Drive Along The 5 Most Dangerous Roads In South Dakota

Have you ever wondered about the most dangerous roads in South Dakota? When it comes to jaw-dropping drives, there is no better place to be than South Dakota, which is home to such gorgeous places as Badlands National Park, the Native American National and State Scenic Byway, and Spearfish Canyon. On the flip-side, however, our state is also home to some terrifying and downright dangerous drives in South Dakota. Make sure you’re wide awake and alert when you set off on the five most dangerous roads in South Dakota.

Iron Mountain Road (Custer and Pennington Counties)

Custer State Park Facebook

Custer State Park Facebook One of the curviest and windiest roads in all of the Mount Rushmore State is Iron Mountain Road, a 17-mile stretch of the iconic Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway that features a whopping 314 curves and 14 switchbacks. While the surrounding scenery is positively picturesque, be sure to keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, as all of Iron Mountain Road’s turns and curves can be incredibly dangerous. Get a glimpse of the adventure that awaits on Iron Mountain Rd in our previous article.

Needles Highway (Custer and Pennington Counties)

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Advisor/Weberrae Arguably the most easy-to-recognize road in the state, the Needles Highway (or Highway 87) was thought to be impossible to build but came to fruition in 1922 after workers blasted tunnels into a few of the surrounding granite “needles.” In addition to driving through the narrow tunnels, the Needles South Dakota is deemed dangerous for several sharp turns and - due to safety concerns - is closed in the winter. Take a peek at the natural beauty that awaits along The Needles South Dakota in our previous article.

3. Catron Boulevard and Highway 16 (Rapid City)

Google Street View Considered the most dangerous intersection in South Dakota, Catron Boulevard and Highway 16 has been the home to countless car accidents, many of which have caused either severe injury or - even worse - death.

Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway (Custer State Park)

Trip Advisor/ELKW

Trip Advisor/MJ While it may not be dangerous in the same sense as the other roads on our list, this scenic and famous drive in South Dakota requires the driver’s undivided attention, thanks to the bison that call the area home. (Have you ever had to brake for and/or hit a deer? It’s like that, but times 50.) However, this gorgeous drive through Custer State Park remains one of the best road trips in South Dakota. Get a glimpse at what to expect on the Wildlife Loop Trail in South Dakota by reading our previous article.

Interstate 90

Wikimedia Commons Interstate 90 is the deadliest stretch of road in South Dakota. In fact, the westbound lane has seen 18 fatalities from 2015 to 2017, plus an additional 10 in the eastbound lane, and another nine along the CR-Bureau of Indian Affairs Highway 41.

Custer State Park Facebook

One of the curviest and windiest roads in all of the Mount Rushmore State is Iron Mountain Road, a 17-mile stretch of the iconic Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway that features a whopping 314 curves and 14 switchbacks. While the surrounding scenery is positively picturesque, be sure to keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, as all of Iron Mountain Road’s turns and curves can be incredibly dangerous. Get a glimpse of the adventure that awaits on Iron Mountain Rd in our previous article.

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Advisor/Weberrae

Arguably the most easy-to-recognize road in the state, the Needles Highway (or Highway 87) was thought to be impossible to build but came to fruition in 1922 after workers blasted tunnels into a few of the surrounding granite “needles.” In addition to driving through the narrow tunnels, the Needles South Dakota is deemed dangerous for several sharp turns and - due to safety concerns - is closed in the winter. Take a peek at the natural beauty that awaits along The Needles South Dakota in our previous article.

Google Street View

Considered the most dangerous intersection in South Dakota, Catron Boulevard and Highway 16 has been the home to countless car accidents, many of which have caused either severe injury or - even worse - death.

Trip Advisor/ELKW

Trip Advisor/MJ

While it may not be dangerous in the same sense as the other roads on our list, this scenic and famous drive in South Dakota requires the driver’s undivided attention, thanks to the bison that call the area home. (Have you ever had to brake for and/or hit a deer? It’s like that, but times 50.) However, this gorgeous drive through Custer State Park remains one of the best road trips in South Dakota. Get a glimpse at what to expect on the Wildlife Loop Trail in South Dakota by reading our previous article.

Interstate 90 is the deadliest stretch of road in South Dakota. In fact, the westbound lane has seen 18 fatalities from 2015 to 2017, plus an additional 10 in the eastbound lane, and another nine along the CR-Bureau of Indian Affairs Highway 41.

What do you think are the most dangerous roads in South Dakota? Have you taken any of these dangerous drives in South Dakota? Let us know in the comments! For even more dangerous things around SoDak, check out South Dakota’s most dangerous towns.

