ITravel LLC
I Travel with Miki
2026/05/16- Mount Rushmore
May 16, 2026 to May 24, 2026
Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, & the Black Hills of South Dakota
- Motorcoach transportation from Conway
- 8 nights lodging, including 4 consecutive nights in South Dakota
- 14 meals: 8 breakfasts and 6 dinners
- Guided Tour of Deadwood
- Tour of Wildlife Loop Road at Custer State Park
- Admission to the Unique Journey Museum
- Guided Tour of Deadwood
- Visit to the amazing Crazy Horse Memorial
- Visit to the spectacular Badlands National Park
- Visit to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- High Plains Western Heritage Center & Borglum Historical Center
- Day 1
- Board your spacious, video and restroom equipped Motorcoach and set off for the legendary Black Hills of South Dakota. Tonight, check into an en route hotel for a good night's rest.
- Day 2
- After enjoying a Continental Breakfast, you will depart for the Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters in Omaha, NE. Later in the day, enjoy Dinner and check into your en route hotel.
- Day 3
- Today, after enjoying a Continental Breakfast, you will depart for a visit to the spectacular Badlands National Park. Then, you will go to the amazing Wall Drug Store before having Dinner and checking into your South Dakota area hotel.
- Day 4
- Start the day with a Continental Breakfast before heading to the BORGLUM HISTORICAL CENTER, where you will learn the story of Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor of Mount Rushmore. Afterward go to the MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL, America's “Shrine of Democracy” and a symbol of the nation's rich history, rugged determination, and love of freedom. Then enjoy a TOUR OF WILDLIFE LOOP ROAD at CUSTER STATE PARK. The Wildlife Loop Road takes you through rolling prairies and pine covered hills, offering one of the best spots in the region to view native animals in the wild. This evening, enjoy Dinner and entertainment.
- Day 5
- After enjoying a Continental Breakfast, you will go to the High Plains Western Heritage Center. Then, you'll head for Deadwood, South Dakota, the former home of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane - now the location of gaming establishments in beautifully restored historic hotels and saloons. Enjoy a GUIDED TOUR OF DEADWOOD and later, sit down to a lovely Dinner.
- Day 6
- Today, after a Continental Breakfast, your tour takes you to the unique JOURNEY MUSEUM, which tells the complete history of the mystical Black Hills. Then, prepare for an inspirational sight at the magnificent and spectacular CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL, destined to be the world's largest memorial upon completion. You'll also learn about the sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, his vision, and the loving family who continues his life's work. This evening enjoy Dinner and entertainment.
- Day 7
- Enjoy a Continental Breakfast before leaving for the famous Corn Palace. Later that day, after a relaxing Dinner, you'll check into your en route hotel.
- Day 8
- Today, after a Continental Breakfast, you will go to the Pony Express National Museum. Tonight, relax in your en route hotel.
- Day 9
- Today, after enjoying a Continental Breakfast, you depart for home... a perfect time to chat with your friends about all the fun things you've done, the great sights you've seen and where your next group trip will take you!
Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park provides endless opportunities for discovery and exploration. During your time in the Park, visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center to orient yourself with the Badlands National Park. Outdoors, the Badlands’ sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires surrounded by mixed-grass prairies and teeming with wildlife offer unique encounters with nature.
- The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is ADA Compliant
- Ranger Programs such as talks and activities are offered during the summer season. Visit the official Badlands National Park (U.S. Park Service) website to find out about ranger programs and other special events taking place during your visit.
During your visit to Wall Drug Store, enjoy shopping in Wall Drug’s shopping emporium of 26 stores. Additional shopping opportunities are available at Wall Drug Store’s Western Mall. Backyard includes a quirky collection of picture-taking props from the miniature Mount Rushmore to the famous Wall Drug dinosaur. In the Western Art Gallery Café you will find the largest privately owned western and illustration art collection in the country.
- Located behind the main building in Wall Drug's Backyard you will find ice water wells where you can get free ice water
- Pick up brochures from Wall Drug's main building to learn more about Wall Drug History and the surrounding area
Explore Gutzon Borglum’s world at the Borglum Historical Center. From meeting the people who influenced the sculptor most to examining replicas of some of his greatest works, uncover what drove and inspired a man to do things that most men half his age were incapable of.
Gutzon Borglum along with help and support from his son Lincoln Borglum and 400 workers started sculpting the faces of four American presidents into the granite face of Mount Rushmore in 1927. The faces of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt were sculpted into the granite to celebrate 150 years of American history. Borglum completed monument after 14 years of hard work.
Look out for the infamous eyes of the four presidents. Borglum designed the president’s eyes to have a realistic look. Not only do the president’s eyes seem as though they are starring straight at you, but they were also made with 20-inch shafts of granite. When the sun shines on the flat end of the shaft, it appears as though the eyes of the presidents are twinkling.
Delight the open ranges and ponderosa pine forests studded with a variety of wildlife as you make your way through Custer State Park’s Wildlife Loop in the Black Hill’s of South Dakota during a Mount Rushmore bus trip. Originally established as a Game Preserve in 1913, Cluster State Park’s Wildlife Loop Road is an 18-mile semi-circle route from the State Game Lodge to the Blue Bell Lodge.
Take a leisurely drive around the Custer Wildlife Loop, there will be endless opportunities to see wildlife in its natural setting. Whether you see a prairie dog peeping out of its hole, or a buffalo alongside of the road, different opportunities to see wildlife will present themselves at different times of the day and during different weather conditions .
Wildlife Loop Road offers a wide variety of experiences. Not only will you see an abundance of wildlife, but the varied landscapes offer spectacular views of the higher portions of the Black Hills, badlands, endless sky, and lush streambeds .
Delve into cultural presentations that honor pioneering, cattle and sheep ranching, rodeo, transportation, American Indians and mining and uncover authentic, western art, artifacts and Native American exhibits that tell the stories of the five states.
Journey Museum is made up of five fascinating institutions. Each educates its visitors to appreciate the importance of the past and the impact it has on the present and future. From the perspectives of the very individuals who shaped the past of the Western Great Plains to scientists views today, explore the many artifacts found through archaeological methods, see incredible remains discovered by palaeontologists and learn fascinating information about the earth as you navigate through the Journey Museum .
Discover the history and culture behind one of America’s national treasures at Crazy Horse Memorial, part of our Mount Rushmore bus trip. From the world’s largest mountain carving to the surrounding green forests and pristine streams, a visit to Crazy Horse Memorial is an experience you’ll hold dear to your heart for years to come. After many years of studying art and sculpting, Korczak Zilkowski was chosen to sculpt Crazy Horse, the Oglala Lakota Native American Warrior in 1948 and worked on the project until his death in 1982. Today Crazy Horse Memorial is a work in progress, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the leading tourist attractions of the Black Hills. See the carving and uncover the rich culture and history found in the Crazy Horse visitor complex during your time at Crazy Horse Memorial.
Don’t forget your camera! From the carving itself to the surrounding green forests and pristine rivers, there will be moments you want to capture during your time at Crazy Horse Memorial.
Start your visit to the Pony Express National Museum in the Pony Express Theater featuring a 16-minute live action documentary on the Pony Express. Visitors of all walks of life are sure to be captivated by the exciting, educational and state-of-the-art exhibits that explore the days of the Pony Express. Be sure to stop by the Gift Store to browse items related to the Pony Express National Museum .
- The Pony Express National Museum is ADA Compliant.
- Benches are located throughout the Museum for your comfort.
- Camera and video recorders are welcome in the Pony Express National Museum.