron Mountain Road. The southern end starts at the junction of US-16A and SD-36, 16 miles (26 kilometers) east of Custer.

Iron Mountain Road can be visited year-round, though it is not maintained in the winter and can close depending on weather conditions. The parking lot at the top of Iron Mountain is closed over the winter. It will take at least 45 minutes to drive the road one-way, though plan to spend longer to fully appreciate the road and the scenic views.

Iron Mountain Road forms a portion of the 70-mile Peter Norbeck Scenic Highway. Named after the former South Dakota governor who planned the roads, it’s considered one of the most scenic byways in the country. The other portions, which are also worth experiencing, include the 14-mile (19-kilometer) Needles Highway (which is closed in the winter) and the 18-mile (29-kilometer) Wildlife Loop.