Spotlight on South Dakota featuring Mount Rushmore & The Badlands
Discover the spirit of the American West and come to know the legends of the past. Discover the stories of the Lakota and Sioux through a Native American chronicler and a visit to the Oglala Lakota Living History Village. See Crazy Horse Memorial, the world’s largest mountain sculpture still in progress. Visit iconic Mt. Rushmore. Journey through the natural beauty of Badlands National Park and stop to browse at Wall Drug. Explore historic Deadwood, the former home of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Choose how you delve into the local history, with a tour of the Adams Museum in Deadwood or at the exhibit Tatanka: Story of the Bison. Travel the backcountry of Custer State Park on a Jeep safari. Marvel at Devils Tower, the country’s first National Monument. Rapid City is your gateway into wild landscapes and historical landmarks.
- 07 May 2027 – 13 May 2027
from $4,849 pp twin share / $5,999 pp solo * - 21 May 2027 – 27 May 2027
from $4,849 pp twin share / $5,999 pp solo * - 11 Jun 2027 – 17 Jun 2027
from $4,849 pp twin share / $5,999 pp solo * - 16 Jun 2027 – 22 Jun 2027
from $4,649 pp twin share / $5,799 pp solo * - 25 Jun 2027 – 01 Jul 2027
from $4,849 pp twin share / $5,999 pp solo * - 09 Jul 2027 – 15 Jul 2027
from $4,849 pp twin share / $5,999 pp solo * - 16 Jul 2027 – 22 Jul 2027
from $4,849 pp twin share / $5,999 pp solo * - 23 Jul 2027 – 29 Jul 2027
from $4,849 pp twin share / $5,999 pp solo * - 30 Jul 2027 – 05 Aug 2027
from $4,849 pp twin share / $5,999 pp solo * - 20 Aug 2027 – 26 Aug 2027
from $4,849 pp twin share / $5,999 pp solo * - 27 Aug 2027 – 02 Sep 2027
from $4,849 pp twin share / $5,999 pp solo * - 03 Sep 2027 – 09 Sep 2027
from $4,849 pp twin share / $5,999 pp solo * - 08 Sep 2027 – 14 Sep 2027
from $4,849 pp twin share / $5,999 pp solo * - 24 Sep 2027 – 30 Sep 2027
from $4,849 pp twin share / $5,999 pp solo * - 29 Sep 2027 – 05 Oct 2027
from $4,849 pp twin share / $5,999 pp solo * - 06 Oct 2027 – 12 Oct 2027
from $4,849 pp twin share / $5,999 pp solo * - 08 Oct 2027 – 14 Oct 2027
from $4,849 pp twin share / $5,999 pp solo * - 13 Oct 2027 – 19 Oct 2027
from $4,849 pp twin share / $5,999 pp solo *
* Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Rapid City, South Dakota
Welcome to the West. Your tour opens in Rapid City, long known as the gateway to the Black Hills. As travelers’ arrival times vary greatly, there are no group activities planned during the day. Tonight, you and your fellow travelers gather for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2 – Rapid City – Mt. Rushmore – Rapid City
Learn the history of enterprising Westerners at the Chapel in the Hills. Continue to Mount Rushmore to spend time with the towering figures of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln as you stroll along the Presidential Trail, offering the closest view of this iconic sculpture. This evening, return to Mount Rushmore for the night-time lighting ceremony.
Day 3 – Rapid City – Badlands – Wall – Rapid City
Today, visit the Oglala Lakota Living History Village. The Oglala Lakota are one of the seven tribes that make up the Great Sioux Nation. In their own voices, hear about their history, relationship to the land, and modern-day culture. Then, embrace the vast beauty of Badlands National Park and venture into its larger-than-life landscape with a Native American guide. Your guide will share their personal perspective of the land, weaving stories of heritage, culture, and their way of life into the journey. At the visitor center, the stage is set for your adventure, with informative exhibits, displays, and videos to introduce you to the area. Travel the Badlands Loop Road, home to vibrant colors and rock formations created by mineral deposits. Visit the legendary Wall Drug, a store barely changed since 1936. Do a little browsing, have a seat at the soda fountain, and perhaps grab a bite for lunch. Enjoy the evening at leisure. Perhaps you’ll use your included Uber voucher and dine at one of Rapid City’s breweries or steakhouses.
Day 4 – Rapid City – Deadwood – Rapid City
Get ready for Deadwood, where gold, gambling, and gunpowder were once the order of the day. This morning, it’s your choice! Take a guided tour of the Adams Museum and explore dynamic exhibits that shine a light on Deadwood’s legends and outlaws -OR- visit Kevin Costner’s Tatanka: Story of the Bison sculptures depicting the relationship between bison and the Lakota. This afternoon, this National Historic Landmark comes alive as if you’ve stepped onto the set of an old-fashioned Western. A local guide shows you the town, including where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried. This evening, enjoy a dinner and Western show at the High Plains Heritage Center.
Day 5 – Rapid City – Custer – Crazy Horse – Rapid City
Head to Custer State Park and keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep or wandering elk. Take in the lush landscape, rocky outcrops, and grazing animals as you make your way through South Dakota’s first state park. Venture off-road with an exciting buffalo safari, cruising deep into the park in an open-air Jeep and searching for herds of roaming buffalo. This afternoon, visit Crazy Horse Memorial and delve into the story of the largest, still-in-progress mountain sculpture. Take time to explore the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Cultural Center, the sculptor’s studio, orientation center, and theaters.
Day 6 – Rapid City – Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming – Rapid City
Get your bearings at the Geographic Center of the Nation, marking the middle of the U.S. Cross into Wyoming and view the first national monument, Devils Tower. Stand in awe before this lofty monolith, perhaps hiking the 1.3-mile Tower Trail around the base. Although famous as the backdrop in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the tower is also sacred to many local tribes. This evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner as the end of your South Dakota adventure draws near.
Day 7 – Rapid City – Tour Ends
Say goodbye to Rapid City as your tour comes to a close today.
Highlights
- Native American guide through Badlands National Park
- Off-road Jeep safari searching for buffalo in Custer State Park
- Evening Mount Rushmore night-time lighting ceremony included
Discover the spirit of the American West and come to know the legends of the past. Discover the stories of the Lakota and Sioux through a Native American chronicler and a visit to the Oglala Lakota Living History Village. See Crazy Horse Memorial, the world’s largest mountain sculpture still in progress. Visit iconic Mt. Rushmore. Journey through the natural beauty of Badlands National Park and stop to browse at Wall Drug. Explore historic Deadwood, the former home of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Choose how you delve into the local history, with a tour of the Adams Museum in Deadwood or at the exhibit Tatanka: Story of the Bison. Travel the backcountry of Custer State Park on a Jeep safari. Marvel at Devils Tower, the country’s first National Monument. Rapid City is your gateway into wild landscapes and historical landmarks.
Inclusions
- Learn about the history of the Sioux Nation at the Oglala Lakota Living History Village.
- Enjoy time to explore at the lofty Devils Tower.
- Explore Deadwood, a National Historic Landmark that pays tribute to the ways of the Wild West.
- Travel to the otherworldly Badlands National Park with an Indigenous guide.
- Marvel at the iconic Mount Rushmore.
- Search for buffalo and other wildlife in Custer State Park on an exciting off-road Jeep safari.
FAQs
- Hyatt Place, Rapid City, SD
How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 7 days and 6 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 07 May 2027 and 19 Oct 2027, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
Can I travel solo?
Solo pricing may be available on selected departures, and final options can be confirmed at enquiry.
Are discounts available?
Seasonal or loyalty discounts may be available on selected departures at the time of enquiry.
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