South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer

Intrepid Travel · 7 days
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
7 Days
From AUD $5435
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Light

Rating


(16 reviews)

South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer

South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer

Intrepid Travel · 7 days
Duration

7 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Comfortable

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

See natural wonders in South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park on this seven-day small group adventure that packs plenty of wonders into a short amount of time.

Highlights

  • Jump in a jeep to safari with an expert guide and see buffalo up close, along with pronghorns and elk, in Custer State Park.
  • Marvel at the iconic monument of Mount Rushmore, where a short walk will take you up close to this famous mountain sculpture.
  • Join an expert naturalist guide on a wolf-tracking expedition at Yellowstone National Park in the wee hours of the morning – home to Old Faithful Geyser and the Grand Prismatic Spring.
  • Get a taste of the wild west during visits to Deadwood and Cody, two towns famous for their role in the USA’s Gold Rush era.

Trip Details

Duration

7 days

Transportation

Private vehicle

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Rapid City / Custer, United States Of America

Finishes

Yellowstone Wolf Tracking / Bozeman, United States Of America

Accommodations

Comfortable

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Rapid City / Custer
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 cabin where you can 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

Accommodation:

  • Cabin (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Custer
Enjoy breakfast at the lodge, 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 – 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:

  • Custer State Park - Buffalo Safari
  • Custer - Crazy Horse Memorial
  • Black Hills - Mount Rushmore

Accommodation:

  • Cabin (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Sheridan
Have a final breakfast in Custer, and then drive north to the city of Deadwood. Made famous for playing host to Wild West names like Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok, many of its Gold Rush-era buildings are preserved to this day. Your leader will take you on an orientation walk, and then you’ll have free time to do some exploring of your own – why not get fitted out in a new cowboy hat? Regroup for an included lunch, and then head back out on the road heading to Sheridan. It’s a long afternoon of driving, so sit back, relax and enjoy the rolling prairie views. Check into your accommodation, and then settling in for the evening.

Included Activities:

  • Deadwood visit

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Cody
After breakfast, hit the road for Cody, Wyoming, home to the renowned Buffalo Bill Center of the West. This world-class museum brings together five themed exhibitions all under one roof, with the Plains Indian Museum as the standout highlight showcasing the rich culture and history of Native American tribes. You'll also find exhibits on the Yellowstone ecosystem, firearms, Western art, and Buffalo Bill's legacy. After your museum visit, grab some lunch in town and then join an orientation walk with your leader around this quintessentially western community, scoping out the best spots for a barbecue dinner or to pick up your own pair of authentic cowboy boots.

Included Activities:

  • Cody - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Cody - Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Yellowstone National Park / Gardiner
Depart Cody and drive west towards Yellowstone National Park – one of the country's most popular, expansive, and beautiful national parks. 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. After, you’ll check into your hotel in Gardiner.

Included Activities:

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

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Yellowstone National Park / Gardiner
Today after breakfast, you’ll continue to explore the gorgeous Yellowstone National Park, looking out for grizzly bears, wolves, buffalo and elk roaming free. 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. 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 - Southern Loop Featuring Old Faithful Geyser & Grand Prismatic Spring

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Yellowstone Wolf Tracking / Bozeman
You'll be up before the sun this morning, but it's for a good reason! 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. Afterward, 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
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $5,435
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 7 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

See natural wonders in South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park on this seven-day small group adventure that packs plenty of wonders into a short amount of time.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 22 May 2027

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
5.0
Shirlee
Traveled, July 2023

08/05/2023

We enjoyed the sights and scenery on trip - Mt Rushmore, bison spotting in Custer Park and Yellowstone some of the highlights! We had a great group. Our guide, Andrew was very knowledgable and professional. We had some long travel days, but worth it for what we saw. Highly recommend it!

5.0
Marlene
Traveled, July 2023

08/06/2023

Andrew was an amazing guide. He was extremely knowledgable, accommodating and fun! He consistently ensured all travelers' needs were met. I would sign up for another trip with Andrew in a heartbeat!!

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989