Top Rapid City Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Don't bother renting a car or planning a thing with this private tour to three celebrated South Dakota monuments: Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park. After a hassle-free pickup from your hotel, your personal guide transports you to these three landmarks. You visit each attraction—with entry fees included—and learn more as you go with the help of your guide's expert commentary.

If you’re planning a trip to Mount Rushmore, but don’t want to be packed on a big tour bus full of people, try booking this Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Black Hills Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour. This tour takes you through the Black Hills to stops inside both Badlands National Park and Custer State Park, as well as many other noteworthy highlights of the area. Plus, you’ll explore at your own pace with an easy-to-use, downloadable app.

What makes this tour unique is the combination of three of Western South Dakota's most iconic destinations – Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop – into a single, comprehensive, and fully narrated experience. Over 8-9 hours, you'll not just see these landmarks, but gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for their history, cultural significance, and natural beauty. We always give the guest time to buy their lunch during the tour.

Hop aboard 'Buff,' a Jeep Wrangler specially modified to resist excited bison, with this private tour through Custer State Park. You'll visit all corners of the park, including Mt. Coolidge, Iron Mountain Road, Needles Highway, Sylvan Lake, and the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop, with a stop along the way for a picnic lunch served with beer/wine (on request) at Stockade Lake.

Maximize your time in South Dakota by seeing Black Hills’ highlights all in one day. An air-conditioned vehicle loaded with snacks takes you to famous carved monuments Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial, as well through some of Custer Park’s 71,000 scenic acres. You might even spot resident bison, elk, and other wildlife. There are also stops at Sylvan Lake and Iron Mountain Road, for more Rushmore views.

Experience the Black Hills, including Mount Rushmore, with a local guide to tell you about the history of the sights, share personal stories from their time spent living in the area, and do the driving for you. See the Crazy Horse Memorial, the town of Custer, the Iron Mountain Road, and more. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a herd of bison.

9 pm Lighting Ceremony: May 22nd - August 9th We would pick you up from your Rapid City hotel at 7:30-7:45 pm in 7 or 12 passenger van depending on if we have others going. It is a 45 minute drive to Mt Rushmore. You would have half an hour to get to the amphitheater to get a seat for the program that starts at 9:00 pm. There is a 10 minute Ranger Talk about some topic about the 4 presidents. After the talk is a 20 minute video about the growth of the country in relation to the 4 presidents. At 9:30 pm, the Star Spangled Banner is sung and the lights go on the faces. Veterans and military are invited to the stage to help retire the flag and be honored. It is about a 45 minute program. We do have blankets for you in your vans if it is a chilly night. But, plan on bringing a jacket as it cools off once the sun goes down. We would get you back to Rapid City around 10:45 pm.

Discover some of South Dakota’s top landmarks—including the iconic Mt. Rushmore—and leave the driving to someone else on this seamless, full-day bus tour. Meet in the morning in Rapid City, hop aboard your air-conditioned coach, and head to Mt. Rushmore to see the larger-than-life sculpture. Next, drive through the Black Hills, stop for lunch (own expense) in Custer State Park, thread the Needles Highway, see the Crazy Horse Memorial, and more.

Experience the magic of Badlands National Park like never before on this exclusive private sunset and stargazing tour, led by a former National Park Ranger. As the sun dips below the horizon, watch the otherworldly spires and jagged pinnacles ignite in brilliant shades of orange, red, and gold. For those who want to go deeper, optional short hikes take you off the roadside and into the heart of the Badlands, where your guide's expertise brings the geology, wildlife, and history to life. When darkness falls, sink into a zero gravity chair and let the universe open up above you — a vast, unpolluted sky blazing with thousands of stars, sweeping meteor trails, and the luminous arc of the Milky Way stretching from horizon to horizon. Peer through a telescope to explore distant planets, star clusters, and galaxies with the naked eye impossible to see. Fully private, completely personalized, and led by a local former park ranger — this is the Badlands experience you won't find anywhere else.

Don't waste your precious vacation days booking separate tours through the Black Hills. This comprehensive adventure combines visits to Mt. Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park's famous bison herds into one efficient trip. You’ll explore the scenic Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road, and beyond, all with convenient hotel pickup and no planning stress.

Explore the Black Hills with this self-guided walking and driving tour, weaving through landmark sites steeped in monumental art and history. Walk through the majestic Mount Rushmore, delve into the natural splendor of Custer State Park, experience the cultural resonance of Crazy Horse Memorial, and relax at the picturesque Sylvan Lake. Each location enriches your journey with its unique story and breathtaking vistas, creating memories that echo through the landscapes of South Dakota. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

Discover the wonders of the American heartland with our Mount Rushmore & Great Plains Audio Tour Bundle! Marvel at the iconic Mount Rushmore, where our guides share fascinating stories about the presidents carved into the mountain and the history behind this monumental project. Then, journey through the vast Great Plains, exploring wide-open prairies, historic landmarks, and diverse wildlife. Learn about the Native American history, pioneer trails, and natural beauty that define this region. Perfect for families, history buffs, and adventure seekers, this bundle offers a captivating and educational experience. Simply download, plug in your headphones, and set off on a remarkable journey through Mount Rushmore and the Great Plains! *Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours*

This Northern Black Hills Shared Tour is unique because it combines breathtaking scenery with a fascinating glimpse into the Wild West history that shaped the region. You'll experience the natural beauty of the northern Black Hills while also uncovering the stories and historical points that bring the legendary Wild West days to life. It's a perfect balance of natural wonder and historical intrigue!

