Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Black Hills

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

Celebrating 40+ years in business!

Fly in a hot air balloon and soar over the beautiful Black Hills. Make memories that will last forever.

Your Adventure Awaits! Black Hills Balloons flies in the southern Black Hills, making the Custer area, including the world-renowned Custer State Park the heart of our flying area. Your flight will vary over mountains, valleys, lakes and prairies - it's one of the best ways to view the Black Hills; home to elk, antelope, whitetail deer, buffalo and mule deer. If you're lucky, you might even see a mountain lion from our secure gondola! The Black Hills are the only place in the world where you can witness such historic, wild landscape and abundant wildlife from a hot air balloon.

Phone hours are 8am - 8pm daily.

Additional Info

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Minimum age is 4 years

Black Hills Balloons will text and email the day before the flight before 6.30 pm for a flight status update and weather check.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Bottled water

All Fees and Taxes

Hot Air Balloon Flight

Glass of Champagne

Hotel pick up and drop-off

Gratuities

What To Expect

Make your own way to the centrally located meeting point in Custer, SD. From here, you will be taken to the launch site where the crew will begin the task of unloading and preparing your balloon. Take part in a short safety briefing and enjoy photo opportunities as the balloon is being inflated.

15 minutes • Admission Included

Black Hills National Forest

Once the balloon is ready, you’ll gently take to the skies for an approximate 1-hour flight over the Black Hills National Forest. If you are new to ballooning, you’ll be surprised at the silence and serenity you’ll find high above the treetops. It’s truly magical. Upon landing, the ground crew will pack the balloon while you and your pilot celebrate the flight with complimentary champagne, light snacks and a story about the origin of hot air ballooning. Flights depart at sunrise and are weather dependent and always at the discretion of your experienced pilot.

1 hour • Admission Included

Options

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Reviews

4.96

469 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

458

Don’t even think about it, just do it!! It’s the best!
O9735LJdebm,
Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our experience was AMAZING!! Damian and his crew are fantastic. So knowledgeable and funny - would do this again in a heartbeat! My whole family loved it, will be recommending Black Hills Balloons to others.
What a wonderful experience!
herberto510,
Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Damian was our pilot and was personable and experienced. We took off in 35 degrees cold but were soon warmed as we flew. The scenery was spectacular and we flew with another balloon. It was a smooth landing and we feasted on champagne and cheese. A balloonist’s tradition. I would do this again in a heartbeat.
A must do in the black hills!
Bob W,
Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was our first hot air balloon ride. It was fantastic! Mike our pilot did a great job. He was personable and entertaining.
Exciting fun and great experience
C427OKshirleyh,
Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was super fun the owners are fantastic people in the workers with them and of course I got to mention Charlie the four-legged companion I would do it again in a heartbeat
Bravo Black Hills Balloon
quincys136,
Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The team was very experienced and safety minded. They were knowledgable of the area and very confident and courteous. The end of the trip was made even more memorable by the pilots telling their knowledge of history, champagne and crackers. Bravo!
A literally "uplifting" and spirited experience!
Y5189MGbarbarat,
Oct 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Flying with Black Hills Balloons was a bucket list trip and it was wondrous! Safety and enjoyment are the top priorities of Damien and his professional staff. You will feel confident about flying and landing. You get to see the balloon(s) being filled and taken down again. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Damien walk into the balloon as it filled to check it for safety. Passengers were placed very thoughtfully; a couple celebrating their anniversary had a compartment to themselves. Everyone was at ease, laughing at Damien's dry wit, and in awe of the sights and their feelings. The mimosas and refreshments after landing came with a short presentation of the history of balloon flight. You get a certificate, and the printed blessing was especially meaningful to me as a retired chaplain. Go float across the South Dakota skies with Black Hills Balloons!
Peaceful Sailing
696gailes,
Oct 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This has been on my husband’s and my bucket list since the Hot Air Balloon Rallies long ago in Tyndall, SD!! It was ABSOLUTELY the greatest adventure with a fantastic crew! The free ‘entertainment package’ made it even more enjoyable!! What a beautiful, peaceful way to enjoy the great outdoors of South Dakota! Randy/Gaile Sachtjen Burke, SD
When in South Dakota, the Black Hills Balloon flight is a must!
steveeF2208XR,
Oct 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My experience with Black Hills Balloon flights was absolutely tremendous! The pilot, Damien, with his many years of flying along with his genuine humor made the experience all the better. My daughter and my two granddaughters also loved it. I am 76 and my youngest granddaughter is 17 so I could highly recommend it for all age groups.
Well worth it!
josephjK3242QU,
Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Absolutely wonderful experience. Captain and crew were excellent. They emphasized safety and customer satisfaction at all times. Strongly recommend!
Flying over the Black Hills
June K,
Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
When I called to book a flight they told me they were all full. After I hung up I said to my husband I should have left my name and number in case they had a cancellation. Lo and behold even though I hadn’t left my name I got a call saying they did have a cancellation. We had a beautiful trip over the black hills.