SOUTH DAKOTA: BLACK HILLS & BADLANDS
September 16 - 23, 2027
Big Skies, Legendary Landscapes
& Sisterhood in the American West
Settle in, explore deeply, and let the Black Hills stay with you
Big skies. Bold history. Unforgettable landscapes.
Join us in September 2027 for an immersive South Dakota adventure through the legendary Black Hills and Badlands, designed exclusively for women who crave exploration without complication. We’ll stay in one comfortable hotel in Rapid City for the entire trip, making it easy to settle in, connect, and fully enjoy the journey without constantly repacking.
Together, we’ll stand beneath the towering faces of Mount Rushmore, search for buffalo in Custer State Park, and explore the dramatic formations of Badlands National Park. We’ll walk the historic streets of Deadwood, experience Native perspectives in the region where Lakota history runs deep, and witness the powerful presence of Devils Tower, America’s first national monument.
This is the American West at its most iconic and most meaningful. It’s shared laughter at dinner, stories told under wide-open skies, and the kind of experiences that stay with you long after you return home.
If you’ve been wanting a trip that blends history, culture, scenery, and sisterhood — without changing hotels every night — this Black Hills and Badlands journey is it.
Trip Highlights
- Unpack once in Rapid City and enjoy one relaxed home base for the entire trip
- Walk the Presidential Trail at Mount Rushmore, then return for the evening lighting ceremony
- Explore Custer State Park in search of bison and wildlife on an open-air Jeep safari
- Experience Badlands National Park with a Native guide sharing cultural insight
- Step into Old West history in Deadwood and visit Crazy Horse Memorial and Devil’s Tower
OUR ITINERARY
September 16, 2027
Welcome to Rapid City, the gateway to the Black Hills. We’ll arrive throughout the day and settle into our hotel, with time to unwind after travel. It’s an easy start, giving everyone time to arrive, adjust, and ease into the pace of the West. (No meals are included today)
September 17, 2027
Today is yours to explore Rapid City and the surrounding Black Hills at our own pace with your new Sisters. In the evening, we’ll gather for our Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant, officially kicking off our South Dakota adventure. (Breakfast and Dinner included)
September 18, 2027
We’ll begin our day at the Chapel in the Hills, learning about the history and determination of early Western settlers who helped shape this region. From there, we’ll head to Mount Rushmore, where we’ll spend time taking in the towering faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. As we walk the Presidential Trail, we’ll enjoy some of the closest views of this iconic monument and appreciate the scale and craftsmanship up close. This evening, we’ll return to Mount Rushmore for the lighting ceremony, watching the sculpture illuminated against the night sky, a most memorable way to experience this American landmark. (Breakfast included)
September 19, 2027
Today we’ll visit the Oglala Lakota Living History Village, where members of the Oglala Lakota Nation share their history, connection to the land, and modern-day culture in their own words. It’s an important and meaningful introduction to the region. Then, we’ll head into Badlands National Park, exploring its dramatic landscape alongside a Native American guide who offers personal insight into the land, heritage, and traditions that continue today. At the visitor center, exhibits and displays help set the stage before we travel the Badlands Loop Road, known for its striking rock formations and layered mineral colors. We’ll also stop at the legendary Wall Drug, a roadside icon that feels like stepping back in time. The rest of the day and evening is yours to spend independently with your new besties. (Breakfast included)
September 20, 2027
This morning, we’ll head to Deadwood, where gold rush legends, gamblers, and gunslingers once ruled the streets. You can choose to take a guided tour of the Adams Museum, diving into exhibits that bring Deadwood’s outlaws and larger-than-life characters to life, or you can opt to visit Tatanka: Story of the Bison, founded by Kevin Costner, where powerful bronze sculptures tell the story of the bison and its deep connection to the Lakota people.
Later, we’ll explore this National Historic Landmark with a local guide who helps us see beyond the storefronts and into the town’s colorful past. We’ll visit the final resting places of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane and hear the stories that made them legends. Tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner and a lively Western show at the High Plains Heritage Center, wrapping up the day with a little frontier spirit. (Breakfast and Dinner included)
September 21, 2027
We’re heading into Custer State Park today, South Dakota’s first state park, keeping our eyes open for bighorn sheep, elk, and other wildlife along the way. As we travel through rolling hills, granite outcrops, and open prairie, we’ll get a true feel for the beauty of the Black Hills. For a little adventure, we’ll venture off-road on a buffalo safari, riding deep into the park in open-air Jeeps in search of roaming herds. It’s an up-close look at one of the West’s most iconic animals.
