Enjoy a spectacular hot air balloon ride over the beautiful and historic Black Hills of South Dakota with a complimentary Champagne toast! You'll experience a 1-hour flight at sunrise in one of the most scenic places in the world. A souvenir flight certificate and postcard is also included in this tour. Allow about three hours for the experience, from start to finish.

A hot air balloon ride is a one-of-a-kind adventure for South Dakota locals and visitors. With over thirty years flying experience, your guide will take you on the only hot air balloon ride adventure offered in the Black Hills.

Flying in the beautiful Black Hills is a unique experience. While balloon flights are generally focused over vineyards and farmland, you will fly over some spectacular, rugged terrain on this route, typically in the southern hills. From up high you'll see the Custer Valley and the world-renowned Custer State Park. On certain days if the winds are favorable, you'll be able to see Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. There are mountains, valleys, lakes and prairies to view as you drift along on the morning breeze, and travelers quite often see some unique wildlife that you really don't see in many other places from a balloon! The Black Hills are home to elk, antelope, buffalo and mule deer. If you're really lucky you might even see a mountain lion from the secure gondola! There’s nowhere else in the world where you can witness the same views from a hot air balloon and fly over such a historic and beautiful landscape.

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NOTE:
Our Jeep Safari Tours have proven to be very popular.  If you have time constraints on your vacation schedule . . . please contact Viator to confirm this tour is available prior to purchase. 

TOUR:
Hop into 'Buff', a modified Open Safari Jeep with our experienced guide and depart on an exciting and adventurous Private Safari Tour of Mt. Coolidge, Iron Mountain Road, Needles Highway, Sylvan Lake, and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop. Enjoy a picnic lunch and take advantage of the multiple photo opportunities. Your Jeep tour is capped at 6 travelers and/or 850 pounds.  And remember, although this is not a 'Desert Rock Crawler' tour . . .  it is in an open Jeep . . . so please bring along: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and light jacket. You're going to love it here! 

Private Safari Jeep Tour. Sit back as your guide directs you on a private adventure you’ll never forget. This Safari Jeep is designed for safety and comfort. It includes a maximized heavy duty roll bar, over-sized 2" tubular cage in the back and sides, and an upgraded suspension. It is Buffalo Proof!

Free pickup is offered from your Rapid City hotel or you can meet at the National Presidential Wax Museum in Keystone. 
Itinerary:

• Drive to Iron Mountain Road (stopping for photos of bridges and one-way tunnels
• Tour the State Game Lodge (Presidential Summer White House 1927) and the Custer Park Information Center.
• The 19-mile safari tour along the Wildlife Loop is next; where open grasslands, pine-speckled hills, 1,300 buffalo and hundreds of other wildlife can be viewed (including the cute little Prairie Dogs). 
• Along the way, you'll stop to pet and feed the famous Begging Burros, always fun for any age and more great photo ops.
• Ascend to the top of Mt. Coolidge. From here, you can look down at the Wildlife Loop and in the distance see Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, the Needles, and the city of Custer.
• Stop for a picnic lunch beside the beautiful Stockade Lake.
• Continue on to Needles Highway with stops for photos at several turnouts along the route. There’s no need to exit the vehicle as you can simply stand for great 360 degree views and photo ops. 
• Stop for a break at the magnificent Sylvan Lake which offers breathtaking views.

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During the 9- to 10-hour private safari tour, visit the two most famous Black Hills monuments - Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Enjoy unparalleled views of pine covered mountains and high-desert panoramas. See wildlife up close for great photo ops. You can view it all comfortably from within unique convertible-top vehicles. Vehicles open and close to adjust to the ever-changing weather of the mountains                      

Private Safari Tour

This is the one Black Hills guided tour you will want someone else to drive. The switchback roads are narrow with one-way tunnels, pigtail bridges and single lane roads. While driving this is not dangerous, you will need to concentrate on driving, and then you'd miss out on seeing the most iconic sights in the Hills.

• Free pickup at Rapid City and Keystone Hotels and depart for your safari at 9am
• Tour Mount Rushmore Monument and Crazy Horse Memorial for one hour each and then the top opens. The adventure begins.
• Drive Iron Mountain Road (4 pigtails bridges-2 divided roads-3 one-way tunnels).  When we stop, you may stand and get exceptional views and photo ops. 
• At Mount Coolidge Lookout (6,000 ft), below in the distance you will see Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, the Needles and in the far prairie the famous Badlands.
• Take a slow drive along the Needles Highway (amazing granite spires jutting into the sky). With stops at Needle's Eye, Cathedral Spires and at several turnouts for photo ops . . . and of course the 'best' tunnel in the Hills . . . Tunnel #5. Keep your camera ready there can be wildlife popping up at any time. 
• Stopping mid-day at the beautiful Sylvan Lake for a rest stop and some photos.
• A picnic lunch is provided at Stockade Lake. (Beer/wine for 21+ guests available On Request) 
• Then it's off to tour the largest State Park in the U.S -- Custer State Park. The tour will then drive the 19 mile Wildlife Loop stopping for photos of wildlife (prairie dogs, deer, elk, antelope, wild burros and more). And don't forget there are over 1,400 North American Bison (buffalo) scattered throughout the parks 110 square miles. When the tour drives up next to a buffalo you can stand and look down on it safely from only a few feet away . . . Fun!
• After visiting the State Game Lodge (Summer White House for Presidents Coolidge and Eisenhower) and the new Custer Park Information Center you will be returned to your hotel between 6pm and 7pm.

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