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Badlands, Mt Rushmore & Black Hills

Badlands, Mt Rushmore & Black Hills

Embark on an unforgettable adventure to the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, and the Black Hills with Starr Tours. Discover breathtaking landscapes, iconic landmarks, and rich history on this epic journey through the heart of America. Photo Credit Sharon Day

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Badlands, Mt Rushmore & Black Hills

Trip Duration: 7 Days/6 Nights

 

Starr has partnered with Premier World Discovery, a professional tour operator handling escorted tour arrangements. With 25 years experience, PWD's goal is to provide travelers with an unforgettable experience featuring sightseeing, history, culture, and fun!

 

Trip Inclusions:

  • Meals: 6 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners

  • Tour Director upon arrival in Rapid City

  • Round Trip airfare PHL/EWR airport

  • Transfers between airport & hotel in Rapid City

  • Baggage handling and related gratuities

 

Trip Highlights:

 

Mount Rushmore

Majestic figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota, tell the story of the birth, growth, development and preservation of this country. From the history of the first inhabitants to the diversity of America today, Mount Rushmore brings visitors face to face with the rich heritage we all share.

 

Mount Rushmore at Night

Mount Rushmore’s best sight happens as the sun begins to set behind George Washington and his fellow Presidents. The night program at Mount Rushmore is one of the top National park recommendations.

 

Crazy Horse Memorial

The Museums of Crazy Horse Memorial® feature exhibits and engaging experiences for visitors of all ages in the discovery of Native history and contemporary life, the art and science of Mountain Carving, and the lives of the Ziolkowski family.  The Museums include THE INDIAN MUSEUM OF NORTH AMERICA® (including THE NATIVE AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL CENTER®), the Mountain Carving Gallery, and the Ziolkowski Family Life Collection.  The Museums and Galleries of Crazy Horse Memorial® are excellent resources for students, educators, and visitors, allowing the opportunity to study and learn from the displays and many other cultural resources at Crazy Horse Memorial®.

 

Devils Tower National Monument

The Tower is an astounding geologic feature that protrudes out of the prairie surrounding the Black Hills. It is considered sacred by Northern Plains Indians and indigenous people. Hundreds of parallel cracks make it one of the finest crack climbing areas in North America. Devils Tower entices us to learn more, explore more and define our place in the natural and cultural world.

 

Fort Hays

Start your day at Fort Hays, site of the Oscar award winning movie set, Dances with Wolves. Walk along our boardwalk and make your own tin plate or twine lasso rope. There is no admission fee to browse the film set & South Dakota Film Museum. See the original buildings used in this popular Wild West movie. Find the perfect souvenir at one of our three unique Gift Shops.

 

Badlands National Park

The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today.

 

Wall Drug Store

Wall Drug has a rich history in the state of South Dakota. Nestled in the city of Wall in the western part of the state, Wall Drug has grown from its humble beginnings in 1931 to a thriving oasis. Wall Drug offers dining, activities, gifts and souvenirs, visitor information and, of course, free ice water. Many road-worn travelers stop at Wall Drug and leave awake and refreshed, just like they did more than 80 years ago.

 

Custer State Park

The granite peaks and rolling plains are calling. The clear mountain waters are inviting and the open ranges are waiting to be discovered. Bring yourself to Custer State Park and run wild. Encompassing 71,000 acres in the Black Hills, Custer State Park is home to abundant wildlife and adventure; camping, hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, or relaxing, there’s something here for everyone.

 

Buffalo Jeep Safari

Named a Top 10 US Safari by MSN, 2015, our Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour will take you where only we can go: off-road. Trek through Custer State Park in an open-air jeep in search of pronghorns, elk and the noble buffalo. Along the way, our guides will share historical and educational facts about the park and wildlife, and help you spot the critters.

 

State Game Lodge Dinner

Located in Custer State Park, the State Game Lodge offers casual yet elegant dining with a more formal ambiance for dinner.

 

1880 Train

The first steam engine in the Black Hills was brought across the prairie by bull team to the Homestake Mining Company at Lead in 1879. In 1881, the Home-stake Company created the first narrow-gauge railroad in the Black Hills to haul its cargo and the public from Lead to several mining camps. In 1885, the first standard-gauge railroad reached Buffalo Gap, Dakota Territory, and was extended on into Rapid City the next year.

