Badlands, Mt Rushmore & Black Hills

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 5/13/2025.

Cancellation Penalties: Cancellation penalties: If cancellation occurs from booking date to 3/14/25, a $25.00 per person penalty will be assessed. If cancellation occurs between 3/15/25 and 6/12/25, a $1200 per person penalty will be assessed. If cancellation occurs between 6/13/25 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

United 2657 Depart: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) at 10:10am Arrive: Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) at 11:31am   United 5691 Depart: Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) at 12:54pm Arrive: Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) at 2:17pm *Flights are subject to change

Return: September 16, 2025

United 5247 Depart: Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) at 1:35pm Arrive: Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) at 4:50pm   United 1776 Depart: Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) at 6:25pm Arrive: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) at 9:32pm *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.

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.

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