Mt Rushmore Night Ceremony and Tour - with Tunnels and Stargazing
Rapid City, USA
+12
- 4 hours 45 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Visit Custer State Park with a professional guide
- A picnic lunch will be provided at no extra cost
- Private tour for a personal, flexible experience
- Price is per group of up to six passengers
What's Included
- Driver/guide
- Fees
- Bottled water
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to your preferred meeting point, or request pickup.
Start time.6:00 pm
Itinerary
1
Mount Rushmore Profile View
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
3
Iron Mountain Road
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Stroller accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Other rates apply only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- A minimum of 2 Adults per booking is required
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Layered clothing, comfortable shoes, and a hat are recommended
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.5
based on 86 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Ok….. so I just did this survey and typed several points… then it kicked me out! 😡
In summary, it was a great tour and our driver, Gabriel, was awesome too. He was very knowledgeable of the area and shared many stories.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Hi Richard - Thanks for taking the time to leave a review—even if the system gave you a bit of trouble! Gabriel is fantastic at what he does, and I’m so glad you enjoyed your evening with us. Be Well - Rich
Great trip. If it is cool dress appropriately. The event at Mt Rushmore is wonderful and the stargazing at the end of the night was incredible. This cruise company has convertible vans and makes it extra special.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Howdy Philip - I’m pleased to hear you enjoyed your Mount Rushmore night tour! Our evening itinerary is packed with highlights - from the full guided tour and the Lighting Ceremony to navigating the Iron Mountain Road tunnels to see the illuminated Presidents. And when weather permits we provide Black Hills stargazing. This tour has quickly become our most popular, we appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback. Be Well - Rich
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
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Howdy Jeremy - I'm glad you enjoyed your tour with TJ. The Night Ceremony has become our most popular tour and when the weather cooperates it is great star gazing. Thank you for you review. Be Well - Rich
We did this tour with our family of four (my husband and our two boys, ages 17 and 11) and overall had a nice evening. The scenic drive, tunnels, ceremony, and stargazing made for a memorable experience.
The pickup wasnt as smooth as we'd hoped. We'd received 2 phone calls and multiple texts throughout the day (even a few days prior) asking us to confirm our reservation, pickup location, and time, so when the bus was about 10 minutes late and no one answered the phone when we called, it was unsettling. Our kids were convinced we'd been left behind! A quick text letting guests know the bus was running behind would have been appreciated.
Our guide mentioned she was filling in for the regularly scheduled guide. She was friendly and pleasant, but she wasn't especially knowledgeable. We found ourselves using Google several times to verify information because some of what was shared was inaccurate. For example, she explained that housing near Mount Rushmore had been converted for government workers who were "H1N1 visa holders", confusing a strain of influenza with H-1B work visas. Moments like that made it difficult to have confidence in the historical information being presented.
We still enjoyed the evening, and with a little better communication and a guide who is more familiar with the facts and area's history, this would easily be a five-star experience.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Melissa - Thank you for taking the time to review your tour.
I am very sorry that the history shared did not meet our usual high standards. Our regular guide fell ill that evening, and another experienced guide stepped in. She typically receives excellent reviews, so I will investigate what went wrong to ensure our standards are always met.
I also deeply apologize for the distress the delayed pickup caused your children. Switching guides at the last minute created an unexpected delay. You mentioned that a quick text update would have been appreciated. To explain, our company safety policy strictly prohibits guides from texting or calling while driving.
Despite these setbacks, I am glad you enjoyed the scenic drive, tunnels, ceremony, and stargazing.
Thank you again for helping us improve.
Be Well - Rich
Really amazing. Our guide Audrey was awesome. We covered everything we wanted to see in and around Mt. Rushmore. The star gazing part was an added bonus.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Howdy John - The Night Ceremony is our most popular tour. The tour consists of a full Mt Rushmore tour and Ceremony program. Then as an added bonus (weather permitting) we included the tunnels and pigtails on Iron Mtn Road and finish with stargazing at Norbeck Overlook. I'm pleased you enjoyed your tour with Audrey. Thank you for your review. Be Well - Rich
This was great seeing Mt. Rushmore in the light and then in the dark after the presentation. OUr guide was knowledgeable and got us there safely. He was great! Unforgettable experience!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Cynthia - Thanks for taking time to review your evening tour. I'm glad you enjoyed your tour. The Rangers do an incredible job with the Ceremony.
