The Only Full Day - Jeep Bison Safari - W/ Lakeside Picnic Lunch

4.4 (39 reviews) 6 h 15 min Free cancellation

out of 5

39 reviews

4.4

The Only Full Day - Jeep Bison Safari - W/ Lakeside Picnic Lunch — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

The Only Full Day - Jeep Bison Safari - W/ Lakeside Picnic Lunch, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Never Crowded
Jeeps Seat 2 to 14
Enjoy Your Personal Space!

Experience the nation's largest state parks like never before. Spanning 71,000 scenic acres, Custer State Park is a sanctuary for abundant wildlife and rugged adventure.

This 6-Hour Jeep Bison Safari Open-Top-Tours is authorized to guide you through the entirety of the park. Our comprehensive 6-hour safari takes you deep into the backcountry and includes an exclusive trek to the Mt. Coolidge Fire Lookout, offering breathtaking views of the Southern Hills from 6,020 feet.

Ride in Comfort and Style - We navigate the rugged terrain in custom-modified Jeep Gladiators and Wranglers. Accommodating 2 to 14 guests, our unique open-top vehicles offer unmatched panoramic views perfect for spotting bison and native wildlife.

Our professional guides are local experts and a total "hoot" to travel with! They will bring the region's rich history to life, track the wildlife, and answer all your questions.

Lots of restroom stops.

Day Trips Full-day Tours Private and Luxury Historical Tours 4WD Tours Safaris Small Group Top Product

At a glance

Duration: 6 h 15 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 14 people
People per booking: 1–14
Guide: English
Operated by: Black Hills Open-Top-Tours

Ages: Infants (2–4 years) · Children (5–11 years) · Youth (12–16 years) · Adults (17–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Special Treats for feeding Begging Burros
Included: Bottled water
Included: Snacks
Included: New - Lakeside Picnic Lunch (subs-salads-chips-cookies)

Not included

Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Custer State Park Visitor Center

1 h 30 min Admission included

First we stop at the State Game Lodge and detail its history at the Summer White House for Presidents Coolidge and Eisenhower.

Then stopping at the Custer State Park Visitor Center we visit the many displays about the iconic species of the prairie, the bison.

And one more stop along the Wildlife Loop Road at the Buffalo Corrals. The new Custer State Park Bison Center brings an all-bison experience to the park's scenic drive through the southern prairie of our 71,000 acre park.
Wildlife Loop Road

1 h 30 min Admission included

We tour through 18 miles of open grasslands and pine-speckled hills that much of Custer State Park's wildlife calls home. Keep eyes peeled for bison, pronghorn, whitetail and mule deer, elk, coyotes, burros, prairie dogs, eagles, hawks, and a variety of birds that are rarely found together in one location. A medley of colorful wildflowers and prairie grasses surround the road, making for a picturesque drive; and the landscape changes throughout your trip, keeping you on your toes.
Mount Coolidge Fire Lookout Tower

30 min Admission included

Built of local stone, Mt Coolidge Fire Tower rests atop a 6,023-foot peak on the way to Blue Bell Lodge and is still used today as a fire lookout and dispatch center.

As the highest point in central Custer State Park, it offers breathtaking 360-degree views from the top of the fire tower. On a clear day, you can see the Badlands nearly 60 miles away in the east, Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse to the north and the Wildlife Loop Road to the south.
Stockade Lake

30 min Admission included

Stockade Lake is the largest lake in Custer State Park and is located between Mt Coolidge Lookout and the Needles Highway. It has a very scenic and serene atmospher and here we pause for a picnic lunch.
Needle Eye Tunnel

30 min Admission included

The Needles Highway is a spectacular drive through pine and spruce forests, meadows surrounded by birch and aspen, and rugged granite mountains.

The road’s name comes from the needlelike granite formations that seem to pierce the horizon along the highway.

The roadway was carefully planned by former South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck, who marked the entire course on foot and by horseback. Construction was completed in 1922.

Needles Eye Tunnel is a unique rock formation, so named for the opening created by wind, rain, freezing, and thawing. It is the most popular tunnel in the Park.
Sylvan Lake

15 min Admission included

Sylvan Lake is the most popular of the may lakes in the Park.

It was created in 1891 when Theodore Reder built a dam across Sunday Gulch Creek.

It is surronded by large granite spires, huge pines and creates a unique alpine feel to the guests. I is also home to an average of 4 wedding a week during the summer season.
Iron Mountain Road

30 min Admission included

Iron Mountain Road is a unique road designed to showcase the Black Hills and Mt Rushmore. Known for its “pigtail” bridges. Iron Mountain Road redefined what a road could be with 314 CURVES, many one one-tunnels and of course the "pigtail" bridges.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

Call for more information.
Gravel and grass parking lot next to old Holy Terror Mine. North or the Rock Shop.
Park in convetion lot in front of DoubleTree Hotel.

End point

Call for more information.
Gravel and grass parking lot next to old Holy Terror Mine. North or the Rock Shop.
Park in convetion lot in front of DoubleTree Hotel.

Pickup points

Stardust Motel
Mainstay Suites
Western Thrifty Inn
Sleep Inn & Suites
Hotel Alex Johnson Rapid City, Curio Collection by Hilton
Comfort Inn & Suites
Comfort Inn & Suites Rapid City Near Mt Rushmore
La Quinta Inn and Suites by Wyndham at Watiki Waterpark
GrandStay Residential Suites Hotel Rapid City
Travelodge By Wyndham Rapid City/Black Hills
The Suite Inn
Hampton Inn Rapid City Rushmore

and 40 more pickup points

For Rapid City guests - Please consider meeting us at 519 1st in Keystone at 8:30am. We return from the tour about 2:00pm. If you have your car in Keystone you can now visit many of the other local attractions.