 

Deadwood

Walk in the footsteps of historic Old West legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock. This 1870s gold rush town became a National Historic Landmark in 1961. Today, it teems with Black Hills entertainment and things to do including concerts, casinos, museums, historic sites, spas and parades.

 

The Mammoth Site

Discover The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota. You can tour this indoor active dig site and view Ice Age fossils.

 

The Journey Museum

Along with Black Hills history and Native American culture, The Journey Museum & Learning Center is also home to the vast collection that shows humanity’s journey through time, from creation all the way through current life. We are one of the unique museums that focus on subjects such as dinosaurs, early settlement, and past living conditions. Journey through and learn about not only Black Hills history, but the history of our species.

 

K-Bar S Lodge Dinner

Nestled in the beautiful Black Hills just outside Keystone. Enjoy a special Farewell dinner before heading out to see Mount Rushmore at night.

 

Chuckwagon Supper & Cowboy Show

Be part of a Blue Bell tradition. This old-fashioned hayride takes you on a 45-minute scenic wildlife tour on the park's beautiful backroad to a mountain meadow canyon for a chuck wagon feast. Live entertainment! On the way, you can sing along with your live folk music entertainer, and the full folk band joins up at the canyon for the dinner show. Each paying guest gets a souvenir cowboy hat and bandanna to help you play the part.

 

Need to Know:

 

Proof of Citizenship Requirement: Government Issued Photo ID

 

Tour: September 10, 2025

Deposit/Payment Policy:

  • Deposit is $425.00 per person.

  • Final payment is due by 6/12/2025.

Cancellation Penalties:

  • If cancellation occurs from booking date to 6/11/25, a $25.00* per person penalty will be assessed.

  • If cancellation occurs between 6/12/25 and 6/27/25, a $1,200.00* per person penalty will be assessed.

  • If cancellation occurs between 6/28/25 and 9/10/25, the passenger is in full penalty and no refund will be granted.

*In addition to the cancellation polices listed above, if additional payments have been made to Starr for the purpose of securing your airline reservation, these monies are non-refundable once received. Any name changes after final payment is made will be assessed a per person change fee. The amount of the fee will be determined by the airline.

 

Flight Schedule:

Departure: September 10, 2025

Depart: TBA

Arrive: TBA

*Flights are subject to change

Return: September 16, 2025

Depart: TBA

Arrive: TBA

*Flights are subject to change

**Only 1 piece of checked baggage is allowed on this trip and there will be a charge by the airline to check any luggage.**

 

Trip Insurance:

Travel Insurance provides protection for your travel investment and it should always be considered. We recommend The National Tour Association's (NTA) Travel Protection Plan administered by Aon Affinity. You can purchase the enhanced plan within 14 days of deposit to cover preexisting conditions or 'cancel for any reason' coverage.

For more information: https://www.starrtours.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NTA-Plan-Flyer-Starr-Tours.pdf

For frequently asked questions: https://www.starrtours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/NTA-Plan-Flyer-FAQ_2023.pdf

To purchase: Call 800-388-1470 or log onto: nta.aontravelprotect.com

Starr's Tour Operator location # for AON is 306035. 

 

Gratuities:

Gratuities to individuals noted below are not included in the price of your tour package. Customary recognized guidelines are as follows:

*Motorcoach Driver – $4-$6 per tour guest, per day

*Tour Director – $4-$6 per tour guest, per day

 

Accessibility:

Starr has a select quantity of wheelchair accessible motorcoaches available; therefore, we suggest you contact a Travel Advisor to discuss any needs you may have before reserving your trip.

Day 1

Today arrive in Rapid City. Enjoy a Welcome dinner with your traveling companions

Day 2

This morning visit Mt. Rushmore featuring the awesome sculptures of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln. Each face is 60 feet high and is carved into the rugged granite mountainside with intricate perfection. Continue onto the Crazy Horse Memorial, still in progress. View the giant mountainside sculpture of the famous Indian Chief astride his pony. This afternoon visit Custer State Park famous as a wildlife preserve featuring a herd of 1,500 free roaming buffalo. Experience a thrilling Buffalo Jeep Safari in search of some of the herd. Enjoy dinner at the famous State Game Lodge, built 1920 and listed on the national register of historic places with past guests including Presidents Coolidge & Eisenhower.