Later, we’ll visit the impressive Crazy Horse Memorial, the largest mountain carving still in progress. We’ll have time to explore the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Cultural Center, the sculptor’s studio, and orientation exhibits to better understand the vision behind this monumental project. (Breakfast included)
September 22, 2027
We’ll stop at the Geographic Center of the Nation, marking the symbolic center of the United States, before crossing into Wyoming to visit Devils Tower, the country’s first national monument. Standing before this towering monolith, we’ll take in its scale and unique rock formations. Those who’d like can walk the 1.3-mile Tower Trail that circles the base. While many recognize it from Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Devils Tower holds deep spiritual significance for several Native American tribes. Tonight, we’ll gather for our Farewell Dinner together, reflecting on our South Dakota adventure and the memories we’ve made along the way. (Breakfast and Dinner included)
September 23, 2027
Today, we’ll say goodbye to Rapid City and, each other. As we head home, we take with us wide-open landscapes, unforgettable stories and laughter, and the new, treasured friendships we’ve built along the way. (Breakfast included)
Trip Inclusions
- 7 nights/8 days accommodations
- 10 meals (7 breakfasts and 3 Dinners)
- Round-trip transfers between airport and hotels
- Hotel porterage
- All sightseeing tours, exclusive experiences and excursions as listed within this itinerary
- Deluxe, private transportation throughout the itinerary
- Private Tour Director
- Sisterhood Travels Group Leader
- Sisterhood Travels Swag
The Art of Staying Flexible
DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS
- Non-refundable deposit due at time of booking: $500 per person
- 2nd Non-refundable payment due on or before August 17, 2026: $750 per person
- 3rd Non-refundable payment due on or before January 17, 2027: $1000 per person
- Final payment due on or before May 1, 2027
important information
PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY
The maximum number of Sisters on this tour will be 40, including your Group Leader. Roommate matching is available.
Our accommodations for the entire tour will be at the Hyatt Place Rapid City, South Dakota.
ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES
- Airfare is not included in your pricing. You will fly roundtrip Rapid City (RAP)
- You can arrive at any time on September 16, 2027, and depart at any time on September 23, 2027.
- Check-in time at our arrival hotel is at 3:00 pm.
- All flight arrangements must be submitted to Sisterhood Travels on or before July 16, 2027. If you need help making flight arrangements, or to submit your independent flight arrangements, please click here for Airfare Information.
- Arrival transfers are provided only on September 16th from the Rapid City airport to our hotel. Departure transfers are only provided on September 23rd from our hotel to the Rapid City airport. If you arrive or depart outside these days and times, or you’re needing transfers or hotels elsewhere, you are responsible for making your own arrangements at your own expense.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
The REAL ID Act standards for identification while travelling is now in effect. This means a standard issued driver’s license used as a form of identification will no longer be accepted for domestic air travel within the United States. Instead, a Real ID compliant form of identification must be presented both at the time of booking air travel and upon checking in at the airport to board any flight. Any fees associated with changing a reservation resulting from a non-compliant identification will be the responsibility of the traveler. For more information on Real ID, please visit the Department of Homeland Security website.
GRATUITIES, TRAVEL INSURANCE & OPTIONAL EXPENSES
- Gratuities for your Tour Director, local guides and drivers are not included in your pricing. We will provide you with tipping guidelines for your trip.
- Travel Insurance is strongly recommended and is not included in your pricing. We will send you a quote via email.
- Any optional expenses or expenses related to anything not specifically listed in this itinerary are not included.
- Please don’t schedule any optional excursions on your own for this trip as we cannot promise that you will arrive in time at any location to make your independent excursion. Sisterhood Travels won’t be liable for any expense you incur because of this.
- There are no refunds for unused portions of this tour.
GENERAL
- Dates and times of itinerary as well as hotels listed are subject to change without notice due to operational or logistical reasons, and while sailing, are under the complete control of the Captain.
- Rates are guaranteed once your deposit has been received and your reservation has been confirmed by Sisterhood Travels. Until that point, pricing may change, and any increases in government taxes or fees may still apply.
- We cannot accommodate wheelchairs, assistive devices, scooters, walkers or rollators, or Zimmer-frames. You must be able to ambulate independently with no assistance from devices or others on the trip. It is imperative that you read the activity level description below.
- You will receive an invitation soon after you book your trip for our travel app, “Trip Plans”. You will need to download this app to your smartphone as this is where you will find the most up-to-date, accurate information regarding your itinerary in addition to all of the critical information you need to know.
Need a Roommate?
Cancellation & Refunds
Activity Level:
leisurely
Activity Level: 2 Leisurely
This South Dakota journey through Rapid City, the Black Hills, Badlands National Park, and Devils Tower is designed to be comfortable, with a relaxed pace that allows you to fully experience the landscapes, history, and culture of the American West.
Walking & Standing
Expect light to moderate walking on most days. Typical walking distances range from 1 to 2 miles spread throughout the day, often broken up by coach travel and sightseeing stops. In Deadwood, walking tours take place along historic sidewalks and streets that may include some uneven surfaces and slight hills. You should be able to stand for up to 30 minutes at a time and walk on paved paths, gravel trails, and boardwalks without assistance.
Terrain & Transport
This tour is coach-based, with daily excursions throughout the Black Hills and surrounding areas. Terrain ranges from paved walkways at monuments and visitor centers to gravel paths and natural surfaces in national and state parks. The round-trip journey to Devils Tower includes four hours or more of driving time, including scenic and rest stops along the way. Wildlife viewing in Custer State Park includes an open-air Jeep buffalo safari over uneven park roads. While not physically strenuous, this experience can involve bumpy conditions.
Pace of the Tour
Mornings typically begin after breakfast, with full but manageable sightseeing days that balance guided experiences with free time. Several evenings are at leisure, and there is free time built into the itinerary for independent exploration and relaxation with your Sisters.
Altitude Considerations
Rapid City sits at approximately 3,200 feet above sea level. Most touring throughout the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Badlands National Park, and Devils Tower ranges between 3,000 and 5,000 feet in elevation. These elevations are considered moderate and do not typically cause altitude-related issues for most travelers. However, those who are sensitive to elevation changes may notice mild shortness of breath during exertion. If you have specific respiratory or cardiovascular concerns, we recommend consulting your physician prior to travel.