Exclusive: Rushmore, Custer State Park & Crazy Horse
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 99 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Exclusive: Rushmore, Custer State Park & Crazy Horse worth booking?
Exclusive: Rushmore, Custer State Park & Crazy Horse is a 8-hour experience in Rapid City, United States, from $648 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 99 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (99)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $648 per person
Welcome to My XO Adventures! This is your tour, for your group! We don't mix with strangers on this adventure to ensure it's extraordinary. Your tour will be unscripted, unique, and back-road driven. We are always tuned
What you get
About this experience
Welcome to My XO Adventures! This is your tour, for your group! We don't mix with strangers on this adventure to ensure it's extraordinary. Your tour will be unscripted, unique, and back-road driven. We are always tuned in to your particular interests and automatically adjust accordingly. We aim to ensure you've had the most amazing experience possible. We do what we want, when we want, where we want. Think of it as the difference between a fast-food burger and a gourmet steak. We’ll customize your experience based on your interests, timing, and comfort level. Our extensive knowledge of the Black Hills means you’ll see famous spots and hidden gems that other tours can’t reach. This is your exclusive adventure, designed to create unforgettable memories in the Black Hills. We'll take you anywhere in the Black Hills within an 8-10 hour time period. Lunch is included.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Carbonated beverages
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Rapid City
Visit and learn about the Hay Camp gone wild. Rapid City is the newest and largest city in the Black Hills. Find out why, and all the best places to visit!
30 minutes here
Keystone
Keystone is also home to several museums and historic sites, including the National Presidential Wax Museum and the Big Thunder Gold Mine. These attractions offer visitors a glimpse into the area's history and make for a fun and educational experience for the whole family.
30 minutes here
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
It's only the most recognized monumental carving in the United States. You wouldn't want to miss that would you? Come see Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt & Lincoln in this artistic masterpiece. Learn about the men behind the concept, and the workers that made it happen.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Iron Mountain Road
Iron Mountain Road was said to be impossible to build. Let's see what it's like to drive a challenge accepted. This road goes through the Black Hills, pigtail curves bridges, and tunnels on our way to stunning views. **If booked in winter months, accessibility is based on road closures and weather**
60 minutes here · Admission included
Custer State Park Visitor Center
We'll stop here for a restroom break and learn about the park. Next, we're off to the Wildlife Loop Road for spotting some Bison.
20 minutes here
The spires are located near the southern end of the Needles Highway and can be seen from several viewpoints along the road. The formations are made up of granite rock and rise hundreds of feet into the air, creating a stunning and otherworldly landscape.
15 minutes here
Mount Coolidge Fire Lookout Tower
The 60-foot-tall tower, built in the 1930s, has steps leading to the top, where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Black Hills and the surrounding prairie. On a clear day, you can even see the Badlands.
45 minutes here
Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway
Threading the eye of the needle is the best part. Find out why they call this the Needles Highway and be prepared to traverse a few windy roads and tunnels along the way. Who knows what you might find? **If booked in winter months, accessibility is based on road closures and weather**
90 minutes here · Admission included
Wildlife Loop Road
Ready for some wildlife? How about mega-fauna like the American Bison? This is our best shot at seeing these massive and beautiful creatures on the wildlife loop of Custer State Park. Over 1500 Bison exist here, along with pronghorn, antelope, big horn sheep, ferrets, prairie dogs, and a variety of birds. We'll stop at the visitors center before proceeding into the Wildlife Loop Road.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Needles Eye
After traveling through the Needles Eye Tunnel, we enter an other-wordly space that contains the rare and natural formation, the Needles Eye.
10 minutes here · Admission included
Sylvan Lake
Considered the most beautiful lake in the Black Hills, we'll stop here to take it all in. Sylvan Lake is like no other you've seen. Rock formations surround the lake, and trails head out in every direction. Americana at its best! **If booked in winter months, accessibility is based on road closures and weather**
30 minutes here · Admission included
Crazy Horse Memorial
Enter the culture and history before settlers arrived in the scene. This monument is dedicated to one of the most important indigenous people of the area, Crazy Horse. A courageous, and complicated warrior, he truly left his imprint upon this land. It's a fascinating story that must be told. let's visit the monument, watch a movie and make out way through some of the most interesting Native American artifacts of this land. *On certain days during the winter the museum is closed. In this case, we will view the mountain, tell the story of Crazy Horse as well as the carver of the Mountain*
45 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- My XO Adventures
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Guests must be able to transfer in and out of the vehicle under their own power.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 99 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
99 verified traveler reviews for Exclusive: Rushmore, Custer State Park & Crazy Horse. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing experience. Highly recommend.
