Top Rapid City Sightseeing Tours

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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*

Soar over the Southern Black Hills and expansive prairies of South Dakota on this thrilling hot-air balloon ride from Hot Springs. Climb aboard your private hot-air balloon and enjoy unparalleled views of the area. Upon touchdown, enjoy a celebratory sparkling wine toast with snacks and receive a personalized flight certificate.

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.

Visit Mount Rushmore with a guide on this group bus tour to the national monument from Rapid City. Not only does this tour let you skip navigating the hairpin turns and packed parking lot leading to your visit, but you also get to learn the history of South Dakota from your guide. After, continue exploring Black Hills sights including the Crazy Horse Monument, Iron Mountain Road, Sylvan Lake, and more. End your day with the Chuckwagon Supper and Show, 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.

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.

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 president's 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.

See a different side of Badlands National Park, at sunset and under the night sky, with this experience. Your guide will take you and your party out at dusk, a great time to spot wildlife. After the sun sets, you'll head over to the park ranger-led Night Sky Program, where you'll learn about the universe and maybe even get to see the sky through a telescope.

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.

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.

Explore one of South Dakota’s incredible national parks and other highlights with this day tour from Rapid City to Badlands National Park. Your private guide will share their expertise about the region’s history, geology, and more as you drive through the beautiful park, possibly spotting wildlife like buffalo. You’ll have lunch a local restaurant of your choice, stop at famous roadside store/attraction Wall Drugs, the ghost town of Scenic, and the Minuteman Missile Site.

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.

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.

Discover the grandeur of Mount Rushmore National Memorial with our engaging and amusing audio tour! Marvel at the colossal faces of four iconic U.S. presidents while our witty guides share fascinating stories, fun facts, and historical insights. Learn about the incredible artistry and engineering behind this monumental achievement, as well as the legends and lore surrounding it. Perfect for families, history buffs, and curious travelers, our audio tour adds a delightful twist to your visit. Simply download, plug in your headphones, and embark on a memorable adventure through Mount Rushmore! "Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours"

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

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.

This tour covers the three major areas of the Black Hills and Badlands. You can put down the planning, and relax as we take you to the significant points of interest. At times, we may deviate from the itinerary for some surprise visits. We can spend more or less time at each location based on your interests. Our guides are trained in a way that enhances your experience on so many levels. We care about your time here most of all and are willing to go out of our way to ensure you have an excellent experience. Photography is something we love as well, and photos will be provided at the end of each day, free of charge.