All South Dakota Tours & Excursions in 2026

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sunrise in the Badlands: Sturgis Rally Edition Escape the roar of the rally and embrace the serenity of the Badlands with this early-morning adventure designed for those who rise with the sun. Perfect for Sturgis visitors looking to beat the traffic and experience the breathtaking beauty of the region, this tour offers an unforgettable start to your day. Begin with a spectacular sunrise over the dramatic landscapes of Badlands National Park. As the first light dances across rugged peaks, sweeping prairies, and ancient formations, you’ll witness nature’s artistry at its finest—a moment made even better with opportunities for stunning photography. After the sunrise, we’ll guide you through the park’s lesser-known treasures and iconic highlights. Learn about the unique geology, diverse wildlife, and rich history that make the Badlands a place like no other.

Explore the Black Hills with a former National Park Ranger on a private, personalized tour designed around your interests. Visit landscapes where your guide lived and worked as a ranger and conducted master’s research, gaining firsthand insight into the wildlife and landscapes of the region — including the iconic buffalo herds of Custer State Park. Explore Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse National Memorials going beyond the typical stops with deeper stories of wildlife, geology, and history, plus scenic viewpoints and insights most visitors never experience. Fully private, completely personalized, and led by someone who calls these parks home — this is the Black Hills experience you won't find anywhere else.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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. Explore distant planets, star clusters, and galaxies on a fully private, completely personalized tour led by a local former park ranger — this Badlands experience you won't find anywhere else.

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!

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.