Be Well - Rich
Communication during the tour was extremely poor. Tour guide did not establish intermediate times and location to meet at the mountain Rushmore night program. We just got lucky and went to the bus.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Douglas - I'm not sure how to respond to your review. We don't have a bus. Are you saying that you did not know where to meet the guide after the ceremony? I'd be happy to discuss this with you. Please call me when it's convenient. I'd like to get your review about the tour. Be Well - Rich
I have been on multiple tours in the US and Canada. This was the worst tour by far. Our trip to Mount Rushmore, and surrounding areas, was cut short by inclement weather. Less than half the tour was completed in an old van with questionable brakes. When the tour company was contacted about a refund, they would not even give a partial refund. A tour that should’ve cost about $50 for 4 people cost close to a thousand dollars. Do not recommend!
The silver lining was our tour guide, Gabriel. This review reflects his terrible working conditions, not the quality of his labor.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello Jason - You were refunded $300 of your $458.92 payment money last Friday, the day after the tour (see below).
"We have now refunded the customer per your notification. Booking Details :
Booking Reference: 1365440653
Travel Date: 25 June 2026
Mobile Phone No: 910471xxxx
Booking Net Price: USD 458.92
Product Code: 16571P35
Tour Grade Name: Mt Rushmore Nite/Starz/Tunnels 18:00"
I'm sorry your tour was cut short, but the Park Rangers did the safe thing in cancelling the Ceremony. And we did the safe thing by not driving you up Iron Mountain in a lighting storm.
The van's brake issue was brought to my attention the following morning by your guide. We immediately pulled the vehicle from service, and the brakes were repaired the very next day. I am truly sorry that the evening did not go as either of us had planned. Be Well - Rich
To our future guests: please be aware of the term force majeure. This is a legal clause covering unavoidable natural events or severe weather that prevents the fulfillment of a tour. Under these circumstances, providers are not required to issue refunds. I suggest that if you make reservations through a third party seller, you contact the provider to discuss your tour. Thanks and Be Well - Rich
We had a great time and would do again for sure! You do need to be prepared for cool weather and you may or may not have some clouds.... but the tour guides are fantastic, they know a lot of interesting information about the area and the monument.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hello Cathleen - You are right about the weather. Like many other locations the Hills can switch quickly from warm to cool. Always bring a coat and as they suggest were layered clothing. I'm happy you enjoyed your tour. Thanks for taking time to review. Be Well - Rich
It was all encompassing - a scenic drive up to a view of Mt. Rushmore from across the valley while getting the history of the area, then the closeups of the monument itself, before and after dark. The stargazing stop was a wonderful way to end the evening. Our guide Scott, from Black Hills Open Top Tours was friendly, knowledgeable, and considerate of our wishes and needs! It was a great experience!
Response from Host, May 2026
Hi Mary - Thank you very much for your kind review. The Night Ceremony is very special with the US 250th birthday. The rangers had added some additional things to their presentation that are excellent. I'm happy you enjoyed your tour with Scott he is very knowledable and takes pride in sharing history of the Hills. Be Well - Rich
It was an excellent tour and the guide shared many interesting facts, pointed out numerous beautiful sites ,and was very professional
and friendly. He is truly an asset to the company.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hi Marg - I'm happy you enjoyed your Mt Rushmore Night tour. There is a lot of history there and some wonderful evening views. Thank you for taking time to review. Be Well - Rich
We really enjoyed the tour. The guide was great. Mt Rushmore was so fantastic at night. I would recommend this tour to all that visit Mt Rushmore area.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello Helen - The Evening Ceremony at Mt Rushmore is a great way we honor our veterans. I'm happy you enjoyed the tour. Thank you for your review. Be Well - Rich
Noel is super knowledgeable and a good historian and storyteller. You will not be disappointed and he is always looking out for a memory you will remember
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hi John - Thanks for taking time for you kind review. I will make sure to share with Noel. I hope you have time to return and visit more of the "Hills". Be Well - Rich
Tour guide TJ was great. Seeing Rushmore at dark under the lights was amazing. The preprogram was very well done
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hi Roby - I'm glad you enjoyed your tour with TJ. This tour has become our most popular. Thanks for your review. Be Well - Rich
The lighting ceremony for Mt. Rushmore was profoundly moving. Made us feel grateful and proud to be Americans. We wish more people could experience this.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello Anthony - The lighting ceremony is a great way to honor our veterans and active service members. Thanks you for taking time to review.
