If you’ve been to Mount Rushmore, you’ve been on the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway - even if you didn’t know it. The 68-mile highway is a giant loop that extends south from everyone’s favorite granite presidents, cutting through Custer State Park, the Needles, the Black Elk Wilderness Area and the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve. Of course, if you’re in a hurry to get to Rushmore, snap the obligatory picture and move on, you can easily miss all of these places.
Which is a pity, because they make up some of the most beautiful scenery along one of the best scenic drives in the Black Hills. Even the highway itself is attractive, having been carefully planned around the curves of the hills and forest. The lanes even split every now and then to make way for ancient pine groves, and elaborate pigtail bridges preserve the natural terrain. It was made intentionally winding to keep traffic slow. “To do the scenery half justice, people should drive 20 or under,” said Peter Norbeck, the politician and conservationist who plotted the road from horseback. “To do it full justice they should get out and walk.”
The National Forest Service has helped to put some of the byway’s highlights online in a virtual tour that launched last week with pictures, maps and brief descriptions. Along with the information about the highway on the Byways.org website, it’s a really great way to get a sneak peek at some of the best scenery in the Black Hills.
When you do get a chance to drive the byway, make sure you plan enough time. Byways.org recommends four hours to drive the whole road, but a whole day if you follow Norbeck’s advice to get out and do some walking.
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The world would be well served by having more roads and highways created with a similar goal and mentality. We are in far too big a hurry these days, and half the time we don’t even have any place to be. Applause for Mr. Norbeck!