This is the ultimate introduction to the Black Hills.
In a single day, you’ll experience towering granite mountains, winding scenic highways, abundant wildlife, and some of the most iconic landmarks in the United States.
From Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial to the dramatic curves of Iron Mountain Road and the wildlife-rich valleys and scenic roads of Custer State Park, this tour is designed to show you the very best of the region without the stress of planning or driving.
If you only have one day in the Black Hills, this is the most seamless and rewarding way to experience the region’s highlights.
This private tour brings together iconic landmarks, scenic mountain drives, wildlife viewing, and local insight into one carefully curated experience; without the stress of planning, driving, or navigating a large and spread-out region.
With a knowledgeable local guide, each stop becomes more meaningful, from the story behind Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial to the dramatic landscapes of the Needles Highway and the wildlife of Custer State Park.
Ideal for first-time visitors, couples, families, and private groups seeking a comfortable, elevated way to experience the very best of the Black Hills in a single day.
This tour includes two of the most famous scenic byways in South Dakota:
These roads are regularly considered among the most beautiful drives in the Midwest thanks to their granite tunnels, mountain views, switchbacks, and wildlife-rich landscapes.

Spend an unforgettable day exploring the heart of the Black Hills on our signature Mount Rushmore Tour.
We begin with a drive along the legendary Iron Mountain Road—one of the most scenic routes in the region. Famous for its breathtaking views, dramatic switchbacks, and ingenious design, this road features three pigtail bridges and three one-lane rock tunnels that perfectly frame Mount Rushmore in the distance. It’s a photo opportunity you won’t want to miss.
Next, we arrive at the awe-inspiring Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Before your visit, our guide will share fascinating stories and historical insights about the creation of this American icon. Once there, you’ll have time to explore the museums, walk the scenic trails, browse gift and sweet shops—and even sample Thomas Jefferson’s original ice cream recipe.
Our journey continues into the scenic Custer State Park, where our first stop is the shimmering Sylvan Lake, nestled at an elevation of 6,145 feet. Enjoy time here for photos and a peaceful stroll along its shores.

We then make our way onto the famous Needles Highway, where towering rock spires and narrow tunnels create an unforgettable landscape.
Along the way, you’ll hear about the region’s fascinating geological formations and its deep significance to Native American culture. There will be plenty of stops for photos and soaking in the natural beauty.
Lunch is next—choose between a delicious picnic in the park ($15 per person) or a relaxing restaurant meal before continuing the adventure.
After lunch, we visit the monumental Crazy Horse Memorial, the world’s largest mountain carving in progress. Learn about the remarkable story behind this tribute to Native American heritage and the incredible effort behind the ongoing project
Finally, we wrap up the day with a drive through the park’s Wildlife Loop, where you’ll have the chance to spot the area’s iconic animals—including bison, deer, pronghorn, prairie dogs, elk, burros, and a wide variety of birds.

Price & What’s Included
This is a private tour leaving to and from Rapid City pricing is $790 plus tax for two people and $200 for each additional person. Pick up in other Black Hills towns may acquire an additional fee. Large groups may be eligible for discounts, please inquire.
The Black Hills are much larger and more spread out than many visitors expect. Between winding mountain roads, wildlife areas, scenic byways, and major attractions, planning the perfect route can quickly become overwhelming — especially when trying to maximize limited vacation time.
Along the way, you’ll experience:
This is the Black Hills at its best—balanced between famous landmarks, natural beauty, and the quieter moments in between that most visitors miss.
This tour leaves to and from Rapid City. You can book directly online below, or contact us for more information or if you are staying elsewhere in the Black Hills.

