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

2 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 2 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| Rapid City, USA
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from $264 per person

Lowest Price Guarantee
Private Mount Rushmore & Black Hills Tour w/ Former Park Ranger Image 1
Private Mount Rushmore & Black Hills Tour w/ Former Park Ranger Image 2
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Private Mount Rushmore & Black Hills Tour w/ Former Park Ranger Image 5
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 30 (0) days in advance.
8 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Explore the Black Hills with a former National Park Ranger on a private, personalized tour designed around your interests. Visit landscapes where your guide lived and worked as a ranger and conducted master’s research, gaining firsthand insight into the wildlife and landscapes of the region — including the iconic buffalo herds of Custer State Park. Explore Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse National Memorials going beyond the typical stops with deeper stories of wildlife, geology, and history, plus scenic viewpoints and insights most visitors never experience. Fully private, completely personalized, and led by someone who calls these parks home — this is the Black Hills experience you won't find anywhere else.

What's Included

  • Snacks
  • Carbonated beverages Soda/Pop
  • Bottled water
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities
See 7 moreSee 7 more

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

Complimentary pickup is available from Rapid City, Hill City, and Keystone areas.

OR
Meeting point

8221 Mount Rushmore Road
Rapid City, SD 57702, USA

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

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.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

13000 SD-244

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.
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2 hours Admission Ticket Free

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.
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45 minutes Admission Ticket Included

13389 US Hwy 16A

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.
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45 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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.
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45 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Crazy Horse Memorial

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.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Included

Mount Coolidge

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

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.
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1 hour 30 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Show 7 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Private Mount Rushmore & Black Hills Tour w/ Former Park Ranger?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (MST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-5644089P16

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
2 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 2 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
2
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 30 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Private Mount Rushmore & Black Hills Tour w/ Former Park Ranger?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (MST).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Snacks.
  • Carbonated beverages. Soda/Pop.
  • Bottled water.
  • All taxes and fees included.
  • Admission fee.
  • Entrance fee.
  • Pickup and drop-off from your lodging.
  • Private transportation in a Jeep Wagoneer.
  • Parking Fees.
  • Former National Park Ranger guide.
The following is NOT included:
  • Lunch.
  • Gratuities.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?
A:

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 7..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Private Mount Rushmore & Black Hills Tour w/ Former Park Ranger is as follows:

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Private Mount Rushmore & Black Hills Tour w/ Former Park Ranger will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Snacks
  • Carbonated beveragesSoda/Pop
  • Bottled water
  • All taxes and fees included
  • Admission fee
  • Entrance fee
  • Pickup and drop-off from your lodging
  • Private transportation in a Jeep Wagoneer
  • Parking Fees
  • Former National Park Ranger guide
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Report Product Issue

Activity name