All Rapid City Tours &amp; Excursions in 2026

Mount Rushmore and Black Hills Tour with Two Meals and a Music Variety Show

9 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

(1,021)

from USD 164

Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Black Hills and Mt Rushmore

4 to 12 hoursFree Cancellation

4.3

(174)

from USD 30

Discover the beauty of the Dakotas with this bundle of self-guided driving and walking tours in North and South Dakota. Pay a visit to the awe-inspiring Mount Rushmore. Cruise through the lush greenery of the Black Hills. Experience views like nowhere else in Badlands National Park. And journey through wilderness that inspired one of America’s greatest presidents in Teddy Roosevelt National Park. This bundle is the ultimate Dakota experience. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! 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 is not an entrance ticket to attractions along the route. Check opening hours before your visit.

Dakota Highlights: Black Hills, Mt Rushmore & Badlands Audio Tour

2 daysFree Cancellation

from USD 40

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.

All Aboard the 1880 Train

6 to 7 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

(4)

from USD 312

Mt Rushmore 8pm Lighting Ceremony Shared Tour

3 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

(6)

from USD 100

Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour

8 to 9 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

(72)

from USD 312

Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills

9 hoursFree Cancellation

Experience Custer State Park on the ultimate, luxury, crowd-free open-air safari. * Luxury Vehicles: Choose a Mercedes Caleche Sprinter, Lincoln Executive Limo, or Specialized Jeep Gladiator. * 100% Private & Customizable: Set your own pace and linger for wildlife. * Iconic Routes: Cruise Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road stress-free. * Unobstructed Views: Perfect window-free photography of 1,400 free-roaming bison. * Premium Dining: Includes a curated lakeside picnic. * Beat the Heat: Smart scheduling avoids the intense afternoon sun and provides the best time for wildlife viewing.

(429)

from USD 133

Private Ultimate Open-Top Bison Safari in Custer State Park

Private Ultimate Open-Top Bison Safari in Custer State Park

(2)

from USD 599

Uncover the hidden beauty and history of South Dakota with this combo tour of Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park! Get the full story behind one of America’s largest sculptures at Mount Rushmore. Learn who designed it, how they carved it, and why these four presidents were selected for the monument. Then, take a trip back to the Badlands, where a landscape of alien beauty hides ancient fossils, geological marvels, and Lakota history. 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.

Badlands and Mount Rushmore Self-Guided Audio Tour Bundle

2 daysFree Cancellation

(5)

from USD 25

Private Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park Monument Tour

8 hours

(145)

from USD 366

Pinnacle Zipline Tour in Keystone

Likely to Sell Out

2 hoursFree Cancellation

4.9

(469)

from USD 125

Northern Black Hills - Deadwood, Lead, Spearfish Canyon Tour

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!

Northern Black Hills - Deadwood, Lead, Spearfish Canyon Tour

The Only Full Day - Jeep Bison Safari - W/ Lakeside Picnic Lunch

(16)

from USD 301

6 hours 15 minutesFree Cancellation

4.3

(35)

from USD 399

Mt Rushmore Night Ceremony and Tour - with Tunnels and Stargazing

4 hours 45 minutes

4.5

(80)

from USD 299

This tour offers a unique opportunity to experience the awe-inspiring presence of Devils Tower, a geological marvel unlike any other. Unlike typical mountain peaks, Devils Tower is a towering butte, possibly formed from a laccolith – a mass of cooled, solidified magma. This means you'll be witnessing a rare formation of igneous rock carved by the relentless forces of nature. Standing a staggering 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River, and 867 feet from summit to base, the sheer scale of Devils Tower is breathtaking. You'll be immersed in the rugged beauty of the Bear Lodge Ranger District within the Black Hills, far from the hustle and bustle, near the charming towns of Hulett and Sundance, Wyoming. This tour isn't just about seeing a rock formation; it's about experiencing the power of geological history and the grandeur of the American West.

8 to 9 hoursFree Cancellation

Devil's Tower Tour

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.