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Address: U.S. 16A, US-16A, Custer, SD, USAAddress: South Dakota 87, SD-87, South Dakota 57730, USAAddress: Catron Blvd, Rapid City, SD, USAAddress: Wildlife Loop Rd, Custer, SD 57730, USAAddress: Interstate 90, I-90, Summerset, SD, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Most Dangerous Roads In South Dakota July 27, 2021 Beth Price-Williams What is one of the most dangerous drives in South Dakota? Drivers definitely have to be skilled to traverse some of the most dangerous roads in South Dakota. One of the most challenging drives in South Dakota boasts more than 300 curves over 17 miles. That’s a whole lot of twists and turns. Iron Mountain Road passes some of the most breathtaking scenery in the entire state. However, if you’re driving, you’ll have to keep your eyes on this rather narrow road. The breathtaking road features three 13 feet wide tunnels that might have you on the edge of your seat as you make your way through. Before you set off on this unique drive, make sure you know what to expect along the way. What are the best road trips in South Dakota? Sure, we’ve got some dangerous drives in South Dakota. However, we’ve also got some pretty amazing road trips. For one of the spookiest road trips in South Dakota, visit such bone-chilling destinations as Mount Marty College, Gitchie Manitou State Preserve, and Scotty Philip Cemetery. The Ultimate Waterfall Road Trip in South Dakota, on the other hand, will take you to such spellbinding cascades as Bridal Veil Falls and Thunderhead Falls. Only have enough cash for one tank of gas? Journey from Dinosaur Park to Queen City Bakery on the epic One Tank of Gas Road Trip. What are the scariest places in South Dakota? We have no shortage of scary places in South Dakota, especially if the thought of the paranormal gives you chills. For one of the spookiest drives in South Dakota, make your way along Spook Road in Brandon after dark. Don’t be too disturbed if you feel like an invisible pair of eyes is watching you along your drive. You might count that you’ve crossed five bridges one way, turned around, and coming back the same way only cross four bridges. If you prefer to visit places teeming with the paranormal in South Dakota, plan a stop at Spirit Mound in Vermillion and The Bullock Hotel in Deadwood.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Most Dangerous Roads In South Dakota

July 27, 2021

Beth Price-Williams

What is one of the most dangerous drives in South Dakota? Drivers definitely have to be skilled to traverse some of the most dangerous roads in South Dakota. One of the most challenging drives in South Dakota boasts more than 300 curves over 17 miles. That’s a whole lot of twists and turns. Iron Mountain Road passes some of the most breathtaking scenery in the entire state. However, if you’re driving, you’ll have to keep your eyes on this rather narrow road. The breathtaking road features three 13 feet wide tunnels that might have you on the edge of your seat as you make your way through. Before you set off on this unique drive, make sure you know what to expect along the way. What are the best road trips in South Dakota? Sure, we’ve got some dangerous drives in South Dakota. However, we’ve also got some pretty amazing road trips. For one of the spookiest road trips in South Dakota, visit such bone-chilling destinations as Mount Marty College, Gitchie Manitou State Preserve, and Scotty Philip Cemetery. The Ultimate Waterfall Road Trip in South Dakota, on the other hand, will take you to such spellbinding cascades as Bridal Veil Falls and Thunderhead Falls. Only have enough cash for one tank of gas? Journey from Dinosaur Park to Queen City Bakery on the epic One Tank of Gas Road Trip. What are the scariest places in South Dakota? We have no shortage of scary places in South Dakota, especially if the thought of the paranormal gives you chills. For one of the spookiest drives in South Dakota, make your way along Spook Road in Brandon after dark. Don’t be too disturbed if you feel like an invisible pair of eyes is watching you along your drive. You might count that you’ve crossed five bridges one way, turned around, and coming back the same way only cross four bridges. If you prefer to visit places teeming with the paranormal in South Dakota, plan a stop at Spirit Mound in Vermillion and The Bullock Hotel in Deadwood.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Drivers definitely have to be skilled to traverse some of the most dangerous roads in South Dakota. One of the most challenging drives in South Dakota boasts more than 300 curves over 17 miles. That’s a whole lot of twists and turns. Iron Mountain Road passes some of the most breathtaking scenery in the entire state. However, if you’re driving, you’ll have to keep your eyes on this rather narrow road. The breathtaking road features three 13 feet wide tunnels that might have you on the edge of your seat as you make your way through. Before you set off on this unique drive, make sure you know what to expect along the way.

What are the best road trips in South Dakota?

Sure, we’ve got some dangerous drives in South Dakota. However, we’ve also got some pretty amazing road trips. For one of the spookiest road trips in South Dakota, visit such bone-chilling destinations as Mount Marty College, Gitchie Manitou State Preserve, and Scotty Philip Cemetery. The Ultimate Waterfall Road Trip in South Dakota, on the other hand, will take you to such spellbinding cascades as Bridal Veil Falls and Thunderhead Falls. Only have enough cash for one tank of gas? Journey from Dinosaur Park to Queen City Bakery on the epic One Tank of Gas Road Trip.

What are the scariest places in South Dakota?

We have no shortage of scary places in South Dakota, especially if the thought of the paranormal gives you chills. For one of the spookiest drives in South Dakota, make your way along Spook Road in Brandon after dark. Don’t be too disturbed if you feel like an invisible pair of eyes is watching you along your drive. You might count that you’ve crossed five bridges one way, turned around, and coming back the same way only cross four bridges. If you prefer to visit places teeming with the paranormal in South Dakota, plan a stop at Spirit Mound in Vermillion and The Bullock Hotel in Deadwood.