The Black Hills, covered by a dense pine forest, is best known for the presidential monument, Mount Rushmore. A thick, dark, evergreen forest covers 1.3 million acres of national forest and gives the area its Black Hills name. Besides the eye catching granite spires and huge rock monoliths, the Needles Highway area is dotted with lakes, waterfalls, caves and beautiful mountain streams.
Pictured here is an inviting Sylvan Lake, nestled beside a group of oddly shaped granite rock outcroppings. The narrow Needles Highway weaves it's way through 14 miles of South Dakota's spectacular Black Hills scenery. This entire area offers many sightseeing opportunities.