(4)

from USD 396

PREMIER PRIVATE Tour: Mt Rushmore, CrazyHorse & Custer State Park

9 hoursFree Cancellation

(217)

from USD 475

Custer State Park is South Dakota’s largest state park, and if you’re not familiar with your way around, visiting the park can be quite the undertaking. Instead, leave the stress behind and prebook this Custer State Park Private Jeep Safari. You and your private group will travel by the park’s main highlights such as Needles Highway, Stockade Lake, Sylvan Lake, Iron Mountain Road, and Wildlife Loop. A picnic lunch is included.

Mt Rushmore & Crazy Horse with Iron Mtn Rd, Needles & Sylvan Lake

6 hoursFree Cancellation

4.5

(40)

from USD 329

What makes this Badlands and Wall Drug Store tour unique is the depth of knowledge and storytelling it offers. It's not just a scenic drive, but a fully narrated experience that brings the Badlands and prairie areas to life with abundant information and captivating stories. This ensures a richer and more engaging experience compared to self-guided tours or those with less historical and cultural context, especially since it spans a substantial 7-8 hours.

Shared Badlands and Wall Drug Store Experience

Shared Badlands and Wall Drug Store Experience

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.

(16)

from USD 312

Mount Rushmore Memorial Shared Tour from Rapid City, South Dakota

4 to 5 hoursFree Cancellation

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

(22)

from USD 164

Rapid City Motorcycle Rental Tour

1 to 10 daysFree Cancellation

from USD 130

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.

Private Mount Rushmore Lighting Tour w/ Former Park Ranger

4 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

(3)

from USD 195

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 select Rapid City locations, 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.

An amazing spectacle that happens only once a year!

2026 - Sept 25th - Custer Buffalo Roundup and Corrals

4.3

(3)

from USD 249

Western Horizons Hot Air Balloon rides

Balloons launching near the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, SD.

2 to 3 hoursFree Cancellation

There’s nothing “bad” about touring the Badlands with a guide who’ll drive you to the national park, teach you the history of the area, and make sure you don’t miss any of the best spots for photos. The tour is a highly curated route that takes you to places you’d otherwise miss. From scenic overlooks to the famous Wall Drug Store, and even to the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, where you’ll get to experience ‘duck and cover drills,’ it’s good fun in the Badlands.

(38)

from USD 395

Badlands Premium Hard Top Van Tour

7 hoursFree Cancellation

(56)

from USD 449

Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills

1 2 3

What are people saying about Rapid City

Ashley_M, Aug 2026

Great experience! A must do in the Black Hills

This day trip was excellent. Our tour guide Billy was top-notch A+. He’s been doing this to her for 10 years. He is very knowledgeable and gives historical information, details on the area the entire trip. Plenty of stops for photo opportunities. Do not hesitate to take the bus tour. Do you get to be the passenger, take plenty of photos and videos while being driven, and also get a lot of information that otherwise you would not know if I just taking a private car ride through these areas. We were lucky and saw a huge heard of Buffalo in Custer State Park after lunch. Billy even inquired over lunch to find out if the buffalo were out and was going to take us to the location where they were at so we could view them. Would recommend this to her.

PREMIER PRIVATE Tour: Mt Rushmore, CrazyHorse & Custer State Park

Don_M, Aug 2026

Mt Rushmore tour was awesome

The Premiere Private tour guide was amazing. Cindy was friendly. professional, worked with three grandkids in a great way. We saw everything promised including mingling with buffaloes and feeding burros. And of course, her explanation of Mt Rushmore was the main attraction. Well done.

Mount Rushmore and Black Hills Tour with Two Meals and a Music Variety Show

Patricia_G, Aug 2026

Exceeded expectations!

