All South Dakota Tours & Excursions in 2026

We would pick you up from your Rapid City hotel at 6:30-6:45 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 8:00 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 8:30 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 9:45 pm.

With nothing but lunar landscapes for miles, Badlands National Park makes for a wild cycling journey—for beginner and advanced cyclists alike. On this guided trip, you’ll pedal nearly 30 miles along the moderate Badlands Loop Road, from vista to vista and across millions of years, breaking for a picnic lunch (additional $15) along the way. Watch for wildlife, take in the views, and feel the energy of this sacred place.

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.

If you have a limited amount of time to explore Badlands National Park, prebook this Badlands National Park Private Tour from Rapid City that’s perfect for travelers short on time. Your own private group goes with a guide who knows the area well, and teaches you about the culture, geology, wildlife, and land. You’ll also stop at Badlands Wall to see the stunning sunset.

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.

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.

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.

You visit Mount Rushmore, one of our nation's national treasures, and Custer State Park, one of our nation's largest and most diverse state parks. This is the perfect tour for families looking to combine sightseeing with a history of the area. You'll be provided with the history of the Black Hills in the context of the western expansion across North America. Custer State Park is home to an abundance of wildlife and a free roaming 1,500 herd of bison. You'll also be provided with the historical background for how the faces of four important founding fathers came to be carved on Mount Rushmore.

Capture the stunning wildlife of Custer State Park on this guided photography tour, perfect for photographers of all skill levels. Discover prime habitats as you observe herds of bison, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep, while learning expert techniques to enhance your photography. Your knowledgeable guide will help you find the best vantage points for wildlife encounters, ensuring you get frame-worthy shots without disturbing the animals. Midway through the tour, enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by the park's natural beauty, providing a serene moment to recharge and reflect on your day’s captures. - Explore Custer State Park’s diverse wildlife and landscapes - Perfect for photographers of all skill levels, with expert guidance - Enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch in a scenic setting - Learn tips on composition and lighting to enhance your photography skills

No more generic walking tours—it’s time to take on Rapid City with your crew via photo scavenger hunt. Your smartphone leads you across the City of Presidents, where you solve puzzles, complete challenges, take snapshots, and rack up points while learning about this South Dakota spot. Even if you don’t win, you’ll go home with memorable photos of it all in a self-paced experience.

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.

Experience the beauty of the Black Hills on this private afternoon and evening tour, featuring scenic drives and the Mount Rushmore Lighting Ceremony and Custer State Park. Visit Sylvan Lake, journey along the stunning Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road, and enjoy breathtaking views and photo stops. End the day at Mount Rushmore, exploring the monument before witnessing the patriotic and inspiring Lighting Ceremony.

This isn’t just a tour—it’s a deeply personal exploration of the natural world, guided by a professional wildlife biologist who brings every moment to life. Designed exclusively for your group, the experience is entirely private and tailored to your interests, pace, and curiosity. What sets it apart is the focus on nature in its purest form—no monuments, no crowds, just the living heartbeat of the Black Hills. You’ll explore vast prairies, winding byways, underground caves, and wildlife-rich habitats with a guide who reads the landscape like a storybook. Rather than simply pointing out animals or naming plants, your guide offers insight into the complex relationships that tie geology, ecology, and wildlife together. You’ll walk away with not only stunning photos but a meaningful connection to the land itself. Unhurried, immersive, and rich with discovery—this tour invites you to slow down, look deeper, and experience South Dakota as few ever do.

Discover the best of the Black Hills on this unforgettable evening adventure. Your tour begins with a scenic drive along the world-famous Iron Mountain Road, a winding masterpiece with pigtail bridges, mountain vistas, and tunnels leading to Mt. Rushmore. Along the way, your guide shares insightful stories of the region’s history, people, and natural beauty. Arriving at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, we’ll stroll the Avenue of the Flags for a first close-up view of the monument. Your guide will bring the story of its creation to life with engaging details about the vision, artistry, and challenges behind this American landmark. As night falls, you’ll take part in the moving Evening Illumination Ceremony, where patriotic music and storytelling culminate in the dramatic lighting of the monument. This tour blends breathtaking scenery with cultural heritage and national pride, making it one of the most memorable ways to experience Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills.

