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Private Mount Rushmore & Black Hills Scenic Tour From Rapid City

A fully private, 8 to 9 hour journey through the Black Hills, combining scenic byways, wildlife, and meaningful time at Mount Rushmore. We time the route to avoid peak crowds and let the landscape breathe.

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private mount rushmore & black hills scenic tour from rapid city

A private tour means it’s just your group, no strangers and no added passengers. We follow a curated Black Hills loop that includes Mount Rushmore, scenic byways, wildlife areas, and Crazy Horse Memorial. Along the way, I’ll take professional photos and share them with you at no additional cost.

Tour highlights at a glance

  • Route: Mount Rushmore, Iron Mountain Road, Needles Highway, Custer State Park Wildlife Loop, Sylvan Lake, Cathedral Spires, and Crazy Horse Memorial

  • Private: Private group only, up to 8 guests

  • Duration: 8 to 9 hours

  • Admissions: Included for the parks, monuments, and memorials visited

  • Pickup: Rapid City and Keystone included. Hill City, Custer, and Deadwood available for an added fee

  • Includes: Snacks, water, private vehicle, private guide, professional photography, and admissions

  • Booking: Reserve your date online, or call to plan the best timing

If you want to compare tour styles, timing, and what’s included, start with our guide to the best private tours of Mount Rushmore.

Pricing and minimum

  • Two guest minimum

  • Starting at $473.01 per person (based on 2 guests, tax included)

  • Additional guests reduce the per guest rate automatically at checkout

  • Fully private experience, your group only

What this tour solves for you

Most first time visitors waste daylight on routing, parking, and timing. This tour is designed to remove that friction.

  • You get the best timing, not the busiest timing. We coordinate pickup to avoid the worst crowd windows when possible.

  • You do not have to plan the loop. Your guide builds the route around what you want to see most.

  • You do not have to manage admissions details. Admissions are included for the places we visit.

  • You stay in the moment. Photo stops, short walks, and pacing are handled for you so the day feels easy.

Not sure which private tour is the best fit? See our guide to the best private tours in Rapid City.

Tour Snapshot

Book Your Private Mount Rushmore Tour
  • Tour type: Private (your group only)
  • Admissions to all Parks and Monuments are included.
  • Duration: About 8–9 hours (flexible pacing)
  • Pickup: Rapid City + nearby areas
  • Group size: Up to 8 guests
  • Walking: Easy to moderate (short walks + overlooks)
  • Signature highlights: Mount Rushmore, Iron Mountain Road, Custer State Park, Needles Highway, Sylvan Lake, Crazy Horse Memorial
  • Wildlife opportunities: Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Road (sightings happen on nature’s terms)
  • Operates under a US Forest Service special use permit on the Black Hills National Forest.

Rated 5.0 on Google with over 550 reviews. See reviews.

This Tour Is a Great Fit If

  • You want a private Mount Rushmore tour from Rapid City with a calm, unhurried pace

  • You prefer real context and storytelling, not a rushed photo stop

  • You enjoy scenic drives like Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway as part of the experience

  • You like short walks, overlooks, and photo stops spread naturally through the day

  • You hope for wildlife opportunities in Custer State Park (always on nature’s terms)

  • You appreciate flexibility so the day can adjust to weather, light, and what you’re most excited about

  • Are curious about adding Crazy Horse Memorial as an optional cultural stop, without it being forced

This Tour Is Not A Fit If

  • You need a strict, minute by minute itinerary with no flexibility

  • You prefer a fast checklist tour that squeezes in every possible stop

  • You want long hikes or physically demanding trails

  • You must be back by a hard early time or prefer not to be out for a full day

  • You expect guaranteed wildlife sightings rather than natural possibilities

  • You need step free access at every stop (most stops are easy, but a few include uneven ground or short trails)

  • You prefer a tour that focuses only on Mount Rushmore and nothing else in the Black Hills

 

A Typical Day on the Tour

We start with Mount Rushmore and give you time to experience it without rushing. That usually includes exploring the grounds, visiting the Sculptor’s Studio and the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center, and walking a portion of the Presidential Trail if you want. The focus is not just the photo. It’s the story, the context, and the details most visitors miss when they move too fast.

After Mount Rushmore, the day opens into the Black Hills in a way most people never get on their own. We travel scenic routes like Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway, then slow down in places that invite it, like Sylvan Lake and select stops in Custer State Park. These are not “in between” moments. They are the experience, with time for photos, short walks, and quiet viewpoints when the light is right.

The day stays flexible on purpose. We adjust the flow based on weather, light, road conditions, wildlife movement, and what you’re enjoying most. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but we move patiently and intentionally so you have real opportunities when the landscape offers them.

