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See Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park in one private day from Rapid City, with your picnic-style lunch and all entry fees included.
This private full day tour pairs Mount Rushmore with Badlands National Park in one smooth loop from Rapid City. We run the itinerary in real time, adjusting for crowds, weather, road conditions, and your pace, so the day feels calm, not rushed. Expect iconic viewpoints, scenic drives, and short walks, with plenty of space for photos and questions along the way.
This is a private, full day South Dakota classic built for real travel days. You’ll see Mount Rushmore with time to understand the story behind it, then transition into the wide open scale of Badlands National Park, where light, weather, and wildlife can change the feel of the landscape hour to hour. The pacing is calm and flexible. We keep walks short and scenic, use the drives to connect the story of the region, and adjust the flow in real time so you’re not stuck in crowds or forced into a rigid schedule.
If you want an iconic day that still feels personal, with practical logistics handled by a guide who pays attention to timing, this tour is designed for you.
You want Mount Rushmore and the Badlands in one day without feeling rushed. You prefer a private tour with a calm pace and real time flexibility, plus scenic drives and short walks instead of long hikes.
You care about timing and want to avoid the worst crowds when possible, and you’d like a guide who can connect the dots on local history, landscapes, and wildlife in a natural way. Most of all, you want the day to feel smooth, with the logistics handled and the decisions kept simple.
You want a fixed schedule with lots of quick stops and constant movement. You’re hoping for long hikes or hours off trail, or you strongly prefer a group tour environment with lots of other travelers.
You want to stay out late for an after dark experience, or you’re trying to see everything in the Black Hills and the Badlands in one day. This tour focuses on the best pairing and a calm flow, not every possible stop.
If you’d rather spend the day in the Black Hills, take a look at our private Mount Rushmore tour. If the Badlands is all you want, our private Badlands National Park tour is built for that.
We start with a pickup in Rapid City and a quick check in on the day’s conditions so we can choose the smoothest route. Most days we begin with Mount Rushmore earlier, before the busiest stretch, but we can shift timing if traffic, weather, or your priorities suggest a better plan. At Mount Rushmore, you’ll have time for the main viewpoints and the core story, plus space for photos that don’t feel rushed.
From there, we transition out of the Black Hills and into the open country that leads toward Badlands National Park. The drives are part of the experience, not filler. You’ll see the landscape change in real time, and we use those miles to connect the natural history and the human story of the region.
In the Badlands, the day becomes a series of scenic overlooks, short walks, and photo friendly stops, paced around light, weather, and your energy. If wildlife is active, we slow down. If wind or storms roll in, we adjust. If you want fewer stops and more time in one place, we do that too.
The goal is a day that feels calm and well paced, with enough structure to make it easy and enough flexibility to make it yours.
This tour is designed around the best core stops that make Mount Rushmore and the Badlands feel real, not rushed. Exact stops can shift with crowds, weather, construction, and your pace, but these are the places we most commonly spend meaningful time.
We spend time at the main viewing terrace and surrounding areas so you can take it in, grab photos, and understand the story behind the carving and the setting.
We focus on the overlooks that give you the strongest sense of scale and color, with time to slow down, look, and photograph. These stops are short walks, not long hikes.
This drive is part of the experience. We use it to connect the overlooks and to catch changing light, shifting clouds, and the way the formations look different from mile to mile.
If conditions and timing fit, we can add one or two easy walks that deepen the experience without turning the day into a hike. These are chosen based on comfort, wind, heat, and your group’s pace.
Some days bring bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, or prairie dogs right into view. When that happens, we slow down and let the moment unfold naturally. Sightings can’t be guaranteed, but the route is built to give you real chances.
The Badlands aren’t a backdrop. They’re a living system, and the best days out here feel less like checking off stops and more like paying attention. Light changes the color of the formations minute by minute, wind can shift fast, and wildlife activity often ramps up when temperatures ease. That’s why this tour is built around flexibility. If something is happening, we slow down. If conditions change, we adjust.
Wildlife sightings can never be promised, but this route gives you real chances. Depending on the day and the season, we may spot bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, prairie dogs, raptors, or deer. Sometimes the most memorable moments are the small ones: a hawk working the wind, a herd moving across a distant ridge, a sudden quiet that makes the landscape feel huge.
We keep wildlife viewing respectful and safe. On foot, we stay at least 100 yards from any wild animal, and we never pressure animals for a photo. We see more by moving calmly, staying patient and letting the landscape do what it does.
