
Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 95 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour worth booking?
Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour is a 8-hour experience in Rapid City, United States, from $312 per person. It scores 81 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 95 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 81 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (95)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $312 per person
What makes this tour unique is the combination of three of Western South Dakota's most iconic destinations – Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop – into a single, comprehensive, and fully narrated experience. Over 8-9 hours, you'll not just see these landmarks, but gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for their history, cultural significance, and natural beauty. We always give the guest time to buy their lunch during the tour.
What you get
About this experience
What makes this tour unique is the combination of three of Western South Dakota's most iconic destinations – Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop – into a single, comprehensive, and fully narrated experience. Over 8-9 hours, you'll not just see these landmarks, but gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for their history, cultural significance, and natural beauty. We always give the guest time to buy their lunch during the tour.
What's included
Included
- English Guide
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Entrance fee
- Snacks
Not included
- Gratuities
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
If the weather is good we go to Mt. Rushmore first for 1½ hours. There is a 14 minute video about the carving, the sculptor Gutzon Borglum, and workers. The Lincoln Borglum Museum has some great displays about Borglum, his family and his works, the mountain and machinery and the workers. The Presidential Trail is a gradually inclining walk that goes under the faces in the rock rubble with great spots for pictures of the individual faces. If you go further there is a strenuous walk down to the Sculptor’s Studio (open only in the summer months) then back up to the viewing terrace. The Avenue of Flags represents all 50 states and the territories, and their respective dates of admission to the Union. There is also a new Youth Exploration area recently opened. The large gift shop has many items. The Carvers’ Café and an ice cream shop are available for refreshments. As we leave we stop for a picture at the side profile of George Washington.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Crazy Horse Memorial
From Mt. Rushmore we drive 30 minutes to Crazy Horse Memorial. We allow 1½ hours here, or more if we eat lunch in the Laughing Water Restaurant. This is a 3 sided sculpture which will be the largest in the world when completed. There is a 20 minute video about the carving and the sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and his family that are doing the work. The North American Indian Museum has items from many different Indian tribes, with 90% of the items being donated. The gift shop has many Native made items for sale. Ziolkowski’s workshop and the log home he built, filled with antiques, are available to walk through. There is a Native American Cultural Center where you can watch Natives making items for sale, as well as display items to see and touch. There is a brass Nature Gate and a huge statue of Fighting Stallions.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Custer State Park
After leaving Crazy Horse we drive through the city of Custer which is the oldest town in the Black Hills, and down into Custer State Park where we drive the 18 mile Wildlife Loop Road. In the spring there are around 1300 buffalo including newborn calves in the park. There are also antelope, deer, prairie dogs, begging burros and breath-taking scenery. We make a comfort stop by the State Game Lodge area at Coolidge Inn Store or Custer State Park Visitor Center, then we drive back to Rapid City.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
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 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Affordable Adventures
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 90 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
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
90 verified traveler reviews for Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Best Tour Ever!
Ann was a magnificent guide! She knew SO much about the area, and was so very kind and accommodating! The landscape was absolutely breathtaking. This was a trip of a lifetime!!
via Tripadvisor
Great Day Trip
My sisters and I really enjoyed our trip with Affordable Adventures. Nick was a knowledgeable guide and provided plenty of information about the state and the area as well as all the places we visited. Lunch was very good. If we were to make one change it would be to shorten the day a bit by eliminating the Crazy Horse stop.
via Tripadvisor
Rushmore experience
Our guide, Nick, was outstanding. He was knowledgeable and took the extra steps to make sure our tour was exceptional. I would highly recommend this tour.
via Viator
Wonderful experience!
Amazing experience! Mt Rushmore is a sight to see. Custer state park was beautiful. Our tour guide Nick was very knowledgeable, personal, and informative. He made it a great experience!
via Viator
Worth the time and money
We got to see Bison. The roads were fun to experience and the tunnels awesome. The length of each was stop was quite sufficient.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 33
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Affordable Adventures, who run 11 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 67.0.
See everything Affordable Adventures runsWhy this scores 81
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rapid City.
How much does Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour cost?
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Prices start at $312 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 Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour take?
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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 Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 81 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 95 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Rapid City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour?
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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 Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour suitable for kids and families?
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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 Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour?
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Around 33 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?
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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 Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour start and how do I get there?
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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?
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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, Private Tour of Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and 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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
What is included in Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour?
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Included: English Guide; Bottled water; In-vehicle air conditioning; Entrance fee; and Snacks. Not included: Gratuities; and Lunch. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 50 listed pickup locations in and around Rapid City.
What languages is Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Rapid City. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour?
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Across 95 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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