If it fits your interests and the pacing of the day, we can include Crazy Horse Memorial if requested, and approached with curiosity and respect, not obligation.

If you want to see exactly where we spend meaningful time, scroll down to Places We Spend Time for the stop by stop detail.

iron mountain road on our private mount rushmore tour from rapid city black hills vacation package

Places We Spend Time

This is where we step out of the vehicle and slow down. These are the places where the day becomes personal, where we walk, explore, and spend real time rather than just passing through.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Mount Rushmore deserves more than a quick photo from the parking lot. We take time to explore the grounds, visit the Sculptor’s Studio and Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center, and walk part of the Presidential Trail if you’d like.

Along the way, we talk through how the memorial was built, the story behind its creation, and the perspectives that shape how people experience it today. With the right pacing, it feels thoughtful and memorable rather than rushed.

mount rushmore national memorial
private mount rushmore & black hills scenic tour from rapid city

Iron Mountain Road and the Granite Tunnels

Iron Mountain Road is one of the most thoughtfully designed drives in the Black Hills. The famous pigtail bridges naturally slow the pace, and the narrow granite tunnels frame the landscape like windows. This stretch is part scenic drive, part engineering story, and part “how did they even build this here.” It’s also one of the best places to feel the character of the Hills shifting from open views to tight granite corridors.

iron mountain road and the pigtail bridges
granite tunnel of iron mountain road framing in mount rushmore

Needles Highway, Sylvan Lake, and the Norbeck Scenic Byway

The Needles Highway is not a shortcut. It’s one of the highlights of the day. Granite spires rise close to the road, tunnels narrow down to a single lane, and the landscape feels dramatic without trying to be. Sylvan Lake adds a completely different energy, calm water tucked into stone, with time for photos and a short walk if you’d like. This part of the tour is where the Black Hills feel ancient, textured, and surprisingly intimate.

welcome to the black hills at the cathedral spires
private mount rushmore & black hills scenic tour from rapid city

Custer State Park and Wildlife Loop Road

Custer State Park is where the Black Hills feel most alive. We move through open grasslands and forested valleys where bison, pronghorn, deer, prairie dogs, elk, and a wide range of birds live on their own terms. Sightings are never guaranteed, but this is one of the best places in the region to experience wildlife in a truly natural setting.

Beyond the animals, the landscape itself tells a story. Grasslands shift into ponderosa forest, granite rises from the hills, and the park’s valleys create natural corridors that support wildlife movement. We travel patiently, keep respectful distance, and take time when the land offers something worth watching.

bison in custer state park wildlife loop road directly next to the vehicle.
pronghorn running in custer state park wildlife loop road

Cathedral Spires, Coolidge Lookout, and Quiet Stops

Some places are made for slowing down. Cathedral Spires offers a striking granite landscape and a short walk that feels like stepping into the spine of the Black Hills. Coolidge Lookout Tower provides wide open views that help you understand just how much country the Hills cover. Along the way, we also use a few quieter pullouts and viewpoints to let the day breathe, especially when the light is right or the forest is particularly still.

Cultural Stop at Crazy Horse Memorial

Crazy Horse Memorial is a meaningful cultural stop included in this tour. From the viewing areas and museum, you’ll gain perspective on the scale of the carving, its history, and the broader story it represents. We approach this stop with curiosity and respect, allowing time to explore without rushing.

crazy horse monument
crazy horse memorial full view of the side.
Book Your Mount Rushmore And The Black Hills Tour

Scenic Drives Included in This Tour

The roads are part of the story, not just the route between stops.

Iron Mountain Road

Pigtail bridges and granite tunnels that frame Mount Rushmore in the distance. This drive is engineered to slow you down and make the approach feel iconic, not rushed.

Needles Highway

A dramatic stretch of granite spires, narrow tunnels, and close to the rock scenery. It’s one of the most unforgettable drives in the Black Hills, with pullouts that are worth taking when the view opens up.

Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Road

Rolling prairie and open valleys where bison, pronghorn, deer, and prairie dogs are often seen. We travel patiently and let wildlife sightings happen on nature’s terms.

Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway

The connective thread that ties the day together, blending forests, granite, and viewpoints as we move between Mount Rushmore, Needles, and Sylvan Lake.

needles highway road approaching giant granite peaks

What's Included

  • Admissions included for all parks and monuments

  • Private guided tour for your group only

  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial with time to explore the Sculptor’s Studio, Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center, and parts of the Presidential Trail

  • Time in Custer State Park, including the Wildlife Loop Road

  • Bottled water, soda, and light snacks throughout the day

  • A calm, flexible pace shaped by light, weather, road conditions, and your interests

  • Pickup and drop off in the Rapid City area and nearby locations when arranged in advance

What's Not Included

  • Optional picnic style meal

  • Gratuities for your guide

  • Additional time beyond 9 hours ($99 per hour, subject to availability)

A fresh picnic-style meal is available for $20 per person and is highly recommended. Choosing the lunch option allows us to enjoy quality food in a beautiful setting while saving valuable time that would otherwise be spent waiting at a restaurant. This keeps the day flowing outdoors, where it belongs.