On this tour, the drives aren’t just the way we get there. They’re part of what makes the day feel big. South Dakota is a place where the landscape changes fast. Forested hills give way to open prairie, then suddenly the Badlands rise out of the earth like another world. That transition is one of the most memorable parts of the experience, and we don’t treat it like dead time.
We use the drives like Badlands Loop Road to keep the day flowing smoothly and to time your stops well. If crowds build, we shift the order. If weather changes, we choose the route that stays comfortable. If light is doing something special, we chase the best angles. You’ll have a guide who is watching conditions while you enjoy the scenery.
Most of the driving is comfortable and broken up naturally by viewpoints and short walks. The result is a day that feels calm and well paced, but still gives you that full sense of scale that makes Mount Rushmore and the Badlands worth the trip.
Private guiding for your group only with flexible pacing and a calm, unhurried flow
Pickup and drop off in Rapid City. Additional pickups available. Please inquire.
All park admissions included, including entry to Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Badlands National Park
A well paced itinerary with real time adjustments for crowds, weather, and road conditions
Flexible stops for viewpoints, photos, short walks, and backroad pullouts whenever something is worth your time
Bottled water, soda, and light snacks throughout the day
Professional quality photos included when possible, shared after the tour
This is a full, well paced day designed to cover Mount Rushmore and the highlights of the Badlands without rushing. The usual pickup time is 8:30 AM, and most tours run about 9 hours from pickup to drop off. Return time can shift a bit depending on crowds, weather, road conditions, and how much time your group chooses to spend at each stop. If the day is flowing smoothly, we keep it relaxed. If conditions change, we adjust the route so you still get the best experience within the time window.
Weather can shift quickly between open country, higher elevations, and shaded canyon corridors. Dress in comfortable layers and plan for sun, wind, and a cooler breeze on the Badlands overlooks late in the day, so you stay comfortable and the day feels calm and easy.
If you’re uncertain about weather, crowds, or road conditions on the day of your tour, reach out and we’ll help you plan ahead with confidence. You can also read our guide to the best private tours in Rapid City for a clear sense of how flexible touring keeps the day comfortable and relaxed as it unfolds.
This tour combines two completely different landscapes in one powerful day: the sculpted monument of Mount Rushmore and the vast, cinematic terrain of the Badlands. These questions help you understand how the day is structured and how we balance scale, timing, and energy.
You don’t need tickets on this tour, because all entry fees are included and there’s nothing to buy at either gate.
You’ll see the overlooks that show the park’s scale and color, you’ll drive the Badlands Loop Road, and we can add one or two easy walks if conditions and timing fit. We watch for wildlife along the way, and nobody can promise a sighting. Our Badlands National Park guide covers the rest of the park.
Yes, when the day is structured carefully. The route is designed to move with purpose, limit backtracking, and give each location meaningful time rather than just quick photo stops.
Most days we start at Mount Rushmore, before its busiest stretch, and then head to the Badlands. The order can change with timing, weather and seasonal light.
Very different. Mount Rushmore delivers scale and human story carved into granite. The Badlands offer wide horizons, layered sediment, and open prairie. The contrast is part of what makes the day memorable.
It’s a full day, and the longest stretch is about 1 hour 45 minutes between Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park. The drives are planned and worth watching, because the scenery changes along the way.
Yes. Expect short, manageable walks at Mount Rushmore and optional short overlooks or light trails in the Badlands.
Absolutely. It’s designed for people who want to experience two signature South Dakota landscapes in one comprehensive day.
Your picnic-style lunch is included, and we coordinate timing so it fits naturally into the day.
Travelers who value efficiency without sacrificing depth. If you have limited time but want both iconic history and dramatic natural scenery, this combination works well.
We set the pace for each guest and adjust every tour to that guest’s needs. There’s a running board to step up on, and for the van we bring a step stool. You can stay in the vehicle if you want to.
A cane, walker or wheelchair works in some places on this tour but not all. You’ll need to get in and out of the vehicle under your own power. Mount Rushmore’s Information Center lends manual wheelchairs, free and first come, first served. Please tell us ahead of time in the special requests so we can prepare.
