Iron Mountain Road: 17 miles, 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, 3 pigtails and 3 tunnels

Iron Mountain Road is a demanding 17 miles scenic drive, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, with 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, 3 tunnels and 3 pigtails (turns which loop over their own road, allowing the road to climb rapidly).

Is the Iron Mountain Road paved?

Set on the boundary of Pennington and Custer counties in the U.S. state of South Dakota, this scenic road is totally paved and winds round and round to the 1.659m (5,445ft) summit. It winds its way through Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park and past Mount Rushmore National Monument. The road is famous for its views, horseshoe curves, and the three places it makes 360 degree turns- where the road completely circles around and passes over itself as it climbs the side of the mountain. if you are prone to car sickness due to tight curves, is not the drive for you.

Is the Iron Mountain Road open?

Iron Mountain Road, part of the U.S. Route 16A, is not maintained during the winter, and the overview at the top of Iron Mountain is closed during winter months. Parts of the road are not recommended for RVs and large trailers. It was designed to be slow going – roll your window down, take the top off, feel the wind in your hair, smell the pine trees and the buffalo. The other features of the road are two narrow one-lane tunnels on the north side of Iron Mountain that are aligned with views of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The road is located just east of this memorial, a sculpture carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore which features 60-foot (18 m) sculptures of the heads of four United States presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

When was the Iron Mountain Road built?

This winding mountain road was constructed in 1933. It is famous for its scenic, one-lane tunnels. Legend says that engineers once said couldn't be built. Every trip along this road will be a different experience. With the beauty of the mountains and valleys as its backdrop, this unusual and captivating road was specifically designed with a tremendous amount of curves in order to limit the speed of travelers to 35 miles per hour so that they could enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills.

Iron Mountain Road Experience:

17 miles
314 curves
14 hairpin turns
3 pigtails
3 tunnels