Black Hills of South Dakota
The Black Hills, located in the southwestern portion of South Dakota, are a small, isolated mountain range that rises out of the Great Plains and is a treasure trove of fascinating landmarks. The centerpiece of the Black Hills is undoubtedly Mount Rushmore. But this famously sculpted mountain is just one of many attractions, including the Mammoth Site, the classic mining town of Deadwood, the Crazy Horse Monument, Custer State Park, and more. Nearby the Black Hills are Devil's Tower National Monument and Badlands National Park.
Head out with Southwest Adventure Tours for an intimate six-day tour to get a glimpse of all these places. We know the back roads through the Black Hills and all the special places to stop at and enjoy. With the stone sculptures of U.S. presidents and the lore of Custer's Last Stand, the places you'll see around the Black Hills have become quintessential Americana for centuries.
Tour Pricing
$3,119.00 Per Person Double Occupancy
$3,569.00 Per Person Single Occupancy
$2,919.00 Per Person Triple Occupancy
$2,819.00 Per Person Quad Occupancy
Tour Dates
Black Hills of South Dakota Guided Tour | 2025 Highlights
Tour Highlights:
- Badlands National Park
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- Evening Lighting Ceremony at Mount Rushmore
- Crazy Horse Monument
- Devils Tower National Monument
- Ride on the Black Hills Central Railroad
- Visit to Deadwood
- Mammoth Site
- Jeep Safari through Custer State Park
Inclusions:
- Services of a Southwest Adventure Tours tour director – a professional tour guide
- Comfortable transportation
- 5 nights of hotel accommodations
- 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
- 1880's Historic Train
- Buffalo Jeep Safari
- Park entrance fees
- Airport transfers
- Gratuities for included meals
- Applicable taxes and fees
Daily Breakdown:
- Day 1: Arrive in Rapid City, SD
- Day 2: Explore Badlands National Park
- Day 3: Visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Black Hills Central Railroad & Crazy Horse Monument
- Day 4: Devils Tower National Monument & Deadwood
- Day 5: Buffalo Jeep Safari at Custer State Park & Mammoth Site
- Day 6: Journey Home
Itinerary:
Day 1: Welcome To South Dakota
Your Black Hills adventure starts the moment you land at Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP). A Southwest Adventure Tours director will greet you upon arrival — all guests should plan to arrive by 3:00 PM. From there, enjoy a seamless transfer to your hotel near Keystone, South Dakota, perfectly situated in the heart of the Black Hills, where you'll settle in for a 5-night stay. Enjoy a group welcome dinner tonight, with plenty of time after to get settled in.
Meals Covered: Dinner
Lodging: K-Bar-S Lodge, Keystone, SD
Day 2: Badlands National Park, Wall Drug & Rapid City
Embark on a short scenic drive to Badlands National Park, one of South Dakota's most breathtaking natural wonders and a must-see destination in the Black Hills region. Spend the day exploring the park's striking geological formations while hiking trails that wind through dramatic canyons, towering spires, and vast mixed-grass prairies. Keep your eyes open for the park's remarkable wildlife, including bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and pronghorn antelope, all thriving in this rugged South Dakota landscape.
After your time in the Badlands, head to the legendary Wall Drug Store in Wall, South Dakota — one of the most iconic roadside attractions in the American West. Enjoy lunch and free time to browse the shops, pick up souvenirs, and soak in the charm of this one-of-a-kind location.
The afternoon continues with a stop in Rapid City, South Dakota, where a visit to the celebrated Prairie Edge Trading Company offers an immersive look into Northern Plains Native American art, culture, and craftsmanship. Afterward, explore Rapid City's vibrant downtown, home to a rich collection of independent shops, galleries, and public art — including the famous life-size bronze presidential sculptures found throughout the city streets.
Return to your hotel in Keystone, South Dakota for the evening, with the rest of the night free to relax and recharge at your own pace.
Meals Covered: Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging: K-Bar-S Lodge, Keystone, SD
Day 3: Mount Rushmore, The 1880 Train, Crazy Horse Memorial & Evening Lighting Ceremony
Start the morning with an up-close visit to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial near Keystone, South Dakota — one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States and a defining symbol of American history. Marvel at the massive granite faces of Presidents carved into the granite peaks of the Black Hills by sculptor Gutzon Borglum. Explore the memorial's visitor center, walk the Presidential Trail, and take in sweeping views of this engineering marvel that draws nearly three million visitors each year.
