Private Badlands National Park Wildlife and Scenic Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 10 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Badlands National Park Wildlife and Scenic Tour worth booking?
Private Badlands National Park Wildlife and Scenic Tour is a 7-hour experience in Rapid City, United States, from $425 per person. It scores 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 10 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 54 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (10)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $425 per person
At My XO Adventures, we don’t just guide tours—we create lifelong memories through deeply personal connections to the land. What makes this experience unique isn’t just the stunning Badlands views or the wildlife encount
What you get
About this experience
At My XO Adventures, we don’t just guide tours—we create lifelong memories through deeply personal connections to the land. What makes this experience unique isn’t just the stunning Badlands views or the wildlife encounters—it’s who you’re sharing them with. Our team isn’t made up of part-time guides reading from scripts. We are storytellers, geologists, naturalists, and soulful travelers who call this region home. Every tour is customized to your interests, pace, and curiosity, and we treat our guests like family—from the first greeting to the final goodbye. Expect laughter, learning, comfort, and care in every moment. We go beyond the overlook and behind the scenes to places most travelers never see. You won’t be herded or hurried. You’ll be welcomed, inspired, and transformed. This isn’t a tour. It’s a journey with meaning—crafted from passion, guided with heart, and remembered forever.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Carbonated beverages
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Expert Private Guide
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Badlands National Park
The Badlands are one of those places that stop you in your tracks. Strange, wild, quiet, and wide open. I never get tired of seeing the colors change with the light. Sunrise and sunset feel sacred here. Bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs—you see them often. They belong to the land more than we do. This isn’t just a sightseeing stop. It’s a place you feel in your gut. Raw and real.
180 minutes here
Sage Creek Wilderness Area
This area is far from the crowds. No pavement, no noise—just open space and wildlife doing their thing. You’ll often see bison up close here. They’re calm but huge. Gives you some real perspective. I like stopping here to let folks breathe it in. It’s quiet in a way that’s hard to describe. Feels like the land hasn’t changed in a thousand years.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Pinnacles Overlook
PThis is usually the first place that makes people go, “Wow.” And I get it—it hits hard. You can see forever out here. Layers of stone, sky, and space that make everything else feel small. It’s also one of the best spots for spotting wildlife. We’ve seen bighorn sheep right below the ridge. It’s a must-stop, plain and simple.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Ancient Hunters Overlook
This place is easy to overlook—but it has deep roots. People hunted bison here long before roads existed. I like to talk about what life might have been like back then. You feel the past here. Not much to read. Not many signs. Just quiet hills and stories if you’re open to hearing them.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Yellow Mounds Overlook
These hills look like they were painted. Bright yellows, purples, and pinks you don’t expect in South Dakota. They’re ancient soil layers pushed to the surface. A geologist’s dream. A photographer’s too. It’s one of the most colorful stops in the whole park—and people always want to get out here.
20 minutes here · Admission included
This is a heavy place. Named after Chief Big Foot, who died at Wounded Knee. He and his people passed through here during the dead of winter. It didn’t end well. I stop here to share the story. Not to bring the mood down, but to respect what happened. It’s part of this land’s truth.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Homestead Overlook
This spot looks simple, but it says a lot. Imagine showing up with a wagon and being told, “This is yours.” Grasslands for days. Wind. No trees. Just you and whatever you could build. It wasn’t easy living. Still isn’t. But people tried, and some stayed. It’s a good place to think about what it took to start from nothing.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Fossil Exhibit Trail
This short trail is great for kids and adults who want to see what lived here before us. It has fossil displays, fun signs, and it's flat enough for everyone. You won’t need hiking boots or water bottles—just curiosity. We stop here when people want something hands-on and easy to walk.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Ben Reifel Visitor Center
If you want to learn more, this is the best place. Clean bathrooms, great exhibits, friendly rangers. You can watch fossils being cleaned in the lab or ask real questions and get real answers. It’s a good stop to cool off, pick up a map, or understand what makes this place tick.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Big Badlands Overlook
This is your first real “whoa” moment if you’re coming in from Wall. It opens up fast—layers of red, white, gold, and pink stretching for miles. It’s a great sunrise spot if you're up early. And the views are better than any screen can capture. Even after hundreds of visits, I still pull over for this one.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Wall Drug
Wall Drug is weird in the best way. It started with free ice water during the Great Depression. Now it’s part diner, part museum, part wild west photo shoot. You can get a donut, sit on a jackalope, or find a pair of boots. It's cheesy, yes. But it’s also fun. And the coffee’s still just five cents.
45 minutes here
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 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- My XO Adventures
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 10 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
10 verified traveler reviews for Private Badlands National Park Wildlife and Scenic Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Danielle is a spectacular...
