Tour Capacity
4
Duration
6 Hours
Distance
125 Miles
Tour Overview
Before the day wakes and the crowds arrive, the Badlands whisper. The Badlands Sunrise tour invites you to experience the raw, untamed beauty of Badlands National Park as the first light spills across the ancient formations.
You’ll stand in silence as colors shift from cool violet to deep amber, and the land begins to stir with life. It’s more than sightseeing—it’s a moment of connection with one of the most surreal landscapes on Earth.
Highlights
Badlands Sunrise Over the Buttes: Watch the sky ignite over Cathedral Gorge or Panorama Point, depending on the day’s conditions.
Wildlife in Motion: Early hours bring the best chance to see bighorn sheep, bison, and pronghorn as they graze in the morning calm.
Guided Insight: Learn from your local guide about the park’s geology, fossils, and the ancient forces that shaped this strange and beautiful land.
Quiet Moments: Enjoy stillness and reflection in a place where time feels suspended.
Badlands Sunrise Itinerary
Departure: We meet before dawn at your accommodations in Rapid City.
Journey into the Park: Our entry to the park depends on the time of year and the angle of the sun. Our departure time, entrance to the park, and overlook at the Badlands Sunrise will be customized to the day. We’ll go over the details with you well in advance.
Sunrise Experience: We’ll set up at the best Badlands Sunrise overlook and spend time capturing photos or simply soaking in the moment as the light transforms the landscape.
Exploration Stops: Visit several overlooks and hidden gems inside the park, with opportunities for short walks and photography. A stop at the visitors center is included as long as it’s open!
Return: You’ll be back in Rapid City by mid-morning—just in time for a hearty breakfast or to continue exploring the Badlands on your own.
Whats Included?
Expert guide
- Professional Photography
Private Transportation from Rapid City
Hot and cold beverages
Park entrance fees
What to Bring
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Comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes
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Layers (mornings can be cool)
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Camera or smartphone
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A sense of wonder to experience the Badlands Sunrise
Reviews for My XO Adventures
Tour guide Dan was awesome! He was very knowledgeable and did not rush us through, always willing to stop onlong the way if we seen anything interesting, like Hawks, Ram, Bison, Deer, Antelope, Prairie Dogs, Porcupine and a Badger! It was awesome with the evening golden light on the clay Badlands formations. Then when it got dark we enjoyed the night skys watching shooting stars, satellites and of course the milky way. Sitting in the provided zero G chairs provided comfort and a mind relaxing experience. Highly recommend this tour of the Badlands!
We did 2 tours, the night sky badlands and Then Mt Rushmore. Kelli was our tour guide for the night sky Badlands tour. She explained the geology of what we saw. She described the theory of how they were formed. We saw a lot of wildlife and she told us all about the animals.
She found a great spot to watch the sunset and another one for the star gazing. She had this amazing app that when pointed at a constellation showed the picture the Greeks saw. It was wonderful! Dave was our tour guide for Mt Rushmore and the Black Hills and we loved his sense of humor. One of the best things was his knowledge and details of the history of all that we saw. He knew where the best spots were for pictures. We saw some more amazing wildlife. It was spectacular!
Daniel picked us up at our place of stay and took us on a magical ride throughout the Black Hills and Badlands. Wonderful knowledge and history of the locations. I highly recommend the Badlands at the Golden hour. Aimee recommended that tour and WOW! Nothing I could write would do it justice. Daniel was the best. We came in the off season and it seemed we had the hills to ourselves. We saw so many things going the back roads with Daniel that we may never would have seen had we driven. The best tour we have ever taken.
Our Promise
We don’t just show you the sights—we connect you to the stories that make them unforgettable. With a focus on responsible tourism and respect for the land’s rich heritage, we ensure your journey is meaningful and memorable.
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