Unequivocally and enthusiastically a five star experience. I took two tours with My XO Adventures, one to the Badlands with Dan and one to the Black Hills with Daniel (shout out to Amiee as well). You will not find more personable and knowledgeable guides. A tour with My XO Adventures will be your tour, personalized and entirely flexible. If I could give them ten stars I would. Book with XO!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for this thoughtful review! I can’t tell you how much it means to us. The Badlands and Central Black Hills are two of my favorite places to share, and it was a real pleasure getting to explore them with you. I’ll make sure Dan and Amiee see your kind words—they’ll be just as grateful as I am. Thanks again for trusting My XO Adventures with your time out here, and I hope our paths cross again on another adventure!
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic tour. Informative and fun.
Our group of 4 decided at the last minute to look for a tour as the 2 class B vans we are in are too high for some of the tunnels in the Black Hills. We looked at reviews and called XO and they worked to set up a tour the next morning. Was well worth the money. Our guide Daniel was fantastic. He was knowledgeable, fun, and a skilled story teller. We got such great insights regarding the area. It was obvious he is a seasoned guide who loves his job. We were treated like good friends. He asked us what we wanted to see and planned a route accordingly, plus he made some great suggestions and we enjoyed seeing some wonderful places off the beaten path. He also had a camera and took pics at each stop and at the end of the trip provided them to us. His photos were fantastic and professional. We wouldn’t hesitate to go on another XO tour. We have gone on a number of tours over the years. Daniel ranks as one of the top guides we have had the pleasure to meet.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for the incredible review! I’m so glad we were able to get you scheduled last minute and that the tour worked out perfectly for your group. It means a lot to hear that you felt treated like friends and enjoyed the off-the-beaten-path spots—we love tailoring tours to what each group wants most. I truly appreciate your kind words about my guiding and photography, and I’m thrilled you enjoyed the photos! It was a pleasure spending the day with you all, and I’d be honored to welcome you back for another adventure anytime. XOXO
via Tripadvisor
Badlands, Black Hills and Bravehearts 3 Day Tour
Day 1 of my 3 Day South Dakota adventure with Daniel and XO completely exceeded my expectations! The day started off with an introduction to the area which included some interesting insights on geology. Next we visited Mount Rushmore where, Daniel was able to bring more detail and depth to the story of Mount Rushmore making the visit more memorable. After visiting Mount Rushmore, we drove through the famous Iron Mountain highway taking in pigtail bridges and beautiful vistas. Other lovely highlights of the day included a picnic in Custer State Park where we spotted lots of wildlife, however the best highlight was the heading out to the Badlands after dark for a night of stargazing. This experience was truly magical! Daniel’s expertise in knowing the perfect locations within the Badlands and incredible attention to detail (monitoring weather conditions) unlocked this amazing experience. I highly recommend XO Adventures!
Response from the operator: Julia, Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! It was such a pleasure having you on the 3 Day South Dakota adventure, and I’m thrilled to hear that Day 1 exceeded your expectations. I’m glad you enjoyed the mix of geology insights, Mount Rushmore history, and the beauty of Iron Mountain Highway. The wildlife in Custer State Park and our stargazing in the Badlands are always special, and I’m so happy the conditions worked out perfectly for your visit. Your kind words mean a lot, and I truly appreciate your recommendation. I hope the rest of your adventure was just as memorable, and I’d love to welcome you back for another journey with XO Adventures in the future!
via Tripadvisor
The Mount Rushmore Cherry on top of our SD Vacation
I had been eyeing XO Adventures for a few weeks before our trip and was too busy to pull the trigger. The 2 Sundays before the trip, I spoke with Aimee to have a few questions answered and then book for the week after. I was looking for a service-minded team that could take my family (2 adults, 2 kids - 9 & 15) and I on an adventure to see the many sights and talk about the historical region, significant events, context and frame of reference for the events, and the aftermath. At the same time, share hidden knowledge and locations to spawn some interest for my daughter into American History, as she is taking it this coming year. Aimee helped me set that up, checked in with us up to and through our experiences including planning meals and I'm eternally grateful. Day 2: We took the tour of the Black Hills, Custer State Park, Needles Highway, both monuments, and Cathedral Spires. This was a different type of tour as it was more travelling around from place to place but, much like with Dan, it was a conversation with Daniel, our tour guide, of what did we wanted out of it and setting a pace we were comfortable but with many more places with lots more people. Again, XO Adventures knocked our socks off. There was attention to detail and none of us wanted to be overwhelmed by people and tourists in spots as it was the last day of a week-long vacation. Daniel made it happen just the way we all wanted it. Daniel was aware we wanted to know about the region and scouting it out for a potential place to live and he made sure that we talked about that perspective as we went. We started off with a tour of Rapid City, origins and locations with their influence. From there, we went to Mt. Rushmore where we found a quiet place and talked about how it came about, the history of the people involved, and then took pictures. This took us down a path exploring the different presidents that had been in the region, mining, sculptors, and why Rapid City and the surrounding towns were so important at different points in time. This led to us going to Custer, exploring the museum in the courthouse, a must see, and grabbing lunch that we took to a nice spot on a lake for a picnic. It was peaceful watching the hawks and hearing the leaves blow in the wind as we ate our sandwiches from the Deli in Custer (fantastic by the way!!!). From here, we went to the Crazy Horse monument and then continued through several of the other locations on our itinerary at our pace. This leads to the highlights of the adventure: a heard of bison mixed with the vehicles on the road, male bulls wrestling and having an up close and personal look at how they live, but safely, and then the cherry on top. The cherry for this adventure was a surprise scenic look at Mount Rushmore as it was lit up. It was AMAZING! This may be long winded, but I wanted to try and share some of the magic XO adventures provides as you go on a journey through a story that they provide a few story items, but you get to pick your own adventure. I will always recommend and share my experience about our two adventures. I encourage you to check them out too. I know we will work with them again if we get back there next year for more adventures! Extremely memorable and the cherry on top of our vacation!
