Things to Do in Rapid City

Experience Mount Rushmore, America’s Shrine of Democracy, on a narrated 4-5 hour tour through South Dakota’s iconic Black Hills.

This tour provides a unique glimpse into the beauty and all the Badlands offer! Learn about the area's history, and spend the day taking in the rare geology of the Badlands. Lunch will be enjoyed at an exquisite local restaurant of your choosing. There is a two-person minimum to book this tour.

Discover South Dakota's gems: Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer Park's natural beauty, Badlands' landscapes, wildlife, and rich Lakota history.

Explore the Black Hills on a guided tour to Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Visit the Presidential Trail, the Avenue of Flags, and the Carvers’ Café, and explore the North American Indian Museum.

Western Horizons Hot Air Balloons offers breathtaking panoramic views of the beautiful Southern Black Hills of South Dakota. Our hot air balloon rides last approximately one hour. The entire experience from pre-flight set up to post-flight refreshments can last from 2 to 3 hours. We fly out of Hot Springs, SD, just after sunrise, weather permitting.

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Discover the natural beauty of the Badlands National Park on a tour from Rapid City. Visit the Minuteman II Missile Museum and the Prairie Homestead Sod House, and stop at the famous Wall Drug Store.

See the Black Hills in a unique way. Enjoy the quiet, scenic trail and let our guides tell you on some of the history, culture and flora and fauna of the area! Great fun for any fitness level - we can accommodate all in your group, even if some want to ride and others don't. This tour is customizable. Questions? Contact us for more information.

Travel with the peace and comfort of knowing that, should you need assistance on your trip, Civitatis has your back - don't let anything spoil your trip!

Discover the iconic Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial, drive through the city of Custer, the oldest town in the Black Hills, and see the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park.

A once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the incredible Badlands; first in the afternoon and into a golden sunset - followed by the official National Park stargazing program. The best of both worlds, this tour allows us the view wildlife and the parks formations before the sun sets, and then taking on the park after dark! Because Badlands National Park is not surrounded by big cities or other major sources of light pollution, night skies in the park are very clear. After dark, visitors can see many of the night sky’s greatest hits: constellations, the moon, satellites, and airplanes. But the special darkness of Badlands National Park helps visitors to see even more like planets, the Milky Way, star clusters, nebulae, the International Space Station, shooting stars, and – very occasionally – the aurora borealis.

Experience the Annual Buffalo Roundup at Custer State Park in South Dakota on a guided tour from Rapid City.

The Badlands have many secrets and requires a seasoned guide to explain and reveal them. GeoFunTrek Tours' guides are local experts with decades of experience. We have no seasonal-guides, part-time guides or trainee-guides. This is a family-owned business and all tours are conducted by family members: Cindy, Christopher and John Esposti. We have the knowledge and skills to make your day one to remember. You will always get the A-Team when you tour with GeoFunTrek Tours! All tours are PRIVATE TOURS, exclusive to the group booking the tour, and no additional guests will be included. Children must be accompanied by one adult. Children 3 years and younger are free and will have their own seat. Children's car seats must be supplied by family members when required. Our largest vehicle, a Sprinter van seats 9, and a larger vehicle may be rented or we can add a Honda Pilot for larger groups. This tour is great for 3-generation families with Children, multiple couples and groups of friends.

Take your passion for hiking to the next level at Devils Tower. Benefit from an experienced guide and enjoy the convenience of transfers to and from Rapid City or Spearfish.

You'll love this guided tour because we love what we do! With a certified guide and driver, this is an opportunity to take in all the beautiful natural wonders without any of the hassles of planning or driving. Please read our Google Reviews for My XO Adventures. We'll visit stunning destinations; best of all, this tour allows for unscheduled stops. Devil's Tower, Deadwood, Roughlock Falls, Spearfish Falls, and a scenic drive through Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway! Lunch is included in this adventure. The Northern Black Hills is one of the most beautiful places in the Hills. We love it, study it, explore it, and share our knowledge during your adventure. ​Travel South Dakota has honored My XO Adventures with the Hospitality Award for 2021. We love what we do, and it's our mission to reveal what makes this part of South Dakota so special.

Experience a scenic private tour of the Badlands National Park and a stop at the famous Wall town, known as a gateway to the Badlands.

Formed by several hundred thousand years of erosion, the Badlands formations expose the layers of millions of years of the regions history. It is a landscape that makes you feel as though you’ve landed on Mars. On this day trip, we pedal the nice, moderate Badlands Loop Road for just under 30 miles through the heart of the pinnacles and lower shale formations to the other end of the northern segment of Badlands National Park, where we will enjoy a picnic lunch. There are also longer options available if desired. Enjoy close up views of wildlife and take in the breathtaking views of Badlands National Park. Enjoying this area by bicycle is a once in a lifetime opportunity! This tour is customizable. Contact us for more information.

