Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
What makes this tour unique is the combination of three of Western South Dakota's most iconic destinations – Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop – into a single, comprehensive, and fully narrated experience. Over 8-9 hours, you'll not just see these landmarks, but gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for their history, cultural significance, and natural beauty.
We always give the guest time to buy their lunch during the tour.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
If the weather is good we go to Mt. Rushmore first for 1½ hours. There is a 14 minute video about the carving, the sculptor Gutzon Borglum, and workers. The Lincoln Borglum Museum has some great displays about Borglum, his family and his works, the mountain and machinery and the workers. The Presidential Trail is a gradually inclining walk that goes under the faces in the rock rubble with great spots for pictures of the individual faces. If you go further there is a strenuous walk down to the Sculptor’s Studio (open only in the summer months) then back up to the viewing terrace. The Avenue of Flags represents all 50 states and the territories, and their respective dates of admission to the Union. There is also a new Youth Exploration area recently opened. The large gift shop has many items. The Carvers’ Café and an ice cream shop are available for refreshments. As we leave we stop for a picture at the side profile of George Washington.
Crazy Horse Memorial
From Mt. Rushmore we drive 30 minutes to Crazy Horse Memorial. We allow 1½ hours here, or more if we eat lunch in the Laughing Water Restaurant. This is a 3 sided sculpture which will be the largest in the world when completed. There is a 20 minute video about the carving and the sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and his family that are doing the work. The North American Indian Museum has items from many different Indian tribes, with 90% of the items being donated. The gift shop has many Native made items for sale. Ziolkowski’s workshop and the log home he built, filled with antiques, are available to walk through. There is a Native American Cultural Center where you can watch Natives making items for sale, as well as display items to see and touch. There is a brass Nature Gate and a huge statue of Fighting Stallions.
Options
Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour
Pickup included
What‘s Included
English Guide
Bottled water
Umbrellas and blankets in van
Entrance fee
Snacks
Gratuities
Lunch
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
40 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Family vacation/ South Dakota
cookg93,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Liz was a terrific guide and our tour ended up being just the three of us. She took us to Mount Rushmore, crazy horse and a Custer State Parktook us around and showed us things had a lot of knowledge knew many things about the area that she told us and showed us places in Rapid City were some terrific restaurants which we took her up on and had dinner later was a fun day. I would highly highly recommend this tour.
A first class experience!
896ricb,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did three different tours with Affordable Adventures and each one was great! Overall, this was a first class experience. We worked to set things up directly with the owner Ann. She was wonderful to work with and extremely patient with all of our questions. Our tour guides, Nick and Cindy, both did a great job. Above and beyond our expectations. We highly recommend working with Affordable Adventures!
Our guide Bruce was...
Tom S,May 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Bruce was great. Patient and flexible. Sights were great, just as we thought they would be.
This area is beautiful and this tour made it better.
michaeloS6381FO,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Do it. Well worth it. Scott is a pleasure and is very knowledgeable of local and complete state/area historical events. Pricing was perfect for a private tour. Vehicle was great and had awesome views. We did this as a 2 night stop with just this trip planned and Scott rocked it. He even knew when to get to each location to beat the tour bus crowds.
Mt Rushmore 2026
Delcie C,May 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Scott, our tour guide was absolutely excellent. He was knowledgeable, friendly, patient, and made the entire experience enjoyable from start to finish. His attention to detail really stood out. We learned so much while also having a great time. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting.
Great experience!!
vickiecF1024RO,May 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Scott was an excellent tour guide. He shared a lot of local history and was very knowledgeable of the parks that we saw. I would highly recommend Affordable Adventure tours.
Like Being Shown Around by a Good Neighbor
DonCyoti,May 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was a wonderful experience. Bill was our guide and he really made you feel at home. He added so much information and background beyond what the excellent films at Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse provided. Bill recommended lunch at The Laughing Waters at Crazy Horse Monument and it was a great meal. I had the bison stew and my wife had the Indian tacos. On the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop, Bill filled us in on the history of President Calvin Coolidge running the country for three months in 1927 at the State Game Lodge. Bill took us through this really cool old building steeped in history. The Wildlife Loop did not disappoint. We had dozens of bisons with "cinnamon" calves stream by our car in a couple of different occasions. You could reach out and touch one if so inclined though not recommended. We also saw antelope, deer and bighorn sheep. I can heartily recommend this tour. Just be prepared for a full day as there is a lot to see in all three locations.
Dan and Debbie
Dan W,May 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great adventure, well worth the time and money. Seen much more that would have seen on our own. Trevor was very informative as we traveled. Suggested sights to visit on our way home, glad we took his advice.
Great day
Laurie P,May 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was unbelievable the places we went and things we saw, I would recommend it to everyone. It was a long day and a lot of walking so wear comfortable shoes .
Great Day
lauriepT6886TW,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great tour, saw a lot of different things that we wouldn’t have if we drove around ourselves. Trevor was very informative, polite and friendly. His knowledge of the places were great. I would recommend this tour to everyone.
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