Response from the operator: This one hit me straight in the heart. You didn’t just take a tour—you immersed yourself in the story, the land, the history, and the experience with your whole family. That’s the difference, it’s why the day has become so special to me as well. I'm really happy that Amiee’s care and attention before you arrived set the tone. Thats exactly what she is there to do, and it sounds like she hit a bullseye. I’m happy to hear we were able to follow through on everything you hoped for—and then some. I know how important it was for you to see the region not just as a traveler, but as someone scouting out a potential future here. It’s an honor to be part of that process. You all were thoughtful, curious, and intentional about how we moved through the day. It made the whole experience great for me, too! And those bison? Wild timing. Thank you for allowing me to guide your family. And thank you for this incredible review! It reads like a chapter out of your trip, and I’m grateful to have been part of the story. Looking forward to the next adventure when you’re back out this way. Please reach out to us when you return. There's a lifetime of adventures here! —Daniel Owner, My XO Adventures
via Tripadvisor
Repeat customer; another exceptional experience with My XO Adventures
We spent two unforgettable days touring South Dakota with our incredible guide Daniel from My XO Adventures. He took us on a comprehensive journey through the region’s stunning and iconic sites, including Custer State Park, Needles Highway, Sylvan Lake, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, the Badlands, Wall Drug, and even a fascinating ghost town. The wildlife sightings were truly spectacular — it felt like a National Geographic photoshoot with how close we got. What really set this tour apart was Daniel’s deep storytelling and his extensive knowledge of the history and culture behind each destination. His passion and expertise brought the entire experience to life in a way that’s rare to find. Beyond his vast knowledge, Daniel was incredibly kind, generous, and genuinely attentive to our needs. He expertly tailored the experience to our preferences, making our vacation seamless, stress-free, and filled with pure enjoyment and discovery. I am incredibly grateful for this experience and wholeheartedly recommend My XO Adventures to anyone looking to explore South Dakota with an expert who truly cares about making their trip exceptional.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for this incredible review! It was genuinely my pleasure sharing South Dakota's beauty, wildlife, and stories with you. Experiences like ours remind me why I love what I do—connecting with amazing guests and bringing the Black Hills and Badlands to life through stories and adventures. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the wildlife sightings and felt the magic of places like Custer State Park, Sylvan Lake, and the Badlands. Thank you for noticing the attention to detail—I truly believe every journey should feel personal and unforgettable. You both were a joy to guide, and I hope these memories stay with you for a lifetime. If your adventures ever bring you back this way, I’d love to explore even more hidden corners of South Dakota together!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 35
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Exclusive: Rushmore, Custer State Park & Crazy Horse: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rapid City.
How much does Exclusive: Rushmore, Custer State Park & Crazy Horse cost?
+
Prices start at $648 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 Exclusive: Rushmore, Custer State Park & Crazy Horse take?
+
Plan for about 8 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 Exclusive: Rushmore, Custer State Park & Crazy Horse worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 99 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Rapid City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Exclusive: Rushmore, Custer State Park & Crazy Horse?
+
No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Exclusive: Rushmore, Custer State Park & Crazy Horse suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Exclusive: Rushmore, Custer State Park & Crazy Horse?
+
Around 35 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 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Exclusive: Rushmore, Custer State Park & Crazy Horse 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, Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills, PREMIER PRIVATE Tour: Mt Rushmore, CrazyHorse & Custer State Park. 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 Exclusive: Rushmore, Custer State Park & Crazy Horse.
Pick your date
