Iron Mountain Road

Take Iron Mountain Road in Custer State Park to Mount Rushmore through a series of twists and turns that showcase pigtail bridges, magnificent Black Hills scenery, and tunnels that frame the national monument.

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The Magnificent Road to Rushmore

Experience the road that engineers once said couldn't be built. This winding road runs between Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the junction of US 16A and SD 36 in Custer State Park. Along the highway, visitors will find wildfire exhibits, pigtail bridges, magnificent Black Hills scenery, and tunnels that frame Mount Rushmore.

Constructed in 1933 under the direction of Senator Peter Norbeck, only a portion of this road lies within the park, but it is a must-see.

Norbeck said of the Iron Mountain Road, "This 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."

Part of Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway

A masterpiece of artistic engineering, this 70-mile byway includes spiraling bridges, hairpin curves, granite tunnels and awe-inspiring views. No wonder it was named one of the 10 Most Outstanding Byways in America.

Iron Mountain Road is 18 miles long, and forms the eastern edge of Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway. Expect a travel time of 45 to 60 minutes for Iron Mountain Road from Custer State Park.