This was a truly memorable experience. Our bus driver / tour guide was absolutely the best. He was extremely knowledgeable about both the historical as well current information about the area our tour covered. He provided us with so much information about Mt. Rushmore, the Crazy Horse memorial, Custer National Park and all the other places we visited but it was never just dry, boring statistics; he made it really interesting by interspersing humor and personal anecdotal information in away that kept our attention. The Black Hills are truly incredibly beautiful with rock formations like we had never seen any where else that we have traveled. While being able to visit Mt. Rushmore was the fulfillment of a goal I had for many years I would have come to South Dakota specifically to see “The Needles” had I had any idea how incredible those rock formations actually are. Our driver skillfully navigated through narrow mountain tunnels and provided us with the best stops for pictures to capture the beauty of The Black Hills. The tour included breakfast and dinner and the food was great. The evening ended with a musical variety show that very much exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend this tour.

Private Tour of Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park

Melissa_P, July 2026

Chris was very...

Chris was very knowledgeable, patient, and kind. We asked so many questions and he answered all of them. We needed a very slow walking pace and assistance in and out of the vehicle, but he never hurried us and we were able to see everything we came to see and more.

Mt Rushmore Night Ceremony and Tour - with Tunnels and Stargazing

Jeremy_S, July 2026

Awesome tour! TJ was amazing

We got to experience Mount Rushmore and the surrounding area in both day and nighttime. The night view and show of Mount Rushmore was amazing and our guide TJ did a fantastic job explaining the history, geography, and importance of this monument. The star gazing view at night was very memorable

Devil's Tower & Deadwood with Spearfish Canyon Picnic

Jeremy_S, July 2026

Amazing sites, amazing guide!

We left at 7:30 to arrive at Devils Tower early to beat the crowds. Devils Tower, Spearfish Canyon, and Deadwood were beautiful. Spearfish canyon was especially underestimated from my viewpoint. It’s very lush and green with lots of flora. Devils tower was truly a unique experience and I highly encourage people to visit there. Deadwood was very cool and good for people like want to shop or grab some drinks. It was a little touristy but that was to be expected. Nicole was our guide and she did an amazing job! She knew so much history about the various places, the geology of the area, and where to take us. She was very down to earth and easy going.

Private Tour of the Badlands with Local Experts

Jeremy_S, July 2026

Awesome trip with an awesome guide!

We did a private tour to the badlands and also saw a museum with dinosaurs fossils and an old military silo that held nuclear bombs. We saw a ton of wildlife in the badlands and the rock formations and colors were gorgeous! The drive and viewpoint stops in the badlands made the whole trip worth it. Our guide Chris was awesome! Very friendly and accommodating. Let us choose our schedule and route. Very flexible and nice.

Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour

Kathleen_A, July 2026

Exceeded our expectations

My husband and I highly recommend the Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park Loop tour. We had a wonderful day with our guide, Scott, who was friendly, and knowledgeable of the places we were visiting. He drove our group of 6 in a comfortable van, supplied with snacks and water. He kept us entertained with his knowledge of the points of interest. Our group even spent a delightful time together over a delicious lunch at the Blue Bell Lodge. It was a day well spent, our adventure exceeded our expectations with the attention to details for our comfort and experiencing these famous landmarks.

Private Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park Monument Tour

William_H, July 2026

Best way to see the highlights of the Black Hills!

Amazing personalized service. Kevin, our guide, was awesome. Lots of local knowledge and always engaging. It was nice to sit back, let someone else drive and really enjoy some of the not-to-miss sights in the Black Hills. Kevin made certain we had plenty of time to explore all the sights.

Mt Rushmore & Crazy Horse with Iron Mtn Rd, Needles & Sylvan Lake

Mary_M, May 2026

Exciting Day in South Dakota

Excellent experience! Our first time visit to South Dakota. Our guide was knowledgeable and personable. We learned so much in a fun way. Mount Rushmore is breathtaking, including Needles Hwy, and Sylvan lake is the way to good. Crazy Horse is inspiring. Our guide Cheryl is the best! Highly recommend this tour

Badlands Premium Hard Top Van Tour

Yen_L, Sept 2025

It was a fun trip

We came a private tour by accident. Another couple canceled last minute. Our tour guide was fun, knowledgeable and friendly. Wall drug was cool. I got a very nice wallet handmade with bison skin which should last a lifetime. My husband had a delicious double bacon cheeseburger at salty steer which he loved.