Custer State Park

Go on a hot air balloon tour of the Black Hills and treat yourself to an experience of a lifetime. Admire the beautiful Black Hills and witness historic, wild landscapes and abundant wildlife from a hot air balloon. Soar above the southern Black Hills, and world-renowned Custer State Park with extraordinary 360-degree views of mountains, rock formations, valleys, lakes, and prairies.  Look out for wildlife such as elk, antelope, whitetail deer, buffalo, mule deer, or even a mountain lion. Fly just miles away from Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Wind Cave National Park, and the South Dakota Badlands. Certified pilots will navigate the flight with your safety and enjoyment in mind. During your 1-hour ride, your pilot will answer any questions that you might have and identify local points of interest.  Upon landing, enjoy a celebratory champagne toast, light snacks, and a story about the origin of hot air ballooning.

Enjoy a day of sightseeing on this all-inclusive private tour of the main sights of Black Hills. After a convenient pickup from your hotel, travel to the iconic Mount Rushmore National Monument, where you will spend some time hiking. Learn about how the monument came into existence. Next, travel to Crazy Horse Memorial, where you will learn about one of the most important historical figures in the history of South Dakota. Finally, explore the beautiful Custer State Park. See wildlife at incredibly close proximity and enjoy the local flora.

Embark on a private journey through South Dakota’s Southern Black Hills, where iconic landmarks, stunning roads, and fascinating stories await. This adventure offers a blend of breathtaking scenery, wildlife encounters, and cultural insight, making it the perfect way to explore this legendary region. Mount Rushmore: Beyond the Faces Begin your day at Mount Rushmore, where the story goes far beyond the famous faces. Learn about the mountain’s history before it was carved, the vision of sculptor Gutzon Borglum, and the dedicated workers who made it possible. Hike the Presidential Trail for up-close views, snap photos from the Grand Overlook, and visit the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center. Dive into interactive exhibits, watch a short film, and uncover the reasons these four presidents were chosen to represent America. Iron Mountain Road: A Scenic Wonder Next, ascend Iron Mountain Road, a masterpiece of scenic engineering. Designed to showcase the beauty of the Black Hills, the road features unique Pigtail Bridges and three granite tunnels framing perfect views of Mount Rushmore. Along the way, towering Ponderosa pines, shimmering aspens, and iron-rich rock formations create a landscape as captivating as it is diverse. Stop at Norbeck Overlook to marvel at the Cathedral Spires, Black Elk Peak, and the Six Grandfathers—the original Lakota name for the Mount Rushmore site. Custer State Park: A Wildlife Haven Venture into the natural wonder of Custer State Park, home to diverse ecosystems and free-roaming wildlife. Drive the Wildlife Loop Road, where bison, pronghorn, deer, and prairie dogs can often be seen up close. These encounters are unforgettable, offering an authentic glimpse into the region’s incredible biodiversity. Lunch and Sylvan Lake’s Tranquil Beauty Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Black Hills Then, head to Sylvan Lake, a sparkling gem nestled among granite formations. Explore its scenic trails, visit the lakeside store, and capture incredible photos of one of South Dakota’s most iconic spots. Needles Highway and Cathedral Spires Travel along the dramatic Needles Highway, where towering granite pinnacles lead to the iconic Needles Eye. This natural rock spire, shaped by millions of years of weathering, is a testament to the power of nature. Nearby, the Cathedral Spires rise majestically, preserved in their natural state to showcase the raw beauty of the Black Hills. Crazy Horse Memorial: A Monument of Heritage Conclude your day at Crazy Horse Memorial, a tribute to Native American culture and history. Learn about Chief Standing Bear’s vision, sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski’s dedication, and the ongoing effort to complete this awe-inspiring monument. This expertly guided tour blends history, nature, and culture, offering a one-of-a-kind adventure through the Black Hills. With every turn of the road and each breathtaking stop, you’ll create memories to last a lifetime.

