Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Black Hills
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Custer, USA
+24
- 2 to 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Easily book this Black Hills hot air balloon ride ahead of time and avoid the stress of trying to get a last-minute, sunrise ride while in South Dakota. Fly above the Black Hills in Custer State Park for stunning 360-degree views from up above. This hot-air balloon tour includes a glass of Champagne, light snacks, and a souvenir certificate to toast the beautiful morning.
- See South Dakota’s Black Hills at one of the most stunning times of day—sunrise
- Toast to your experience with an included glass of Champagne and light snacks
- Enjoy a souvenir certificate commemorating your flight
- An easy-to-find meeting location makes for a stress-free start
What's Included
- Hot Air Balloon Flight
- Glass of Champagne
- Bottled water
- All Fees and Taxes
- Hotel pick up and drop-off
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 747 Mt Rushmore Rd, Custer, SD 57730, USA
Diagonally across from Lynn's Dakotamart, the local supermarket in town. Must check for an email or text from Black Hills Balloons the evening before the flight between 6.30pm and 8 pm for a flight status update and weather check. If you don't hear from us by 6.30pm please contact us.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Black Hills Balloons
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Black Hills National Forest
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Minimum age is 4 years
- Most travelers can participate
- Black Hills Balloons will text and email the day before the flight before 6.30 pm for a flight status update and weather check.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Amy_B
What a wonderful experience! Our pilot, Damien, was funny and informative. The whole trip was amazing from beginning to end. Highly recommend! A hot air balloon ride has been on my bucket list for years, and this one didn't disappoint!
Reviews
5.0
based on 515 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
ASHTON_R, Aug 2026
Incredible experience!!! Seeing the sun rose over the mountains was beautiful. So peaceful- and our guide was great too. We felt completely safe. He was very knowledgeable and all around accommodating. Bucket list adventure, worth every penny 🙏🏼🤙🏼
James_B, Jul 2026
Damien (the owner) was our pilot. He is very very good at what he does (it shows). He is outgoing, witty, and just a joy to be around. He answered every question, explained how he was piloting the balloon, told stories about ballooning, told a lot of ballooning jokes, and probably doubled the fun of the whole experience. Would absolutely recommend this to anyone. Totally worth it. Can’t wait to do it again
Gerri_C, Jul 2026
My husband & I were celebrating our 50th Anniversary and we wanted to do something different, and this was it! We had an marvelous time. And would recommend it to everyone! ❤️
Ken_B, Jul 2026
Great people. Great experience. Great celebration at the end. 12 yr old loved it! Definitely recommend.
Teresa_S, Jul 2026
Unique, serene experience with beautiful views and a careful, conscientious and helpful staff. You do need to get up early and the excursion leaves from Custer, SD
ashleyphy, Jul 2026
Early morning experience that starts off at the company’s office in Custer. You get in a van and take a short trip to a beautiful piece of land where you see the balloon inflate. We had 11 people in our basket—they tell you where to climb in because the basket is segmented. It is the gentlest ride that moves according to the winds. Landing is just as gentle. We had Damien as our guide, and he was amazing. Funny and very informative. Had some snacks and mimosas for us at the end of the ride. Don’t be afraid to do this activity!
Michael_G, Jul 2026
Brilliant storytelling by Damien. Expert pilots. Beautiful Black Hills scenery. Great reason to get out of bed early!
DylanBruns, Jul 2026
Obviously, weather is very unpredictable. The weather was not in our favor. We were in the basket and balloons up ready to leave. The winds shifted and our pilot made the right call. I’ve been on balloons, big and small on several continents. We were all disappointed not to go. But the pilot I want to fly with is the one that knows when NOT to go. They made the right call. Next time we’re out here we’ll definitely book with them again. These guys know what they’re doing.
Mark_I, Jun 2026
Very smooth take off and landing. Very knowledgeable pilot and crew. Started out in a field with the sun rising to give a very peaceful start to the day. Saw several deer and other domestic animals. Great view of the black hills. Could see the Crazy Horse Monument in the distance. Nice refreshments to end the experience with some history about the beginning of hot air balloons. A great start for my 70th birthday celebration.
Sam_P, Jun 2026
This attraction is totally dependent on the weather conditions. We were unable to participate due to strong winds. However we very much appreciate the safety concerns and not taking any chances
Cynthia_M, May 2026
It is definitely worth getting up early for this experience. Watching the balloon get set up, the ride, champagne toast afterwards while the crew loads up the balloon is an experience of a lifetime. If it's not on your bucket list, it should be.
Kenneth_C, May 2026
Breathtaking and beautiful. Must experience it as it’s difficult to describe.