Danielle is a spectacular guide. I felt like I had an intimate tour of the Badlands well away from most traffic. Saw Buffalo, pronghorn, mountain goats, all kinds of birds... he catered the trip to my interests, and I couldn't be more happy with my tour. A+++ experience. Highly recommend!!!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for the wonderful review! I’m thrilled you had such a great time exploring the Badlands and that we were able to get you away from the crowds and into the quieter corners of the park. The buffalo, pronghorn, mountain goats, and birds all deserve some credit too. They really showed off that day. And while I usually go by Daniel, I have to admit “Danielle” does make me sound a little more elegant than usual. I’m so glad the tour felt personal and catered to your interests. That’s exactly what we hope to create at My XO Adventures. Thank you again for the kind words and the A+++! See you down the road!
via Viator
Fantastic tour of The Badlands!
We had a wonderful drive with retired Dan through The Badlands National Park. He was very knowledgeable on all the surroundings, and knew several off the beaten path stops to get amazing pictures of the scenery and the wildlife. He was very patient with our group and was careful to keep us out of any potential harm. I highly recommend booking this tour, it was a winner!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful review! We’re so glad you had such a memorable drive through Badlands National Park with Dan. He brings a deep knowledge of the landscape, wildlife, and those special off the beaten path places that make the Badlands feel even more unforgettable. We also appreciate you mentioning his patience and care for your group’s safety. That means a great deal to us. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to Dan. Thank you again for choosing My XO Adventures and for recommending the tour!
via Viator
A wonderful experience viewing the beauty and diverse ecology of the badlands
We never would have believed there was so much beauty and varied landscapes in the badlands! Dan was very knowledgeable and found the most interesting sites from the dramatic hills and valleys to the abandoned farms and towns.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind words! Dan is an incredible guide and photographer. It’s always a joy to show guests just how diverse and stunning the Badlands really are, from those wild, rugged formations to the quiet remnants of prairie life. I’m glad the stories and stops from Dan left an impression. It was a pleasure hosting you and uncovering some of South Dakota’s best-kept secrets. We hope our paths cross again on another adventure!
via Tripadvisor
Best custom tour I have ever been on !!!
I booked a custom 8 hr tour since I only had one day to do it all . Daniel and his mom with XO Adventures showed me everything on my list and then some. I saw Mt Rushmore, Custer Park, Sylvan Lake , Black Hills, Badlands and numerous tunnels!!! Daniel definitely has the wisdom and knowledge of each area plus the best places for pics. We saw so many animals up close and personal it was awesome and funny at the same time. XO Adventures made me feel like family I did not want the tour to end I was having so much fun !! To end the tour in complete darkness in the badlands was amazing the stars are so bright and you can see all the constellations. At my hotel that night I could not believe all that was accomplished and the most beautiful pictures of Gods creation!! I was truly blessed to meet Daniel and Amiee of XO Adventures if I’m ever in the area I will definitely book with them again 🥰
Response from the operator: Wow thank you so much for an awesome review! It makes a big difference when you have a great guest plus locals who love what they do. It was so much fun taking you in and around the Black Hills and Badlands. Thank you again for the review and please come back again. More adventure awaits!
via Tripadvisor
Second time on one of the tours yet still amazing!!
I had an amazing experience with My XO Adventures, I did two different tours the Winter Wonderland and the Badlands tours. I fully recommend them both to get the full experience of South Dakota. While on the tour, I learned so much about the land and history, while seeing the views out of the window. The 8 hours for a tour might sounds like a lot, but with the sights, great hospitality, and passion in the stories, it go by so fast and left me wishing it was longer. It was such and immersive experience and the guide tried their best to cater to our interests and what we wanted to see. It was an awesome experience to have with mom and boyfriend. In fact, this is my second time on the Winter Wonderland tour and it still felt like a completely new and exciting experience.
Response from the operator: Wow, thanks for taking the time to write such a kind review! No matter the time of year, the Black Hills and Badlands are an amazing place to visit. Having repeat guests is a truly meaningful compliment. I had a wonderful time with you all and hope to see you guys for a third time!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 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
- 4
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 54
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Badlands National Park Wildlife and Scenic Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rapid City.
How much does Private Badlands National Park Wildlife and Scenic Tour cost?
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Prices start at $425 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 Private Badlands National Park Wildlife and Scenic Tour take?
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Plan for about 7 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 Private Badlands National Park Wildlife and Scenic Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 10 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable family friendly in Rapid City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Badlands National Park Wildlife and Scenic Tour?
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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 Private Badlands National Park Wildlife and Scenic Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Badlands National Park Wildlife and Scenic Tour?
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Around 4 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 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Badlands National Park Wildlife and Scenic 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, 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?
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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.
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