South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer

South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer

1,661 Views
6 Days From

$3205

$2404

South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer

6 Days Starting in Rapid City and ending in Bozeman

Visiting: Rapid City to Custer, Custer, Billings, Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Wolf Tracking / Bozeman

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

SSED

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

15-99 years

Trip Styles:

Small Group

Activities:

4WD, Trekking

From:
$3205
$2404 Operator discount: -$801 -25%

NB: Prices correct on 29-May-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

See natural wonders in South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park on this six-day small group adventure that packs plenty of wonders into a short amount of time. Uncover the beauty of Badlands National Park before you travel to Mount Rushmore, spot buffalo in Custer State Park and continue to Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. With two nights at Yellowstone National Park, you’ll have time to spot wildlife and watch Old Faithful spray water into the air before joining a wolf-tracking expedition. With easy to moderate walks, comfortable accommodation and a knowledgeable leader, this nature focussed adventure is big on beauty.

Highlights

  • Enjoy the changing landscape of Badlands National Park as you explore the backcountry on one of the park’s best hikes.

  • Visit Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and join your Crow Nation Guide to learn about the history of the area

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

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

  • Hike Yellowstone National Park where grizzly bears, wolves and herds of buffalo and elk roam free.

  • Enjoy the changing landscape of Badlands National Park as you explore the scenic loop drive, looking out for bighorn sheep and antelope.

  • Visit Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and join your Crow Nation Guide to learn about the history of the area.

  • Join an expert naturalist on a wolf tracking expedition at Yellowstone National Park.

  • Visit Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and join your Crow Nation Guide to learn about the area’s history from an Apsaalooke perspective.

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

Show all

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Rapid City To Custer

Location: Rapid City to Custer

Accommodation: Lodge

Meals Included: dinner

Welcome to South Dakota! Your adventure starts at 10 am with a welcome meeting in Rapid City. After, take a short drive to the iconic 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. Take some time to wander around and grab some lunch before heading to Badlands National Park. Have your camera handy to capture the sweeping prairie grass plains and dramatic rocky pinnacles. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, chirping prairie dogs and American bison. Take a short hike on one of the scenic trails before continuing to your lodge in Custer. Your home for the next two nights will be a game lodge, established in 1920, where you can see bison wandering the property grounds and immerse yourself in the Western feel of this historic-style accommodation. Tonight, you’ll have a group dinner at the lodge to settle in and get to know your fellow travellers.

Included Activities:
-Badlands National Park – Hiking
-Badlands National Park – Scenic Drive

Day 2: Custer

Location: Custer

Accommodation: Lodge

Meals Included: breaksfast

Enjoy breakfast at State Game Lodge – your residence has played host to several presidents – then it’s time to jump in a jeep and go wild on a buffalo safari. Trek through the Custer State Park in an open-air jeep as your expert guide shares historical and educational facts and helps you spot pronghorns, elk and buffalo. After, you’ll visit the Crazy Horse Memorial – the largest mountain carving in the Black Hills (widely considered the Eighth Wonder of the World in progress). Then continue to the famous Mount Rushmore to walk the Presidential Trail – a bucket list location, this is a great spot to grab a photo! Tonight, you’re free to grab dinner at your accommodation or a nearby local restaurant.

Included Activities:
-Black Hills - Mount Rushmore
-Custer State Park - Buffalo Safari
-Black Hills - Crazy Horse Memorial

Day 3: Billings

Location: Billings

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

It's an early start this morning as after breakfast you’ll drive to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. After a stop along the way for lunch, join your Crow Nation Guide for a tour that provides an Apsaalooke perspective on the conflict. With a tribal historian at your side, you’ll traverse the battlefield and learn how Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors defeated the US Army on the Greasy Grass at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. After, head to Billings, where you’ll spend the night.

Included Activities:
-Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument -guided tour with a Crow Nation Guide

Day 4: Yellowstone National Park

Location: Yellowstone National Park

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

This morning after breakfast, depart Billings and drive west towards Yellowstone National Park – one of the country's most popular, expansive, and beautiful national parks. Stop in Cody along the way – a western town in Wyoming famously named after Buffalo Bill Cody. Enjoy some free time for lunch and to explore Cody, and then carry on to the park. When you arrive at Yellowstone, you’ll head straight for a visit to the Old Faithful Geyser – a must-see for any trip to the park, Old Faithful is a cone geyser with striking colours and a predictable geothermal eruption (hence the name). Watch as it sprays over 4000 gallons (14,000 litres) of boiling water into the air, then be hypnotised by the startling colours of the Grand Prismatic Spring. After, you’ll check into your hotel in West Yellowstone.

Included Activities:
-Yellowstone National Park - Southern Loop Featuring Old Faithful Geyser & Grand Prismatic Spring

Day 5: Yellowstone National Park

Location: Yellowstone National Park

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch

Today after breakfast, you’ll continue to explore the gorgeous Yellowstone National Park, looking out for grizzly bears, wolves, buffalo and elk roaming free. Visit The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (a great spot for photos) and then explore the Norris Geyser Basin – the hottest and oldest geyser in the park. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch with your group, giving you some free time to sit down and relax or wander and take photos. Tonight, you’re free for dinner, so maybe get your group together and say a pre-final day goodbye over a couple of drinks.

