1. Home
  2. North America
  3. United States
  4. South Dakota Lodge Stay
Map of South Dakota Lodge Stay including United States Of America

Stay at a famous South Dakota lodge surrounded by nature.

Surround yourself with natural beauty and spend your nights at a historic South Dakota lodge that has hosted American Presidents on a four-day small group adventure that packs plenty of unique experiences into a short space of time. Uncover the beauty of Badlands National Park before you travel to the Sage Creek Wilderness area and continue to Mount Rushmore to see this famous monument up close. Spend a day exploring Pine Ridge Reservation with a Lakota guide and discover what happened at Wounded Knee from a local perspective. With easy walks, comfortable accommodation, and a knowledgeable leader, this nature-focussed adventure has it all.

Start
Rapid City, United States
Finish
Rapid City, United States
Destination
United States
Style
Comfort
Theme
Explorer
Code
SEKD
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Enjoy a scenic drive through the changing landscape of Badlands National Park and join your leader on one of the park’s best hikes.

  • Explore Pine Ridge Reservation with a Lakota guide and learn about the Oglala Lakota people then enjoy lunch at a Lakota-owned restaurant serving traditional foods.

  • Jump in a jeep with an expert guide to see buffalo up close in Custer State Park along with other animals like pronghorns and elk.

  • Dine on artisan plates and sample fine local drops during a wine tasting at a winery that has a fifth-generation female winemaker.

  • Marvel at Mount Rushmore where a hike will take you up close to this famous mountain sculpture.

Is this trip right for you?

  • There are walking opportunities throughout this trip. We recommend you bring good quality walking shoes if you're keen to enjoy a hike - or two!

  • This trip is new to our range this year. And while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations and working with new partners can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.

  • Please ensure you consult your local government’s advice regarding domestic travel prior to booking this trip.

Lone traveller sitting on rocks in the Badlands, South Dakota
View of the Mount Rushmore monument at golden hour, South Dakota
The Iron Creek tunnel in Custer State Park, South Dakota
The Badlands National Park sign at sunset, South Dakota
Traveller walking along boardwalk in Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Winetasting in the Badlands, South Dakota
View of Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park, South Dakota

Itinerary
Expand All Collapse All

Welcome to Rapid City! Your tour starts at 10am with a group meeting followed by a drive to Badlands National Park for a 48km (30 mile) scenic drive around the park. After you’ve enjoyed the scenery, it’s time to stretch your legs with a hike along the Castle Trail, introducing you to more landscapes and rock formations of the Badlands. After the hike, stop off at the Wall Drug Store, drawing millions of visitors every year. It’s hard to believe this store won over customers in its early days by offering something as simple as free ice water. Then it’s time to check-in at your famous accommodation, a historic wooden lodge that has hosted several American Presidents. You won’t have to go far to spot buffalo as they can regularly be seen grazing on the grass outside. Tonight’s dinner will also be at the lodge, a memorable way to kick off your trip.
Accommodation
  • State Historic Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Badlands National Park – Scenic Drive
  • Badlands National Park – Hiking
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting at 10am as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Today’s total driving time is approximately 3 hours. Today’s hiking distance is up to 8kms (5 miles) with 151 m (498 feet) of elevation.

After breakfast, we’ll take the scenic drive to Mount Rushmore via the historic Iron Mountain Road where the one lane tunnels were designed to showcase the beauty of Mount Rushmore. The spectacular mountains and valleys along this famous road can be admired from many different angles thanks to the number of curves and switchbacks. After taking photos of this famous spot, we will head to a winery to dine on artisan plates and taste wines made by a fifth-generation female winemaker. It’s a great spot to sit back, take in the view and reflect on the day. Tonight, your leader will take you to Custer and share their inside knowledge on the best and most delicious dinner options for every taste and budget.
Accommodation
  • State Historic Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Black Hills - Mount Rushmore
  • Hill City - Wine tasting and Artisans platters
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 3 hours.

Today you’ll spend a full day learning about the history, stories and spirituality of the Oglala Lakota People with an expert Lakota guide. Visit Pine Ridge Town and tour the Heritage Center which was one of the first cultural centres and museums located on an Indian reservation. It empowers Lakota artists to preserve their artistic heritage, improve their economic situation and share their traditional arts and crafts with the world. Enjoy lunch at a Lakota-owned restaurant which specialises in traditional foods. Today’s tour ends with a visit to Wounded Knee where a battle with United States soldiers killed hundreds of Lakota people in the late 1800s. Have a relaxing night at the lodge to reflect on today’s tour and perhaps enjoy dinner with your group.
Accommodation
  • State Historic Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Pine Ridge - Lakota Full Day guided tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 3 hours.

After breakfast, it’s time to jump in a jeep and go wild on a buffalo safari. Trek through the park in an open-air jeep as your expert guide shares historical and educational facts and helps you spot pronghorns, elk, and buffalo. Back at the lodge, you might like to grab some lunch before hitting the road for the short drive to Sylvan Lake. Take a stroll around the lake and discover the beauty of this scenic spot which is widely regarded as the jewel in the crown of Custer State Park. From here, it’s a one hour drive to Rapid City where you adventure comes to an end around 3pm.
Included Activities
  • Custer State Park - Sylvan Lake walk
  • Custer State Park - Buffalo Safari
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 1.5 hours.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Game Lodge (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Badlands National Park – Scenic Drive
  • Badlands National Park – Hiking
  • Black Hills - Mount Rushmore
  • Hill City - Wine tasting and Artisans platters
  • Pine Ridge - Lakota Full Day guided tour
  • Custer State Park - Sylvan Lake walk
  • Custer State Park - Buffalo Safari

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our South Dakota Lodge Stay trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
Jump to a departure month

Important notes

Travellers on Intrepid trips are required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. Read details here.

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 10 am on Day 1 in Rapid City. Please make your own way to the Joining Point listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary.
2. This trip finishes at approximately 3pm in Rapid City. You will be dropped at the same hotel the trip started at. If departing this day, please do not book any flights before 6pm.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. Please ensure you have checked local state information regarding COVID-19 restrictions and regulations before you travel.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

Reviews

Go to dates