An unforgettable experience and my wife and I will do it again and again where it is available during our future travels
Anne_A, May 2026
Damion was our Pilot. He was excellent. Talented Pilot, very soft landing, super friendly, knowledgeable about the area, and super funny (in a good way - not obnoxious). I highly recommend this trip.
Mayra_L, Sep 2025
Learn all you can about hot air balloon flight to enjoy the experience of flying with this gentle giant.
Jeffry_G, Aug 2025
Sign waivers on line to save time when checking in. Wear a jacket for the morning. Arrive early for parking
Jody_T, Aug 2025
It was clear safety is #1. Made it into the basket but weren’t able to leave the ground due to wind. Very professional and informative!
Harleigh_W, Jul 2025
Amazing!!! Beautiful views. And the entire crew was great!!! Mike was our captain and made us feel very comfortable and had us laughing!! Perfect place to take some great pictures.
Geri_M, Jun 2025
Amazing experience. The Pilot and ground crew were great. They made the experience fun. Bucket list ✔️
Amy_B, Jun 2025
What a wonderful experience! Our pilot, Damien, was funny and informative. The whole trip was amazing from beginning to end. Highly recommend! A hot air balloon ride has been on my bucket list for years, and this one didn't disappoint!
peter_t, Jun 2025
The ride to the flight location was about 45 minutes, as was the balloon ride. It was a (mostly) clear day, sunny and little wind. there were 3 balloons, 2 with 10 people and a pilot, and a smaller one with 4 and a pilot. It took about 20 minutes to get the balloons prepped which started with a fans to fill the balloon an propane then to heat the air. At ground level the temp was around 50 (early June), so we had hooded jackets, but as we went up the air it actually got warmer and didn't need them. The ride was silky smooth, the sky
scintillating, and the view created its own silence of awe. Takeoff was a slow cake rise and the landing was like setting down on a soft mattress. The crew was professional, practiced, personable: clearly a team, keeping up a genial banter meant to calm the nerves of the steadfastly terrestrial. If you are going to the Black Hills, carve it in stone, this is on your list.
Marvin_H, Jun 2025
Flew with an Eagle. Family thrilled with experience. Seeing it from set up to take down educational. Pilot and crew friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely a bucket list experience. Not scary at all. Go for it
Joseph_G, Jun 2025
Unfortunately, due to a personal unavoidable incident, we were unable to take the ride. However, I commend the Balloon Operator being kind, patient and considerate towards us as we were unable to make the trip. Mr. Damien, Black Hills Balloons was prompt in his response to his customers. He was patient and sympathetic towards us for the unforseen turn of events at our end. Mr. Damien credited us for our charges, since we did not take the balloon ride. We thank him and his staff and Viator in resolving the issue promptly. Much appreciated. Thanks much Damien for doing the needful. Regards. JG
Benjamin_E, Jun 2025
We had a lovely time taking our teenage daughter on this hot air balloon ride. The pilot and crew were outstanding. We lucked out with great weather and favorable winds that made for a beautiful and relaxing ride. We had an incredible experience and made a great family memory…we highly recommend this experience for everyone!
Carl_Z, May 2025
The weather cause our balloon adventure to be canceled
The balloon operation communicated extremely well and though our adventure was canceled I would still rate their customer service as excellent
Doris_R, May 2025
Cross it off your bucket list! We were blessed to go at a time that three balloons were flying. Really nice people and great experience!
Juan_P, May 2025
Get a sight of all of Blackhills aswell as catching the Crane that sits on top of the unfinished Crazyhorse monument
Stacey_D, May 2025
I cannot recommend our experience with Black Hills Balloons enough! It truly has been the highlight of an already incredible road trip across the northern US. The experience was absolutely breathtaking (and for those scared of heights like my friend you’ll find the flight serene & not at all scary). And don’t get my started on the incredible team; so professional skilled and charming. Our pilots Damien & Sam were knowledgeable, hilarious and just the kind of people you’d want to go have a beer with later. Their passion for ballooning shines through and our champagne toast with the history of the first balloon flight at the end was the perfect icing on the cake. A MUST do on a visit to South Dakota!!!
Benjamin_S, Oct 2024
Wonderful!!!! Mike, our pilot, was excellent. Very well organized. The ground crew kicked ass. Would do it again!
Suzanne_Y, Sep 2024
Took my Husband on his first balloon ride as part of our visit to Black Hills area. Damien and crew were amazing. A wonderful experience at a great very good price.
Stacy_D, Sep 2024
Life changing. Breathtaking. Energizing. Spiritual. One of the best experiences of my life. I am terribly afraid of heights, but I wasn’t at all in the balloon. It was so smooth. The crew was very fun and safe. If you’re wondering if you can do it, YOU CAN! If you are wondering if it is worth it, IT IS…TIMES A MILLION!!
From $375.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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