Black Hills Private Native American History Tour

Are you sifting through multiple tours to find out what is best? We know it's hard to choose, so we'll make it easy. The Black Hills has so much to offer that your experience shouldn't be rushed, require any planning, or carry with it unexpected surprises. You deserve a well-educated guide, ultimate hospitality, and a thorough understanding of the Black Hills that is fun, educational, and exciting.
You've found it right here. Our company has the highest ratings of any private tour company in the Black Hills, and we'll work as hard as it takes to maintain that honor. We teach beyond the placards, movies, self-guided tours, and glossed-over subjects. Lakota Heritage is an integral part of the tour, and we do our best to represent it. No other experience is like this and offered through an exclusively private adventure.

What's included:

• Expert Private Guide

What to expect:

Duration: between 9 hours and 10 hours

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

13000 Hwy 244, Keystone, 57751-4403, South Dakota

Visiting Rushmore and having a guide tell you all the little known secrets are two different things. Learn about Mount Rushmore from a local perspective, including its Native American History. Sit with us in the amphitheater and discover the secrets behind Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt & Lincoln in this artistic masterpiece. Learn about the men behind the concept, the workers that made it happen, the mistakes, occupation, original intent and more.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Iron Mountain Road

Custer, South Dakota

Iron Mountain Road was said to be impossible to build. Let's see what it's like to drive a challenge accepted. This road goes through the Black Hills, pigtail curves bridges, and tunnels on our way to stunning views. Learn about the architect, history, plants and animals along the way.

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Custer State Park Visitor Center

US Hwy 16A and Wildlife Loop Road, Custer, South Dakota

A stop at the visitor center is a great way to get ready for the Wildlife Loop Road. Enjoy a movie narrated by Kevin Costner. Learn a bit about the bison, Calvin Coolidge and Sylvan Lake.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Wildlife Loop Road

Custer, 57730, South Dakota

Its about to get wild! We have binoculars ready and will be on the lookout for the great American Bison, Pronghorn (Antelope), Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goats, Elk, Prairie Dogs, and all kinds of birds. This is the most diverse and best place to enjoy the wildlife of the Black Hills. We're able to get off the paved road and head back into the deeper parts for more wildlife viewing.

1 hour, 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Mount Coolidge Fire Lookout Tower

Custer State Park, , Custer, South Dakota

After Custer State Park, we'll take our vehicle to the very top of an active fire lookout tower. Beautiful views can be seen from the top, and it's a favorite of guests. Our guests are wowed by the beauty, views and the road to the top.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Custer

Custer, South Dakota

The Wild West Town set up by the Gordon Party has a lot of little known secrets. Let's explore the town, and have some lunch while we're here. You'll love hearing about the history, the Gold Rush and be taken to the exact location where gold was discovered by Custer's Expedition.

1 hour

South Dakota 87

57730, South Dakota

Threading the eye of the needle is the best part. Find out why they call this the needles parkway and be prepared to traverse a few windy roads and tunnels along the way. Who knows what you might find? We can stop in various places along the way to take pictures and be awed by the views.

1 hour, 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Crazy Horse Memorial

12151 Avenue of the Chiefs, Crazy Horse, 57730-8900, South Dakota

Enter the culture and history before settlers arrived in the scene. This monument is dedicated to one of the most important Indigenous people of the area, Crazy Horse. A courageous, and complicated warrior and hero to Native Americans everywhere, he truly left his imprint upon this land. It's a fascinating story that must be told. Let's visit the monument, take a ride to the front side, learn about Crazy Horse the man, watch a movie and make out way through some of the most interesting Native American artifacts of this land.
An artist in residence, along with performing art can be seen and enjoyed here.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Needle Eye Tunnel

Mp 31, Sd-87, Custer State Park, Custer, 57730, South Dakota

This is one of the most sought after roads in the country, because of its design, tunnels, winding switchbacks, ultimate view of the Black Hills and in general an unbelievable experience. The Needles Eye Tunnel is an engineering marvel. We'll fold in the side mirrors and video the experience as we cross through to the other side.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Sylvan Lake

Custer, 57730, South Dakota

Sylvan Lake is regarded by many as the most beautiful lake in the Black Hills. We're sure you'll agree. We're not just here to see the lake, but take a walk around its perimeter. See why so many come to enjoy this special place, and take in the fresh air from this world famous place.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Needles Eye

SD Hwy 87 North, Custer, 57730, South Dakota

For those that do travel the Needles Highway, most miss the Needles Eye. This extraordinary natural formation is like nothing you've seen. Let's get out, explore, take pictures and look in awe at the features atop Needles Highway.

10 minutes

Hill City

Hill City, South Dakota

After our experience on Needles Highway, we'll stop in Hill City. This is a cute little town nestled in the Hills and known to have two churches on either end and a mile of hell in between. It's not really that way anymore. From here we'll enjoy a dinner or press on back to Rapid City for dinner downtown before concluding our tour

1 hour

Rapid City

Rapid City, South Dakota

If time is available, and we are taking you back to hotels in Rapid City Proper, we'll stop for some shopping before ending the tour at the hotel.

30 minutes