How to Get to the Needles and Where to Stay
Delta, United, and Northwest are the main commercial air carriers into Rapid City. The Needles are an hour from the airport. If you wish, we can arrange airporter van transport to Custer, motel in Custer, transport to the climbing, and the Custer State Park fee. Otherwise:
How to Get to the Needles:
Drive : The Needles are located in Custer State Park near the town of Custer, South Dakota.
Airports : The closest airport is Rapid City, SD. Northwest, Delta and United provide service. Rental car companies: Hertz, National, Alamo and Budget. Private jets can land at two airports in the Black Hills: Rapid City and Spearfish. Rental cars are available at both locations. Small private planes can land at the Custer Airport, which is located just a few miles South of Custer. Rental cars are available.
Car: Arriving from Rapid City: Take the Mt. Rushmore Road exit off I-90 in Rapid City and follow the signs to Hill City. From Hill City follow the signs to Sylvan Lake. If arriving from the North West: Take Spearfish Canyon (very scenic) exit just east of the town of Spearfish, SD on I-90. At Cheyenne Crossing, go left to the town of Lead. At Lead, follow 385 South to Hill City, then follow the signs to Sylvan Lake. If arriving from the South or Southwest: Find your way to Mule Creek Junction, Wyoming on Hwy 85 just West of the town of Edgemont, SD. Turn East (Right) and pass through Edgemont. Turn off on Hwy 385 and follow the signs North to Custer (you pass through the small town of Pringle…good bar and food). At the junction of Hwy 385/16a, go right and through the town of Custer about a mile. Turn off on Hwy 89 to the North and follow the signs to Sylvan Lake. From the South East: Find your way to Hwy 79 and take this North to Hermosa, SD. From here, head West towards Custer State Park, go through the Park almost to the town of Custer, then head North on Hwy 89 to Sylvan Lake.
Custer State Park: There is a Park Entrance Fee ( valid at all of the South Dakota State Parks) that is generally around $20 for an Annual Park Pass. Cars are $15 for the week.
Where to Stay, Eat and Shop:
Camping: The Sylvan Lake Campground is very convenient and reasonably inexpensive ($10 per night); with showers. It is often full during the peak months of summer. Stockade Lake Campground, also inside of Custer State Park just East of Custer, has nice views and showers but is a bit of a drive http://www.custerstatepark.info/ . There are private campgrounds, Palmer Gulch K.O.A. http://www.palmergulchkoa.com/ and Campground Fort WeLikit is close to the Needles as well.
Hotels: The Sylvan Lake Lodge and Cabins are located right in the climbing area. There is a restaurant and bar as well as a small store with a café. More information can be found at http://www.sylvanlake.com/ There are also lots of motels in both Custer (6 miles away) and Hill City (8 miles away). Check with the Custer and Hill City Visitors Centers at www.custer-sd.com or www.hillcitysd.com
Food, Drink, Shopping:
In Custer: The Sage Creek Grill is fabulous with a great menu and a good selection of wine and beer. Laube’s Bakery Shoppe has a good breakfast with an assortment of good breads and pastries. In Hill City: The Alpine Haus offers an excellent Filet Mignon dinner. Lunch at the Alpine Haus is excellent with a diverse menu and delicious desserts.
Food Markets: There are no natural foods markets in Custer or Hill City. Staple and Spice in Rapid City (corner of 16A and Main St) is the closest natural foods market.
Climbing Gear: Granite Sports on Main Street in Hill City has a good selection of climbing gear and clothing. http://www.granitesports.net
Generally, guides meet clients at 8:00 in the morning in the front lobby of the Sylvan Lake Lodge, or at the grass island picnic table in the Sylvan Lake parking lot (located just below the Park entrance station), or as the guide specifies (such as Laube’s Pastry Shoppe for breakfast).