South Dakota

Mount Rushmore Black Hills Scenic Tour with Lunch

Its pine forests and granite peaks are an oasis born of silent centuries. The Black Hills is one of the oldest mountain ranges in North America, its once-towering peaks eroded to perhaps half their original height.

Black Hills Monument Tour

This tour gives you the option to be picked up at your home, campground or hotel within the city limits of Rapid City, and departs at 9am. While in transit, you will have the option to watch an informative video about the Black Hills and all the great sites you don't want to miss. These luxury limousines are always stocked with complimentary drinks and snacks.You will arrive in Keystone at approximately 9:45am for a brief stop to enjoy a little shopping.Next, the tour will depart for the Black Hills which is home to the world famous Mt. Rushmore, our nation's "Shrine of Democracy". Your guide will give you a brief history of the mountain carving, and set you on your way to explore the monument's museum, gift shop and sweets parlor, where you can taste the first ever recipe for ice cream, created by our nation's second president, Thomas Jefferson!The tour will depart Mt. Rushmore at 11:30am for a scenic 30 minute drive to the world's largest mountain carving in progress, Crazy Horse Memorial. This towering sculpture honors our Native American ancestors and offers a museum, expansive viewing decks, a short film highlighting the timeline of this amazing work of art, and the Crazy Horse gift shop.Upon departing the Crazy Horse Memorial, we'll journey to the "Heart of the Hills", Hill City. This sleepy center of the Black Hills has transformed into a top destination, offering many unique art galleries, t-shirt shops, and an official Harley Davidson memorabilia store.Hill City is renowned for it's friendly local business owners, many who have been there for generations.A 30 minute return to Rapid City will have you arriving at approximately 4pm. Avoid the crowded buses and vans and experience these top Black Hills destinations in the luxury and comfort of a stretch limousine!

Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony

Our stretch limousine will pick you up at your home, hotel or campground within the city limits of Rapid City. Depending on number and location of travelers, pickup times will be between 7:00pm and 8:00pm local (MDT) time. We will depart Rapid City no later than 8:00pm local time. Start with a scenic 40-minute drive to Mt Rushmore. At the base of Mt Rushmore lies the historic town of Keystone, where we'll return following the ceremony on the mountain. You will arrive at Mt Rushmore at approximately 8:40pm and make your way to the beautiful outdoor amphitheater. The program starts promptly at 9:00pm with an informative presentation from a national park ranger, followed by an inspirational film about the carving of Mt Rushmore and the people who created this amazing sculpture. Following the film, there is a tribute to military veterans attending the presentation. The program concludes with the National Anthem and the lighting of the mountain.At approximately 9:45pm, you will depart Mt Rushmore for a short 10 minute drive to Keystone, where you will have an opportunity to browse the unique shops and sweets stores or make a stop at the Red Garter Saloon for some adult refreshments and a little live entertainment from local performers. The tour departs from Keystone at 11:15pm for a 30 minute return to Rapid City, where you will be dropped off at your home, hotel, or campground at between 11:45pm and 12:15AM.The weather at Mt Rushmore can sometimes be unpredictable, so an umbrella and a light jacket is recommended.

Black Hills Balloons - Fly in a hot air balloon over the Black Hills!

ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: CusterReservations are required. We meet our passengers each morning at a central meeting location in Custer, SD. Passengers will park their vehicles and travel to the launch field in one of our insured Black Hills Balloons vans. Duration: 15 minutesStop At: CusterOnce you arrive to the field, our crew gets to work unloading and preparing the aircraft while passengers are briefed and take photos. The balloon takes 20 minutes to prepare for flight and once ready, passengers are requested to board. Duration: 20 minutesStop At: CusterThe flight is approximately one hour, determined by weather and available landing locations. Upon landing, our ground crew will pack the balloon while passengers and pilot celebrate the flight with complimentary champagne, light snacks and a story about the origin of hot air ballooning.Duration: 2 hours

Mt Rushmore/Black Hills Safari Tour

ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Downtown Rapid City, Rapid City, South DakotaPickup at local hotels at 8:30am (10 min window). Returning about 6:00pm (depending on how many buffalo on road).Duration: 10 minutesStop At: National Presidential Wax Museum, Keystone, South DakotaYou have an option to either have us pick you up at your Rapid City hotel or meet us at this location. 9:30amDuration: 5 minutesStop At: Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone, South DakotaWe guide you through the Memorial, explaining the history and suggest locations for best photo ops. Because of the length of the tour day we are limited to 1 hour here. If you are interested in a longer time to explore, I suggest our Monuments Combo Tour. That tour includes Crazy Horse and Mt Rushmore only . . . 2 hours at each.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Crazy Horse Memorial, Crazy Horse, South DakotaWe will stop and explore this huge Native American Memorial . . . over 14,000 exhibits. Crazy Horse offers an optional 25 minute guided tour to the back of the mountain for a unique and closer view of Crazy Horse ($4.00 per person . . . not included with tour). Duration: 1 hourStop At: Sylvan Lake, Custer, South DakotaWe travel to the most iconic location in the Hills . . . Sylvan Lake. Here we enjoy an alpine lakeside picnic lunch (included). Duration: 30 minutesStop At: The Needles, South DakotaWe drive along a narrow highway . . . to 'The Needles' . . . the top of the mountain . . . one way tunnels and breathtaking open-top views . . . many stops for photos . . . Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Mount Coolidge, South DakotaA brief stop for viewing and photos from atop a National Forest Lookout Station. Highest point in the south Hills . . . looking down at Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and much more . . .Duration: 20 minutesStop At: Wildlife Loop Road, Custer, South DakotaAn open-top drive along the 18 mile road. Stopping for photo ops of buffalo and other wildlife (elk, deer, antelope, coyotes, prairie dogs, etc.). We stop, you stand and get great views and photos.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Custer State Park Visitor Center, Custer, South DakotaWe have a brief stop for tour of info center and drive by of State Game Lodge. Duration: 20 minutesStop At: Iron Mountain Road, Custer, South DakotaWe travel through the iconic one-way tunnels and pigtail bridges on our way back to Keystone . . . stopping for photo ops from inside the van.Duration: 45 minutes

Winter Mt Rushmore Safari Tour

This is our most popular and cost effective tour of the Southern Hills. You will tour the most attractions that you can see in one day. We pick you up at your hotel at 9:00am and return between 4 and 5pm.  Included in the tour: fees, bottled water, snacks and lunch.The itinerary is as follows: • First, Iron Mountain Road with its Pigtail Bridges and famous One-Way Tunnels. • Then to Mount Rushmore . . . the morning light is excellent on the faces. We guide you through the facility, pointing out rest rooms and gift shops. You will hear the history of the monument as we walk through the Avenue of Flags.  You will have time to explore the Exhibit Hall and watch a movie explaining how the Monument was constructed. You will also have time to explore on your own, before meeting back up with the group and continuing the tour.  • At Crazy Horse, you will find over 2000 Native American exhibits and you can view an amazing 20 minute movie of how the project came to be. You'll also have time to view the exhibits and explore the gift shop. • After a short drive you arrive at Custer State Park, then begin a 20 mile trek along the Wildlife Loop; home to 800 buffalo plus elk, deer, antelope, prairie dogs, and much more.