Fly & Drive guide
Fly into CDR, drive to Needles Highway
Your route
CDR
Chadron Municipal Airport
Needles Highway
About 1 h 54 min · 82 mi by car, no stops. Estimate only.
Your arrival plan
01Flights to CDR
Compare fares into Chadron Municipal Airport.
Find flightsPartner link · Aviasales · Photo: formulanone · CC BY-SA 2.0
02Car at CDR
Pick up at the airport and drive straight to Needles Highway. Compare rental companies in one search.
Compare rentalsPartner link · EconomyBookings · Photo: JustAnotherCarDesigner · CC0
03Store extra bags
Early arrival or late flight home? Drop luggage nearby and keep the car light for the park.
Find storagePartner link · Radical Storage · Photo: abdallahh from Montréal, Canada · CC BY 2.0
04 · First night near Needles Highway
Sleep close after the drive so day one starts in the park.
04Hotels near Needles Highway
Compare hotels and lodges on the way in, with free-cancellation filters.
Search ExpediaPartner link · Expedia · Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0
04Cabins & homes near Needles Highway
Whole homes and cabins for families or groups who want a kitchen and space.
Search VrboPartner link · Vrbo · Photo: NPS · Public domain
Before you land
Reservations
Park Entrance Fees and Seasonal Road Closures
A Custer State Park entrance license is required for all vehicles on SD Highway 87. The highway closes entirely to vehicles in winter, typically from late October until the spring thaw. Campsites and lodges within the park must be booked via the state’s central reservation portal, often months in advance.
Official reservation infoBest time to fly in
May – September
Quick answers
What is the closest airport to Needles Highway?
Chadron Municipal Airport (CDR) is the nearest commercial airport we route from.
How long is the drive from CDR to Needles Highway?
Roughly 1 h 54 min (about 82 miles) by car, without stops. Times are estimates.
Do I need a reservation to visit Needles Highway?
A Custer State Park entrance license is required for all vehicles on SD Highway 87. The highway closes entirely to vehicles in winter, typically from late October until the spring thaw. Campsites and lodges within the park must be booked via the state’s central reservation portal, often months in advance.