Next, board the legendary 1880 Train — operated by the Black Hills Central Railroad — for a scenic, historic ride through the heart of the Black Hills. This authentic steam-powered journey between Keystone and Hill City, South Dakota offers stunning views of the surrounding pine-covered hills and a genuine glimpse into the region's rich frontier heritage, making it one of the most beloved experiences in the Black Hills.
The journey continues to the Crazy Horse Memorial, the world's largest mountain carving currently in progress, honoring the legendary Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse. Commissioned by Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear and sculpted by Korczak Ziolkowski beginning in 1948, this monumental work is a powerful tribute to the culture, traditions, and living heritage of North American Indigenous peoples. Explore the Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Cultural Center located on site for a deeper understanding of the history and significance behind this extraordinary landmark.
Spend the afternoon and early evening with free time in Keystone, South Dakota — a charming mountain town with local restaurants, shops, and galleries perfect for a relaxed dinner on your own.
As night falls, return to Mount Rushmore National Memorial for the unforgettable Mount Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony — one of the most moving and patriotic experiences in the American West. The ceremony opens with a film celebrating the history and legacy of the four presidents, followed by the singing of a patriotic anthem beneath the open Black Hills sky. In a deeply honored tradition, all veterans present — and the audience is always large — are invited to the stage to share their names and branches of service in a powerful moment of recognition and gratitude. The ceremony closes with the solemn lowering of the American flag, leaving guests with a lasting memory of American pride and heritage.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: K-Bar-S Lodge, Keystone, SD
Day 4: Devils Tower National Monument, Vore Buffalo Jump & Deadwood
Begin the day with breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a scenic drive west into Wyoming, where one of the most extraordinary geological landmarks in the American West awaits. Upon arrival at Devils Tower National Monument — the first designated national monument in the United States, established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 — take in the sheer grandeur of this iconic igneous rock formation rising 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River valley. Enjoy a guided tour of the monument and set out on a scenic walk along the Tower Trail, a 1.3-mile loop that circumnavigates the base of this awe-inspiring monolith, offering up-close views of its distinctive columnar rock formations and the diverse wildlife and native plant life that thrive in its shadow. Devils Tower holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for more than 20 affiliated Native American tribes, adding a profound layer of meaning to this already remarkable destination.
After your time at Devils Tower, enjoy lunch on your own at one of the local restaurants just outside the park before continuing the journey east back toward South Dakota. En route, make a fascinating stop at the Vore Buffalo Jump near Beulah, Wyoming — a National Historic Landmark and one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Northern Great Plains. This ancient hunting site, used by Indigenous peoples for over 300 years between approximately 1500 and 1800 AD, offers a rare and compelling window into the Plains Indian cultures that depended on the American bison for survival, shelter, and ceremony.
As the afternoon gives way to evening, arrive in the legendary Deadwood, South Dakota — a National Historic Landmark district and one of the most storied towns in American frontier history. Join a guided tour of Deadwood to discover the colorful and often turbulent past of this iconic Black Hills gold rush town, from the days of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane to its modern reinvention as a premier heritage travel destination. Following the tour, enjoy free time to explore Deadwood's vibrant Historic Main Street, browse its unique shops and galleries, and savor dinner on your own at one of the town's many celebrated local restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: K-Bar-S Lodge, Keystone, SD
Day 5: Wind Cave National Park, The Mammoth Site, Custer State Park & Buffalo Jeep Safari
Begin the day with a scenic drive through Wind Cave National Park, one of the oldest national parks in the United States, keeping watch for bison, elk, pronghorn, and mule deer that roam freely across its mixed-grass prairies and ponderosa pine forests.
Continue south to Hot Springs, South Dakota, for a visit to the world-renowned Mammoth Site — the largest known concentration of Columbian mammoths ever discovered. Walk the indoor excavation floor and come face to face with Ice Age fossils dating back more than 26,000 years.
Head north to Custer State Park, a 71,000-acre South Dakota treasure home to one of the world's largest free-roaming bison herds. Travel the legendary Wildlife Loop Road for breathtaking scenery and virtually guaranteed wildlife encounters at every turn.
The afternoon brings an exhilarating open-air Buffalo Jeep Safari deep into the heart of Custer State Park, where experienced local guides lead you through sweeping prairies and granite peaks for unforgettable up-close wildlife encounters.