This isn’t a tour—it’s a scientific expedition designed for curious minds. Unlike standard sightseeing trips, this experience puts you in the shoes of a field biologist. You’ll go beyond the overlooks, entering areas few travelers explore. With your guide—an expert in ecology and geology—you’ll use real research tools to track wildlife, study ancient formations, and analyze one of the richest fossil environments in the world. Rather than passively observing, you’ll actively participate.Track animal behavior using field signs and biological patterns. Study geology hands-on, examining exposed strata millions of years old. Explore off-the-beaten-path zones like Sage Creek Wilderness, where bison, burrowing owls, and prairie dogs shape the ecosystem. This tour is ideal for inquisitive travelers, families with budding scientists, and anyone craving more than just surface-level experiences.

Delve into this beautiful corner of South Dakota with a private, expertly guided tour from Rapid City to Badlands National Park and Buffalo Gap National Grassland to see the agate fields, plus stop in the historic ghost town of Scenic and at the famous roadside attraction of Wall Drugs. At Badlands your guide will drive the Badlands Loop, stop at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, and take you to the best overlooks and viewpoints before driving you back to your accommodations in Rapid City.

Enter another world with the only e-bike tour of the Badlands, this is truly a unique way to experience this wonderful National Park. Ride along with the prairie dogs chirping and spectacular views. A private tour means we go at your pace and comfort level. A once in a lifetime opportunity awaits! If some in your group prefer regular bikes, we can arrange a mixed tour. Please contact us to discuss this option.

Discover the unique awe-inspiring beautty of South Dakota's Badlands National Park at sunset. Kick off with some wildlife viewing and and gaze at the strange and remarkable rock formations before settling into an enchanting stargazing adventure. Learn from an expert with telescopes and binoculars to explore constellations, planets, and even the Milky Way in one of the darkest skies across the United States.

Our very unique, immersive adventures are the only ones of their kind. We, unlike other companies, provide your very own remote, interactive, live host to assist and encourage you along through your phone. We are an Austin, TX-based global custom event design company offering scavenger hunts and other events in 300+ cities in North America and beyond. Our specially hand-crafted adventures are equal parts tour, creative challenge, detective hunt, and social experiment! Guests get to discover in an alternate reality our favorite hidden gems off the beaten trail and creatively interpret fun art, history, and culture clues - for points! They get to enjoy fame and glory while appearing on our website’s international leaderboard, no matter what their score. They get to essentially race other teams in other cities, even if they don’t have competitors who have signed up in their city that day. Get ready to discover unusual oddities, laugh out loud, and make the experience your own!

Discover the stunning Black Hills of South Dakota with a Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 motorcycle rental. This adventure bike is perfect for navigating the region’s winding roads, from granite spires to hidden lakes. With a convenient pickup from Rapid City, you can hit the scenic Iron Mountain Road, the Needles Highway or explore Custer State Park at your own pace. Enjoy a flexible rental duration of 1 to 3 days, with park passes included for a seamless experience. - Explore the Black Hills' breathtaking routes from Rapid City - Flexible rental duration of 1-3 days for your convenience - Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 designed for rugged terrain - Custer State Park and Black Hills NF passes included in rental

Departing directly from Custer, this exclusive private sunset safari offers an open-air adventure no other commercial operator can match! While standard tour vans waste hours on highway commutes from Rapid City, our custom off-road Jeep Gladiators (Buff for up to 4–5 guests, or Beast for up to 14) give your group private, front-row access straight into Custer State Park’s backroads. We begin by ascending the narrow switchbacks of 6,023-foot Mount Coolidge Fire Lookout before the evening gate locks, treating you to 360° summit views from Mount Rushmore all the way to the Badlands. Next, cruise the iconic Wildlife Loop Road during prime dusk feeding hours to track massive bison herds, pronghorns, and burros in warm golden-hour light. We finish nestled in the pine shade along Grace Coolidge Creek, enjoying individual artisan charcuterie boxes paired with chilled South Dakota craft beer and wine served right aboard the vehicle. Unmatched, unhurried, and 100% private!