Included Activities:
-Yellowstone National Park - Northern Loop Featuring Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone & Norris Geyser Basin

Day 6: Yellowstone Wolf Tracking / Bozeman

Location: Yellowstone Wolf Tracking / Bozeman

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch

You'll be up before the sun this morning, but it's for a good reason! After breakfast, you’ll head back into Yellowstone to join a wolf-tracking expedition with an experienced naturalist guide. There's no better place than Yellowstone to see these magnificent animals in the wild. Your guide tracks the movements and behaviour of Yellowstone wildlife almost daily and knows the best places to find the animals. There will be top-of-the-line binoculars for everyone and high-powered spotting scopes, so no one will miss out. After an included lunch, travel to Bozeman, where your adventure ends at around 4 pm this afternoon. If you’d like to stay in the area for longer, just speak to your booking agent.

Included Activities:
-Yellowstone - Wolf Tracking Expedition

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Lodge (2 nights), Hotel (3 nights)

  • Meals
    5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinners

  • Badlands National Park – Hiking

  • Black Hills - Mount Rushmore

  • Custer State Park - Buffalo Safari

  • Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument -guided tour with a Crow Nation Guide

  • Yellowstone National Park - Hiking

  • Badlands National Park – Scenic Drive

  • Yellowstone - Wolf Tracking Expedition

  • Black Hills - Crazy Horse Memorial

  • Yellowstone National Park - Southern Loop Featuring Old Faithful Geyser & Grand Prismatic Spring

  • Yellowstone National Park - Northern Loop Featuring Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone & Norris Geyser Basin

Transport

  • AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN THE USA & CANADA
  • We recommend taxis and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber when traveling to and from hotels in the USA and Canada. These services are widely available across North America, offering convenient and accessible transportation options. Private transfers in North America incur high costs and present an increased risk of missed connections due to their fixed schedules. In contrast, taxis and rideshares offer both cost-effectiveness and flexibility, ensuring a smoother journey. With transparent pricing, GPS tracking, and on-demand availability, we believe that taxis and rideshare apps not only offer a reliable alternative to private transfers but also provide a secure, trustworthy, and budget-friendly transportation option for our customers.
  • NORTH AMERICA VEHICLES
  • Our large fleet of 15-passenger vans are fully equipped with air-conditioning system, V8 engines and any camping or cooking equipment needed for your trip. Most have cloth-upholstered seats and carpeted interior with radio or CD players. Your luggage is typically transported in a trailer which is towed behind the van.
  • The vans are regularly serviced by a well-established network of maintenance and service facilities throughout the continent. However, unforeseen maintenance problems can still occur while on the road and we appreciate the patience of our travellers as we make necessary repairs as quickly as possible.
  • While your group will have a van for all included activities on the trip, the services of the van and leader may not be available for your use during free time, or after you have arrived for the day. If you need a special trip into town you may need to arrange transport or a taxi.

Accommodation

  • The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
  • Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

Important Information

  • 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 4pm in Bozeman, Montana. No accommodation is booked for this evening. If departing this day, please do not book any flights before 7pm. if you would like to spend more time in Bozeman, we can request additional accommodation for you post tour. Please speak to your booking agent.
  • 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.

Check out our Q&As

  • 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 includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.

    You may also want to check out our Great American West trip if you have a longer time to explore the region:

    https://www.intrepidtravel.com/united-states/great-american-west-150416

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

Reviews of this operator

Maroochy Dazza (Google Reviewer)  

Just leaving a review to...

24-Aug-2023

Just leaving a review to share how much I enjoyed my Central America trip. I thought the guide, Aura was so knowledgeable and organised and clearly a great ambassador for Intrepid. She gave us lots of information on each region, helped us organise anything we needed and dealt with queries from passengers very well and diplomatically. She made the trip run smoothly. She was also keen to explain the Intrepid vision and how the company values making a difference to locals and is a credit to your company. I did Guatemala and beyond and thoroughly enjoyed it - very fast paced, lots to see and do and a great overview of the region. I would definitely recommend 👍

Jo Clayton (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on an...

15-Mar-2024

I recently went on an 11 day tour of India with Intrepid and was impressed with every aspect of the tour, the tour leader and the organisation behind the scenes. I always travel alone so it was a big deal to join a tour, I didn't want to feel less independent or ferried about. I loved being part of a group and the things we saw and did on the tour, I would never have known about or seen if I had been by myself. I loved it from start to finish. Yes the overnight trains were not easy to sleep on, but I managed. Meeting locals on board was a high light for me. English is widely spoken in India and its amazing who you strike up a chat with. I had two problems on the tour - one my own fault and one hotel related. The support from Intrepid was amazing. I cannot thank them enough for going the extra mile to support me. I recommend Intrepid 100% and have gone from thinking an organised tour is for people who don't know about Lonely Planet and can't do solo stuff, to realising its a faster, better, more fun way to get to know a country truly and deeply whilst on a bit of a budget. I will book again and again with Intrepid. I loved it that much! Big thanks to tour leader Daddy H. Devender for his help on day one, and Nick in the Oz office for his fab customer care skills. Also the person who staffed the emergency whatsapp in India - you saved my sanity helping me get there a day late! THANK YOU ALL X

Nicole  

North American Adventure

12-Oct-2021

This was my first international solo trip, but I never felt “alone” - there was always someone to go shopping, hike, or grab a quick bite with. The itinerary was a great balance between organized activities, while still allowing free time for exploring. Each location was unique and charming in its own way. Spending the night in the holy city of Moulay Idriss and wandering the winding streets of Chefchaouen were especially memorable. Thank you Mustapha and Intrepid for an incredible adventure!