Return to Keystone, South Dakota for a special farewell dinner celebrating an incredible journey through the legendary Black Hills.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging: K-Bar-S Lodge, Keystone, SD
Day 6: Departure Day — Rapid City Regional Airport
One final breakfast before bidding farewell to the Black Hills of South Dakota — a region of breathtaking natural beauty, rich Native American heritage, and legendary American history that will stay with you long after you return home. Following breakfast, enjoy a comfortable transfer to Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) for your departure flight, taking with you a lifetime of unforgettable memories from one of the most iconic travel destinations in the American West.
Your Southwest Adventure Tours Black Hills journey may be complete, but the stories, landscapes, and experiences of South Dakota's most celebrated region are yours to carry forward — and perhaps reason enough to return.
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Details:
Not included
- Items of a personal nature (alcohol, room service, etc.)
- Meals (other than listed in the itinerary)
- Optional activities
- Airfare
- Gratuities for the tour director, driver, local guides and outfitters
Arrival / Departure Information
- Arrival Location: Rapid City Airport (RAP)
- Arrival Time: by 3:00 PM on day 1 of tour
- Departure Location: Rapid City Airport (RAP)
- Departure Time: Any time on day 6
Physical Requirements
- Guests should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain for an average of 1 to 3 miles at a time.
- Elevation gain and loss averages between 50 to 300 ft over the course of the areas visited during this tour.
- Touring and overnight locations are above 6,000 to 8,000 ft above sea level
- Deboard and board van each time at a viewpoint – a portable step will be available
- Please let us know if you have any other physical/health limitations or requirements
SWAT Trip Protection Plan (TPP)
Travel with Confidence. Cancel with Flexibility.
The SWAT Trip Protection Plan (TPP) gives you the freedom to cancel your tour for any reason up to the day before departure and receive a full refund of your SWAT-collected tour payments. It’s a simple, transparent cancellation waiver designed to provide flexibility for our guests and clarity in our booking process.
What TPP is-and Isn't
- Not Insurance. It is SWAT's own cancellation waiver.
- Coverage: Full refund of Swat-collected tour price and SWAT-sold add-ons (e.g., optional activities, additional nights of lodging, etc).
Who & What's Eligible
- Who: Any named traveler on a SWAT booking (direct or qualifing agency/partner sale).
- When: Must be added at initial checkout (cannot be added later).
- Exclusions:
- Cruise or third-party products (e.g., AMA Waterways) outside SWAT's control.
- Air or rail tickets not booked by SWAT
- Government fees (e.g., park passes).
- Wholesale agreements that prohibit supplier waivers.
How to Purchase
- At checkout, you'll see an unchecked box offering TPP at 10% of your SWAT cart total.
- Check the box to add TPP; leave it unchecked to decline.
- Once you leave the checkout page, you cannot add or remove TPP.
Cancelling Under TPP
- Deadline: You may cancel through 11:59 pm local time in your tour's start city on the day before your first activity.
- Process:
- Call or email the contact on your confirmation notice.
- We'll log your request timestamp (with time zone) and ask for a brief written confirmation via email to info@southwestadventuretours.com.
- Refunds: We refund 100% of all SWAT-collected tour and SWAT add-on amounts. The 10% TPP fee is retained.
After the Deadline
- If you cancel on or after your tour start date, or are a no-show, SWAT cancellation terms apply (no refund of tour amounts).
Rescheduling
- You may reschedule your protected booking once within 12 months of your original departure date at no additional TPP fee.
- If your new tour price is higher you pay only the difference in TPP fee; if lower, there will be no refund of the original fee.
Timing of Refund
- Once we receive your written cancellation request, Accounting initiates your refund within 5-7 business days.
- Actual bank posting time depends on your bank's processing schedule.
FAQ
What does TPP cover?
SWAT-collected tour and SWAT-sold add-on payments only.
When must I buy?
At initial checkout, cannot add later.
Can I cancel for any reason?
Yes, up to the day before your tour starts.
Is TPP refundable?
No, the 10% fee never refunds.
Can I move my trip?
Yes, once within 12 months at no extra TPP fee.
By choosing SWAT Trip Protection Plan, you gain flexibility to cancel worry-free, while SWAT maintains clear, consistent operations and revenue handling. Enjoy your adventure with confidence!
