Monuments, Monoliths and the Wild West Day 1: Little Bighorn National Battlefield, Deadwood, and Wild Bill Hickok Premium Lodging: The Lodge at Deadwood: Deadwood, SD Our morning starts with a short drive to the Little Bighorn National Battlefield to visit the area that memorializes the U.S. Army s 7th Cavalry and the Sioux and Cheyenne Native American tribes. The Vore Buffalo Jump will educate us on how Native Americans hunted buffalo before the arrival of horses in North America. Our evening unfolds in Deadwood, South Dakota as we walk in the footsteps of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Historic saloons, old west lore and gambling fun are all part of your adventure through the Old West.
Day 2: Mt. Rushmore National Monument Premium Lodging: The Historic Alex Johnson Hotel: Rapid City, SD The morning is yours to explore intriguing Deadwood before we embark on our short journey to Mt. Rushmore National Monument. En route, we learn about the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the region. The 60-foot granite sculptures featuring George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln represent not only the past but a promise for the future. Hike, relax and take photos of this US monument you ll not soon forget. Day 3: Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary and Custer State Park Premium Lodging: Sylvan Lake Lodge: Custer State Park, SD Today begins with a visit to the 11,000-acre Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary with 600 free-ranging wild mustangs. The 2-hour tour to view, photograph and interact with the wild mustangs in their natural habitat is truly a special experience. After lunch, we ll enter Custer State Park for a 17-mile wildlife-loop drive that features over 1,500 bison, whitetail deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, Mule Deer, wild burros, coyotes, red foxes
and wild turkeys. The later hours of the afternoon bring beautiful hiking opportunities such as Black Elk Peak, Sunday Gulch, and Little Devil s Tower. The evening is yours to enjoy on the banks of Sylvan Lake from your sought after accommodations at Sylvan Lake Lodge. Day 4: Wind Caves National Park Premium Lodging: Sylvan Lake Lodge: Custer State Park, SD Today we visit Wind Cave National Park to view beautiful vistas and abundant wildlife, including elk, bison, deer, prairie dog towns, and badgers. Our visit is highlighted by a guided tour of the spectacular Wind Cave, the 6th longest cave in the world. We ll encounter incredible calcite formations as we explore the twists and turn of this complex cave system. The afternoon provides ample hiking options for all activity levels. Later, we ll ascend to the highest point in the park at Rankin Ridge to marvel at expansive prairie lands as the sun set across the landscape.
Day 5: Badlands National Park Premium Lodging: Sylvan Lake Lodge: Custer State Park, SD Today we experience a full immersion into the Badlands National Park where rolling prairies and inspiring rock formations fill the land. Western movies such as Dances with Wolves and Thunderheart were filmed amongst this stunning, iconic landscape. We ll learn about the fascinating human history, geology and prehistoric creatures that once roamed what is now protected at the largest undisturbed mixed grass prairie in the United States. Other highlights of the day include a stop at the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, the South Dakota Space Museum on Ellsworth Air Force Base, as well as a visit to the famed Wall Drug Mall. The evening will conclude on the shores of Sylvan Lake.
Day 6: The Black Hills, Bear Lodge Mountains, Crazy Horse Memorial and Devil s Tower Premium Lodging: The Lodge at Deadwood: Deadwood, SD Today we travel through the Black Hills into the Bear Lodge Mountains. Here we ll enjoy majestic scenery and wildlife as we move towards Crazy Horse Memorial. Next we ll venture to Devils Tower, the famous 1,267-foot high iconic monolith, immortalized in the Close Encounters of the Third Kind and distinct in being America s first national monument. Take the afternoon to hike around the tower or soak in the shade of the Ponderosa Pines. Tonight is yours to rest back at The Lodge at Deadwood.
Day 7: Spearfish Canyon, Farewell in Billings We ll begin our drive to Billings with a stop at DC Booth Historic Fish Hatchery for a view into the colorful history, pristine setting and century-old buildings, preserving an educational center devoted to fish management. We ll navigate 17 miles of Spearfish Canyon, featuring majestic waterfalls and world class trout fishing. Optional leisure walks to Spearfish and Bridal Veil Falls offer beautiful views and photo-ops. Back aboard the Limo Liner, we ll continue to Billings where we end our week-long adventure with fine dining. The Limo Liner will be available to escort you to the airport this evening or take you to your post-trip hotel accommodations. We hope you enjoy your time traveling with us. Thank you for choosing Experience Park Tours.