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South Dakota

The Best of Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills and Badlands

Program No. 13160RJ
Discover South Dakota’s beautiful Black Hills and Badlands, where bison mosey through roadside meadows and hand-carved mountains tower over vast stretches of untouched wilderness.
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National ParksNative American StudiesMost PopularHistorySmall Group
Length
7 days
Rating (4.95)
Activity Level
Starts at
2,099
Program
At a Glance
Duration
7 days
Program Begins
Rapid City
Program Concludes
Rapid City
Meals
15 ( 6B, 4L, 5D )
Activity Level
The land now shadowed by Mount Rushmore was, up until the 1870s, called the "last great unknown." Enrich your understanding of American growth in this vast wilderness as you immerse yourself in the discovery of Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Badlands National Park and The Mammoth Site. Study the lives of gold seekers and sod busters, and discover the Old West before a handful of presidents made it famous.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Expand your mind at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the Crazy Horse Memorial and Custer State Park.
  • Experience the otherworldly moonlike landscape of spectacular Badlands National Park.
  • Discover an active paleontological dig site, which boasts the largest concentration of mammoth remains in the world!
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General Notes
Select dates are designated for small groups and are limited to 24 participants or less. If not specified as a small group date, departures will have up to 38 participants. For a more active outdoor program in the Black Hills, check out "Hike, Kayak & Ride: Black Hills, Badlands & Mount Rushmore" (#12774).
Featured Expert
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John Esposti
John Esposti was born and raised in central New Jersey. He received a degree in education from the University of Idaho and utilized his degree by teaching in Alaska. He met his wife Cindy in Hawaii and returned with her to the Black Hills to operate a family-run travel business. After selling the business, John worked at the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research. John now spends his days with Cindy on a new tourism venture called GeoFunTrek, providing intimate explorations for visitors.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
John Esposti was born and raised in central New Jersey. He received a degree in education from the University of Idaho and utilized his degree by teaching in Alaska. He met his wife Cindy in Hawaii and returned with her to the Black Hills to operate a family-run travel business. After selling the business, John worked at the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research. John now spends his days with Cindy on a new tourism venture called GeoFunTrek, providing intimate explorations for visitors.
Stephen was born in Eagle Butte, SD on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, and raised in Rapid City, SD by his grandparents. In 2009 Stephen received his bachelor’s in elementary education from Oglala Lakota College. Growing up in his grandparents’ home, he learned from their example how to combine both the Christian and Lakota Traditional value systems. Stephen is the current board president for the Black Hills Powwow Association and is actively pursuing a master’s degree in leadership and management.
Karen Raben grew up in the Black Hills. After college, she spent the next 40 years living in several Midwest cities, Connecticut, and New York. During that time, Karen completed a master’s degree at Connecticut Western State University and had careers in teaching, business consulting, and parenting. In 2004, Karen and her husband, Tim, retired from their consulting business in the Chicago area and moved to Rapid City. Karen enjoyed traveling and learning the history of the places she visited.
Michael Snyder grew up in the Black Hills near Sturgis, South Dakota on a family-owned cattle ranch as part of the fourth generation along with his two brothers working cattle, riding horses, and driving tractors. Attending college at South Dakota State University led him to internships for the South Dakota State Legislature and United States Senate along with study abroad in Florence, Italy. After graduation, Michael got involved in the travel sector and began leading trips across the country and around the world.
Mike Pflaum grew up in southeastern Minnesota and graduated with honors from Mankato State University with a B.S. in recreation and parks administration with minors in geology and earth science. He retired at the end of 2021 after a 41-year career with the National Park Service where he held a variety of positions, including naturalist, park ranger, and park superintendent. Mike enjoys photography and discussing the value and importance of parks and large landscape preservation. Mike has been a Road Scholar group leader since 2022.
Bill Scholl grew up on a ranch in Northwestern South Dakota. After graduating high school in Isabel, SD, he studied music and business at Middle Tennessee State University. Bill enjoyed a career involving wholesale distribution, retail management, and business ownership. He and his wife, Gracie, enjoy hiking, biking, and motorcycling, and love living in Western South Dakota. Bill is a member of the Rapid City Cosmopolitan Club.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to one mile on varied terrain; some stairs. Elevations range from 4,300 to 5,200 feet.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List (4 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

  • Peace of Mind

    We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

  • Assurance Plan

    Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

  • Want to Protect Your Investment?

    Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

  • Sustainable Travel

    We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.