Experience the trifecta of iconic western South Dakota landmarks on a narrated tour of Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park. Enjoy a comfortable ride from Rapid City and see the best of the Black Hills. Begin your tour at the iconic Mount Rushmore. Watch a 14-minute video narrated by Tom Brokaw about the carving, the sculptor Gutzon Borglum, and workers. Visit the Lincoln Borglum Museum to see displays about Borglum, his family and his works, the mountain and machinery, and the workers. Walk the Presidential Trail to see the faces in the rock rubble with great spots for pictures of the individual faces. Continue to the Avenue of Flags, representing all 50 states and the territories, and their respective dates of admission to the Union. Stop at the Carvers’ Café and an ice cream shop for refreshments. As you leave, stop for a picture at the side profile of George Washington. Next, drive to the Crazy Horse Memorial. Watch a 20-minute video about the carving and the sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and his family that are doing the work. Visit the North American Indian Museum to see items from many different Indian tribes, with 90% of the items being donated. Walk through Ziolkowski’s workshop and the log home he built, filled with antiques. See a Native American Cultural Center where you can watch Natives making items for sale, as well as display items to see and touch. Stop at the brass Nature Gate and a huge statue of Fighting Stallions. For an additional $4, take a bus that delivers you to the base of the mountain so you can take a full picture of the face of Chief Crazy Horse. After leaving Crazy Horse, drive through the city of Custer, the oldest town in the Black Hills, and down into Custer State Park. Drive the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road. In the spring, see around 1300 buffalo including newborn calves in the park. See antelope, deer, prairie dogs, begging burros, and breathtaking scenery. Make a comfort stop by the State Game Lodge area at Coolidge Inn Store or Peter Norbeck Visitor Center, then drive back to Rapid City.

Start your day from your local lodging with a personalized tour of the Iron Mountain Road and Mount Rushmore with local experts who have decades of experiences and stories to share. Gain an understanding of the Shrine of Democracy from your guides. Then, head to Crazy Horse Mountain and learn about the legendary Lakota hero and why his people still revere him. Hear why a successful artist came to the Black Hills to share his dream and vision that has turned into a monumental mountain carving. See the results of decades of drilling, blasting, and building toward that dream. View the movie, artwork, and museum displays at the Visitor Center. Be prepared to be inspired by the people and their accomplishments. Next, make your way to the famous Needles Highway, the place where mountain carving in the Black Hills was first inspired. This is a scenic drive like no other: a winding road past granite spires nested in a beautiful pine forest. Here, see lakes and lodges in Custer State Park as we head toward the historic Wildlife Loop Road and classic western wild animals. The Park's Bison herd numbers above a thousand majestic animals and their young. Be on the lookout for deer, elk, donkeys, wild turkeys, bighorn sheep and birds of prey as we drive. Best of all, enjoy a private tour that is customizable, where you move at your own pace without the big crowds and strict schedules.

This Years Date: Friday, September 26th 2025 ONE Day Only a Year Event On The Last Friday of September Experience the Annual Buffalo Roundup in Custer State Park. Watch as the buffalo are gathered up and driven by horseback and truck into corrals, where each animal is individually vaccinated and new calves are branded. Start your day with a pick-up from your hotel in Rapid City at 6:00 AM and drive to the Custer State Park roundup grounds parking areas. Go to the south area of the park just above the corral where the rangers will work with the buffalo. The roads close early so they can start moving the buffalo over the hills without traffic being in the way. Around 8:00 AM, enjoy a hot breakfast of an egg-buffalo sausage-vegetable dish, muffins, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and bottled water. Be provided with a bag chair to sit in as you eat and wait for the buffalo to come over the ridges. This may be anywhere from 10 to 11 AM. After the buffalo come down and you watch the big stampede into the corral area, catch a shuttle to the corrals around noon to buy your lunch of a BBQ sandwich, chips, beans, and a drink for about $20 per person. Once you finish lunch, walk over to the corrals to watch the rangers work with the buffalo. Arrive back to Rapid City around 3 PM or so.

Get up close and personal with roaming buffalo, deer, and feed the wild donkeys at Custer State Park. Once in the park, board an open-air Jeep and explore the beauty the park has to offer with your guide. Make sure to bring healthy snacks for the wild donkeys and you will have them eating out of the palm of your hands. Next, travel to Hot Springs to get a behind-the-scenes VIP tour of the Mammoth Site. While at this active Paleontological dig site, view fossils from the ice age. Enjoy an interactive learning experience that includes a botany and geological walkway.