Private Tour
Twilight Tour: Custer State Park & Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience the stunning beauty of the Black Hills on this unforgettable private afternoon & evening tour, designed to highlight the region’s most scenic drives & end with the Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony.
First, we visit the tranquil Sylvan Lake, nestled among pine-covered hills & dramatic rock formations.
We continue with a picturesque journey along the legendary Needles Hwy, where towering granite spires, narrow tunnels, & sweeping views create an unforgettable drive. You’ll have plenty of time for photo stops, short walks, and commentary from your knowledgeable local guide.
Then, travel the engineering marvel of Iron Mt Rd, known for its pigtail bridges, scenic switchbacks, & tunnels that perfectly frame Mt Rushmore in the distance.
We arrive at Mt Rushmore with time to explore, then as night falls, gather at the amphitheater for the Lighting Ceremony—a patriotic & heartfelt experience that includes a short film, tribute to veterans, & the illumination of the iconic carvings.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Entrance fee
Snacks
Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
Local expert guide
Gratuities
Hotel Pick up and drop off IF OUTSIDE OF RAPID CITY
Personal expenses
Meals
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Sylvan Lake
A lovely drive out west of Rapid City takes us into the Black Hills National Forest and into Custer State Park. Drive time ~45min - 1hr. Visit Sylvan Lake and Drive Needles Hwy See the jewels of the Black Hills in Custer State Park! Sylvan Lake glitters at 6,145 feet. Time here for photos and a quick wander. We then move onto Needles Hwy. Gorgeous rock formation frame this famous drive as we learn of the geological history and the importance of the Native American History of the area. Plenty of opportunities to stop and take in this stunning natural wonder.
Needles Eye
Of course we will stop along the route to photograph and enjoy the incredible formations - Needles Eye being the most famous!
Options
Summer 2019
Pickup included
Reviews
38 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Outstanding Service
Bruce F,
Oct 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Reservation staff was very accommodating went out of their way to make reservations on short notice. The guide was very flexible and provided extremely personalized service
Southern Black Hills Monument Tour Is Amazing
Michael B,
Oct 2, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was amazing. The guide, Aura, was very knowledgeable and fully covered the tour. It was a private tour for me and my wife. Never felt rushed. It was an excellent experience and we would highly recommend the tour. Our top experience in the Black Hills
Spectacular Trip to the Black Hills
HappyTravelers1961,
Oct 8, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The private tour for my wife and I covered the Black Hills to include the Mammoth excavation site. We opted not to see the Monuments which we had seen previously. Joel, our tour guide, was an excellent driver with a wealth of knowledge about the area and its history. It was a stress free way to see the Black Hills and to be able to focus on the scenery. He picked excellent pull offs for the best views and made good photography recommendations. This tour was everything that we had expected and hoped it would be.
Amazing tour, hit all the best spots! Black Hills Gold!
bpalm2424,
Aug 8, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour is the “gold” standard for the black hills! We had an amazing time with Melina over our 2 days there. She was so kind and flexible with our plans, and we got to see everything we came to see in such a short time, including the Badlands. It was nice not to have to navigate and she really knew where to take us. Lunch and snacks were appreciated and delicious! We have recommended her to others coming to visit! She certainly made our trip so enjoyable! Thank you!
Spectacular Day with Spectacular Guide! Heart Hands to Joel!
sh0llyt,
May 6, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Joel was our perfect guide. We watched the newest Mount Rushmore documentary prior to our tour in preparation for our visit. Joel was very educated about Mt. Rushmore and had some unpublicized stories of Rushmore in addition to historical knowledge. Also lots of knowledge of roadside landmarks as we drove to Rushmore and Crazy Horse. He pulled over several times to point out geological structures and wildlife. Cold refreshments available in a chilled cooler along with snacks (granola bars, fruit bars, etc). He picked us up at our campground in a very comfortable Ford Van...captains chairs, cupholders, charging ports, tv for watching a Crazy Horse video in between Rushmore and Crazy Horse, plus a beautiful stop at Sylvan Lake. Joel has a depth of knowledge of the area that was extraordinary. He also took us through the Custer Wildlife loop where we saw buffalo with new babies (red dogs), elk, prong horn antelope, big horn sheep, marmots, bluebirds, and meadowlarks. Cathedral Spires is incredible and should not be missed. Needles Eye and Tunnel is not to be missed. Our tour was a full day and well worth it as we only had a day in Rapid City to see the local sites. In hindsight, we would have scheduled another day with Joel for an additional tour. We flew into Rapid City and rented an RV to drive back to California. Stayed at RC Elks Lodge for 2 nights. 2 Couples. Couldn't have had a better tour. Joel educated us for the entire tour, a joy to be with, exudes great vibes, and loves his South Dakota. Just do it!
Best Day!
laurafItzmh,
Aug 22, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Bob with Black Hill Tour group was over the top. Made this day one of the best of our 30 day western adventure. The company reached out to us and move our day earlier to avoid the 110 heat of the day. They were accommodating, knowledgeable and FUN. A BIG thank you!!!!!!!!!!
Great trip.
Seaside146777,
Jul 30, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Private group made it very enjoyable. My grandchildren and I enjoyed a wonderful time in South Dakota. Kevin was friendly and professional. He took us to some places were no tourists go, was well organized, arranged excellent picnics for us. We did not have to worry about anything. Grandchildren learned a lot about the history of SD and the US. I highly recommend this company.
Best Day Ever!
665savannahs,
Jul 1, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ryan was AMAZING! He made the tour fun, and had the keen ability to adapt to our needs. He was very accommodating, and knowledgeable of the tour area. We highly recommend Black Hills Tour Company - request Ryan!
The only way to see the Badlands and Black Hills
JuliaWK,
Jul 1, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It took two, full days to fit everything in, there was so much to see and enjoy. I cannot imagine driving this on our own. More importantly, doing it without a guide. We would not have appreciated all that we were seeing. Ryan did a great job explaining the history, the geology and personalities of those who had vision for this area.
Couldn’t have asked for a better day!
marymT2944AA,
Jun 5, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My parents and I had a tour with Ryan three days ago, and we still can’t stop talking about it. Ryan was just wonderful - he’s a fountain of knowledge, history, and fun facts about so many places in the area; he’s very attentive, flexible, personable, easygoing, and just an all-around delight of a person to spend the day with. I have no doubt that the other tour guides are the same. The day was a perfect blend of history, scenery, wildlife, and camaraderie. As a photographer, it was a dream come true. Before the tour, I thought we “didn’t need a tour guide” and could just research and sightsee on our own; I realize now just how impossible that might have been, and nowhere near as memorable, informational, and fun. Thank you Ryan and Black Hills Touring Company!
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Operated by Black Hills Tour Company