Day 3

Today journey west into Wyoming to visit Devil's Tower National Monument to view the 867 foot monolith. Return east into South Dakota to visit historic Deadwood. Meet your local guide and explore the 1876 rough and tumble gold camp & gambling town where Wild West legends were made like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock. The entire city is a national historic landmark and features an incredibly preserved Main Street. Later take a scenic drive in the Black Hills.

Day 4

This morning travel to The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, the museum has the greatest concentration of mammoth remains in the world. As of 2016, the remains of 61 mammoths including 58 North American Columbian and 3 Woolly mammoths had been recovered. Mammoth bones were found at the site in 1974, and a museum and building enclosing the site were established. Next visit one of Rapid City’s newest attractions, the city-owned $12 million The Journey Museum which traces the geology of the Black Hills and tells the story of the people who inhabited these lands. The Journey features four museums including the Sioux Indian Museum. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your own pace

Day 5

Visit and drive through Badlands National Park, located between the White & Cheyenne Rivers. The area contains spectacular examples of weathering, erosion, fantastic ridges, cliffs & canyons of variegated color. Later explore the unusual and well known Wall Drug store, famous for it's "free ice water." This afternoon visit Fort Hays Dances with Wolves movie set to see some of the original buildings used in the Oscar winning film. Later at the same location enjoy a fun filled Chuckwagon supper & cowboy show.

Day 6

Enjoy a short drive to Hill City to explore Main Street and board the 1880 train for a rail journey through history and scenery. The 1880 train is an authentic narrow gauge railroad dating back to the Black Hills Gold rush. Then stop at the Black Hills gold factory. Tonight's special Farewell dinner is at the K-Bar S Lodge nestled in the beautiful Black Hills just outside Keystone. Following dinner, experience Mt. Rushmore at night to see this American treasure illuminated in a whole new light.

Day 7

Depart from Rapid City filled with wonderful memories of your Badlands, Mt. Rushmore and Black Hills tour.

Note

Itinerary is subject to change

Accommodations:

 

Day 1-7:

Holiday Inn Rapid City Downtown, Rapid City, SD or Similar

 

Note: Hotels are subject to change and are assigned approximately 30 days prior to departure.

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

Below is a list of pick-up points available for this tour. Pick up points vary by departure date so to see which date(s) your preferred location(s) is available, click “view” below.

Note: Not all pick-up points are available for all tours or all departure dates. Also, with less than 3 people booked from a pick-up point, that pick-up point may be changed or eliminated. If so, we will alert you approximately 30 days prior to departure.

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City, State Address
Bensalem, PA (MAIN) Best Western Plus Phila Bensalem (MAIN)
3499 Street Rd Bensalem, PA
Cherry Hill, NJ (MAIN) Cherry Hill Train Station Parking Lot (MAIN)
Next to ShopRite at 2240 W Marlton Pike
Chester, PA (MAIN) Harrah's Philadelphia Casino (MAIN)
777 Harrah's Blvd
Hamilton, NJ (MAIN) Hamilton Station Park & Ride Garage (MAIN)
800 Sloan Avenue Hamilton, NJ
Iselin, NJ (MAIN/HUB) APA Hotel Woodbridge (MAIN/HUB)
120 S Wood Avenue Iselin, NJ
Phila (NE), PA (MAIN) Phila (Northeast) KleinLife (MAIN)
10100 Jamison Ave (at Red Lion Rd) Philadelphia PA
Phila (South), PA (MAIN) Oregon Diner 302 W Oregon Ave (at 3rd St) (MAIN)
Philadelphia, PA
Toms River, NJ (SHUTTLE) Toms River Park & Ride (SHUTTLE)
400 Highland Parkway S. Toms River, NJ
Wall Twnship NJ (SHUTTLE) Judy Blume Service Area (SHUTTLE)
100 Garden State Parkway Wall, NJ

To see availability and costs based on number of travelers in your group, select the correct passenger count here:

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