![[Home]](/Common/home.png){kind=small}
![[Travel By States]](/Common/TravelByState.png){kind=small}
![[Scenic Areas]](/Common/ScenicAreas.png){kind=small}
![[Wildlife]](/Common/Wildlife.png){kind=small}
![[National Parks]](/Common/NationalParks.png){kind=small}
Custer State Park - Needles Area
The Needles area of Custer State Park includes the highest peaks east of the Rocky Mountains. The highest is Harney Peak at over 7400 feet.
Needles
The high rising Needles were orignally proposed as targets for a massive carving project designed to bring people to the Black Hills. The original idea was western heroes. Once a professional rock carver was engaged, the idea was changed, since the needles were not the type of rock well suited for carving. The project was relocated to Mt. Rushmore. The subject was changed to soething with a national heritage (presidents) rather than a western regional focus.