About Us: My XO Adventures

I’m Daniel Milks. My XO Adventures is for travelers who want more than highlights. We build calm, meaningful days with great pacing, real context, and the kind of moments you remember for years.

Based in Rapid City Private tours Permitted where required

Quick Facts

Planning feels easier with a local in your corner. Send a quick note and we’ll help you choose the right tour, then handle the details so your day stays calm and meaningful.

Four Ways My XO Adventures is Different

Private by design

Real context, not a script

Smart logistics

Respectful travel

Founder and Lead Guide

Meet Daniel

I’m Daniel Milks, founder of My XO Adventures. My background is rooted in travel, history, and education, shaped by years of working across cultures and places that demand curiosity, respect, and context. Over time, I saw how often meaningful destinations were reduced to rushed itineraries and surface-level experiences. I believed there was a better way to travel, one that prioritized understanding, pacing, and genuine connection over volume or spectacle.

That belief became the foundation of My XO Adventures.

Pivot to the Black Hills and Badlands

My journey eventually led me to the Black Hills and Badlands, landscapes that immediately felt both powerful and deeply complex. What started as exploration quickly became commitment. These places reward patience, timing, and knowledge, and they lose something when treated as drive-by attractions.

I built My XO Adventures here with the intention of guiding people through these landscapes in a way that honors their history, geology, wildlife, and cultural significance, while also respecting the communities and lands involved. While I say I did this alone, nothing happens that way. A humble and sincere expression of gratitude goes out to all those involved, especially my mother, Amiee, who speaks with each guest multiple times before their experience.

Today, every tour is shaped around how the day unfolds, not a rigid schedule.

The story behind My XO Adventures

Sarasota roots and the standard I built on

My XO Adventures began in Sarasota, Florida in 2018, built on a simple belief: travel matters most when it feels personal. After years working for a large tour operator, I learned that trust, honesty, and follow through are what create great experiences. I also learned what I didn’t want to build, high volume travel that feels impersonal. I set out to create a boutique approach where guests are listened to, cared for, and guided with real intention.

The pivot that brought me to the Black Hills

In March 2020, while leading a group in Cuba, the world changed and travel shut down. I came home, stripped life down to essentials, converted my van into a mobile home, and drove across 38 states looking for a way forward. That journey led me to the Black Hills and Badlands, places with depth, beauty, and cultural significance that reward slowing down. I chose Rapid City as home and rebuilt My XO Adventures around private tours designed for calm pacing, real context, and meaningful connection to this region.

What that journey means for guests today

Today, My XO Adventures offers private Black Hills and Badlands tours rooted in thoughtful timing, genuine hospitality, and deep respect for the land and communities connected to it. The goal is always the same: a day that flows well, feels personal, and leaves guests with a clearer understanding of what they experienced.

Expertise, credentials, and how we operate

My XO Adventures is shaped by both deep local knowledge and formal hospitality training. Before founding the company, I worked and trained within luxury hospitality environments, including Hyatt and The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, Florida. Those experiences grounded my approach to guest care, attention to detail, and the importance of calm, well-paced experiences that feel personal rather than transactional.

That hospitality foundation now guides how tours are designed and delivered in the Black Hills and Badlands, pairing professional service standards with on-the-ground expertise in place, timing, and context.

Professional background and qualifications

• Founder and lead guide of My XO Adventures
• Formal hospitality training and experience with Hyatt and The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, Florida
• Local expertise in the Black Hills and Badlands across all seasons
• Background in history, geology, wildlife, and cultural interpretation
• Certified Travel Counselor (CTC)
• IATAN accredited travel professional
• Member of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA)
• Operates with required permits and permissions, including U.S. Forest Service authorization

Team and delivery standards

While I personally guide many tours, especially those that benefit from deeper storytelling or custom pacing, My XO Adventures is supported by a small network of trusted guides. When others are involved, they are selected for their local knowledge, professionalism, and ability to uphold the same hospitality standards, respect for place, and guest-centered approach that define every experience.

Verified In the Real World

My XO Adventures operates as a permitted and professionally recognized tour company. We maintain the required permissions and industry credentials to ensure responsible access, uphold professional standards, and earn guest trust.

Verification includes a U.S. Forest Service commercial use permit, Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) credentialing, IATAN accreditation, and membership in the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA).

Mission Statement

"We Do Everything We Do "For The Love of Travel"

Our Values And Responsible Travel

A private tour only works if the people behind it care about more than routes. These are the principles we guide by, in the Black Hills, the Badlands, and everywhere our guests place their trust in us.

For the love of travel

Travel matters when it helps you feel more connected to a place, to history, to the people you’re sharing the day with. We design experiences that make space for curiosity, calm pacing, and real conversation.

Protecting Black Hills and Badlands

These landscapes aren’t backdrops. They’re living ecosystems and sacred places to many. We operate responsibly, follow required rules and permissions, and guide with respect for wildlife, trails, and the communities connected to this land.

