Where Are the Pigtail Bridges on Iron Mountain Road?
The Pigtail Bridges sit at the north end of Iron Mountain Road (Highway 16A) in South Dakota’s Black Hills. This legendary scenic drive links Custer State Park to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, ending just before you reach the monument. For a lot of travelers, the bridges are one of the first memorable stops on their way to the famous faces and they’re an easy win if you’re building out your list of things to do in the Black Hills.
Iron Mountain Road is a destination all by itself. It’s a 17 mile drive with:
314 curves
14 switchbacks
3 pigtail bridges
2 tunnels
2 splits
4 presidents perfectly framed in stone
Those tunnels are carefully aligned. As you drive toward Mount Rushmore, the sculpture appears in the distance, framed neatly within the rock as you pass through. The road acts as a preview, teasing visitors and building anticipation for the memorial ahead.
A Road Designed for Joy, Not Just Efficiency
Iron Mountain Road was completed in 1930 and was unusual even at the time. Rather than being built for speed or direct travel, it was designed purely to maximize the joy of driving in the Black Hills.
When construction on Mount Rushmore began in 1927, there was a practical problem to solve. Travelers needed a route that connected Custer State Park in the south with Rushmore in the north. When funding became available, the most efficient idea was to bypass the hills entirely and build a more direct road. It would have been cheaper, easier to maintain, and faster to drive.
That is where Peter Norbeck stepped in.
Peter Norbeck and C. C. Gideon: Visionary and Engineer
Peter Norbeck, often described as a long term visionary, believed the Black Hills deserved something much more special. He understood that people were not just looking for the quickest way from one point to another. They were looking for experiences.
Norbeck rejected the direct route and pushed for a road that would highlight the most beautiful vistas, carve through the forest with care, and make the journey itself unforgettable. He wanted a road that would serve as an automobile owner’s playground, filled with curves, views, and surprising moments.
To bring that vision to life, Norbeck worked with C. C. Gideon, known simply as “C.C.” Gideon was the engineer who translated Norbeck’s ideas into reality. Together they shaped what would become one of the most beloved scenic drives in the United States.
The Rise of the Automobile and the Birth of Scenic Roads
To understand why Iron Mountain Road and the Pigtail Bridges are so special, it helps to look at the era in which they were built. The early 1900s were a period of explosive growth in automobile ownership.
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In 1900, there were only about 8,000 automobiles on the road.
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By 1910, that number had jumped to 350,000.
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By 1920, as mass production grew and costs came down, there were about 7.5 million vehicles in use.
The middle class was expanding, and so was the desire for recreation, travel, and scenic exploration. The automobile made it possible. We were becoming a nation of drivers, eager to get out, explore, and enjoy the countryside.
Norbeck understood this cultural shift. He recognized that roads could do more than move people efficiently. They could showcase landscapes, support tourism, and create lifelong memories. Iron Mountain Road was his way of welcoming this new era of travel while keeping the character of the Black Hills intact.
Iron Mountain Road: Numbers That Tell a Story
Every part of Iron Mountain Road supports this purpose. The curves slow drivers down, encouraging them to look around. The tunnels are oriented to create dramatic views of Mount Rushmore. The alignments and grades are chosen to reveal scenes one after another.
Those famous stats are more than trivia.
17 miles, 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, 3 pigtail bridges, 2 tunnels, 4 presidents, 2 splits.
They describe a road created to be savored rather than rushed, which is exactly why it stands out today among scenic drives in the Black Hills.
What Are Pigtail Bridges and Why Are They Special?
At one point along the route, the terrain becomes exceptionally steep. Traditional switchbacks were not enough to handle the grade in a way that still felt enjoyable and safe. The solution was both creative and visually striking.
The answer came in the form of Pigtail Bridges, named for the way they curl and loop like a pig’s tail. These wooden bridges spiral downward or upward, depending on your direction of travel. They act like elevators built into the landscape, allowing the road to gain or lose elevation smoothly within a small footprint.
