Talk to Your Guide: (605) 252-9100
Talk to Your Guide: (605) 252-9100
Every tour on this page is private to your group, and your guide picks you up at your Rapid City hotel or rental. The table shows what each tour costs for two guests, what each extra guest adds and how long the day runs, so you can compare them in one place before you choose.
| Private tour | For two, from | Each extra guest, from | Up to | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Rushmore and Black Hills | $845.75 | $212.50 | 8 | 8 hours |
| Mount Rushmore and the Big Badlands | $1,018.30 | $318.75 | 6 | 9 hours |
| Devils Tower and Spearfish Canyon | $1,011.50 | $297.50 | 5 | 10 hours |
| Black Hills Wildlife | $1,425 | $385 | 4 | 8 hours |
| Mount Rushmore Illumination | $435 | No charge | 6 | 4 hours |
| Badlands National Park | $760.75 | $212.50 | 8 | 7 hours |
| Badlands Wildlife Expedition | $1,749 | $385 | 4 | 8 hours |
| Badlands Sunrise | $930.75 | $212.50 | 4 | 6 hours |
| Badlands Sunset and Golden Hour | $845.75 | $297.50 | 8 | 7 hours |
| Badlands Sunset and Night Sky | $845.75 | $297.50 | 8 | 7 hours |
| Spearfish Canyon and Bear Butte Hiking | 4 | 8 hours | ||
| Black Hills Winter Wonderland | $672.35 | $212.50 | 5 | 7 hours |
| Badlands Winter Wonderland | $672.35 | $212.50 | 5 | 6 hours |
| Three-day Black Hills vacation package | $2,567.85 | $767.12 | 5 | 3 days |
Each price is the lowest a tour date sells at, and you see your date’s price before you pay.
Every tour is private to your party, with pickup from your Rapid City area hotel or vacation rental. A private day in Badlands National Park is from $760.75 for two guests plus tax and fees, and from $212.50 for each additional guest. The private Mount Rushmore and Black Hills day is from $845.75 for two guests plus tax and fees, and from $212.50 for each additional guest. Mount Rushmore and the Big Badlands in one day is from $1,018.30 for two guests plus tax and fees, and from $318.75 for each additional guest. The Mount Rushmore Illumination evening is from $435 for a private group of up to six guests.
Park entry fees, water, snacks and photos taken by your guide are included on every tour, and a picnic lunch is included on some tours and a $20 per person add-on on others. Tours run from four to ten hours, groups run from two to eight guests, and your guide is one of the named, certified guides on our Meet Your Guides page. My XO Adventures is rated 5.0 out of 5 on Google by 657 travelers. If the Badlands is all you want, our own Badlands Tour Company runs stargazing, sunset and wildlife tours that never leave the park.
If you’re craving space, silence, and a trip that doesn’t feel like a checklist, you’re in the right place. These tours are built for modern travel. Less planning and fewer decisions, more presence and meaning. We use timing, pacing, and local context to help you experience the Black Hills and Badlands in a way that feels calm, unhurried and yours.
Here’s what that looks like in real life.
• Low decision travel: You don’t have to keep choosing what’s next. The day flows.
• Quiet first pacing: We lean into the moments when the land is calm and the crowds thin.
• Road trip made intentional: The drive becomes part of the experience, not dead time.
• Meaning over mileage: Stories, geology, wildlife, and history turn scenery into connection.
• Personal by design: Private tours, flexible timing, and space for conversation or quiet.
Private, locally guided tours designed for couples, families, and small groups exploring the Black Hills and Badlands. If you’re also planning time on your own, we’ve written guides to the hidden trails in the Black Hills and the hidden backroads of the Black Hills.
You can absolutely explore this region on your own. The difference with a private, locally guided tour is how the day feels. You’re not chasing parking, guessing at routes, or constantly deciding what’s next. Timing is handled. The pacing is intentional. The drive becomes part of the story. You get to stay present while the Black Hills and Badlands unfold in a way that feels calm, personal, and deeply worth remembering.
Here’s what you gain when the logistics disappear.
We take care of the route, timing, and flow, so you can relax into the experience instead of managing it. No second-guessing. No rushing. Just a day that makes sense.
Crowds, light, wildlife activity, and weather all shape what you experience. Local knowledge helps us move with the rhythm of the day, not against it.
