« Back to Vacations

Spotlight on South Dakota featuring Mount Rushmore & The Badlands
from $2,599 pp

  • Duration: 7 Days
  • Destinations: United States
Discover the spirit of the American West and come to know the legends of the past. Discover the stories of the Lakota and Sioux through a Native American chronicler and a visit to a Oglala Lakota Living History Village. See Crazy Horse Memorial, the world's largest mountain sculpture still in progress. Visit iconic Mt. Rushmore. Journey through the natural beauty of Badlands National Park and stop to browse at Wall Drug. Explore historic Deadwood, the former home of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Choose how you delve into the local history, with a tour of the Adams Museum in Deadwood or at the exhibit Tatanka: Story of the Bison. Travel the backcountry of Custer State Park on a Jeep safari. Marvel at Devils Tower, the country's first National Monument. Rapid City is your gateway into wild landscapes and historical landmarks.
Call to Book 1-800-529-3222
Additional Information

Rapid City, South Dakota

Welcome to the West. Your tour opens in Rapid City, long known as the gateway to the Black Hills. Tonight, you and your fellow travelers gather for a welcome dinner featuring a Native American chronicler who shares stories about the Lakota and Sioux way of life.

Rapid City - Mt. Rushmore - Rapid City

Learn the history of enterprising Westerners at the Chapel in the Hills. Start the day at Mount Rushmore. Spend time with the epic figures of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln as you stroll along the Presidential Trail, offering the closest view of this iconic sculpture. Continue to the Chapel in the Hills to learn the history of enterprising Westerners. This evening, return to Mount Rushmore for the nighttime lighting ceremony.*

Rapid City - Badlands - Wall - Rapid City

This morning, visit the Oglala Lakota Living History Village. The Oglala Lakota are one of the seven tribes that make up the Great Sioux Nation. In their own voices, hear about their history, relationship to the land and modern-day culture. Then, embrace the allure of wide-open spaces and explore the larger-than-life Badlands National Park. At the visitor center, the stage is set for your adventure, with informative exhibits, displays and video to introduce you to the area. Travel the Badlands Loop Road, home to vibrant colors and rock formations created by mineral deposits. Visit the legendary Wall Drug, a store barely changed since 1936. Do a little browsing, have a seat at the soda fountain, and perhaps grab a bite for lunch.

Rapid City - Deadwood - Rapid City

Get ready for Deadwood, where gold, gambling, and gunpowder were once the order of the day. This morning, it's your choice! Take a guided tour of the Adams Museum and explore dynamic exhibits that shine a light on Deadwood's legends and outlaws -OR- visit Kevin Costner's Tatanka: Story of the Bison, sculptures depicting the relationship between bison and the Lakota. This afternoon, this National Historic Landmark comes alive as if you've stepped onto the set of an old-fashioned Western. A local guide shows you the town, including where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried. This evening, enjoy a dinner and Western show at the High Plains Heritage Center.

Rapid City - Custer - Crazy Horse - Rapid City

Head to Custer State Park and keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep or wandering elk. Take in the lush landscape, rocky outcrops, and grazing animals as you make your way through South Dakota's first state park. Venture off road with an exciting Buffalo Safari, cruising deep into the park in an open-air jeep and searching for herds of roaming buffalo. This afternoon, visit Crazy Horse Memorial and delve into the story of the largest, still-in-progress mountain sculpture. Take time to explore the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Cultural Center, the sculptor's studio, orientation center and theaters.

Rapid City - Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming - Rapid City

Get your bearings at the Geographic Center of the Nation, marking the middle of the US. Cross into Wyoming and view the first national monument - Devils Tower. Stand in awe before this lofty monolith, perhaps hiking the 1.3-mile Tower Trail around the base. Although famous as the backdrop in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the tower is also sacred to many local tribes. This evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner as the end of your South Dakota adventure draws near.

Rapid City - Tour Ends

Say goodbye to Rapid City as your tour comes to a close today.

Departure Dates
Start: May 9, 2025
End: May 15, 2025
Price: $2,599 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: June 13, 2025
End: June 19, 2025
Price: $2,699 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: June 27, 2025
End: July 3, 2025
Price: $2,699 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: July 11, 2025
End: July 17, 2025
Price: $2,699 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: July 18, 2025
End: July 24, 2025
Price: $2,699 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: July 25, 2025
End: July 31, 2025
Price: $2,699 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: August 15, 2025
End: August 21, 2025
Price: $2,699 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: August 20, 2025
End: August 26, 2025
Price: $2,699 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: August 22, 2025
End: August 28, 2025
Price: $2,699 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: September 5, 2025
End: September 11, 2025
Price: $2,699 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: September 12, 2025
End: September 18, 2025
Price: $2,699 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: September 17, 2025
End: September 23, 2025
Price: $2,699 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: September 19, 2025
End: September 25, 2025
Price: $2,699 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: September 24, 2025
End: September 30, 2025
Price: $2,699 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: September 26, 2025
End: October 2, 2025
Price: $2,699 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: October 1, 2025
End: October 7, 2025
Price: $2,599 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: October 3, 2025
End: October 9, 2025
Price: $2,699 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: October 8, 2025
End: October 14, 2025
Price: $2,699 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Price My Trip
Product Code: Member Choice Vacations-137

All pricing and offers for accommodations and other non-air travel are per person, based on double occupancy, capacity controlled and subject to availability and change without notice. Pricing does not include taxes, fees, fuel surcharges, gratuities, resort fees, or airfare unless otherwise noted and is valid on new bookings only. Prices, fees, and other restrictions are subject to supplier policies. All offers, including but not limited to, bonus amenities, upgrades, prices, and group benefits are based on select dates, resorts, room categories, and/or fare codes. Specialty pricing may require proper identification. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates, and other restrictions may apply. When traveling outside the United States a valid passport is required. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to have the proper documentation and identification required by the United States and other governments at the time of travel. When passports are required, it must be valid for a minimum of six months past your date of return. AAA strongly recommends the purchase of Travel Insurance. Usage of a credit card for travel arrangements may provide additional protection, please consult your credit card policies. Under certain circumstances the package price may be subject to supplemental price increases imposed by the supplier. Price increases include, but are not limited to fuel surcharges, taxes or fluctuations in foreign exchange markets that may be imposed after the date of purchase. Air-inclusive prices do not include government imposed taxes and fees, including but not limited to a September 11th Security Fee, U.S. or international government imposed taxes and fees, Federal Excise Fees, among others. Some carriers charge additional fees for checked bags, fuel surcharge, meals, etc. Please check the carriers website for details. Air-inclusive pricing is based on select departure cities. Prices from other cities may vary. AAA Oregon/Idaho acts solely as a sales agent for travel suppliers and is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. We monitor all of the information presented on our website; however, we do not assume responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content of the offers displayed. Review full Travel Disclosure and Consent at time of booking.