Badlands National Park Stargazing and Sunset Tour

A once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the incredible Badlands; first in the afternoon and into a golden sunset - followed by the official National Park stargazing program.
The best of both worlds, this tour allows us the view wildlife and the parks formations before the sun sets, and then taking on the park after dark!

Because Badlands National Park is not surrounded by big cities or other major sources of light pollution, night skies in the park are very clear. After dark, visitors can see many of the night sky’s greatest hits: constellations, the moon, satellites, and airplanes. But the special darkness of Badlands National Park helps visitors to see even more like planets, the Milky Way, star clusters, nebulae, the International Space Station, shooting stars, and – very occasionally – the aurora borealis.

Meeting Point

Holiday Inn Rapid City Downtown - Conv Ctr, an IHG Hotel

505 N 5th St, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA

If we are not picking up at your hotel. Your pick up point in Rapid City will be at the downtown holiday inn. Free parking. Please meet us out the front of the lobby.

What's included:

• National Park Entrance Fees
• Binoculars and Telescopes
• Rapid City Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Private Tour - Exclusive to your group
• Local expert guide

What to expect:

Duration: between 6 hours and 7 hours

Downtown Rapid City

512 Main St, Rapid City, 57701-2739, South Dakota

We offer complimentary pick up within the central Rapid City area and Box Elder Hotels. If you are staying outside of this area, you may be asked to meet us in town at the pick up location.
Our travel time to the Badlands area is ~1 hour.

1 hour

Wall Drug

510 Main Street, Wall, 57790, South Dakota

An optional stop to the famous Wall Drug.
"Wall Drug has become an emblem of American perseverance and innovation. From its modest inception in 1931, this once little-known drugstore has transformed into an enthralling destination for over 2 million visitors each year. At Wall Drug, you're not just a customer; you're part of a rich history that spans over eight decades, offering a blend of dining, activities, gifts, souvenirs, and the hallmark free ice water that has refreshed countless road-worn travelers."

30 minutes

Badlands National Park

South Dakota

Our evening officially begins at the entrance to the National Park. Our stops through the park will vary depending on guests requests and where wildlife is found. Listed Below are some examples of stops through the park.

3 hours

Sage Creek Wilderness Area

South Dakota

We enter the National Park from the west entrance and first make our way through the sage creek area to aim to find wildlife. A spectacular view awaits us!

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Pinnacles Overlook

Vista Point, South Dakota

Moving through the park, we stop at pinnacles overlook to take in the spectacular late afternoon views.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Yellow Mounds Overlook

Badlands Loop Road, South Dakota

Sunset brings out the most spectacular color formations in the park - yellow mounds overlook does not disappoint with vibrant striations visible here.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Badlands Wilderness Overlook

Badlands National Park, , Interior, South Dakota

We continue through the park at a variety of overlooks looking for wildlife and learning about the geology of the area.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Ben Reifel Visitor Center

Cedar Pass Badlands Loop Road Hwy 240, South Dakota

If the opportunity arises we will stop at the visitors center (Depending on the timing of sunset, the Visitors Center may be closed upon arrival.).
From here we move onto the Amphitheater and begin out evening program and star gazing.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Rapid City

Rapid City, South Dakota

After Dark, we return to Rapid City ~ 1.5 hour drive.

1 hour