ITINERARY

Step into the untamed beauty and proud history of South Dakota with Champlain Tours as your trusted companion. On this hand-curated journey, we uncover towering monuments, wild buffalo, cinematic landscapes, gold rush legends, and prairie secrets—all from the comfort of one hand-picked hotel, the serene K Bar S Lodge, nestled in the heart of the Black Hills.

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Day One – Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Welcome to the Black Hills
Arrive in Rapid City and transfer to Keystone, a frontier town nestled beneath the shadows of Mount Rushmore. Your home for the week, the rustic-chic K Bar S Lodge, offers sweeping views of pine-draped hills and granite cliffs. Breathe in the mountain air, then gather with your fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner Reception, where your Champlain Tours guide will introduce you to the week’s highlights and hidden gems. The spirit of the West begins tonight—with camaraderie, comfort, and the scent of ponderosa pine in the air.

(Dinner)

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Day Two – Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Step into one of the most dramatic landscapes in North America at Badlands National Park, where erosion has sculpted a kaleidoscope of buttes, pinnacles, and prairies over 75 million years. Once the hunting grounds of the Lakota Sioux and home to ancient rhinos and saber-toothed cats, this surreal terrain stirs the imagination.

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We travel the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway, pausing at jaw-dropping overlooks and watching for bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs. Then it’s off to quirky, iconic Wall Drug, born from a promise of free ice water during the Great Depression and now a sprawling Americana attraction that’s part Old West bazaar, part time capsule.

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This afternoon, we dive into Cold War history at the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, where remnants of America’s nuclear arsenal lie hidden beneath the plains. You’ll hear stories of global tension, silent vigilance, and the unsung men and women who stood watch in underground silos.

(Breakfast & Dinner)

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Day Three – Thursday, June 11, 2026

Custer State Park & the Needles Highway
Today is a feast for the senses—and the soul. At Custer State Park, 71,000 acres of unspoiled South Dakota wilderness come alive with thundering bison herds, twisting mountain roads, and wide-open skies.

We begin at the Visitor Center with a film narrated by Kevin Costner, then journey along the Wildlife Loop Road, where elk, prairie dogs, and wild burros might cross your path. A hearty lunch awaits at the historic State Game Lodge, once dubbed the “Summer White House” for President Calvin Coolidge.

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The afternoon brings adventure as we board open-air jeeps for a narrated ride through the jaw-dropping Needles Highway. This scenic route winds through granite tunnels and past towering rock spires—nature’s cathedral rising from the earth. You’ll never forget the moment you squeeze through the “Needle’s Eye” tunnel with just inches to spare.

(Breakfast & Lunch)

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Day Four – Friday, June 12, 2026

Gold Fever, Gunslingers & the Old West Reimagined
This morning, strike it rich at Big Thunder Gold Mine, where the lure of the 1876 Gold Rush comes alive. Tour an authentic 1892 mine shaft, try your hand at gold panning, and explore a museum brimming with antique mining tools and Black Hills lore.

Then, we follow the trail to legendary Deadwood, a National Historic Landmark where lawlessness once reigned. Walk the same dusty streets as Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and Poker Alice, and perhaps grab a sarsaparilla in one of the town’s saloons.

Tonight, we gather at the High Plains Western Heritage Center for a private dinner and performance that celebrates the cowboy culture, pioneer grit, and Native heritage of the region. With sweeping views and a spirit of storytelling, this evening captures the essence of the Old West like nothing else.

(Breakfast, box lunch & Dinner)

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Day Five – Saturday, June 13, 2026

Devil’s Tower & the City of Presidents
Venture west into Wyoming to stand in awe beneath the towering monolith of Devil’s Tower, the nation’s first national monument. Sacred to Native American tribes and immortalized in film (“Close Encounters of the Third Kind”), the butte rises 867 feet from the prairie floor. Circumnavigate its base trail for stunning views and spiritual stillness.

We’ll lunch at the Devils Tower Trading Post, then continue to Rapid City, a town where art, history, and Americana converge. Take time to explore Main Street Square, the City of Presidents Walk (featuring life-size bronze statues of every U.S. president), and a vibrant downtown filled with boutiques, galleries, and cafés.

(Breakfast & Lunch)

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Day Six – Sunday, June 14, 2026  

Icons of the American Spirit
The grand finale begins at Mount Rushmore, where the 60-foot faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln gaze eternally over the Black Hills. Learn how sculptor Gutzon Borglum’s vision turned granite into grandeur—and how the mountain became a shrine to democracy. Then it’s all aboard the 1880 Train, a vintage steam locomotive rolling through hills once traversed by gold prospectors and timber haulers. This narrated 20-mile journey connects Keystone and Hill City, bringing history to life with every whistle and curve.

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Our afternoon continues at the monumental Crazy Horse Memorial, a colossal mountain carving in progress that honors the Lakota warrior and Indigenous pride. The visitor center offers rich insight into Native cultures, past and present.

This evening, enjoy a festive Farewell Dinner at the Ruby House, a nostalgic saloon-style restaurant, followed by the patriotic illumination ceremony at Mount Rushmore—a stirring close to our week of awe and discovery.

(Breakfast & Farewell Dinner)

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Day Seven – Monday, June 15, 2026

Farewell to the Black Hills
Enjoy a final breakfast at the lodge before we say goodbye to the granite peaks, prairie winds, and bold stories that have defined our journey. With hearts full and friendships forged, we return home, carrying the spirit of the West with us.
(Breakfast)

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