Be Well - Rich
Watch weather and dress in layers. A flashlight is handy. Enjoyed the park drive, very special at night.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hi James - You are correct . . . mountains make their own weather pattern so its best to wear layered cloths. Thank you for taking time to review. Be Well - Rich
Very enjoyable tour! TJ was an amazing guide who made the tour special by sharing his vast knowledge of Mt. Rushmore and the black hills. Views of Mt. Rushmore from a distance at night was fascinating. Iron mountain road, the pigtails and tunnels were all great!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Howdy Debra - The night Mt Rushmore tour offers a lot of variety. I'm happy you enjoyed your tour with TJ. Thanks for you review. Be Well - Rich
TJ was amazing! He was so knowledgeable, fun, funny and informative! It is obvious that he loves South Dakota and the Black Hills. We especially enjoyed driving through the tunnels after the presentation! This was a wonderful experience. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Howdy Marilee - I'm glad you enjoyed your evening tour. The Ceremony at Mt Rushmore is a wonderful way to show appreciation for our veterans and active service members. Thanks for your review. Be Well Rich
TJ was a great tour guide. He was funny and very knowledgeable. He took very good care of us! It was overcast so we couldn’t see any stars, but he made it very enjoyable all the same.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Howdy Juliet - Sorry you didn't get to see stars. But I'm happy you enjoyed your tour with TJ. Thank you for your review. Be Well - Rich
Absolutely wonderful! TJ was an excellent guide full of information. I felt this tour was well worth the money. So many beautiful stars that night and riding through the tunnels was so beautiful. Thank you
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Howdy Cheryl - Thank you for taking time to review. The Mt Rushmore Evening tour has become our most popular. I'm happy you enjoyed your tour with TJ. Be Well - Rich
Book the open top van for sure for an evening visit to the Monument. It was stunningly beautiful and we felt very honored to be there on 7/3/25 to honor our Veterans and our Country. As a special treat that night the Air Force Band played beautiful music for over an hour. We encountered the Secret Service as we went through security, and they were so nice, upbeat and friendly. Afterwards, we found out that VP Vance was there at the same time! Our tour guide, TJ, was wonderful and a lot of fun. Took lots of pictures of us and gave us great tips. We got to see him in the Deadwood 4th of July parade the next day!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hi Jan - You did pick an eventful evening to tour with us. I'm happy you enjoyed your time with TJ. The Night Ceremony is a wonderful way we get to show appreciation for our veterans. I hope you had a good time at the July 4th parade . . . we did. Thanks for taking time to review. Be Well - Rich
After getting 3 requests for a review from viator I begrudgingly offer this. For $378 I was disappointed that it in essence was being dropped off at Mount Rushmore which was 10 minutes from where we were picked up, to take care of ourselves for 2 and 1/2 hours for what otherwise would be free if I had just driven there myself and done the same thing. Two and a half hours for something that most likely could be done within an hour while waiting for the lighting ceremony which was amazing. Again if I put more thought into this I would have simply driven there, paid $10 for parking and done everything from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30. Given that we were staying in Keystone in essence we paid for a very expensive 10 minute ride in a van up a mountain to a free venue. The driver was a great guy and offered some good suggestions. I did not anticipate writing a negative review. But spending close to $400 for the 2 of us, to be dropped off for a self-guided tour for a free venue just doesn't sit well with me. We were dropped off at 6:40 p.m. and the lighting ceremony didn't start till 9:00. We saw everything in the exhibition center including the movie and walked around the monument, all within 45 minutes. Then we had to wait until 9:00. Crazy.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hello Nitin - I'm sorry you did not enjoy your tour. I spoke with your guide and he said he provided our standard tour that evening for you and two other couples. Here is the information he shared with me.
1. At 6:40pm picked you up at the location you requested, Keystone SD.
2. At 6:45pm you were driven up Iron Mtn Road and looked through the tunnel at Mt Rushmore.
3. At 7:00pm (approximately) you were provided our usual 30 minute tour of Mt Rushmore, explaining its history as we walk with the guest through the complex.
4. At 7:30pm (approximately) our guide explained you had time to explore the museum, view movie, shop or eat prior to the Ceremony.
