Talk to Your Guide: (605) 252-9100
Talk to Your Guide: (605) 252-9100
Quick answers about private tours, planning help, pickup, what’s included, and how the day works
FAQ About My XO Adventures: use the sections below to get clear answers fast, then reach out if you want help choosing the right tour.
Most people don’t need more information, they need fewer decisions. This section answers the questions that come up before you book, like how private tours work, how we help you choose, and how customization actually happens.
Your questions answered about how we operate, what makes our tours unique, and what you can expect when you travel with My XO Adventures. This section helps you feel confident planning your time, understanding our approach, and knowing what’s taken care of once you book.
Answer: Every tour we offer is private, designed around your group’s interests, pace, and priorities. We focus on thoughtful timing, meaningful context, and a relaxed pace — not just hitting checkpoints.
Answer: Yes! Tell us your travel dates, how long you have, where you’re staying, and what excites you most — we’ll guide you toward the best fit.
Answer: For peak seasons, popular dates, and sunsets, it’s best to book early to secure your preferred date and start time.
Answer: Most tours include:
A private guide
A private vehicle for your group
Park admissions for included stops
Thoughtful routing with scenic timing
Snacks and drinks
Exact inclusions vary by tour and are listed on each tour’s page.
Answer: Comfortable shoes, layered clothing (for changing conditions), sunscreen, and a camera or phone for photos make your day more enjoyable.
Answer: Yes! Let us know in advance, and we’ll plan snacks and meal stop options that work for you.
Answer: Tours begin based on your preferences and seasonal timing. Many tours start in Rapid City, but pickup logistics vary by tour and location. We coordinate timing to avoid crowds and make the most of light and landscape.
Answer: Absolutely — earlier or later start times can often give you better light, wildlife chances, and quieter moments.
Answer: Most full-day tours run around 8–9 hours. Tours focused on sunset or night sky experiences vary based on season.
Answer: This depends on the tour and your group’s preferences. Many stops involve short, accessible walks. If you want minimal walking, we can plan stops accordingly.
Answer: Yes. Because tours are private, we can tailor pacing, stops, and comfort breaks to your group’s needs.
Answer: Yes — regular comfort stops are part of the routing, especially for families or guests wanting extra ease.
Answer: Weather here can shift quickly. We adapt the route to keep you comfortable and safe — changing stop order, timing, or choosing sheltered options when needed.
Answer: Yes — winter tours are a unique experience with special light and quiet landscapes. However, road conditions and closures matter more, so we plan accordingly.
Answer: You can read verified reviews on platforms like Google and TripAdvisor — our guests often highlight personalization, pace, and guide knowledge.
Answer: Yes — we operate under the necessary permits for the areas we tour.
Answer: The cancellation policy varies by tour and is shown during the booking process. If you’d like written details before booking, just ask.
Answer: Payments are handled securely through our booking system. If you have questions or special circumstances, we’re happy to help.
Answer: Gratuities are appreciated but never required. Many guests tip based on their experience, and we make tipping easy through multiple methods if desired.
Not sure which tour fits your trip? Start with Plan Your Trip.
Timing is everything out here. This section covers where we pick up, how start times work, and how we coordinate your day to avoid stress and make the most of light, wildlife movement, and road reality.
You shouldn’t have to wonder if a tour will feel like a hike. This section explains walking levels, comfort, vehicle setup, and how we adjust the day for different mobility levels.
The Black Hills and Badlands can change fast. We plan for real conditions so your day stays enjoyable, safe, and meaningful even when weather, visibility, or crowds shift.
Wildlife is one of the best parts of this region, and also the part that deserves the most respect. These answers help you feel prepared without turning the experience into a list of warnings.
If you’re trusting someone with a once in a lifetime day, you deserve proof. This section makes it easy to verify reviews, understand how we operate, and see why guests choose us.
Clear expectations make everything feel easier. This section covers booking policies, payments, and tipping norms so there are no awkward surprises.
Ready to choose your day? See all tours.
My XO Adventures offers private, guided day tours based in Rapid City, South Dakota. Most of our experiences explore the Black Hills and Badlands, including places like Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Iron Mountain Road, Needles Highway, Sylvan Lake, Badlands National Park, and nearby highlights depending on your day and interests.
If you’re staying outside Rapid City, we can often coordinate pickup options or help you plan the best meeting point.
If you’re deciding between a few options, you’re not alone. We’ll help you choose based on timing, crowds, weather, driving reality, and what you want your day to feel like, not just a list of stops.
If you tell us your travel dates, where you’re staying, and your top priorities, we’ll point you toward the best fit and make it easy.
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 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.
★★★★★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.
★★★★★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.
★★★★★4 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!!
★★★★★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!