The Classic Lodges & Parks of the West

Welcome to Rapid City! At 6:00 p.m., meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure. Small groups lead to big experiences on this Small Group Discovery tour!

Legends of the West After breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Rapid City. Depart Rapid City to explore Badlands National Park with a local Lakota guide and gain a deeper understanding of the land through the stories, history, and traditions of the Lakota people. Journey beyond the scenery to learn how this landscape is connected to cultural heritage and sacred places. Then change gears and visit Wall Drug, an iconic roadside stop full of Western charm and nostalgia, known for its quirky roadside signs. Continue to Custer State Park for a backcountry adventure; a [LOCAL FAVORITE] Buffalo Safari with a local expert and traditional cookout. (B,D) LOCAL FAVORITE Awaken your adventurer’s spirit on a Buffalo Safari in Custer State Park. The U.S. national mammal and historic mainstay of indigenous people, the American Bison is a native species of North America, whose numbers were reduced from more than 60 million across the great bison belt grasslands from Alaska to the Atlantic to less than 600 by the late 1880s. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing up to 2,000 pounds, these formidable and majestic mammals have been restored in numbers due to conservation efforts of the 20th century. TOUR HIGHLIGHT Enjoy a two-night stay at the historic State Game Lodge in Custer State Park. This gracious stone and wood lodge is set in a beautiful mountain valley, surrounded by a ponderosa pine forest. Built in 1920 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the lodge served as the “Summer White House” for President Calvin Coolidge and was visited by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Wild & Wooly Discoveries Today’s journey showcases the rich history, dramatic landscapes, and frontier spirit of the Black Hills. Begin in Hot Springs with a visit to the fascinating [LOCAL FAVORITE] Mammoth Site and Museum, home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of Ice Age mammoth fossils. Discover the remarkable story of these prehistoric giants and the ancient sinkhole where their remains were preserved for thousands of years. Continue to the awe-inspiring Crazy Horse Memorial, a tribute to the legendary Lakota leader who fiercely defended his people and culture. During an exclusive Small Group Discovery experience, enjoy a special storyteller-guided visit to the base of the mountain carving (weather permitting) for an unforgettable close-up view and deeper insight into the history, vision, and craftsmanship behind this monumental work. This afternoon, travel the spectacular Needles Highway and view towering granite spires, winding mountain roads, and breathtaking overlooks. Stop at Sylvan Lake, one of the Black Hills’ most beloved scenic gems, before returning to Custer State Park. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace—whether relaxing at the lodge, exploring a nature trail, taking a guided horseback ride through the French Creek Nature Area, or enjoying the beauty of the park on two wheels. (B,D) LOCAL FAVORITE Dig deeper into prehistoric South Dakota with a visit to the Mammoth Site and Museum. Tour the world’s largest mammoth research facility and active dig site, where scientists are currently excavating remains of mammoths that were trapped and died in the pond more than 26,000 years ago. After a short tour, you’ll have time to stroll the sidewalks of the dig area and see the paleontology laboratory. Imagine this landscape when the more than 60 mammoths found to date roamed North America during the Pleistocene Epoch. TOUR HIGHLIGHT Explore the Crazy Horse Native American Cultural Center and artist’s studio at Crazy Horse Memorial. The world’s largest mountain carving is still in progress, honoring Native American heritage with the Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse on horseback pointing to his tribal land.

Statesmen, Sheriffs & Sharpshooters Visit one of the world’s largest stone monuments – Mount Rushmore National Memorial – to see the solid granite faces of four legendary American presidents majestically carved high into the mountainside. Continue to the historic Old West town of Deadwood for a tour with a Local Guide. Visit Mount Moriah Cemetery then drive to the scenic Spearfish Canyon for a hike, dinner and an overnight stay at the exclusive Spearfish Canyon Lodge. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT The legendary town of Deadwood is home to the ghosts of the Wild West, where bold frontiersmen and optimistic gold miners set stakes in this untamed mining town. Hear the rip-roaring stories of legends like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane while exploring the streets where shoot-outs and sheriffs ruled the day.