This region is made for the open road. We build the drive into the experience with scenic pacing, smart stops, and the kind of context that turns miles into meaning.
Every tour is private and flexible. We adjust for your interests, your pace, and your curiosity. Some moments invite conversation. Some invite quiet. Both are part of the journey.
Geology, ecology, history, and the human story of this place add depth to every viewpoint. You leave with more than photos. You leave with understanding.
If you tell us what you’re drawn to, we’ll point you toward the tour that fits. Couples, families, photographers, first time visitors, road trip travelers. We’ll match your timing, interests, and pace, then you can relax and enjoy the day.
These landscapes are layered. Geology, Ecology, history, and the human story of the Black Hills and Badlands turn viewpoints into connection. The scenic views in the Black Hills invite exploration and reflection, revealing the intricate balance between nature and culture.
If you tell us what you’re drawn to, we’ll help you choose the tour that fits, then handle the details so you can enjoy the day.
My XO Adventures is a family-owned company based in Rapid City, built around private tours that feel calm, personal, and thoughtfully paced. If you want to step away from crowds and experience the Black Hills and Badlands with meaning, timing, and local context, you’re in the right place.
Every tour is private. That means we can match the day to your interests and your rhythm, with room for quiet moments, great light, and the kind of stories that make the landscape come alive.
Want extra confidence before you book? Take a look at our Google reviews, then choose the tour that fits you best.
Take the guesswork out of it. These three paths help you choose the right Black Hills and Badlands tour for your day. We break it down simply so you can spend less time deciding and more time exploring.
If you want space, fresh air, and unrushed stops, start here. These tours focus on scenic pacing, wildlife opportunities, and the calmer side of the Black Hills and Badlands.
For travelers drawn to golden light and after-dark moments. These tours are built around timing, changing skies, and the feeling of the landscape when the day gets quieter.
If you want to see the classics without feeling rushed, this is your path. Smart timing, thoughtful pacing, and local context turn famous places into something more memorable.
These are the questions travelers ask most when comparing Black Hills tours. If you want help choosing, start here.
All of our tours are private. That means it’s just your group and your guide for the day. No mixed groups, no bus seating charts, and no rigid scripts. The day moves at your pace and adjusts to your interests.
All tours include a professional local guide, transportation, and admission fees to the parks, monuments, and memorials visited. We handle the route planning, timing, and logistics so you can relax and focus on the experience.
Start by thinking about what draws you most. Wildlife and quiet landscapes. Iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore. Scenic drives and canyon views. Or a sunset and night sky experience.
If you’re unsure, tell us what you’re drawn to and we’ll match you with the right Black Hills and Badlands tour based on your timing, interests, and travel style.
Yes. Many of our guests are visiting the Black Hills and Badlands for the first time. Private guiding helps you see the highlights without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. You’ll get context, local insight, and a clear flow to the day instead of trying to piece it together on your own.
Yes. Every tour is private and flexible. We adjust timing, pacing, and stops based on your interests, mobility needs, photography goals, and energy level. Some tours invite more conversation. Others invite quiet. Both are part of the experience.
Most tours begin in Rapid City and surrounding Black Hills areas. We’ll confirm your pickup location when you book. If you’re staying outside the standard area, just ask and we’ll let you know what’s possible.
Tour lengths vary depending on the experience you choose. Our tours run from four to ten hours, and most full days run seven to ten. Sunset and night sky tours run later into the evening. The table at the top of this page gives the length of each tour.
Yes. Many guests choose private tours because they prefer not to navigate mountain roads, wildlife crossings or parking at major landmarks. We handle the driving so you can stay present.
The region is beautiful from late spring through fall. Summer offers long days and active wildlife. Shoulder seasons offer quieter roads and softer light. Winter is the quietest time of all, and our two Winter Wonderland tours are built for it. If timing is flexible, we can help you choose the best tour for your travel window.
Yes. We offer tours that include Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, and other iconic landmarks. We also offer experiences that focus on wildlife, scenic drives, and less visited areas. You can explore all options above and choose what fits your day.
Don't just take our word for it.
See what our clients have to say.
Our clients love experiencing the best tours with us.
★★★★★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!
★★★★★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!
★★★★★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.