If you’d like to extend your day beyond 9 hours and the guide is available to continue, additional time is billed at $99 per hour.

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Official Park and Site Information

Timing, Lunch, and Extra Time

Timing and Pacing

Plan on approximately 8 to 9 hours for this full day experience. Start times can be adjusted to help avoid peak traffic at Mount Rushmore and along popular scenic routes, especially during summer months. The pace is steady but unhurried, with time built in for walking, wildlife sightings, and spontaneous stops.

Additional time can be arranged by request if you’d like a longer day.

Meal Provisions During the Tour

Light snacks and bottled water are included. If you’d like a simple meal option, we can provide a picnic-style lunch for $20 per guest. Some guests also prefer to bring their own picnic or plan a relaxed stop for a sit-down meal, depending on the day’s flow.

Extend Your Day, If You’d Like

If you’d like more time at Mount Rushmore, longer wildlife viewing in Custer State Park, or extra photo stops along the scenic byways, additional time is available by request. We’ll confirm the added time and cost before your tour day so everything is clear.

Gratuities

We share this because we want to be transparent and because it’s a question many guests have, even if it can feel a little awkward to ask out loud. If you’re wondering what’s normal, you’re not alone.

Gratuities are always optional, but they’re genuinely appreciated and they make a real difference for the guide who’s with you all day. In the Black Hills, a common range for private guiding is $70 to $150 per day, with $100 to $200 per day being typical when guests feel they’ve received exceptional care and attention.

Guides are paid a living wage, and gratuities help support them beyond the basics, especially on long days. For multi day tours, gratuities are customary per day, not as a single total. If tipping isn’t possible, there’s never any pressure. Your kindness and trust mean a lot either way.

Guides accept cash, Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal. If those aren’t convenient, the home office can process a gratuity of any amount and add it directly to the guide’s paycheck.

What to Bring

Even on warm days, the Black Hills can shift quickly with elevation, wind, and changing weather. A little preparation keeps the day comfortable and relaxed, especially when we’re moving between scenic drives, overlooks, and short walks.

  • A warm layer, even in summer (a light jacket or fleece goes a long way)
  • Closed toe shoes for short walks and uneven ground
  • Sun protection such as sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat
  • Your camera or phone, plus a portable charger if you use it for photos
  • Any personal items you rely on during the day, including medications
  • A reusable water bottle

If you’re unsure about conditions on the day of your tour, we’re always happy to offer guidance ahead of time. The goal isn’t to be overprepared, but to feel comfortable and at ease as the day unfolds.

Explore More With My XO Adventures

Planning your own itinerary first? Start with our Rapid City to Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park day trip guide.

FAQ: Mount Rushmore Private Tour

Mount Rushmore is iconic, but the way you experience it makes all the difference. This tour is designed to avoid rushed moments, heavy traffic stress, and surface-level visits. These questions help you understand how the day flows and why timing matters.

What makes a private Mount Rushmore tour better than visiting on our own?

A private tour removes guesswork. You don’t have to navigate traffic patterns, parking timing, or sequencing stops. The day is structured to reduce congestion, maximize scenic routes, and give you context that transforms the monument from a photo stop into a story.

Earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon typically offers lighter crowds and more balanced lighting on the faces. Midday can be busier and brighter, so timing adjustments make a noticeable difference.

Usually 60 to 90 minutes, depending on interest. That allows time for the Avenue of Flags, Presidential Trail viewpoints, exhibits, and photos without feeling rushed.

Yes. The surrounding Black Hills offer scenic highways, tunnels, lakes, and cultural landmarks that complement the monument. The full experience is about context, not just one stop.

Most walking is optional and moderate. There are paved paths and viewing areas, and we adjust pacing based on your group’s comfort level.

We structure start times and routing to minimize the impact of peak congestion. Flexibility is built into the day so you’re not stuck in predictable traffic patterns.

Yes, it can be included as an optional stop at no extra charge if you’d like to see it. We discuss timing and interest before the day begins so it fits naturally into the flow.

Absolutely. We position stops and timing to give you clean angles, scenic tunnels framing the monument, and additional viewpoints many visitors miss.

Reserve Your Mount Rushmore Experience

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Black Hills Parks, Monuments and Mt Rushmore Tour

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