Spend the day on this private tour learning about the history of South Dakota. Visit Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park.

This tour gives you incredible in-depth knowledge of the Flume Trail, the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore. There is a two person minimum to book this tour.

Discover the awe-inspiring Badlands on this day trip from Rapid City! Marvel at wildlife, surreal rock formations, endless skies, and breathtaking views with your expert guide. Unforgettable awaits!

You will have an opportunity to explore different areas within Custer State Park. The day will be spent within this historic State Park.

Explore Devils Tower, scenic roads, charming towns, and the breathtaking waterfalls of Spearfish Canyon. This adventure is packed with stunning views, wildlife, and unforgettable experiences!

You will see areas of the Black Hills few people can experience. View the stunning natural beauty and witness the lush greenery, towering trees, and crystal-clear streams. Be regaled with the fascinating history of the Mickelson Trail and what makes this trail so unique. There is a two-person minimum to book this tour.

Explore beautiful Spearfish Canyon in the Black Hills, South Dakota. Discover roaring waterfalls and breathtaking scenery along several hiking trails.

This tour allows you to experience the rare and exquisite beauty the Black Hills has to offer. This is a guided tour, and the guide will share the incredible history of the area.

Discover the unique geological formation of Devils Tower on a day trip from Rapid City. Learn about the history of the region and visit the Vore Buffalo Jump and the Aladdin General Store.

THIS IS BIG - Designed for visitors that need to see the most of the Black Hills as possible in one day! This is a comprehensive tour of the southern Black Hills with stops at the two famous monuments: Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse. And also included is a Wildlife Safari tour to all of Custer State Park (the largest state park in the nation). We make stops at the Visitor Center and the State Game Lodge and then tour along the Wildlife Loop (bison), Needles Highway, Iron Mtn Road, Sylvan Lake and stop at Stockade Lake for a picnic lunch (included).

Discover the history of the Black Hills and Rapid City on a guided tour. See the iconic Mount Rushmore, the City of Presidents statues, and the Civic Center.

We truly love the Black Hills of South Dakota and enjoy sharing the secrets we've found along the way. Our tours are completely private, meaning your group will be the only ones in our vehicles. No mixing or crowding. We're able to venture into places the large tour busses are unable to access. Our knowledge of the area is based on personal experience, and each guide goes through intensive training to ensure they are awesome representatives of the Black Hills and Badlands.

Enjoy a scenic train ride through the Black Hills on the 1880 Train. Visit the towns of Keystone and Hill City and explore the area.

This guided tour will provide you with some of the most incredible sights, sounds and smells you will experience while in the Black Hills. While on this tour, you will learn the incredible history of the Black Hills area.

Discover the history of the Wild West and the Gold Rush on a full-day tour from Rapid City. Visit the Homestake Mine Visitor Center and explore the scenic Spearfish Canyon.

Enter another world with the only e-bike tour of the Badlands, this is truly a unique way to experience this wonderful National Park. Ride along with the prairie dogs chirping and spectacular views. A private tour means we go at your pace and comfort level. A once in a lifetime opportunity awaits! If some in your group prefer regular bikes, we can arrange a mixed tour. Please contact us to discuss this option.

Discover the historic towns of Deadwood and Lead on a day trip from Rapid City. Learn about the history of the town of Sturgis, the motorcycle rally, and the Ft. Meade peace-keeping fort.

Our guides are local experts with decades of experience. We have no seasonal guides, part-time guides or trainees. All tours are conducted by the owners and family members, Cindy, John and Chris Esposti. We have the knowledge and skills to make your day one to remember. You will always get the A-Team when you tour with us on a private tour! This is a small-group private tour with a maximum capacity of 9 guests. You will have plenty of headroom and elbow room as you travel with friend and family members. Children must be accompanied by at least one adult. Children 3 years and younger are free-of-charge and will have their own seat, so we need to save them a seat. Let us know if you have any of these young ones so we can save them a seat. Children's car seats must be supplied by family members when required. This is a great tour for 3-generation families with Children, multiple couples and groups of friends.

Get up close with the wildlife in Custer State Park on an open-air jeep safari. After lunch, explore the park's scenic hiking trails.

This tour is really unique in that it offers guides who love their work, are paid a living wage, and receive regular training and tips as we all learn together. We share stories and findings, then share them between ourselves. We set out on a journey, not a tour. While our tours are a full day, they don't seem like it with all we have to show. Adults and kids will have a great time, learn in the process and take home meaningful memories!