What makes this tour unique is its immersive journey through Custer State Park's Wildlife Loop, offering a chance to witness the majestic buffalo herds, especially enchanting in springtime with the adorable newborn calves. Beyond the buffalo, you'll encounter a diverse array of wildlife, from graceful antelope and deer to playful prairie dogs and the charming begging burros, all set against the backdrop of breathtaking scenery. The 7-8 hour narrated experience provides an in-depth understanding of the park's ecosystem and its inhabitants, making it more than just a sightseeing tour, but an educational and unforgettable wildlife adventure.

Badlands National Park is a huge park that can be intimidating if you’re thinking about exploring it on your own. Instead, book this Badlands National Park Private Full-Day Tour from Rapid City and follow a guide through the most beautiful areas of the park. With many stops incorporated, you’ll spot wildlife and fossils and go for a hike. Lunch and a visit to the Minuteman Missile Visitors Center are included.

Experience Badlands National Park privately, intentionally, and at a relaxed pace with a former national park ranger as your guide. After Rapid City pickup, travel east across open prairie past ranch country and to the near-ghost town of Scenic, with stories of frontier survival, dinosaurs, and the rare black-footed ferret. Enter the Badlands where the prairie suddenly drops into glowing, layered formations. From sweeping overlooks near Bigfoot Pass and the White River Valley, trace ancient seas and deeper Lakota (Native American) history. At Yellow Mounds and Conata Basin, watch soft yellows, purples, and rust tones unfold—often alongside bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and prairie dogs. Enjoy a midday lunch at the Salty Steer in Wall, plus time at iconic Wall Drug. The afternoon shifts to Cold War history at the Minuteman Missile Site before returning to dramatic overlooks and optional short walks like the Door, Window, or Notch Trail.

Don’t get crammed into a huge tour with travelers you don’t know—instead, prebook this Badlands National Park Private Tour and visit the national park with a private group. Make additional stops at South Dakota’s Museum of Geology, Wall Drug Store, and Minuteman Missile Visitors Center, as well as the national park. You choose what you’ll do or have your guide plan the day for you.

Ghost Tour Fun works seamlessly with even the weakest cell data signal—no special app required. Just use your phone’s browser to start the tour instantly. We don’t track you or sell your data, so you can focus on the scary stories, historic locations, and paranormal encounters that make Keystone unforgettable. We also have 24/7 customer service chat on the platform.

This isn't just another tour; it's a chance to experience the Black Hills at their best, during the prime season of May through September. What makes this tour unique is its personalized touch. We take the hassle out of your day by picking you up directly from your Rapid City hotel at 8:00-8:30 AM, ensuring a seamless start to your adventure. Then, we transport you to the charming town of Keystone, SD, where you have the freedom to explore for at least 1½ hours, crafting your own experience. Whether you're drawn to the unique shops, the thrilling Big Thunder Gold Mine, or the insightful Rushmore Borglum Story, you're in control. It's your day, your way, in the heart of the Black Hills.

Explore Custer State Park on an all-day, small-group Jeep tour. After a convenient pickup from your Rapid City hotel, cruise scenic Iron Mountain Road and marvel at hundreds of bison on a 19-mile safari.  Ascend Mt. Coolidge and get amazing views of Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills. You won't have to bring food with you as a picnic lunch is included in the tour price.

Make exploring the Black Hills’ many sights effortless with this private half-day tour. Picked up from your Rapid City hotel by your personal driver/guide, you’ll wander amongst giant Presidents—Mount Rushmore, that is—traverse the spectacular Needles Highway, gaze upon Sylvan Lake, witness the wildlife of Custer State Park, and more. With no worries about driving, navigation, or parking, you’ll be free to relax, take pictures, and enjoy the view.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a massive sculpture carved into Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills region of South Dakota. Completed in 1941 under the direction of Gutzon Borglum and his son Lincoln, the sculpture’s roughly 60-ft.-high granite faces depict U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. The site also features a museum with interactive exhibits.

Visit Devils Tower National Monument and the surrounding area with a professional guide with this tour. You'll make plenty of stops along the way at spots such as the Old Fort Meade Museum, Bear Butte State Park, and the Geographic Center of the Nation Monument, while your guide tells you all about the region's history.