The Black Hills Full Monty Tour

The Only Way to Fully Experience the Black Hills

The Black Hills Full Monty Tour Overview

Welcome to the Best Tour of the Black Hills, The Black Hills Full Monty My XO Adventures will pick you up directly from your accommodations and take you on a memorable tour of the Southern Black Hills. This private tour takes you to the most spectacular highlights such as Mount Rushmore, Iron Mountain Road, Custer State Park, Needles Highway, and Crazy Horse Memorial.

If you enjoy a personal tour with in-depth knowledge of the area, then you’ve come to the right place. The tour length is approximately 10 hours and includes lunch and dinner. We’ll learn about the monuments, memorials, and wildlife throughout the tour, including the Bison of Custer State Park.

Wildlife Loop Road is a must-see, and the big bus tours cannot reach this area. With our Private Tour, it’s all about you and seeing the places that are off the beaten path. So sit back, relax and enjoy your time here. We love what we do and look forward to showing you why the Black Hills Full Monty Tour is the best way to explore this fantastic place.

Key Highlights

Iron Mountain Road & Pigtail Bridges
Tunnels of Iron Mountain Road
Custer State Park & Wildlife Loop Road
Sylvan Lake and Needles Highway
Coolidge Lookout Tower
Cathedral Spire
Palmer Gulch
Crazy Horse Memorial

Tour Inclusions

Fully Customizable
Fresh Picnic Lunch (Weather Permitting)
Leisurely Pace, No Rushing
Discounts for 3 or more persons
All Guides CPR/AED Certified
Expert Guide of the Black Hills
Snacks & Goodies
Bottled Water
Pick up & Drop off at your accommodations
Photos Taken By The Guide
Private Tour Exclusive to Your Group
All Admissions and Entry Fees

Note We have changed our pricing to a PER VEHICLE rather than a PER PERSON pricing.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

We are happy to offer our customers convenient payment plan options.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We recommend you never Travel without Insurance and Travel Protection.

Q&A'S

You may have questions when traveling to someplace new and exciting.

Explore
Iron Mountain Road and the Pigtail Bridges

As you ascend Iron Mountain Road, the stunning view of hills and forests full of animals creates an unforgettable sight. Unforeseen attractions like the Pigtail Bridges are at every turn. Intended to make the ride fun, these bridges decrease our speed and allow you to take in the immense granite spires, Aspens, and Ponderosas.

The Tunnels of Iron Mountain Road

Iron Mountain Road takes you through three tunnels cut into the ancient Black Hills granite. They are narrow enough for us to fit and are designed to frame Mt Rushmore, just don’t stick your hand out the window!

We’ll take pictures, and if it’s not crowded, you can go inside to experience being inside a mountain. The tunnels are named after significant contributors to the road and area: Doane Robinson, CC Gideon, and Scoval Johnson.

At Norbeck Overlook, you’ll see Black Elk Peak, the Six Grandfathers, the Cathedral Spires, and a vast forest of Ponderosa Pines! On the ground, you’ll notice red rocks thrust up from the earth, which is why they call this place Iron Mountain. It’s the abundance of iron-rich schist. This rock is oxidized, has the color of rust, and looks like petrified wood. The Black Hills Full Monty Tour covers a lot of ground!

Custer State Park and the Wildlife Loop Road

We now reach Custer State Park. Your first stop at the visitor center is an excellent introduction to Wildlife Loop Road, a well-known spot in SD. On the drive, Wildlife Loop Road is the best chance to view various birds, bison, elk, deer, prairie dogs, and pronghorn. Along with wildlife, the geology is also prominent, with red sandstone and yellow limestone seen in the Black Hills. Be prepared for bison approaching our vehicle – and stay inside!

Sylvan Lake and the Needles Highway

Depending on the weather, we’ll picnic, visit a restaurant, then journey to Sylvan Lake, South Dakota, renowned for its beauty in the Black Hills.

We safely drive the Needles Highway and Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, then explore the lake and a side trail to the store. It’s a popular wedding spot, so we’ll take all the photos you want before continuing.

As we journey, we approach the Needles Eye Tunnel, an often missed Needles Eye. The Needles Eye is an ancient formation that can only be observed from a few locations. In the small parking area, we’ll get out of the vehicle and look to the sky to witness the Needles Eye’s glory on your Black Hills Full Monty Tour!

Cathedral Spires

The Cathedral Spires, in the mountains of South Dakota, are a remarkable rock formation. Doane Robinson envisioned carving faces into them, but Gutzon Borglum found the rock unsuitable.

Locals were outraged when they heard about plans to carve the spires. Thankfully, the Spires remain intact, and we can visit them today on our Black Hills Full Monty Tour to take pictures of this special antiquity. What’s not to love about The Black Hills Full Monty Tour?

Coolidge Lookout Tower

During their visit, you’ll also enjoy learning about the history of Coolidge Lookout Tower. While exploring its observation deck, you’ll learn about how it was used by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s to detect forest fires and monitor weather conditions.

Coolidge Lookout Tower is one of the most remarkable attractions in Custer State Park, offering breathtaking views and a unique glimpse into its past. The Black Hills Full Monty Tour is full of awe-inspiring viewpoints and learning opportunities. Coolidge Lookout Tower will surely provide a memorable experience that will last a lifetime.

Palmer Gulch

If you’re looking for a truly unique and breathtaking experience, let us take you on a drive down Palmer Gulch in beautiful Custer State Park. This winding dirt road is named after the original European Settlers of the area, Edgar and Lula Palmer. It’s now a popular destination for visitors who want an up-close view of Black Elk Peak, the highest point in South Dakota, and to take in all the beauty that Mother Nature offers.

On your journey through Palmer Gulch, you’ll be surrounded by stunning Aspen trees on either side of the path. These majestic trees are illuminated with gorgeous golden leaves during autumn, creating a stunning backdrop for outdoor activities like camping or hiking.

Keep your eyes peeled as you traverse this route; you may even spot some of the park’s wildlife, including wild turkeys and deer.

The winding dirt road lined with Aspen trees and views of Black Elk Peak is a feast for the eyes. This is why we call it the Black Hills Full Monty Tour. You get it all!

Carzy Horse Memorial

Lastly, we head to Crazy Horse. Once complete, it will be the world’s largest sculpture. Carved by Korczak Ziolkowski at Chief Standing Bear’s request, it’s an amazing sight. At the parking lot peak, we’ll share what we know about Crazy Horse. Inside the museum, you’ll learn about his family and foundation. Artifacts, as well as a plaster mini-replica, are displayed.

By the time we’re finished and have you safely back home, we hope you’ve had an excellent experience. It’s our pleasure to share our knowledge and hopefully make new friends in the process!

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