Jeep safari and guided hiking in Custer State Park with lunch
8 hours
2 to 18 people
Equipment, lunch, bottled water
Travel from Rapid City to Custer State Park for an open-air jeep safari and an afternoon of hiking on park trails. Enjoy lunch at the historic State Game Lodge along the way.
Arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled tour time.
Full refund if the operator cancels due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Otherwise, no cancellations; you can rebook within one year.
Product ID: RPXK25
Bring layered comfortable clothes, sunglasses, good hiking shoes, and a camera.
Yes. Arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled tour time.
Your tour includes lunch, bottled water, and light snacks.
550 Berry Blvd, Rapid City, SD 57702, USA
Custer State Park sprawls across more than 71,000 acres of the Black Hills in South Dakota, a landscape where granite spires rise above rolling prairies and one of the largest publicly owned bison herds in the world roams freely. This private Jeep safari and hiking tour is built entirely around the rhythms of Custer State Park, taking you off the paved scenic loops and into the quieter corners where wildlife gathers at dawn and the light catches the rock formations just right. With a local guide behind the wheel, you trade the stress of navigating Wildlife Loop Road for the chance to actually look around, scanning for pronghorn, elk, mule deer, and the famous "begging burros" who often wander right up to the vehicle.
The day blends two ways of experiencing Custer State Park, the comfort of an open-air Jeep and the immersion of stepping out onto the trail. Your guide pieces together a route based on conditions and your interests, pausing for photos when a bison herd crosses the road, sharing stories about the park's history, geology, and the Lakota heritage of the surrounding Black Hills. On foot, you might wind through ponderosa pine forest, scramble among the weathered granite outcrops, or follow a creek bed where the air smells of warm pine and wildflowers. Because this is a private tour, the pacing is yours, more hiking if you want a workout, more driving if you would rather cover ground and chase wildlife sightings across Custer State Park.
This experience is ideal for families, couples, photographers, and curious travelers who want a deeper connection with Custer State Park than a self-guided drive can offer. Wildlife lovers will appreciate the guide's eye for spotting animals tucked into the brush, while hikers will value being shown trails that match their fitness level and the day's weather. If you have limited time in the Black Hills and want to make every hour count, a private day inside Custer State Park is a memorable way to do it.
Black Hills Adventure Tours delivers consistently exceptional experiences through their knowledgeable and personable guides. Travelers rave about guides like Aura, Jamie, Jacki, Mark, and Kevin, who bring encyclopedic knowledge of South Dakota's geology, Native American history, wildlife, and botany to every tour. What really stands out is how these guides tailor each experience to their groups' interests and abilities, whether it's finding less-trafficked trails for experienced hikers or keeping kids engaged with stories and interactive elements. The tours cover major attractions like Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Badlands alongside hidden gems and hiking trails that visitors wouldn't discover on their own. Many reviewers appreciated included lunches at quality restaurants and the flexibility to adjust itineraries based on weather or energy levels. Communication before tours is clear, pickups are reliably on time, and the overall operation runs smoothly. Multiple families and couples booking multi-day adventures found the guides' passion for the region infectious, making these tours feel more like exploring with a knowledgeable friend than a standard tourist experience.
We had an absolutely awesome tour with Scott in the red open top Jeep! When we saw the Red Jeep in front of our hotel, we were already sold. What an amazingly fun vehicle. We had the luck to be the only two on the tour with Scott, and he really knew how to treat us. Starting in the Black Hills, he showed us al the stunning views and nice spots in the area. We felt very safe in Scott his hands (as some of the roads in the area can be a bit treacherous). Afterwards, we went to Custer State Park, where Scott knew exactly where to spot all animals. We got to sit in the back of the Jeep here - how cool is that! We saw Buffalo's just next to our car, almost being able to pet them! (But as they say; do not pet the fluffy cows!) We got to feed the Begging Burros with food supplied by Scott. They loved it! (Special love to little Patches here!) Not to forget the Prairie Dogs and all other animals. We even made a stop at the very informative Bison Center. We had a lovely picknick at the prettiest location next to the water, with no other people there! Scott then took us up Needles Highway and the Cathedral Spires, also showing us Sylvan Lake. All just such beautiful locations. Honestly, this whole trip and the region were so magical. Scott really elevated the trip with this awesome tour and we made a memory we will never forget. Thank you Scott! I can only recommend the Black Hills Open-Top-Tours!
Jorian Carpentier
June 7, 2026
We had an absolutely awesome tour with Scott in the red open top Jeep! When we saw the Red Jeep in front of our hotel, we were already sold. What an amazingly fun vehicle. We had the luck to be the only two on the tour with Scott, and he really knew how to treat us. Starting in the Black Hills, he showed us al the stunning views and nice spots in the area. We felt very safe in Scott his hands (as some of the roads in the area can be a bit treacherous). Afterwards, we went to Custer State Park, where Scott knew exactly where to spot all animals. We got to sit in the back of the Jeep here - how cool is that! We saw Buffalo's just next to our car, almost being able to pet them! (But as they say; do not pet the fluffy cows!) We got to feed the Begging Burros with food supplied by Scott. They loved it! (Special love to little Patches here!) Not to forget the Prairie Dogs and all other animals. We even made a stop at the very informative Bison Center. We had a lovely picknick at the prettiest location next to the water, with no other people there! Scott then took us up Needles Highway and the Cathedral Spires, also showing us Sylvan Lake. All just such beautiful locations. Honestly, this whole trip and the region were so magical. Scott really elevated the trip with this awesome tour and we made a memory we will never forget. Thank you Scott! I can only recommend the Black Hills Open-Top-Tours!
Jorian Carpentier
June 7, 2026
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