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• Outstanding tours and activities near Black Hills and Badlands for my family led by private guide/driver

  SabaF,Jun 22, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Four members of my family and I recently spent 6 days touring western S. Dakota guided and driven by James McSherry of Black Hills Adventure Tours. Family members ranged in age from 14 to 80. Tours were originally arranged through Heather Barilla of Magical Moments, who also used Excursionist to book Black Hills Adventure Tours. Our tour package included the following in addition to Mr. McSherry, who was our private group guide and driver for the entire 6 days: 6 nights at Club House Suites hotel (Rapid City), Journey Museum (Rapid City); Prairie Edge (Rapid City); rodeo (Palmer Gulch); Devils Tower (Wyo); Deadwood, S. Dak; kayaking/paddleboarding (Lake Pactola); hike at Spearfish; Mt. Rushmore; Crazy Horse Memorial; Custer State Park; 20 mile trail bike (Mickelson Trail); 2.5 mile hike (Flume Trail); Badlands sunset tour; Wall Drug. Picnic or restaurant lunches were included all days as well as picnic dinner for Badlands and food at rodeo. Club House hotel in Rapid City is new. Adequate breakfast buffet included every day. Coffee available throughout day. No issues with reservations. Rooms large and 2 had balconies. 2 suites averaged $480/night and 1 averaged $400/night, which I thought was pricey. complimentary shuttle service. Rooms large and reasonably appointed but no dresser so little storage for clothes. Housekeeping service was fair. All of the tour arrangements by Black Hills and our guide/driver Jamie were outstanding. Customer service was excellent in all respects. Itinerary was excellent , including inevitable modifications before and during trip. The guide used Black Hills vans, all of which were in excellent condition and cleaned every day. Guide was always on time, ready to go, attentive to each person and detail, very personable, respectful and accommodating to all of our small group, and very knowledgeable about all the sites and activities, including history, geology, flora and fauna. Every day was well planned and managed. We did not have a single issue with the guide or provider. All park permits and entry fees to museums were included in the package. We had full days almost every day. Our group likes to sightsee, learn, experience and be active. We had some days that were primarily touring and sightseeing and a couple that were primarily moderately active (kayaking, bicycling, hiking). We were also very fortunate with great weather every day. When our kayaking/paddleboarding took less time than expected, our guide added hiking near Spearfish. When our biking also took less time, he added a good somewhat strenuous hike at Flume Trail, which was beautiful. They provided the kayaks/paddleboards/life vests and the bicycles (including 2 electric bikes) and helmets. All were in good condition. Lake Pactola is fairly small and water level was down everywhere. Mickelson bike trail excellent and mostly flat for our 20 miles and very pretty. Again, our guide Jamie was always accommodating. He managed our time but never rushed us. we could have spent more time at all of the museums and visitor centers, all of which were really excellent with extensive, informational, educational and well done displays and exhibits. All in all, while the package was not inexpensive, our small group all had an excellent experience in every respect and we would highly recommend Black Hills Adventure Tours and our guide Jamie.

• This tour group, and Jamie, was absolutely incredible!

  Daydream41467197395,Jun 19, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Jamie was ABSOLUTELY incredible! Truly the best tour guide and trip experience we’ve ever had. We had people of all ages on our trip and he immediately knew how to tailor every experience to our group and point out things of interest to every person. He was incredibly knowledgeable; the sheer amount he knew about everything on our 6 day trip was mind blowing, from as little as a random bird that would pop by to answering every little question we had. He made great on the fly decisions for what would be best for our family and what he thought would suite our needs/interests as the days went by. The cherry on top was how personable he was. He truly made our trip. Everyone from a 14 year old to an 80 year old absolutely loved him which I don’t think has ever happened for our family. Could not recommend this tour, but specifically Jamie, enough!

• Good bang for the buck over a long weekend! Excellent tour of Mount Rushmore, CrazyHorse and Custer State Park.

  Dren P,Jun 9, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Jackie was a wonderful guide. Very knowledgeable about the area and sites we visited. Couldn’t have had a better experience. Mount Rushmore was a thrill! As was crazy horse. Many wildlife sightings in Custer State Park. Got great pictures. We considered ourselves fortunate as we were the only 2 guests on the tour making it a private tour. Couldn’t have been better! Jackie thank you for making our first trip the South Dakota such a memorable one!! You have a beautiful state!

• Best tour in SD

  Kchosmer123,May 12, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Jamie was an amazing guide! He was so knowledgeable of everywhere we went! Totally recommend this tour…a must do!!

• Touring Western South Dakota

  Roam269869,Apr 26, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  I did private tours with Alan 2 days while in South Dakota exploring the Badlands and the Black Hills, Custer State Park, and Mount Rushmore. Alan was excellent, and knew so much about the area and the history of the area. If you love Native American history and the history of the American expansion west, I recommend touring and exploring with Alan. I had an unforgettable experience.

• Excellent Tour

  U3005LOpattim,Apr 19, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Where to start. As the only person on this tour, I received excellent treatment by the primary guide and her trainee. Both were fully engaged the entire ten hours and I learned so much about Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer National Park. Seeing the animals up close was a treat. On a cold, blustery day, yet sunny, the crowds were at a minimum which was very nice. Lunch in Custer was excellent. Great hamburger. The only suggestion I would make is to allow singles to pay a single price rather than having to paying double. The minimum participants for this tour was two.

• Absolutely amazing tour and guide

  Gmstat,Mar 23, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We had the private monument and Custer state park private tour. It was absolutely amazing. My husband didn't have to drive so could also enjoy the amazing views and sites. The knowledge of our tour guide, Aura, was incredible. Had we gone out on our own, we would have not gotten all of the added knowledge. She knew exactly where the perfect stops were, and we could not believe the knowledge she had. Not only about the monuments, about the area, the geography, the animals, the trees, everything about the crazy horse and mountain t Rushmore background. I could go on and on about all the knowledge she shared. and we also had a built in photographer! We stopped at a new restaurant in Keystone, which was provided as part of our tour, an it was really good. Even at every visitor center she walked us around and personally showed us everything and added much more than what was displayed. She picked us up at our hotel at 8am sharp. We were supposed to return around 5pm. At one point she asked if we had to get back for anything. Which we didn’t. We got back at 6! The great: expert and knowledge guide, convenience of getting to enjoy it all without having to drive everywhere, the monuments, especially crazy horse, and all the wildlife at Custer state park, needles highway and driving through the tunnels. We have nothing to rate less than great. Thank you Aura for an amazing experience!!

• Fantastic

  marcogL6526JA,Dec 23, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  incredible experience And the guides were very friendly and attentive. I would recommend it to families and friends. A special place to visit With the best tour company

  

• Wonderful trip!

  N2203ZPkarenl,Oct 7, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  The private Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer Park tour was wonderful! Aura was an incredible tour guide. She was so knowledgeable and so very pleasant to be with. She made the adventure even more memorable. Great communication regarding the meeting place before the tour began. The lunch meal was at a wonderful restaurant, paid by the tour guide. I highly recommend.

• It was great

  nalinkumarp2025,Sep 26, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Mike the guide/ driver was very knowledgeable about the area and courteous.. I would do another guided tour with him if the opportunity prevails

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