At the time, Pigtail Bridges were rare, although not entirely unheard of. What made these particular bridges stand out was how beautifully they were integrated into the environment.
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Locally harvested pine was used in their construction.
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The design minimizes the impact on the surrounding landscape.
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Great care has been taken over the years to preserve them.
Today, the Pigtail Bridges are recognized for their historic and engineering significance. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and preservation efforts continue to protect both their structure and their story.
The Experience of Driving the Pigtail Bridges
Driving the Pigtail Bridges on Iron Mountain Road feels like a gentle roller coaster through the forest. The car curves, dips, and rises in a smooth corkscrew pattern while pine trees and wooden railings close in around you. It is not a fast or frightening experience. Instead, it is playful and graceful.
As you move through the loops, it is easy to appreciate the thought that went into their design. You are not simply dropping down a hillside. You are spiraling through the Black Hills in a way that feels both natural and carefully choreographed.
For many visitors, this part of Iron Mountain Road is a highlight of their Black Hills vacation. It is also an important part of the region’s identity. Photographers, videographers, and road trip enthusiasts seek out the Pigtail Bridges specifically, eager to experience this unique stretch of highway.
Who Loves Iron Mountain Road and the Pigtail Bridges?
The Pigtail Bridges attract a wide mix of travelers.
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Motorcyclists flock here during the early August Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. For many riders, Iron Mountain Road and its Pigtail Bridges are a “must-ride” route, combining curves, views, and a sense of accomplishment.
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Car enthusiasts travel to the Black Hills to drive a road created with form in mind, not just function. The layout invites careful driving, appreciation of the scenery, and that quiet satisfaction that comes from a perfectly designed curve.
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Families and casual visitors experience the Pigtail Bridges as part of a scenic day spent between Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore. Even without knowing the history, people feel that this road is different from ordinary highways.
Seeing the Pigtail Bridges with My XO Adventures
At My XO Adventures, we travel Iron Mountain Road and cross the Pigtail Bridges regularly during our guided experiences in the Black Hills. For guests, this means they can relax, look out the window, and enjoy the scenery while someone else handles the driving and navigation.
During the journey, we:
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Stop at scenic viewpoints for photos and quiet appreciation
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Share the stories of Peter Norbeck, C. C. Gideon, and the early planners of the region
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Explain how the road and the bridges were built, and why confident choices were made
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Connect Iron Mountain Road to the broader history of the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, and Custer State Park
For many guests, hearing the story while actually driving the road brings the history to life in a way that reading a sign never could. The Pigtail Bridges become more than an interesting shape on the map. They become part of a personal experience that links engineering, landscape, and memory.
Tips for Visiting the Pigtail Bridges on Iron Mountain Road
To make the most of your visit to the Pigtail Bridges and Iron Mountain Road:
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Drive slowly and savor the experience. This is not a highway to rush through.
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Visit early in the morning or later in the day if possible, especially during peak summer months. Traffic is lighter and the light is beautiful.
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Bring a camera or phone with plenty of storage. The combination of curves, tunnels, forests, and views of Mount Rushmore offers endless photo opportunities.
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If you prefer to focus completely on the scenery, consider joining a guided tour so you do not need to concentrate on the road.
A Legacy of Vision and Delight
The Pigtail Bridges are more than clever wooden spirals on a mountain road. They represent a moment in time when a visionary like Peter Norbeck could look at a map and say, “We can do better than straight and fast.” Iron Mountain Road and its Pigtail Bridges are proof that travel can be about joy, discovery, and connection.
Every time a visitor rounds a curve, passes through a tunnel that frames Mount Rushmore, or glides along the corkscrew of a Pigtail Bridge, they are participating in that vision.
It is yet another example of how thoughtful planning and a deep love for the Black Hills created something visitors now travel from all over the world to experience.
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