Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills in Rapid City
Rapid City, United States

Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills

Outty Ranking 87 4.8 · 433 traveler reviews9 hoursFrom $133

Pick your date

Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.

September 2026

SMTWTFS

Loading live availability

Who is going?

Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.

From, per person$133
View availability on Viator

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.

Instant mobile ticketSpots available today

Outty Ranking

87/100

Exceptional. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 433 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills worth booking?

Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills is a 9-hour experience in Rapid City, United States, from $133 per person. It scores 87 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 433 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
87 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (433)
Duration
9 hours
From
$133 per person

Join us on a journey through the breathtaking landscapes and historic landmarks of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. Our Sightseeing Bus Tour Only package is designed for those who wish to explore the area’s stunning s

What you get

    About this experience

    Join us on a journey through the breathtaking landscapes and historic landmarks of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. Our Sightseeing Bus Tour Only package is designed for those who wish to explore the area’s stunning scenery and rich history without the additional meal package. Mount Rushmore Tours is the longest operating local family owned and operated tour company in the Black Hills. Founded in 1973 and since 2023 second generation owned and operated, we are widely regarded as the local experts in the bus tours for Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills.

    What's included

    Included

    • Public transportation (bus, subway, cable car, etc.)
    • In-vehicle air conditioning
    • On-board restrooms
    • Entrance fees

    Not included

    • Driver / Guide Gratuity
    • Lunch
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
    • Bottled water
    • Private transportation

    What you'll see and do

    1. Fort Hays Old West Town and Dinner Show

      Your tour starts at Fort Hays Chuckwagon by checking into the Fort Hays Headquarters Building between 7:45-8am to get your printed tickets with your assigned Bus for the day.

      45 minutes here

    2. Mount Rushmore National Memorial

      The bus departs at 9am and heads for Mount Rushmore! You will have a little over an hour to look around at your own convenience and enjoy the sites and beauty that you came to South Dakota for. We stop here first because Mount Rushmore is at it's best in the morning sun. Gutzon Borglum carved this mountain facing east towards the morning sun and intended it to be viewed this way.

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Iron Mountain Road

      After leaving Mount Rushmore we will travel along the Iron Mountain Road. A beautiful 17 mile road of breath taking scenery featuring 3 one lane tunnels that perfectly frame Mount Rushmore.

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    4. Custer State Park Resort

      We stop for lunch inside Custer State Park at the Game Lodge and previous summer White House for president Calvin Coolidge. Try the Buffalo Stew, it's the best you will ever find!

      60 minutes here

    5. South Dakota 87

      After lunch we depart for the Needles Hwy. This 14 mile scenic drive is sure to leave you breathless and awe struck at amazing beauty of the Black Hills. Sit back and enjoy the ride and watch the crowd gather around when we drive the bus through the Needles Eye Tunnel. With only inches to spare on each side of the bus you can relish in the fact that you are not the one driving.

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    6. Sylvan Lake

      Take a rest stop and coffee break at the beautiful Sylvan Lake. This is among the crown jewels of Custer State Park and the beauty within it.

      20 minutes here · Admission included

    7. Crazy Horse Memorial

      We spend about an hour at Crazy Horse Memorial. You are on your own to spend this time enjoying this piece of history in the making. Upon completion it will be the largest mountain carving in the world! Truly a piece of awe inspiring history being worked on every day.

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Rapid City

    The tour starts at Fort Hays Chuckwagon with checkin from 7:50-8:00am. Checkin is 45 mins before the bus departure to give you enough time to explore Fort Hays. It is conveniently located on Hwy 16 just south of Rapid City on the road to Mount Rushmore. (Just 12 minutes from downtown Rapid City)

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    The tour starts at Fort Hays Chuckwagon with checkin from 7:50-8:00am. Checkin is 45 mins before the bus departure to give you enough time to explore Fort Hays. It is conveniently located on Hwy 16 just south of Rapid City on the road to Mount Rushmore. (Just 12 minutes from downtown Rapid City)

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Mount Rushmore Tours

    Know before you go

    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Service animals allowed
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills in Rapid City, photo 2Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills in Rapid City, photo 3Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills in Rapid City, photo 4Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills in Rapid City, photo 5Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills in Rapid City, photo 6Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills in Rapid City, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 430 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    9 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    8 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Food and drink

    2 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Traveler reviews

    430 verified traveler reviews for Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    363
    4 star
    49
    3 star
    10
    2 star
    6
    1 star
    2
    Sort
    Amy_R · August 2026

    Dan is The Man!!

    Very informative, great guide...Dan was EXCELLENT!! He made it fun, exciting and we enjoyed every minute of it.

    via Viator

    Ashley_M · August 2026

    Great experience! A must do in the Black Hills

    This day trip was excellent. Our tour guide Billy was top-notch A+. He’s been doing this to her for 10 years. He is very knowledgeable and gives historical information, details on the area the entire trip. Plenty of stops for photo opportunities. Do not hesitate to take the bus tour. Do you get to be the passenger, take plenty of photos and videos while being driven, and also get a lot of information that otherwise you would not know if I just taking a private car ride through these areas. We were lucky and saw a huge heard of Buffalo in Custer State Park after lunch. Billy even inquired over lunch to find out if the buffalo were out and was going to take us to the location where they were at so we could view them. Would recommend this to her.

    via Viator

    lindadD7821NK · August 2026

    Bucket list

    We had a fantastic time on our tour. Our guide Dan was great. He gave us a lot of history on each of our stops along with always checking to make our visit better. I will definitely recommend it to others.

    via Tripadvisor

    Teresa_S · August 2026

    Great Decision

    This is a great option to see multiple national parks/monument’s in one day and you don’t have to do the driving which is a plus in my book. Dan our tour guide/driver was very knowledgeable and hilarious!

    via Viator

    Jolie_H · August 2026

    Amazing day

    Amazing day today with our guide, can’t remember his name but was lovely and polite, always entertaining on the bus ride and so knowledgeable about the area! Would 100% recommend

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    9 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    152
    Verdict
    Exceptional

    Why this scores 87

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)86
    Review evidence (18% weight)95
    Booking momentum (14% weight)95
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)77
    Local standing (8% weight)43
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rapid City.

    How much does Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills cost?

    +

    Prices start at $133 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Rapid City usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills take?

    +

    Plan for about 9 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Rapid City is not rushed.

    Is Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 87 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 433 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Rapid City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills?

    +

    Around 152 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Rapid City can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Rapid City and add a light layer if any part of the 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Rapid City within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Rapid City?

    +

    Rapid City is the base for Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse tours, Badlands National Park loops, Custer State Park wildlife drives and Black Hills cave visits. On Outty we rank every Rapid City experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Mount Rushmore and Black Hills Tour with Two Meals and a Music Variety Show, PREMIER PRIVATE Tour: Mt Rushmore, CrazyHorse & Custer State Park, Pinnacle Zipline Tour in Keystone. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Rapid City?

    +

    May to September, with Sturgis crowding early August. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Rapid City?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills.

    Pick your date