Private Mount Rushmore & Black Hills Tour w/ Former Park Ranger

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Iron Mountain Road

   Travel the legendary Iron Mountain Road, known for its winding pigtail bridges and granite tunnels designed to frame Mount Rushmore in the distance. As we pass through the tunnels, the monument suddenly appears in the stone opening — one of the most memorable views in the Black Hills — with time to stop for photos and take in the scenery.

   30 minutes here

2. Stand beneath the 60-foot granite faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. In the fresh morning light — when the crowds are lighter and the sculpture is illuminated at its best — walk the Presidential Trail, visit the Sculptor’s Studio, and hear the story of Gutzon Borglum’s vision, the engineering challenges, and the daring workers who carved the mountain. If you’d like, try Thomas Jefferson’s original ice cream recipe before continuing deeper into the Black Hills. Experience this all with a former national park ranger guide who calls Mount Rushmore home.

   120 minutes here

3. Sylvan Lake

   Arrive at Sylvan Lake — widely regarded as one of the most beautiful places in the Black Hills — where dramatic granite formations rise up around and in the water. Enjoy a relaxed walk along the shoreline, taking in the towering rock outcroppings that frame this iconic setting. Fans of National Treasure: Book of Secrets may recognize the location — where Nicolas Cage searches for clues tied to the legendary Hall of Records and the myth of a hidden city of gold said to lie beneath the lake.

   45 minutes here · Admission included

4. Continue along Needles Highway, weaving between sharp granite spires and passing through narrow tunnels carved directly through the rock. Scenic pullouts reveal sweeping views, and mountain goats are sometimes spotted along the cliffs.

   45 minutes here

5. Custer

   Pause midday in the historic town of Custer and enjoy lunch at one of its locally owned restaurants, experiencing the charm of a classic Black Hills community. Guests may dine in town or take their meal to go for a scenic picnic nearby. Lunch is selected and purchased individually, offering flexibility and personal choice.

   45 minutes here

6. Visit Crazy Horse Memorial, the largest active mountain carving in the world. Explore the Indian Museum of North America and gain deeper insight into Lakota history, culture, and the ongoing work shaping the memorial. Experience the vision behind the memorial and the living traditions of the Northern Plains tribes.

   60 minutes here · Admission included

7. Mount Coolidge

   Ascend Mount Coolidge for sweeping views across the Black Hills and surrounding prairie, as gate access and the day’s timing allow.

   30 minutes here · Admission included

8. Wildlife Loop Road

   Travel the Wildlife Loop Road through Custer State Park, where bison roam the rolling prairie and pronghorn move across open grasslands. Keep watch for bighorn sheep, coyotes, prairie dogs, mule deer, magpies, and the park’s well-known begging burros.

   90 minutes here · Admission included

Where it starts and ends

Options you can book

• Extended Pickup

  Please contact us if you select 'Extended pickup' which is 20 to 40 miles away from Rapid City. Pickup included

• Pickup from Rapid City Area

  Pickup included

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 6 travelers per booking

Operated by

Signature Black Hills Tours

Know before you go

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Photos