The Keystone Custer Loop is an amazing ride that includes 3 of the Must-Ride roads in the Black Hills; The Needles Highway, The Custer Wildlife Loop, and Iron Mountain Road.  Starting in Keystone, it is a short ride to Mount Rushmore.  Continuing on past Mt. Rushmore is a neat opportunity for a profile view of George Washington.  Up next are the switchbacks that take you to the scenic Needles Highway with its crazy rock spires.
 
After finishing the Needles Highway, you can take the gravel road to the top of Mt. Coolidge for an amazing view of the Black Hills (Note: the road to Mt. Coolidge is not on this GPS route, but we have identified the entrance if you wan to add on this side trip). 
 
Just past the road to Mt. Coolidge is the entrance to Custer National Park Wildlife Loop.  If you are lucky you will see plenty of Bison and other wild animals.  When you finish the Wildlife Loop, the route returns to Keystone on Iron Mountain Road. 
 
Iron Mountain Road has many amazing features including switchbacks, pigtails, and tunnels.  When you are riding through the tunnels, look for the views of Mount Rushmore.  Be sure to stop at the Norbeck Overlook for more great views of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills.  If you can only take 1 ride in the Black Hills, this ride will give you a great idea of what the Black Hills have to offer.
 
Approximate Mileage:  75 Miles
 
Estimated Riding Time:  3.25 Hours
 
Road Surface:  Paved
 
 
Attractions:
 
Keystone:  Mount Rushmore, Mt Rushmore Profile View, Norbeck Overlook
Hill City:  Needles Highway, Needles Highway Scenic Overlook
Custer:  Cathedral Spires Pullout, Hole in the Wall Picnic Area, Mt Coolidge Lookout, Custer Wildlife Loop, Iron Mountain Highway
 
Motorcycle Rides, Keystone, Hill City, Rapids City, Custer, Hermosa