DAY 1: Rapid City - Keystone
Your Black Hills experience begins as you arrive at the Rapid City Airport and meet your tour director. (please arrive Rapid City by 3:00pm) Transfer to your hotel in the heart of the Black Hills near Keystone and check in for a 5-night stay. Then join the group for a welcome dinner.
Lodging – K-Bar-S Lodge, Keystone, SD
Meals: D
DAY 2: Badlands - Rapid City
Today your Black Hills experience begins as you take a short drive to Badlands National Park for sightseeing and hiking. 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 designated as a "National Park" in 1978. After this incredible park, make a stop at world famous Wall Drug for an included lunch and some free time to explore on your own. Then stop in Rapid City and visit the Prairie Edge Trading Company for some history on native arts and crafts. There will be time to explore the wonderful shops and art galleries of Rapid City.
Lodging – K-Bar-S Lodge, Keystone, SD
Meals: B, L,
DAY 3: Black Hills
This morning begins the day with sightseeing of Mt. Rushmore National Memorial where you’ll have plenty of time to walk around, photograph, and explore the monument. Next board the 1880’s Train (Black Hills Central Railroad). This scenic 10-mile ride travels through Black Hills National Forest and climbs some to the steepest grades in North America. After your ride you are on our way to Crazy Horse Monument, a colossal but still unfinished project begun more than 70 years ago in honor of the famous Sioux warrior. Next, return to Keystone for touring of the Rushmore-Borglum Story Museum and a closer look into the life of Gutzon Borglum, the artist who created the impressive monument. Enjoy some free time to relax and have dinner on own back at the lodge. Tonight, return to Mt. Rushmore and experience the Evening Lighting Ceremony, a patriotic presentation that is a fitting end to a day of touring in the Black Hills.
Lodging – K-Bar-S Lodge, Keystone, SD
Meals: B
DAY 4: Devil’s Tower - Deadwood
This morning travel north and then west entering Wyoming on your way to the nation's very first National Monument, Devil's Tower. Here we will have a chance to learn a little more of the history, geology, and folklore surrounding this spot that is a sacred place to Native Americans. Enjoy a scenic walk around the base of this magnificent monolith. Return to South Dakota and arrive in the notorious old west town of Deadwood. Take a Tour of Deadwood to learn of Deadwood’s famous history including Mount Moriah Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark and is the final resting place of gunman Wild Bill Hickok and the notorious Calamity Jane. Enjoy some free time to explore the shops, restaurant and saloons still found in this “wild and woolly city”. Later, return to Keystone for overnight.
Lodging – K-Bar-S Lodge, Keystone, SD
Meals: B
DAY 5: Wind Cave - Custer State Park
Begin the day by visiting Wind Cave National Park for a tour of the caverns and hiking. First take ranger guided tour of Wind Cave, one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. Named for barometric winds at its entrance, this maze of passages is home to boxwork, a unique formation rarely found elsewhere. Return to the surface and take a short hike to look for wildlife such as Bison, Elk, Pronghorn and more. Lunch will be on own today. This afternoon you will arrive in Custer State Park and the State Game Lodge where you will board Jeeps for a spectacular Buffalo Jeep Safari through the Custer State Park. After viewing a wide variety of wildlife, return to Keystone and join the group for a farewell dinner.
Lodging – K-Bar-S Lodge, Keystone, SD
Meals: B, D
DAY 6: Departure Home
After breakfast, transfer to the Rapid City Airport and say goodbye to the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota as you depart for home.
Meals: B,
*Itinerary is subject to change.