Talk to Your Guide: (605) 252-9100
Talk to Your Guide: (605) 252-9100
Black Hills Winter Wonderland Tour: A Fabulous Journey – There’s Nobody Around – Just the Scenery and Wildlife
Are you ready to journey with us on the Black Hills Winter Wonderland Tour? Warm, cozy, and BIG GMC Yukon XL with 4-Wheel Drive. This tour will leave you spellbound. You’ll be amazed at the snow-capped mountains and evergreen trees transforming the landscape into a picturesque winter wonderland.
This PRIVATE TOUR (no sharing, no other guests) begins with a visit to the iconic Mount Rushmore, where the snow-covered faces of revered US presidents will inspire and cause you to reflect on its origins.
Next, we’ll journey to Custer State Park, where you’ll witness the stunning winter landscape and see diverse wildlife, including bison, elk, and deer grazing in the snow-covered fields. If we’re lucky, maybe even a bobcat!
Finally, we’ll visit the tranquil Sylvan Lake, a famous winter wonderland. The frozen lake surrounded by towering mountains creates a breathtaking sight that will fill your heart with awe. The Black Hills Winter Wonderland tour is an opportunity you don’t want to miss. It’s a must-do for anyone looking to explore the natural beauty of South Dakota in winter and create unforgettable memories. Families will find plenty of familyfriendly activities in the Black Hills, from winter hiking to snowshoeing adventures. Whether you’re building snowmen or enjoying sledding down the hills, there’s something for every member to enjoy. Make sure to grab your camera, as the picturesque landscapes will provide perfect backdrops for family photos.
Eyes open, buckled in, seat warmers on, rear controls to your liking, and if you’d like any time of ambiance music, you’ve got it. Is it strange that you’re thinking of visiting the Black Hills in Winter? Are you crazy? No way. Even though there are significantly fewer people like you in this world, we say it’s one of the best times to visit. No crowds, vehicles, and then there’s us, of course. Photography taken for you with a great camera and hot coffee and tea. Snacks, views, snowflakes, and pure white everywhere you look. As you embark on your adventures in the black hills, be prepared for breathtaking landscapes that transform into a winter wonderland. Picture yourself surrounded by serene trails, cozy cabins, and the crisp mountain air invigorating your spirit. Every turn reveals a new marvel, whether it’s a majestic view or a quiet moment contemplating nature’s artistry.
These tours are breathtaking, and we’re going to put you in the 99th percentile for getting this far.
At Mount Rushmore National Monument, you can marvel at the iconic monument covered in snow and take some fantastic photos! We have extra gloves, hats, scarves, and hand warmers. All laundered and ready to warm you up. We’re prepared. The monument looks fantastic, and if the conditions are right, the presidents all look like they’re crying. The ice is melting down there. Maybe it’s a sign, but we’ll let you decide. Visiting the Black Hills in Winter feels like you have the place to yourself.
If the animals can take it, so can we. They don;t have the luxuries we do. They don’t have warm drinks and heated seats. They don’t even have seats. At the right places and times, in Custer State Park, you can see bobcats, elk, Bison, and raptors.
We’ll stop and observe with our HIGH-quality binoculars. They’re actually Nikon Prof-staff 7 Series if you want to be specific. You can see a flea on a prairie dog’s rear at 100 yards. To give time for wildlife viewing, we may stop often. It’s essential to observe. Sometimes you might have to look closely and take your time, but it’s worth the wait. Elk call out, Bison breathe out warm clouds, and birds soar overhead.
Heated seats, sharp eyes, and a great camera helps us capture the moments in comfort as we make our way through Wildlife Loop Road. You’ll be thrilled to be visiting the Black Hills in winter!
Higher up in Custer State Park in South Dakota is an absolute wintery wonderland! Cuddled up in the heart of the Black Hills, Custer State Park is as stunning in the snow as it is during summer. With its majestic mountains and meandering streams, Custer State Park looks like something out of a postcard with its sparkling white blanket of snow.
Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park is awe-inspiring. We’ll stop here to see how beautiful the still-frozen lake is, with the rocks jutting out of the water. Ice fishermen often set up directly in the middle of the lake. Then, a trail winds its way around to see the features from all angles. This is a favorite of all guests. The Black Hills Winter Wonderland Tour is awesome.
Crazy Horse Memorial, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is one of the world’s most ambitious and iconic projects. It stands as a tribute to the legendary Lakota leader, Crazy Horse, and is destined to become the most giant sculpture in the world once completed. But beyond the sheer scale of the monument lies a story of deep cultural significance, dedication, and the enduring legacy of the Ziolkowski family, who have devoted their lives to making this vision a reality..
Crazy Horse was a fearless and revered leader of the Oglala Lakota, known for his unwavering commitment to preserving the way of life of his people during a time of great turmoil and change. Born around 1840, Crazy Horse grew up during a period when the Lakota were struggling to protect their land, culture, and independence in the face of increasing encroachment by United States settlers and the U.S. government..
Despite his victories on the battlefield, Crazy Horse was known not for his love of war, but for his commitment to the preservation of his people’s way of life and their connection to the land. He was a man of few words, preferring action over speeches, and was known for his humility and selflessness. Crazy Horse refused to be photographed or sketched, believing that his image should not be captured. This sense of modesty and his steadfast dedication to his people’s rights and dignity made him a symbol of resistance and resilience for the Lakota and other Native American tribes.
Don't just take our word for it.
See what our clients have to say.
