Black Hills & Mt. Rushmore | 2025

Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrive Rapid City, SD

Today your Black Hills experience begins as you arrive at Rapid City Airport. Take the hotel shuttle to your overnight hotel, where the Western Leisure tour director will meet you and assist with check-in and briefing. Join the group for a welcome dinner to get acquainted with your fellow travelers.  (D) 

Day 2:  Badlands - Black Hills

Begin your day with a short drive to Badlands National Park. The famous park consists of nearly 243,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest, protected mixed grass prairie in the United States. Established as Badlands National Monument in 1939, the area was redesignated as a “National Park” in 1978. After touring this incredible park, we will make a stop at the famous Wall Drug for lunch and free time on own. Upon returning to Rapid City, we will visit Black Hills Gold Factory for a guided tour to watch their skilled artisans handcraft South Dakota’s official state jewelry. The balance of day is free on own. (B)

Day 3: Devil's Tower - Deadwood

This morning travel to the nation's very first National Monument, Devil's Tower. Here you will have a chance to learn a little more of the history, geology, and folklore surrounding this spot that was so sacred to the Indians. Continue on to Deadwood and Kevin Costner’s famous Tatanka, Story of the Bison. Tatanka is a Lakota word that literally means “bull buffalo,” but Tatanka meant more than that. Ceremonies and daily life revolved around sacred reverence for Tatanka. Then we will take a special tour in Deadwood to learn of Deadwood’s famous haunted history. Mount Moriah Cemetery is a National Historic Landmark and is the final resting place of gunman Wild Bill Hickok and the notorious Calamity Jane. Learn all about these two legendary figures before some free time here in this “wild and woolly city”. You will have time to explore and have dinner on own in downtown Deadwood before returning to Rapid City. (B, L) 

Day 4:  Mt. Rushmore - Crazy Horse - Custer State Park

Today enjoy sightseeing of the Black Hills. Start your day with a beautiful drive to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial for a morning view of this magnificent monument. Next travel to Custer State Park and the historic State Game Lodge. Then get up close and personal with the residents of this park as you head out on a Buffalo Safari Jeep to view the buffalo herds and much more. Then make your way to Crazy Horse Monument for sightseeing of the yet unfinished mountain carving and insight into the Lakota culture with free time for lunch on your own. In the afternoon stop in Keystone with some free time for shopping and exploring on your own. Then join the group for a farewell dinner followed by a wonderfully patriotic and inspiring event as you attend the Mt. Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony! (B, D) 

Day 5: Journey Home

After breakfast, transfer to Rapid City Airport for your departure home. (B) 

Please Note - * This tour requires average physical activity. Participants should be in good health, able to climb stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven ground or unpaved trails. This tour covers areas of higher altitudes including overnight locations above 6,000 ft. and touring above 9,000 ft.