Operated by Collette

Spotlight on South Dakota

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From

CAD 4,299

Duration

7 days

Countries

United States

Activity

moderate

Group size

Max 44

Rating

4.6 · 288 reviewsvia Collette

The adventure

Discover the spirit of the American West and come to know the legends of the past. Discover the stories of the Lakota through a Native American chronicler. 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.

Mount Rushmore

Badlands National Park

Wall Drug

Deadwood

Off-Road Jeep Safari at Custer State Park

Crazy Horse Memorial

Day by day

Breathtaking view of Delicate Arch in Arches National Park at sunset, showcasing vibrant skies and rugged landscape.

Your journey through

United States

Day 1Rapid City, South DakotaWelcome to the West. Your tour opens in Rapid City, long known as the gateway to the Black Hills. As travellers' arrival times vary greatly, there are no group activities planned during the day. Tonight, you and your fellow travellers gather for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Welcome to the West. Your tour opens in Rapid City, long known as the gateway to the Black Hills. As travellers' arrival times vary greatly, there are no group activities planned during the day. Tonight, you and your fellow travellers gather for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2Rapid City - Mt. Rushmore - Rapid CityLearn the history of enterprising Westerners at the Chapel in the Hills. Continue to Mount Rushmore. Spend time with the epic figures of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln as you stroll along the Presidential Trail, offering the closest view of this iconic sculpture.

Grand courthouse in Cedar Rapids with an American flag in a bright blue sky.

Rapid City

Learn the history of enterprising Westerners at the Chapel in the Hills. Continue to Mount Rushmore. Spend time with the epic figures of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln as you stroll along the Presidential Trail, offering the closest view of this iconic sculpture.

Day 3Rapid City - Badlands - Wall - Rapid CityToday, 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 centre, 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 colours and rock formations created by mineral deposits. Visit the legendary Wall Drug, a store barely changed since 1936. Browse the shops, discover quirky Old West displays, capture a few fun photos, and grab a bite for lunch. Enjoy the evening at leisure.

View of the Crazy Horse Memorial rock sculpture in South Dakota.

Rapid City

Today, 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 centre, 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 colours and rock formations created by mineral deposits. Visit the legendary Wall Drug, a store barely changed since 1936. Browse the shops, discover quirky Old West displays, capture a few fun photos, and grab a bite for lunch. Enjoy the evening at leisure.

Day 4Rapid City - Deadwood - Rapid CityGet 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 Centre.

Detailed view of a historic building facade in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.

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 Centre.

Day 5Rapid City - Custer - Crazy Horse - Rapid CityHead 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 Centre, the sculptor’s studio, orientation centre, and theaters.

Beautiful view of Spokane River flowing through the city at sunset, capturing the tranquil essence of nature and urban landscape.

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 Centre, the sculptor’s studio, orientation centre, and theaters.

Day 6Rapid City - Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming - Rapid CityGet your bearings at the Geographic Centre 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 travellers for dinner as the end of your South Dakota adventure draws near.

Get your bearings at the Geographic Centre 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 travellers for dinner as the end of your South Dakota adventure draws near.

Day 7Rapid City - Tour EndsSay goodbye to Rapid City as your tour comes to a close today.

Rapid City

Say goodbye to Rapid City as your tour comes to a close today.