5. At 9:00pm the Rangers began their nightly Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony.
6. At 9:40pm (approximately) the Ceremony completed and you and the other guests returned to our tour vehicle.
7. At 10:00pm (approximately) Because the evening sky was overcast with off and on light rain, there was no Stargazing (force majeure).
8. Although its not required, the guide drove you to a location where you had a special up close view of George Washington lighted up on the mountain.
9. You and the other guests where then returned to their pickup locations in Keystone and Rapid City, SD.
On that nights tour were two other couples, we have not received any complaints from them.
We provide our standard evening tour as advertised (with exception no Stargazing because of the weather, force majeure).
Our Mt Rushmore Nite/Starz/Tunnels is one of our most popular and the quality is one of our highest rated tours.
I'm sure you had an opportunity to read our tour info on TripAdvisor prior to making your purchase. We provided the tour as advertised. Once again I'm sorry if you didn't enjoy the evening.
Be Well - Rich
Very nice evening of viewing the Mt Rushmore National Monument. Scott was a excellent guide. The evening service is very moving experience. Driving up Iron Mountain Road at night to go stargazing in the sliding roof bus was unique.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Howdy Vincent. Thank you for taking time to review. Scott is new with us this year but is a local who has spent his life exploring the Hills. I'm glad you enjoyed your evening tour, it has became a big hit. Be Well - Rich
Although the vehicle was open top, we were not cold and the opening allowed for a really unique view of the sky and the horizon.
Rick, our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and share stories of indigenous tribal custons. Also shared an App that made stargazing easy.
The Mt Rushmore lighting ceremony was also well done and awe inspiring. Rick has lots of tips that allowed us to make the most of the time allotted. Thanks so much Rick.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Hi Virginia - Thank you for taking time to review your tour. The Mt Rushmore at night tour has become our most popular. The stargazing has been exceptional this season and the new technology allows most to become amateur astronomers. I'm glad you enjoyed the evening tour.
Be Well - Rich
This was an amazing experience to be able see Rushmore at night and the stars without worrying about driving on unfamiliar roads in the dark.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Howdy Jeri - The Mt Rushmore Night Ceremony tour has become our most popular. Besides a full tour of the monument and the ceremony . . . few get to look through the Iron Mtn Tunnels at the lighted presidents faces. And if mother nature is being kind, the stargazing from Norbeck Overlook is amazing. Thank you for taking time to review. I'm very happy you enjoyed your evening. Be Well - Rich
Loved TJ and everything about tour.
It is well worth it and so glad we did it!!
He was very thorough and so accommodating.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Hi Rodger. Thanks you for your review. I'm happy you enjoyed your Evening Mt Rushmore tour with TJ. We just started providing that tour last summer and it has become our most popular. Thanks again and Be Well - Rich
Excellent tour. Turns out we were the only 2 on the tour so it was very personalized. TJ was fantastic. Very personable and knowledgeable. Beautiful nighttime ceremony at Mt Rushmore. Highly recommend
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Hi Larry - Thanks for taking time to review! TJ has been a great addition to our team this season. He has impressive knowledge of the Black Hills and loves to share with our guests. Thanks again! Be Well - Rich
Lots to see both inside and outside. The lighting ceremony was assume. The Thomas Jefferson vanilla ice cream was fantastic.
Our tour guide/driver, Audra was a wealth of information.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thanks Steve for taking time to review. The lighting ceremony has been a joy to so many of the vets who come here. That is the main reason for the ceremony . . . remembering the veterans and having a chance to show our appreciation for their service. Be Well - Rich
The sights are magnificent and the vehicle is fun to cruise in. Charlie the tour guide was first class and shared a lot of history and local lore.
Response from Host, May 2025
Hi Mark - I'm happy you enjoyed your tour with Charlie. The evening tour of Mt Rushmore and the the tunnels at night and stars is a very popular tour. I hope you will have time to return and see more of the the 'Hills'. Thanks for taking time to review! Be Well - Rich
Gene our driver was a font of knowledge, his personal story's from growing up in the area made the whole experience come alive. The routes that the company use are breathtaking and make for a thoroughly enjoyable day.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Howdy Stepheny -
Gene is a new with us this year and we are very proud to have him on our team. He has brought along so much local knowledge. His family was here in the begining of the gold rush and homesteading . . . so much history. Thanks for taking time to review. Be Well - Rich
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