Mt Rushmore Night Ceremony and Tour - with Tunnels and Stargazing
Rapid City, USA
- 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
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.
Itinerary
1
Iron Mountain Road
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
2 hours • 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
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 65 reviews
Margery_V, Sep 2025
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
Helen_C, Sep 2025
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
John_G, Sep 2025
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
Roby_B, Sep 2025
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
Anthony_W, Sep 2025
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
James_C, Sep 2025
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
Debra_J, Aug 2025
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
Marilee_C, Aug 2025
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
Juliet_P, Jul 2025
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
Cheryl_P, Jul 2025
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
Jan_H, Jul 2025
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
Nitin_C, Jul 2025
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
Vincent_G, Jul 2025
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
Virginia_T, Jun 2025
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
Jeri_T, Jun 2025
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
Rodger_L, Jun 2025
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
Larry_Z, Jun 2025
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
Steve_S, Jun 2025
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
Mark_B, May 2025
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
Stephen_B, Oct 2024
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
George_M, Oct 2024
Gene our tour guide was a very friendly person and was knowledgeable about the places he took us. We saw incredible scenery and lots of wildlife. The bad part was the jeep he was given to drive us around. There was absolutely no protection against the wind. No wind guards or any kind of shades to protect the passengers. It was really bad when Gene drove down the highway at 45-55 miles an hour. It should never have been like that. Now we know what hurricane winds feel like. My husband got wind burn on his face and I got wind burn on my nose and now have cold sores from the irritation. The jeep was also dangerous. The back was open and if Gene stopped too fast someone could have fallen out. DID NOT feel safe. We will NEVER do this again or recommend it to anyone.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Hello George -
I took a little time in replying in order to discuss the tour with you guide. From our point of view you recieved the standard Jeep Bison Safari Tour to Custer State Park as described on our website.
The Safari Tour was provided in a 2020 Jeep Gladiator Pickup. It has the standard four door front two row seats, with AC/heat and a convertible top that opens for viewing. The rear box of the pickup has been converted to seat up to 7 guests. Each guest has a lap setbelt to be used when traveling for safety and to keep "someone from fallen out". The rear has a canvas/vinyl see through top and the sides are open, in order to view the animals and landscape. There will be more wind when the Jeep in moving. Each guest is given the option to sit up front in the first two rows and that has more cover from wind. Most people prefer the rear seating because of the excellent viewing. Some people move back and forth throught the tour.
Your guide says he offered you the option to sit where you wanted. You selected the rear seats.
So, you purchased our standard Jeep Bison Safari in a Jeep. We offer other tours to Custer State Park in convertible top vans that might have fit you better. I'm sorry you did not enjoy your tour. But I'm happy you enjoyed the scenery, wildlife and the guide. Be Well - Rich
To our future guests. Custer Park does not allow any travel off the park roads and the speed limit is posted 20 to 35 miles per hour through the Park. This Jeep tour is not a rockcrawler tour like they offer in Arizona, traveling at slow speeds over the rocks. That kind of tour is not allowed in the Parks and National Forests in South Dakota because of the soft soil.
FYI - If you are purchasing a tour through a third-party seller . . . mistakes happen often. We average one per day during our peak season. Sometimes their tour discriptions are not the same as what the tour offers. It is always best to contact the tour provider and discuss the tours before buying.
Thanks and Be Well - Rich
Janice_S, Sep 2024
Our Bison Tour to Custer Park was absolutely amazing! Mike our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and very accommodating. Would definitely recommend this tour especially with Mike.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Hello Janice - I'm glad you enjoyed your tour with Mike. The Jeep Bison Safari is one of our most popular tours . . . it travels to every attraction in the 70,000+ acre park . . . some wonderful things to see. Thank you for your review. Be Well - Rich
Alex_P, Aug 2024
Very informative. Mike was very attentive to our needs. Tour provided a good overview of the Black hills area.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Hi Alex - Thank you for our review. I will let Mike know you enjoyed your tour. Be Well -Rich
Jack_S, Jul 2024
Patience of driver. Had plenty of snacks & water on hand. Incredible views of Mt Rushmore & such scenic spots as Sylvan Lake. Saw lots of healthy bison, traveling as a family from aged bull to calves.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you for taking time for your review Jack. I'm glad you and your 'herd' enjoyed the tour :o). I hope you can return sometime and see more of the Hills.
Be Well - Rich
Suzanne_S, Jun 2024
Charlie was an amazing tour guide. He was informative and knowledgeable. He made sure we saw everything!
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Howdy Suzann -
Thank you for taking time to review. I'm happy you enjoyed your tour with Charlie. He's an adventurer and knows the Hills and western SD extremely well. I hope you will have time to return and see more of the region. Be Well - Rich
Benjamin_G, Jun 2024
Charlie and Mike were great. The jeep is really nice and you can sit inside as well if you need a break from the outside. The guides will adjust the tour for your needs and are great with kids. Eating lunch in the middle of the Bison herd was really cool. Lots of baby bison to watch as well. Great way to see the black hills up close.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Hi Benjamin - I'm very glad you enjoyed your Jeep Safari tour with Charlie and Mike. Both guides were former teachers and love sharing their knowledge with our guests. Thank you for taking time to review. Hope to see you in the Hills again some day. Be Well - Rich
Rosemary_F, Jun 2024
We experienced every animal possible in the park. Had a wonderful guide, Kevin, comfortable accommodations and a fabulous experience.. highly recommend it!
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Hi Rosemary - You timed your tour to the Hills just right. Custer State Park is full of buffalo/bison during the spring calving season. It's pretty cool to see hundreds of the little red calves running around the park. Thank you for taking time to review. Be Well - Rich
MaxGilman, May 2024
Terrific tour of Custer State Park. Beautiful landscape, so many Bison and views of Mount Rushmore, through tunnels and through pine forests.
Response from Host, May 2024
Hi Max -
I'm happy you enjoyed your Jeep Safari. Springtime is a great time in Custer State Park . . . new born bison calves are everywhere. Thanks for taking time for our review.
Be Well - Rich
Joyce_Q, Apr 2024
Loved seeing the baby bison, cinnamons, were so cute and the tunnels that all framed Mount Rushmore. Thank you for the tour!
Response from Host, May 2024
Hi Joyce - You picked a great time to tour. Springtime is 'calving' season for the wildlife and the crowds are much smaller. I'm very pleased you enjoyed your tour with Kevin.
Thanks and Be Well - Rich
Marsha_B, Apr 2024
You should not ever require a minimum on this section. You are discouraging people from sending a review. We had a great experience. That should be enough.
Response from Host, May 2024
Howdy Marsha - I'm not sure what the minimum is . . . but I'm extremely pleased your had a great time! Thank you for taking time for reviewing. Be Well - Rich
From $249.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Mt Rushmore Night Ceremony and Tour - with Tunnels and Stargazing
65
4 hours 30 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$249.00
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
More attractions near Rapid City, USA