Two guests pay from $1,018.30 plus tax and fees on tour dates Dec 1, 2026 to Mar 15, 2027. Other dates cost more, so two guests pay up to $1,378 from Jun 15 to Sep 30, 2027. Each added guest is from $318.75, and a group can have up to six guests. You see the exact price for your group and date before you pay. The day runs about 9 hours, and park entry fees are included.
Every departure is private to your group, with pickup from your Rapid City area lodging. My XO Adventures is rated 5.0 out of 5 on Google by 657 travelers.
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.
Pick a date and see real-time availability. Please take note that we’ll call after your booking to adjust pickup times if necessary.
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This tour is built around timing and flow, not a rigid checklist. Mount Rushmore is at its best when you can slow down and take it in, and the Badlands are at their best when light, weather, and space do what they do out here. That is why we adjust the order of the day as it unfolds.
You’ll get the iconic moments, but you’ll also get the quieter ones that most visitors miss: a sudden break in the clouds that changes the color of the formations, a stretch of road where the horizon feels endless, wildlife moving across a ridge, and that feeling that you are finally away from the noise.
The goal is a day that feels smooth, well paced and memorable.
Mount Rushmore, Plan Your Visit (National Park Service)
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★★★★★December 2025I’ve traveled the world and taken various awesome tours. However Daniel has surpassed all other tours. He was the perfect fit for my 9-year old son and myself.
★★★★★September 2025FIVE STARS!!! Daniel was a wonderful guide and a wealth of information! We appreciate his willingness to transport us to Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands. We learned SO much history and enjoyed seeing the beautiful landscape and wildlife. This was a great experience, and we wish we could find a guide like Daniel everywhere. Thank you again!
★★★★★March 2024Daniel was knowledgeable, engaging, flexible and best guide ever! Visiting the Badlands, Mt Rushmore and the Black Hills with wintry mix weather was an exceptional experience and only possible with Daniel. XO adventures and Daniel are highly recommended!
★★★★★May 2025We honestly just wanted to relax and just enjoy the stunning beauty of the magnificent Mt. Rushmore and Badlands, you gave us so much more.
★★★★★a month agoMy husband and I think this is the BEST way to experience the National Parks like Rushmore and the Black Hills. A private tour with our guide, Logan, driving so that we could both take in the scenic views and learn the history/ background of the park. I did not know that Iron Mtn road was created to show us multiple views of Rushmore on our way.. and the reason homesteaders thought the hills were black ! Multiple stops, hikes, lunch, private places to enjoy the wonder! Logan was very knowledgeable, (biology, history, animal sighting) and made the day fun and enjoyable!!! Highly recommend!!
★★★★★2 weeks agoWe spent two days touring with Daniel and learning so much about the beauty and diversity of South Dakota. He has so much knowledge. We have done tours all over the world and Daniel is perhaps the most knowledgable and entertaining guide we’ve ever had. We think if you want to really experience South Dakota, give XO Adventures a call!
★★★★★2 months agoMy husband and I just took a My XO Adventures Badlands “sunset and golden hour” photo tour from Retired Dan. It was phenomenal - and highly recommended! He picked us up a bit before 3:00 p.m. and whisked us off to Badlands National Park. Along the way he gave us some history about the development of the Rapid City area, and how it’s connected to this land. The photos started once we entered the park, with some prairie dogs and cattle. We quickly started shooting the stunning geography. Then we became the subjects as well! Dan challenged us to climb to “just to right spots” to get some spectacular shots. As the sun started setting and the “golden hour” arrived, we were treated to a real show by Mother Nature. Once the stars came out, Dan gave us some astronomy lessons - and helped us capture some great shots of the Milky Way. Along the way, Dan made sure to stop for bio breaks, ensured we had snacks, and were well hydrated (it’s super-dry here). We also stopped for dinner (everyone packs their own) after witnessing the glorious sunset. We cannot recommend this experience enough!
★★★★★4 months 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 agoI can’t recommend this company and its wonderful guides enough. The experience from beginning to end was seamless and stress free. Having never been to this part of the country, we booked back to back days to make sure we got the chance to really see/experience all that this beautiful land had to offer and to learn more about the Lakota. The tour guides were knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and fun! If you’re lucky enough to get a Dan - there are two and we had both, you’ll have an amazing tour. The tour was not a scripted presentation - it was a thoughtful, customized and engaging experience that exceeded our expectations! Dan brought in a Native American educator named Jake who joined us for the trip and shared with us his perspective. Don’t think twice about booking with My XO Adventures, an awesome adventure awaits you!