Experience the stunning Badlands sunset and stargaze under a dark night sky. A private, unforgettable journey into nature's beauty with expert guides and exclusive views! This tour makes memories.

Discover your perfect adventure from Mount Rushmore to the Badlands, crafted just for you! What sets this tour apart is our personalized, private approach—no crowds, no rush. It's a journey at your pace. While others stick to the usual routes, you’ll explore hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path locations that most visitors never see. You'll have an expert and friendly guide who'll dive deep into this incredible region's history, geology, and wildlife, ensuring you get the most out of your short stay in the Black Hills. After exploring the Black Hills, we head to the beautiful Badlands and can even arrange to see a world-class sunset. Fully customized to your interests, this tour guarantees a unique, immersive, and unforgettable experience. It is not scripted, and the guide is personable, not a programmed character. You'll love it.

Spend the day on a kayak or paddleboard on Pactola Lake, one of South Dakota's most beautiful lakes. Admire the regional flora and wildlife.

You will be touring in a Turtle Top Terra Executive Bus with individual leather reclining seats. Lots of overhead storage and plugins for your cells and cameras. This bus has huge side windows and a special front 'vista' window above the drivers windshield. Excellent viewing and great comfort for up to 14 guests. Cold AC and snacks, bottled water and picnic lunch included. Badlands National Park has serrated spires, weather-beaten buttes and cavernous gorges. It offer unique scenery and it's home to a diverse variety of wildlife; buffalo, prairie dogs, coyote, deer, bighorn sheep and antelope. We stop at the major overlooks for photos and viewing. We also will stop at the Ben Reifel Center (museum with fossil collection and bookstore) for lunch at a shaded picnic area. Along the way we visit the famous Wall Drug Store (old tourist trap that is worth the stop) and visit the new Minuteman National Historic Site and Delta 9 Missile Exhibit (not open on Sundays or Mondays).  

Take an open-air Jeep into the park to view the local fauna and flora and enjoy a VIP Tour of the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs.

This isn’t just a tour—it’s a deeply personal exploration of the natural world, guided by a professional wildlife biologist who brings every moment to life. Designed exclusively for your group, the experience is entirely private and tailored to your interests, pace, and curiosity. What sets it apart is the focus on nature in its purest form—no monuments, no crowds, just the living heartbeat of the Black Hills. You’ll explore vast prairies, winding byways, underground caves, and wildlife-rich habitats with a guide who reads the landscape like a storybook. Rather than simply pointing out animals or naming plants, your guide offers insight into the complex relationships that tie geology, ecology, and wildlife together. You’ll walk away with not only stunning photos but a meaningful connection to the land itself. Unhurried, immersive, and rich with discovery—this tour invites you to slow down, look deeper, and experience South Dakota as few ever do.

Discover the natural beauty of the Black Hills on a scenic drive through Custer State Park. See the buffalo herds, antelope, deer, prairie dogs, and begging burros.

Exploring the Black Hills and all it has to offer can be enjoyed more when you leave the driving to a local skilled driver who can take you on a full days adventure to see all of the scenic views this beautiful land has to offer us. When booking with FLex 605, your day in the Hills is flexible without being rushed and customizable to your interests and needs.

Enjoy a private bicycle tour with your choice of a mountain bike or comfort bike. Cruise through the most stunning parts of the Black Hills on the historic Mickelson Trail.

Get off the beaten path and onto your bike to see the real beauty of the Black Hills! This day tour takes you to some of the quieter and most beautiful areas of the Mickelson trail (where the locals ride) and a taste of South Dakotan produce. A true balance of effort and reward and a great day out! We give the option to stop at one of few breweries up in the Hill City area, with the outdoor Lost Cabin Beer Garden at the Mickelson Trail Burlington Trailhead being a favorite.

Discover the beauty of the Black Hills! Visit Mount Rushmore, iconic parks, and hidden gems while spotting wildlife, enjoying fresh mountain air, and experiencing an unforgettable guided adventure.

This tour covers the three major areas of the Black Hills and Badlands. You can put down the planning, and relax as we take you to the significant points of interest. At times, we may deviate from the itinerary for some surprise visits. We can spend more or less time at each location based on your interests. Our guides are trained in a way that enhances your experience on so many levels. We care about your time here most of all and are willing to go out of our way to ensure you have an excellent experience. Photography is something we love as well, and photos will be provided at the end of each day, free of charge.

Embark on an adventure and book a private experience in the beautiful Black Hills. Spend the morning exploring and learning about the Mt. Rushmore Memorial and the afternoon hiking Flume Trail.