Mount Rushmore & Badlands Adventure

9 hours
Rapid City, USA

About this activity

Explore Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park in a single day, featuring guided tours, scenic drives, and wildlife encounters.

Highlights

  • Marvel at Mount Rushmore's iconic sculptures
  • Traverse the scenic Iron Mountain Road
  • Witness breathtaking views at Pinnacles Overlook
  • Spot wildlife along Sage Creek Rim Road
  • Experience the unique landscapes of Badlands National Park

Full description

Discover the grandeur of Mount Rushmore and the rugged beauty of Badlands National Park on this immersive day trip. Begin with a guided tour of Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where you'll learn about the history and artistry behind this iconic monument. Then, embark on a scenic drive along Iron Mountain Road, renowned for its unique pigtail bridges and framed views of the monument. In the afternoon, venture into Badlands National Park, stopping at Pinnacles Overlook for panoramic vistas and Sage Creek Rim Road to observe bison, prairie dogs, and bighorn sheep in their natural habitat. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, natural beauty, and adventure, all within a single, well-planned day.

Included / Excluded

  • Guided tour of Mount Rushmore National Memorial
  • Scenic drive along Iron Mountain Road with pigtail bridges
  • Visit to Badlands National Park with stops at Pinnacles Overlook and Sage Creek Rim Road
  • Gratuities

Important information

Know before you book

  • This is a private tour tailored to your group's interests and pace.
  • All park entrance fees and permits are included in the tour price.
  • High-quality binoculars are provided for wildlife spotting during the tour.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear suitable for walking and varying weather conditions.
  • Bring a camera to capture the stunning landscapes and wildlife encounters.
  • Carry a water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 14 days before the activity starts

A 25% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your tour. The remaining balance is due 14 days before departure. Cancellations made within 14 days of the tour are non-refundable. Guests may reschedule up to 14 days prior for a $50 change fee, subject to availability.

Reviews

Google
Amy A
Jul 2026
5.0

An unparalleled experience for wildlife professionals and enthusiasts alike! My son and I, both biologists, recently joined Logan for the Wildlife Biologist’s Field Expedition in the Badlands and outer prairie lands of South Dakota. To put it simply, we had an amazing time. This tour is truly one-of-a-kind; it is the only one in the region that provides such deep access to both the Badlands and the surrounding prairie ecosystems. What really set this experience apart was how Logan customized the entire day to match our specific interests. It was immediately evident that Logan isn’t just a guide—he has genuine, extensive field experience in tracking and working with wildlife, and his knowledge of both biology and local history is top-notch. The logistics were perfect. We traveled comfortably in his roomy, air-conditioned van, which allowed us to navigate between optimal wildlife viewing locations with ease. He even provided extra sets of high-quality binoculars, which were a great touch. Throughout the trip, he took professional-grade photos of the wildlife and shared them with us, providing a fantastic memento of the day. We had incredible sightings, including prairie dogs, burrowing owls, bison, a bald eagle, several pronghorns, and mule deer. If you are a wildlife enthusiast looking for a professional, expert-led expedition, I cannot recommend Logan’s tour enough.

Google
Kim Snook
Jul 2026
5.0

My husband and I enjoyed TWO tours (Wildlife Biologist’s Field Expedition: The Badlands Uncovered & Spirit of the West: Devil’s Tower & Spearfish Canyon) with our guide Logan who was unbelievably knowledgable and made conversation so easy! Logan made our first experience in South Dakota & Wyoming so memorable and special. Logan tailored to all our interests and assisted us with making choices that suited our curiosity. Logan did a great job communicating with us prior to our tour, which eased all my stress. During the tour Logan was so invested in giving us the best experience possible, it was evident Logan takes pride in the job he does! I absolutely recommend these tours, in fact, I wish I could have Logan as a guide for every tour going forward. Thank you Logan for an absolutely incredible experience! You made our trip out here extra special.

Google
RAVINDRA DESHPANDE
Jul 2026
5.0

Excellent,though our tour was suppose to start at 0530 PM, XO adventures after going through the weather immediately advised us to prepone our visit so we could able to see BADLANDS in-depth & no words to express about Daniel He was too good , knowledgeable, very punctual & was always more than happy to take beautiful, different poses photos in this amazing land & he has great experience in driving through this amazing terrain during difficult weather times as we experienced that during our return trip , lot of thunderstorms