Travel That Brings People Together

We welcome guests from all backgrounds and we lead with kindness and respect. Great guiding creates a space where people feel safe, seen, and comfortable asking questions, learning, and simply enjoying the day.

Commitment to a Better World

We aim to leave places better than we found them through responsible decisions, ethical partnerships, and community-minded choices. You can read more about our approach to this on our Corporate Responsibility page.

My XO Adventures

Hi! I’m Daniel Milks, the owner of My XO Adventures. I never saw myself traveling as much as I have, but I’m certainly grateful for it. My career began in 2011 as a sales agent, and I worked my way up through several directorships.

I absolutely love traveling for so many reasons. It’s in my lifeblood and integral to my life. My favorite place is the one I haven’t been to. Most of my offerings are based on firsthand experience in the places I visit. If you see it on the website, it’s because something personally touched me about the region, and I’m sure you’ll love it.

I’m a native of Erie, PA, and lived most of my life in Sarasota, Florida. Most recently, I’ve moved to the Black Hills of South Dakota, and I love it here. I spend my summers in the Black Hills providing the best private tours possible. During the cooler months, I’ll soon offer my international destinations.

I realize you’re looking for an experience above all else, which is what I offer. I personally escort each tour to ensure everything goes smoothly and to get to know you. My XO Adventures has quite a few repeat guests, and I give everything I’ve got to make that happen! 😉

Frequently Asked Questions About My XO Adventures

If you’re deciding if My XO Adventures is the right fit, these answers explain what kind of company we are, what kind of guests we serve, and what a private Black Hills and Badlands tour with us actually feels like. You’ll find practical details on pacing, planning support, accessibility, permits, and how we operate, along with our commitment to welcoming everyone with respect, kindness, and professionalism. If you still have a question after reading, reach out and we’ll help you choose the experience that matches your goals and pace.

What kind of company is My XO Adventures?

My XO Adventures is a private tour company based in the Black Hills and Badlands. We design calm, well paced, small group experiences that prioritize real context, genuine hospitality, and a day that feels personal rather than scripted.

Who do you serve?

We serve travelers who want more than highlights. Guests who enjoy history, geology, wildlife, photography, and thoughtful conversation tend to love our style. We also work well for couples, families, solo travelers, and small friend groups who want a private experience with flexible pacing.

Do you welcome everyone?

Yes. We welcome and respect guests of all backgrounds. We lead with kindness, acceptance, and professionalism, and we expect the same respect toward others and toward the places and communities we visit.

Are your tours private?

Yes. Tours are private for your group only. We do not combine parties, and we do not run large bus style experiences.

What is the pace like?

The pace is steady and comfortable. We build days around timing, flow, and your interests, with room to slow down, take photos, ask questions, and enjoy the experience without being rushed.

How do you decide what we do on the day?

We start with what you care about most, then we shape the route around conditions, timing, and what will make the day feel smooth. We adjust as needed for weather, crowds, wildlife activity, and road conditions.

How do you decide what we do on the day?

Do you guide every tour personally?

Daniel guides many tours personally. When another guide is involved, they are selected for local knowledge, professionalism, and the ability to deliver the same guest centered standards.

How far in advance should we book?

For peak season dates, booking earlier is best. If you are traveling on a tight timeline, reach out anyway. We will tell you what is realistic and help you choose the best fit. We begin to receive reservations in July of the prior year for the following year.

What should we bring?

Comfortable walking shoes, layers, sun protection, water, and a camera or phone for photos. If there are any special needs or mobility considerations, tell us ahead of time so we can plan accordingly.

Is this a lot of hiking?

Most experiences involve easy walking with optional short hikes. We can keep it light, or we can add more walking if that is your preference. Your comfort comes first.

Can you accommodate mobility needs or limitations?

Often, yes. Many iconic viewpoints are accessible with minimal walking. Tell us what you need and we will recommend the best tour and pacing.

What about weather?

Weather is part of the Black Hills and Badlands, and we plan with it in mind. If conditions change, we adapt the itinerary and focus on what will still make the day excellent and safe.

Are your tours permitted and legitimate?

Yes. We operate professionally and maintain required permissions and credentials. You will also see key permits and affiliations referenced on this page.

Do you offer custom itineraries?

Yes. If you have specific interests, locations, or timing needs, we can build a day around them. We will also tell you honestly if something is not realistic so you do not waste time.

Can you help us choose the right tour?

Yes. If you tell us your dates, interests, and pace, we will recommend the best match and help you plan a day that feels right.

What is your cancellation policy?

Your exact cancellation terms depend on the tour and season. The most accurate policy is always the one shown at booking or provided in writing when you reserve.

How do we contact you?

Use the Contact Us page to send a message. If you are not sure what you need yet, tell us your dates and what you are curious about, and we will help you figure it out.