Take the wheel with us as we explore 17 winding miles of U.S. Highway 16A, more famously known as Iron Mountain Road, running from the quaint town of Keystone to the rugged beauty of Custer State Park in South Dakota’s iconic Black Hills. This stretch isn’t just a connection between two tourist favorites — it’s a destination in itself, packed with hairpin curves, historic tunnels, scenic overlooks, and a driving experience that feels like a living postcard.
We begin this memorable journey just southwest of Keystone by turning onto Iron Mountain Road from South Dakota Highway 244. Right from the start, the road makes it clear you’re in for something special. It snakes south through thick pine forests and granite outcroppings typical of the Black Hills. Not far in, we cross the tranquil flow of Grizzly Bear Creek — watch for glimpses of local wildlife here, as deer and even bighorn sheep are known to make surprise appearances.
As we press on, we enter one of the highlights of the route: the Pig Tail Bridges. These unique spiral bridges are a signature of Iron Mountain Road, designed by C.C. Gideon and Peter Norbeck to showcase the region’s rugged terrain while preserving its natural beauty. Driving through the Doane Robinson Tunnel is another thrill — this narrow, solid-rock passage perfectly frames distant views of Mount Rushmore, rewarding drivers who take it slow and savor the scenery.
Emerging from the tunnel, the road cleverly splits into divided one-lane stretches, allowing for an intimate encounter with the surrounding forest canopy. Keep an eye out for pull-offs; they offer excellent photo ops and a chance to appreciate the engineering marvel of these looping switchbacks. The lanes merge again before we tackle another loop and pass through the CC Gideon Tunnel, named for the local road builder who helped shape this scenic wonder.
Continuing south, we pass the Iron Mountain Picnic Area, a lovely spot to pause for lunch with a view — especially if you want to catch a peek at Mount Rushmore from a quieter angle. The road then loops north briefly to reach Norbeck Overlook, honoring Peter Norbeck, the visionary behind much of the region’s parkway system. From this vantage point, the Black Hills seem to stretch endlessly, inviting you to linger.
Back behind the wheel, we navigate a series of dramatic switchbacks leading to the Scovel Johnson Tunnel, our final carved passageway on this drive. Each tunnel is carefully positioned to line up breathtaking sightlines of the monument or the pine-draped hills beyond. A short eastward jog brings us to Lakota Lake, a hidden gem where anglers often cast a line and families picnic by the shoreline. From here, the road winds southeast through the eastern edges of the Black Hills National Forest, transitioning seamlessly into the rolling prairies that border Custer State Park.
The final leg turns south once more as we cruise the last five miles toward the park entrance. This approach teases you with glimpses of open meadows and rugged granite formations — the hallmark of Custer State Park’s untamed landscape. Reaching the junction with South Dakota Highway 36, we turn west to stay on US-16A and roll into the park itself, where bison herds, winding wildlife loops, and more scenic roads await.
🗺️ Route Map
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