Best of the Dakotas

$3200 / per person

(0 Reviews)

Let’s make this a vacation to the Dakotas, where National and State Parks, the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore become part of your family history and explore where legends are born.

Dates

August 9-17, 2024

9 Days

Pricing

Double: $3,200/person

Single: $4,205/person

Highlights

15 Meals
USS South Dakota
Laura Ingalls-Wilder Homestead
South Dakota State Capitol
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
Cedar Pass Lodge
Badlands National Park
Fort Hayes Chuckwagon Dinner
Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour
Custer State Park
Crazy Horse Memorial
Mount Rushmore
Bear Country USA
Deadwood
Medora
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Pitchfork Steak Fondue
Medora Musical
North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum
National Buffalo Museum
Hjemkomst Interpretive Center
Redlin Art Center

Moderate Activity Level

Reservation Info

Departure Info

Departing from: Decatur, Springfield, Litchfield, Troy, St Charles, Kingdom City, Kansas City/Marion, Mt Vernon, Nashville, Fairview Heights, South County, Cape Girardeau, Evansville

2024 Tours

National Parks

West and Southwest USA

Tour Plan

Days 1 and 2 | South Dakota

Today we travel west through Missouri, then north through Iowa to North Sioux City for the night. Day 2: After breakfast our trail leads us north to visit the USS South Dakota. After a visit to Falls Park, we continue our journey to De Smet. We travel to Pierre, our home for the night. (B,D)

Day 3 | South Dakota

This morning we visit the South Dakota State Capitol. Continuing on our trail west we visit the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site. After lunch at Cedar Pass Lodge we will pass through Badlands National Park. Get ready to experience the Old West with a hearty Chuckwagon Supper and Music Variety Show, the most entertaining show in the Black Hills. Arrive at our home for the next 2 nights in Rapid City. (B,L,D)

Day 4 | South Dakota

Our adventure today begins with a Buffalo Jeep Safari tour that will take you off-road through Custer State Park in search of pronghorns, elk, and the noble buffalo. After a short time to explore the visitor center you will have a buffet lunch at State Game Lodge. After lunch we continue our adventure through the Black Hills to Crazy Horse Memorial. The trail leads on to Mount Rushmore. We will return to Rapid City to overnight. (B,L)

Day 5 | South Dakota to North Dakota

Today we drive through Bear Country USA which features many species of North American animals, including the largest privately owned collection of American Black Bear. Our trail leads to the Wild West town of Deadwood. On our guided tour we will learn the history and find it just as wild today as it was when legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock roamed the streets. We head north to Medora for a two-night stay. (B,D)

Day 6 | North Dakota

Our day begins with a guided tour of Theodore Roosevelt National Park (guide subject to availability). We will return to Medora for an afternoon on your own to explore this authentically restored pioneer cattle town. Tonight we enjoy a delicious trailside barbecue at Medora’s famous Pitchfork Steak Fondue before our entertainment under the Badlands sky at the breathtaking Burning Hills Amphitheatre. (B,D)

Day 7 | North Dakota

We head east to Bismarck to visit its largest museum, the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum. After a catered lunch, the trail continues to the National Buffalo Museum, which primarily focuses on the history of bison in the plains culture. On to Fargo for the night.(B,L)

Day 8 | North Dakota to South Dakota

Our day begins with a visit to the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center, located in a grain elevator, and while there we take the time to check out the Celebrity Walk of Fame. We will then visit the Hjemkomst Interpretive Center. This afternoon we visit the Redlin Art Center, built as a tribute to Terry Redlin by his son Charles Redlin. Your home for the night is North Sioux City. (B)

Day 9 - South Dakota to Return Home

Sit back and relax as your trail comes to an end but the memories of the fun, history, and the beautiful scenery will last a lifetime. (B)

Best of the Dakotas