The Highest Road In South Dakota Will Lead You On An Unforgettable Journey
By Catherine Armstrong|Published October 27, 2017
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
The CanAm Highway stretches 1,478 miles from El Paso, Texas all the way up into Canada. Along the way, it cuts through South Dakota on U.S. 85. A portion of that road is the highest in all of South Dakota, and some of the most beautiful road you’ll ever see.
You can see from this map that the CanAm Highway slices through South Dakota along U.S. 85 on the west side of the state.
From the North Dakota border until you reach the Black Hills, the highway takes you through the flat expanses of prairie that are so iconic of South Dakota. The grasslands are vast, and the sky is endless here.
Once you reconnect with the CanAm Highway on U.S. 85, you'll soon enter the Black Hills National Forest, and the scenery begins to include pine-covered hills and winding canyon roads.
You'll definitely want to make a stop at this quaint trading post in the mountains. The restaurant is open during the winter Thursday through Sunday 7:30 AM to 8 PM.
Continue on along the CanAm Highway another 12 miles to O'Neil Pass. This pass sits at an elevation of 6,683 feet, making it the highest road in the state.
The Black Hills portion of the CanAm Highway can be very dangerous in winter months, with ice and snow on the winding road. This area has already had its first snowfall, so take appropriate precautions if you decide to travel along this beautiful road between now and spring.
