Hike, Kayak & Ride: Black Hills, Badlands & Mount Rushmore

At the time of check-in, collect your Road Scholar Welcome Packet from the front desk. In the packet you will find information regarding program details including the location of orientation. The program orientation will begin at 4:30. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. They will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. There may be some light paperwork at the end of the orientation session. If you don’t arrive in time for orientation, please refer to your welcome packet on how to locate the Group Leader and get caught up on any information you may have missed. Lectures and field trips will be led by local experts and a knowledgeable Group Leader. Transportation for program-related activities will be via motorcoach unless specified otherwise. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At the Lodge.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At the Lodge.

We will board a motorcoach with our expert Group Leader and set out on a field trip to explore the United States’ Shrine of Democracy: Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Danish-American sculptor Gutzon Borglum, the creator of Mount Rushmore, wrote: “The purpose of the memorial is to communicate the founding, expansion, preservation, and unification of the United States with colossal statues of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.” Borglum intended his monumental sculpture to be not only a memorial to four of our greatest Presidents, but a Shrine to Democracy. Why these four? Washington led the nascent United States to win independence from Great Britain. Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence. Roosevelt the “trust buster” ensured the rights of working people and was instrumental in building the Panama Canal. Lincoln led the country through the Civil War. Borglum began work in 1927 and continued until his death in 1941, when his son, Lincoln Borglum, took it on and ended work later that year. We will have an opportunity to expand our exploration of Mount Rushmore with an elective, independent short walk on a portion of the Presidential Trail to Borglum’s studio. Interpretive signage along the way will illuminate more about the monument, its construction, and the artist whose vision produced one of America’s most iconic symbols. Next, we'll board the coach and travel the short distance back to the Lodge.

At the Lodge.

Next, we'll board the motorcoach with our expert Group Leader and set out on a field trip to hike one of the many beautiful trails in the Black Hills and learn more about the ecology, history, flora, fauna, and wildlife of this unique area. After our hike, we’ll board the motorcoach and return to the Lodge.

At the Lodge.

We'll ride the coach back the short distance to Mount Rushmore and join a park ranger in the park's outdoor amphitheater for an inspirational 45-minute program focusing on the presidents, patriotism, and the nation's history. Subject to weather.

At the Lodge.

We will set out via motorcoach on a field trip to the northern section of Custer State Park. With our expert Group Leaders, we’ll hike along the Little Devils Tower trail with expansive vistas of Black Elk Peak — the highest point east of the Rockies — as well as the rolling Black Hills and Cathedral Spires. Along the way, we’ll learn more about the park’s history, wildlife, and forest ecology.

At a popular Lodge in Custer State Park.

Next, we will experience the spectacular solitude of Sylvan Lake. Novice and experienced kayakers alike will explore the majestic beauty of the lake in single or double kayaks, with instruction for those who have not kayaked previously. Granite outcroppings rise from the waters and shoreline. Sylvan Lake also offers a spectacular 1-mile walking loop around the lake if kayaking isn't of interest. We’ll take the motorcoach back to the Lodge.

At the Lodge.

We’ll gather with a local expert for a presentation on the natural history and creation of the Black Hills.

At the Lodge.

Witness one of the last great events of the West, the annual Custer State Park Buffalo Round-Up. Watch as 1,300 head of buffalo rumble by as park personnel, cowboys, and cowgirls do their best to drive the Park’s herd into the buffalo corrals, passing two designated viewing areas along the way. The Buffalo Roundup is part of Custer State Park's management plan to maintain a healthy balance between the number of bison and the available rangeland forage. The Buffalo Roundup allows for some of the animals to be sorted out of the herd and sold.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in Hill City. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Next, we’ll congregate at Bicycles and Boats, a locally owned and operated e-bike rental shop in Hill City where each of us will be furnished with a personally fitted electronic bicycle to ride on the truly unique Mickelson Trail. In addition to the e-bike, everyone will be issued a helmet and any instruction needed from expert bicyclists. Those who prefer to walk a portion of the trail are welcome to do so. The Mickelson Trail was originally the Burlington Northern line that took trains from the southern Black Hills to the northern gold mining towns of the Black Hills. The line was abandoned in 1983. A group of outdoor enthusiasts recognized the trail potential, and with support of then Governor Mickelson, it became the state’s first Rails-to-Trails project. We’ll ride from the Hill City trailhead to the Mystic trailhead, approximately 14 miles. This portion of the trail is level with slight inclines and declines, not exceeding a 4% grade. The trail meanders through rural areas, pine forests, colorful meadows, rock canyons, wooden train tunnels and over bridges. At the conclusion of our field trip, we’ll board the motorcoach and travel back to the Lodge.

At the Lodge.

We’ll be joined by a local expert who will captivate us with stories and dances that are representative of local Indigenous peoples.

At the Lodge.

We'll set out with our expert Group Leader via motorcoach on a field trip to explore the rugged beauty and creation of Badlands National Park. The Lakota gave this land its name, “mako sica,” meaning “land that is bad.” An inland sea covered the area 68-77 million years ago. Erosion of the Badlands over the last 75 million years revealed sedimentary layers of vivid colors resulting from different minerals and elements left from volcanic ash carried here by the wind from other parts of the world. Today, the 244,000 acres of mystical moon-like topography of spires and pinnacles, surrounded by a sea of grass, are inhabited by buffalo, bighorn sheep, antelope, prairie dogs, and more. We'll have the opportunity to hike on designated trails and get an up-close view of ethereal buttes and mounds housing fossilized creatures from long ago.

At a local restaurant.

We will continue to explore Badlands National Park as we make our way back to the Lodge.

At the Lodge.

We’ll be joined at the Lodge by a local expert for a distinctive look into the management of natural resources in the Black Hills.

At the Lodge.

A fifth granite face is emerging in the Black Hills. Since 1948, the colossal Crazy Horse Memorial has been under construction at Thunderhead Mountain. When it is completed, it may be the world’s largest sculpture, towering 563 feet high and 641 feet long. We will take the motorcoach to the Memorial. Upon arrival, our Group Leader will provide background on the life of Crazy Horse as we witness history in the making with drilling and blasting on the still-incomplete gigantic sculpture. The Crazy Horse Volksmarch is one of the most popular organized hikes in the United States. This event is sponsored by the Black Hills Chapter of the American Volkssport Association (AVA) and hosted by Crazy Horse Memorial. It is a 10K (6.2-mile) roundtrip woodlands ramble to the world’s largest mountain carving in progress. This is the only time each year the public is permitted to hike to the top of the mountain carving; self-directed and each at our own pace. If hiking the Volksmarch isn’t for you, the Crazy Horse Memorial has plenty to explore including the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Education and Cultural Center and numerous art exhibits.

At Crazy Horse’s Laughing Water Restaurant.

After returning to the lodge feel free to enjoy a leisurely get-together around the lodge's outdoor campfire. We'll use this time to reflect on the program thus far and share stories and experiences with our fellow scholars.

We'll share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner together.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

At the Lodge. This concludes our program.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!