The Needles of the Black Hills of South Dakota are a region of eroded granite pillars, towers, and spires within Custer State Park.

The location was rejected by the sculptor Gutzon Borglum owing to the poor quality of the granite and the fact that they were too thin to support the sculptures.

In 1936 Fritz Wiessner climbed the Totem Pole[3][4] and in 1937 Khayyam Spire with Bill House and Lawrence Coveney.

In 1947 Jan and Herb Conn moved to the area and over the next couple decades put up over 220 first ascents.

In 1961 John Gill made free solo ascent of 5.12a route on The Thimble which is considered one of the first climbs at that grade and still is a formidable challenge.