Black Hills of South Dakota

Overview

This trip by season

The same trip. Very different weeks.

• Spring

  March to May

  Rivers running high

  Rivers full of snowmelt and the parks ahead of the summer rush. Some high roads and passes open later in the season.

  5 spring departures ›

• Summer

  June to August

  Everything open

  The full itinerary runs and every road and trail is open. These dates are popular, so they fill first.

  9 summer departures ›

• Autumn

  September to November

  Fall color and wildlife

  Aspen and cottonwood turning, wildlife on the move, and quieter trails once school is back.

  3 autumn departures ›

Day by day

1. 

   

   

   

   

   

   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.

   OvernightKeystoneMealsCovered: Dinner

2. 

   

   

   

   

   

   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.

   OvernightKeystoneMealsCovered: Breakfast, Lunch

3. 

   

   

   

   

   

   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.

   OvernightKeystoneMealsBreakfast

4. 

   

   

   

   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.

   OvernightKeystoneMealsBreakfast

5. 

   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.

   OvernightKeystoneMealsBreakfast, Dinner

6. 

   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.

   MealsBreakfast

Tour details

Gallery

More from Badlands National Park

Departures

Pricing

SWAT Trip Protection Plan

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.

Read the full Trip Protection terms — eligibility, how to buy, cancelling, rescheduling and refund timing.