Alice Norton (Google Reviewer)  

I have just completed a...

29-Feb-2024

I have just completed a 12 day food tour of Vietnam, and had an amazing time. Our tour leader was great, knowledgeable and kind, who helped throughout the trip with recommendations for places on our free days, and spas. All the food we tried was delicious. It is a very fast paced tour, and Bon tried to maximise our experiences for the best.

Henry Guy Robinson   United Kingdom

Cambodia Discovery

22-Jan-2024

The overall experience was fantastic. V good tour leader. All places visited had something special to do or see. I would book a tour with this company again. Only one negative tour hub is not I repeat not available to contact direct by phone.

Merouane Harkat   Uk

Explore Southern Africa

08-Mar-2024

Best trip ever was, 2 things I didn't like the black mamba stop was wasting day and village ,so 2 night I think was just wasting, I could do 2 days in Kruger, and one more night in delta

Ann  

Amazing Guatemala and beyond tour with Intrepid

13-Dec-2022

Did Guatemala and beyond trip in November 22. It was amazing, we were so well looked after by our guide Aura. She was very knowledgeable and during our bus trips she gave us the history of the 4 countries. The border crossings can be tricky but handled very well by our guide. We saw all the most interesting and beautiful places. The hotels were lovely comfortable colonial style. I will travel with intrepid again

Trustpilot
Hazel Rogers (Google Reviewer)  

I have just completed my...

06-Mar-2024

I have just completed my first trip with Intrepid to Southern Africa, and I loved every moment of it! We saw so much wildlife, stayed in some beautiful places, and learnt so much about the countries and people in a very short space of time. Our group leader, Admore, was exceptionally organised, coordinating every detail of our packed itinerary and keeping us informed along the way. The recruitment of a local group leader who can share their knowledge and fix the smallest of issues quickly really sets these trips apart, ensuring you feel safe and looked after at all times. I shall be booking my next trip soon!

RICHARD ALAN RODDY   England

Central American Journey

08-Feb-2024

Very enjoyable, good paced Tour. Tour Leader, Choko was helpful, knowledgeable and extremely informative.

Joanne W  

Wonderful Croatian tour

02-Dec-2022

Our tour guide,Tamara, was the highlight of our Explore Croatia tour. She was knowledgeable, organized, and so kind and fun. Croatia is a beautiful country. I loved the people, the scenery, the food, the history. I hope to go back one day. Intrepid was perfect for me. There was group time and there was plenty of free time. It wasn’t a luxury tour but all of our accommodations were clean and safe. The dinner in Hvar was SO special!

Trustpilot

1 Dates & Availability

Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Friday

Jul 07, 2024 - Jul 12, 2024
$3205 $2404

Operator discount: -$801

Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Friday

Jul 28, 2024 - Aug 02, 2024
$3300
Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Friday

Aug 18, 2024 - Aug 23, 2024
$3180
Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Friday

Aug 25, 2024 - Aug 30, 2024
$3090
Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Friday

Sep 01, 2024 - Sep 06, 2024
$3215
Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Friday

Sep 15, 2024 - Sep 20, 2024
$3205
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Thursday

May 24, 2025 - May 29, 2025
$3530
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Thursday

May 31, 2025 - Jun 05, 2025
$3530
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Thursday

Jun 07, 2025 - Jun 12, 2025
$3530
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Thursday

Jun 14, 2025 - Jun 19, 2025
$3530
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Thursday

Jun 21, 2025 - Jun 26, 2025
$3675
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Thursday

Jun 28, 2025 - Jul 03, 2025
$3675
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Thursday

Jul 05, 2025 - Jul 10, 2025
$3810
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Thursday

Jul 12, 2025 - Jul 17, 2025
$3810
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Thursday

Jul 19, 2025 - Jul 24, 2025
$3810
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Thursday

Jul 26, 2025 - Jul 31, 2025
$3810
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Thursday

Aug 16, 2025 - Aug 21, 2025
$3810
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Thursday

Aug 23, 2025 - Aug 28, 2025
$3675
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Thursday

Aug 30, 2025 - Sep 04, 2025
$3675
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Thursday

Sep 06, 2025 - Sep 11, 2025
$3675
Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Thursday

Sep 13, 2025 - Sep 18, 2025
$3530
Prices last published on 28-May-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

Enquire for huge savings

Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.

By submitting this form, I accept Travel Club Elites terms & conditions and privacy policy.

Similar Tours