All South Dakota Tours & Excursions in 2026 - page 3

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*

Immerse yourself in the history of the Middle Border Region of the United States with this admission ticket to the Dakota Discovery Museum. With four art galleries, a historical gallery, and a historical village, there’s more than enough to keep you busy for an entire day. See artwork by Harvey Dunn and Oscar Howe, and then stop by a 1-room schoolhouse that opened in 1885. Plus, since the museum is open morning until evening, you can make your way through it at your own pace.

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.

Walk around Sioux Falls while completing the Operation City Quest scavenger hunt! Use an app to find a list of objects around the city in any order you choose and perform fun challenges for points. Collect points and take a look at your score compared to others across the country. All of our scavenger hunts have a remote host via chat to help along the way. Come out and explore with us in Sioux Falls.

This Rapid City tour is unique because it offers a concentrated experience designed to maximize your time and provide a comprehensive overview of the city's highlights. In just 4-5 hours, you'll not only get a glimpse of Rapid City's role as the gateway to Mount Rushmore, but you'll also delve into its own distinct character with an up-close encounter with the "City of Presidents" statue collection, giving you a richer understanding of the area's history and culture beyond just the iconic monument. It's the perfect introduction to Rapid City for those on a tight schedule.

Walk around your Kingdom of Sioux Falls while playing Wacky Walks scavenger hunt! Wacky Walks is an app-based royal scavenger hunt that will allow you to rule in your city! Compete with your group to become the King/Queen amongst your group, while finding items around the city and completing fun challenges. Take a photo of the items you find and the challenges you complete to get points. Try to stay the King or Queen of your group for as long as you can and gain as many points as you can! There's no time limit on Wacky Walks, you can play as long as you'd like, in any area of the city you decide. A remote host will help along the way via chat! Explore Sioux Falls with Wacky Walks!

Zombie Scavengers in Sioux Falls will help prove you can survive a zombie apocalypse! Use an app to find a list of items needed to survive. Find them in any order you'd like and get points for each found survival item. Get points also by doing crazy zombie themed tasks. Survey the area and figure out how to get the most points in order to survive the apocalypse. Should you have any questions along the way, a remote host will chat with you throughout the game. Prove to the world you can survive an apocalypse in Sioux Falls today!

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.

See one of America’s most iconic landmarks up close and delve deep into its complicated history! You’ve seen Mount Rushmore in photos, but seeing it in person is something else entirely. This towering monument to America’s past is truly incredible to behold. But you won’t just be looking—with this self-guided audio tour, you’ll also learn all about this enormous sculpture. Find out who built it, how they built it, and much more as you walk the Presidential Trail. After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Buy your tickets in advance to the Cosmos Mystery Area to guarantee your admission, even on sold-out days. With tickets in hand, you can breeze by the ticket-purchase line and get started exploring right away. Embark on a 30-minute tour that showcases the family-friendly displays and activities focused on the intersection of science, mystery, and comedy.

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.

At My XO Adventures, we don’t just guide tours—we create lifelong memories through deeply personal connections to the land. What makes this experience unique isn’t just the stunning Badlands views or the wildlife encounters—it’s who you’re sharing them with. Our team isn’t made up of part-time guides reading from scripts. We are storytellers, geologists, naturalists, and soulful travelers who call this region home. Every tour is customized to your interests, pace, and curiosity, and we treat our guests like family—from the first greeting to the final goodbye. Expect laughter, learning, comfort, and care in every moment. We go beyond the overlook and behind the scenes to places most travelers never see. You won’t be herded or hurried. You’ll be welcomed, inspired, and transformed. This isn’t a tour. It’s a journey with meaning—crafted from passion, guided with heart, and remembered forever.

Capture your unique story with a professional photography session in the Beautiful Black Hills! This experience offers a stunning backdrop of one of America's most iconic landmarks, Mount Rushmore. Other local favorites are: Pactola & Sylvan Lakes, Spearfish Canyon, Buzzards Roost hiking trails, and the Badlands. Allowing for memorable portraits of families, couples, seniors, and even your pets. Whether you're celebrating a milestone or simply want to create lasting memories, this session will leave you with exquisite photographs to cherish forever.

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.

Experience Mount Rushmore in its most powerful setting — illuminated against the evening sky with your private guide who served as a National Park Ranger and once delivered the official evening program. Your private evening begins with scenic travel into the Black Hills and ascending Iron Mountain Road, where granite tunnels frame distant views of the the presidents faces. Upon arrival, you’ll explore the memorial in person. You’ll hear the deeper stories of engineering challenges, the unfinished chamber behind the faces, tools still embedded in the granite, and the human drama behind the carving of the mountain itself. As twilight settles, you’ll attend the official Evening Lighting Ceremony — a moving program of history, film, illumination, and tribute. Watching the sculpture emerge from darkness into light is a powerful and reflective moment. You'll return through the quiet Black Hills with memories lingering long after the lights fade.

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.

Avoid the crowded bus tours and discover the best of South Dakota with your own tour guide on this private excursion from Rapid City. Spend your day observing local wildlife like American Bison, bighorn sheep, and antelope at Custer State Park. Then, visit the iconic Mount Rushmore before finishing at the unfinished Crazy Horse Memorial that pays tribute to the Native American warrior.

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.

Custer State Park is one of the country’s best state parks, partly thanks to the fantastic wildlife here. But you can't experience its best views from your car: With this open-air Jeep tour, you’ll share the breezes with creatures like buffalo and pronghorn—from a safe distance, of course. You’ll also hit the trails with your guide, discovering some of South Dakota’s most beautiful terrain.

Step into the shoes of a newly-minted detective, tasked by Commander Mahoney to solve a gripping case... murder on the streets of Rapid City. Throughout this crime-solving audio adventure, visit each of the 10 mapped locations. You'll have the option to explore the downtown area using the Walking Map or follow a Driving Map on the city's outskirts. Once you choose, the exact starting point will be revealed. *See images for route. Park or stop at each location, listen to the audio story, and put your detective skills to the test by gathering clues and piecing together the evidence. Finally, make your deductions and issue an arrest warrant. Your overall detective skills will be evaluated, culminating in a Case Performance Score to measure your sleuthing prowess. This game is suitable for solo detectives, dynamic duos, or groups of mystery enthusiasts, offering an immersive audio tale filled with intrigue.

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.

Take in fantastic views of Custer Park and increase your chances of getting perfect wildlife and nature shots by taking a tour in a convertible-top safari van. Take in the views from a fire lookout, and spend time driving around in search of wildlife. You'll also stop at scenic Stockade Lake for an included picnic lunch and visit the scenic Sylvan Lake during your tour.

Enjoy the best of the Northern Black Hills on this day tour. As a private outing, enjoy the area at your time and pace. Wander through beautiful Spearfish Canyon, enjoying the lush greenery and waterfalls. Take in historic Deadwood, understanding its importance during the Black Hills gold rush, and how it served wild west celebrities like Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok. In Lead, see one of the largest goldmines in the world, and understand how it has found a place in a modern economy. Options include visits to Devils Tower (+$ fee), and a selection of museums in historic Deadwood.

The annual Buffalo Roundup takes place on the last Friday of September. View the roundup and watch the branding and sorting of bison. After pickup from Rapid City, head to the South Parking Lot, where a folding chair, hot beverages, and continental breakfast await. Enjoy a picnic lunch at Stockade Lake and sightseeing including Needles Highway, Sylvan Lake, and Iron Mountain Road.