Pigtail Bridge

Pigtail Bridge is a timber bridge on Highway 87 in Custer State Park where the road corkscrews over itself to change elevation through dense Black Hills forest. It was built with heavy log arches and rustic timber railings that blend perfectly into the surrounding ponderosa pines. The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, which was designed in the 1920s to showcase the most dramatic scenery in the Black Hills. The best shot is from below, standing on the road as it passes underneath the bridge. From there you can see the full curve of the timber structure overhead with the forest framing both sides. The arched log supports and the rough-cut construction give it a handmade, rugged quality that photographs beautifully. There are spots to pull off just before and just after the bridge so keep an eye out for pedestrians (and other photographers) in the road as you drive through this area. The road closes in winter, usually sometime in October, and reopens in April after the spring melt. In summer, during tourist season, it gets steady traffic so early morning is your best bet if you want a clean frame without vehicles on the bridge/road. (Custer State Park, South Dakota, USA)