Yes, all of our scenic tours are fully private. You will not be grouped with other travelers.
See one of America’s most recognizable landmarks up close as the faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln emerge from the granite cliffs of the Black Hills. Your guide will share the history behind the memorial, the carving process, and the stories that shaped this iconic destination.
Travel one of the most scenic roads in the United States. Known for its dramatic switchbacks, wooden pigtail bridges, and narrow granite tunnels, Iron Mountain Road was specifically designed to frame Mount Rushmore perfectly in the distance.
Widely considered the heart of the Black Hills, Custer State Park is home to rolling pine forests, granite peaks, peaceful lakes, and abundant wildlife. The park covers more than 70,000 acres and offers some of the best scenic driving in South Dakota.
Keep your camera ready as we explore one of the region’s top wildlife viewing areas. Depending on the day, guests may spot bison, pronghorn, prairie dogs, deer, wild burros, elk, hawks, and more throughout the park.
One of the highlights of the tour, Needles Highway winds through towering granite spires, narrow tunnels, and dramatic mountain scenery unlike anywhere else in the Midwest. This unforgettable drive showcases the rugged beauty that makes the Black Hills so unique.
Often called the “Crown Jewel” of Custer State Park, Sylvan Lake is surrounded by massive granite rock formations and scenic forest landscapes. This peaceful stop is perfect for photos, short walks, and taking in the beauty of the Hills.
Visit the world’s largest mountain carving in progress and learn about the vision behind this incredible tribute to Lakota leader Crazy Horse. Guests can explore the visitor center, museums, and viewing areas while learning more about Native American history and culture in the region.
One of the advantages of private touring is flexibility throughout the day. Along the way we often stop at lesser-known viewpoints, quiet scenic areas, wildlife sightings, and local favorites that many visitors would otherwise miss driving on their own.
Beyond the major attractions, part of the magic of the Black Hills is simply traveling through the region itself — winding forest roads, granite cliffs, open meadows, mountain vistas, and ever-changing scenery around every corner.
This is a full-day experience lasting approximately 8–9 hours depending on the pace of the day, wildlife sightings, weather, and pickup location.
Wildlife sightings vary daily, but common sightings include:
The Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park is one of the best wildlife viewing areas in the region.
Lunch is optional. Guests may choose a picnic lunch ($15pp) in the park or stop at a local restaurant during the day.
Absolutely. Families love the flexibility of private touring along with the wildlife viewing and variety of scenery throughout the day.
This is primarily a scenic driving tour with optional short walks and overlooks. Most stops are very accessible and guests can choose their comfort level throughout the day.
That being said, if you are an active family and want to take advantage of some more time exploring, just let us know so we can accommodate you!
We recommend:
Tours generally depart around 8:30am from the Rapid City area.
An earlier start can beat summer heat and crowds if your group desires.
Yes . complimentary pickup and drop-off is included within the Rapid City area. Pickup from other Black Hills towns may be available for an additional fee.
The Black Hills are larger than many visitors expect, and the scenic roads can require careful navigation and slow driving. A private tour allows everyone in your group to relax, enjoy the scenery, learn about the area, and avoid the stress of planning routes, parking, and timing.
Absolutely, you can customize any of our tours, or we can help you come up with your own itinerary.
Let us know what you’re thinking and we can help.
Our tours are conducted in comfortable SUVs and passenger vans, chosen to provide plenty of space and great sightseeing opportunities along the way.
We match the vehicle to your group size, ensuring a comfortable ride whether you’re traveling as a couple, family, or small private group. All tours are private, so you’ll never be combined with other guests.
As a family-owned and locally operated business, we’re passionate about sharing the very best of the Black Hills with our guests.
Since 2014, we’ve been creating private touring experiences that combine iconic landmarks, local knowledge, scenic routes, and a relaxed pace. Our guides know the region inside and out and love sharing the stories, history, wildlife, and hidden corners that make the Black Hills so special.
It’s a more personal way to explore; without the crowds, strict schedules, or stress of planning it yourself.
EXCELLENT Based on 398 reviews Posted on Tripadvisor Sue0419Verified Great tour of Badlands Wonderful tour with great tour guide Kevin who was personable, interesting and knowledgeable.Posted on Tripadvisor David KVerified Great additional experience during our Mickelson trail bike ride Gina did a great job. She’s an amazing tour guide. We saw a ton of wildlife in Custer State Park. Mt Rushmore was amazing as was the scenic drive on needles highway. We where riding the Mickelson trail in the morning and Gina was able to accommodate our schedule for a one o’clock pickup at our hotel in Custer. Everything went very smoothly.Posted on Tripadvisor Nick WVerified Five Star Tour Plus Kevin with Black Hills Tour Company was great! Always on time, attentive, concerned about what we wanted to see and do, knowledgeable and informative. Knew the territory well and explained things well. Would highly recommend this tour!Posted on Tripadvisor Jacque WVerified Mt Rushmore. Exceptional Jeff was so knowledgeable. It was great having someone show you around. We would have missed so much without the tour. Exceptional!Posted on Tripadvisor Jacque WVerified Exceptional tour Exceptional experience cr. So knowledgeable and fun Jeff went beyond to make it an memorable experiencePosted on Tripadvisor Karen HVerified Special Anniversary Tour We enjoyed and appreciated all the unique special details that our tour guide pointed out, e.g., the tunnels that framed Mt Rushmore, explaining the design and naming of the pigtail bridges, and sharing her life experiences growing up in the area. Totally a fun day for us. We saw our first ever pronghorn antelope and prairie dogs. Nature is so beautiful!Posted on Tripadvisor Escape01390378493Verified Great Experience There were 2 couples we all had a great time on our 3 tours. Our guide Steve was very knowledgeable about the area and sites we visited. Had a small hiccup with the snow it was a GREAT experience, we would do it again.Posted on Tripadvisor Happiness13422205233Verified Mt Rushmore touring at its finest We did two tours with Black Hills. Our tour guide, Joel was without a doubt one of the best guides we have ever experienced. He was not only knowledgeable but easy to understand. We saw places that the average tour would never see. He was good with everyone in our small group from 7 years old to 70. The booking process and the tour van were top notch. If you want a 10 star tour experience call Black Hills Tour Company.Posted on Tripadvisor Alexis CVerified Perfect Family Experience at Mt. Rushmore Our Mt. Rushmore project experience was absolutely amazing! Denise, our tour guide, went above and beyond to make sure our family had a wonderful time. We are so grateful for her kindness and highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Mt. Rushmore!Posted on Tripadvisor MohammedVerified wonderful day It was such a pleasure spending the day with Jeff. He made my visit to this lovely city truly memorable. He is such a kind person that time passed before I even noticed. Many thanks to you all

Fully guided multi-day biking trip through the Black Hills, Badlands, and Devil’s Tower

Bike through the Black Hills Needles and Cathedral Spires and then up Iron Mt Road, descending down the famous “pigtail bridges” and through numerous rock tunnels that frame Mt. Rushmore.

Black Hills Tour Company operates under a special use permit on the Black Hills National Forest