My XO Adventures | Offering the Best Badlands National Park Tours
★★★★★a month agoIf you are visiting the Black Hills, the Devils Tower and Spearfish Canyon Adventure is an absolute can’t-miss!
Our guide, Logan, did a true yeoman’s effort to make the day exceptional for the five of us. His depth of knowledge was remarkable—he effortlessly wove together the local history, geology, and fascinating backstories of every site along our route. He even tailored the experience to our group, sharing an incredible amount of insight about the local wildlife, including spot-on identification and facts about local birds for the birders in our group!
The trip itself is brilliantly designed, balancing scenic drives, stunning overlooks, and short walks with a wonderfully flexible pace. There was never any rush, and we had plenty of time to take photos and absorb the breathtaking landscapes of the Northern Black Hills.
Logan made every single moment enjoyable, informative, and fun. We loved every minute of this fabulous tour and cannot recommend Logan and this adventure enough!
★★★★★a month agoAn unparalleled experience for wildlife professionals and enthusiasts alike!
My son and I, both biologists, recently joined Logan for the Wildlife Biologist’s Field Expedition in the Badlands and outer prairie lands of South Dakota. To put it simply, we had an amazing time.
This tour is truly one-of-a-kind; it is the only one in the region that provides such deep access to both the Badlands and the surrounding prairie ecosystems. What really set this experience apart was how Logan customized the entire day to match our specific interests. It was immediately evident that Logan isn’t just a guide—he has genuine, extensive field experience in tracking and working with wildlife, and his knowledge of both biology and local history is top-notch.
The logistics were perfect. We traveled comfortably in his roomy, air-conditioned van, which allowed us to navigate between optimal wildlife viewing locations with ease. He even provided extra sets of high-quality binoculars, which were a great touch. Throughout the trip, he took professional-grade photos of the wildlife and shared them with us, providing a fantastic memento of the day.
We had incredible sightings, including prairie dogs, burrowing owls, bison, a bald eagle, several pronghorns, and mule deer. If you are a wildlife enthusiast looking for a professional, expert-led expedition, I cannot recommend Logan’s tour enough.
★★★★★a month agoMy husband and I enjoyed TWO tours (Wildlife Biologist’s Field Expedition: The Badlands Uncovered & Spirit of the West: Devil’s Tower & Spearfish Canyon) with our guide Logan who was unbelievably knowledgable and made conversation so easy! Logan made our first experience in South Dakota & Wyoming so memorable and special. Logan tailored to all our interests and assisted us with making choices that suited our curiosity. Logan did a great job communicating with us prior to our tour, which eased all my stress. During the tour Logan was so invested in giving us the best experience possible, it was evident Logan takes pride in the job he does! I absolutely recommend these tours, in fact, I wish I could have Logan as a guide for every tour going forward. Thank you Logan for an absolutely incredible experience! You made our trip out here extra special.
★★★★★3 months agoIf you are reading the reviews, trying to decide who you would like to hire for your tour, HIRE XO ADVENTURES!! Stop looking! We had the pleasure of having Daniel give us the tour of Badlands and all attractions in the Black Hills. The company went out of their way to make sure we had the best possible visit to South Dakota, and Daniel was simply the best tour guide and person. He made sure we had the perfect photo opportunities, food, water, he even had extra coats in case we were cold. Daniel also made sure we had the BEST views and were able to see the most amazing sites, whether they were part of the tour or not. My trip was photography based, and being a photographer himself, he knew exactly where to put me for the best photography opportunities at the perfect times of day for optimum sun exposure. He's also extremely knowledgeable on all things South Dakota and the Lakota Tribes and he taught us SO much while we were in his care. I am eternally grateful to XO and Daniel for making this trip a solid core memory for my 17 year old grandson, who was accomanying me. By the end of our two day tour we not only had a new friend, but Daniel felt like family and we were truly sad to say goodbye (or as he says, "See you down the road"). You will NOT be disappointed in using XO Adventures! Book them NOW!!
★★★★★2 months agoWe came up to do a star gazing tour for my sons birthday but the weather didn’t cooperate. What could have been a disappointment certainly was not. Great communication from the team letting us know our options and the guide Logan was a true standout. We ended up on a golden hour tour and the park really did show off her beauty. He showed us an abundance of wildlife and some of the stops were stunning that we would not have gotten without a guide. He made it fun and informative. His passion for the area and the local wildlife and community were obvious. I highly recommend both him and this tour company. Really can turn your badlands trip from really good to really great! The photos posted I took - the photos he took were even better. The surprise of the badlands was the variety and amount of wildlife which he was gel to stop and point out to us.
Choose Your Favorite Destination
Your guide will be one of the named, certified guides on our Meet Your Guides page, and if you want to know which one leads your date, ask us before you book and we will answer with a name.
Winter changes everything in the Black Hills — the crowds thin out, snow settles into the forests, and the wildlife stands out against the white. These answers cover what guests most often ask before booking a winter tour.
Winter tours run November 1 through March 15, conditions permitting. Dates open for booking each fall.
A heated luxury 4×4 built for winter roads — warm, comfortable, and driven by a guide who knows these roads in every season.
Dress in layers with waterproof footwear. We provide hot beverages and lunch — you bring warm clothes and a camera.
We operate rain or shine. A tour is only canceled if the weather is treacherous and the tour cannot be carried out safely — and if conditions are in question, we communicate with you ahead of time.
Yes — Mount Rushmore is on the winter itinerary, and winter is one of the quietest times to see it, often with the terrace nearly to yourself.
Yes. Every tour is private to your group, winter included, and the day is paced around what you want to see.