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Private Jeep Tour: Explore Badlands Backcountry

4.9

27 Ratings

Rapid City

Embark on a thrilling private Jeep tour of the Badlands with Open-Top-Tours. Discover hidden gems, encounter wildlife, and learn fascinating history from expert local guides. Book now!

Duration: 8 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Scenic - Once a bustling railroad stop with hotels, banks, and bars, now a deserted ghost town.
Sage Creek Wilderness Area - A lesser-known part of Badlands National Park, featuring unique landscapes and wildlife like bighorn sheep, bison, black-footed ferrets, and prairie dogs. This is one of the park’s oldest areas, where most of the badlands formations have eroded, revealing Cretaceous sediments that support grassland soil development. The presence of Sage Creek attracts various wildlife, including bison, sheep, antelope, and deer. The roads are rugged but manageable for our Jeep Gladiators.
Roberts Prairie Dog Town - Our first stop is the Sage Creek Overlook, offering what many consider the park’s best views. Next, we visit the largest prairie dog town in the accessible areas of Badlands National Park. You’ll notice the high-pitched squeaks of prairie dogs and their dirt mounds. Prairie dogs create habitats for around 200 animal and plant species, so keep an eye out for other wildlife.
Pinnacles Overlook - The highest viewpoint on the Badlands Loop Road, offering sweeping views of the Sage Creek Wilderness area. On clear days, you can see the Black Hills on the horizon. You might spot bison in the distance and bighorn sheep, especially during lambing season from late April to early May.
Yellow Mounds Overlook - These oddly colored mounds are the result of an ancient sea draining away, with decaying plant chemicals turning the soil yellow, making for excellent photo opportunities.
Fossil Exhibit Trail - A fully accessible boardwalk featuring fossil replicas and exhibits of extinct creatures that once lived in the area. The .25-mile trail takes you through 75 million years of history.
Ben Reifel Visitor Center - The main facility in the park’s North Unit, where you can talk to rangers, explore museum exhibits, visit the Fossil Preparation Lab, and check out the Badlands Natural History Association bookstore.
Wall Drug - From its modest beginnings in 1931, Wall Drug has become a bustling oasis. Road-weary travelers stop here to refresh, just as they did over 80 years ago. Today, it attracts 2 million visitors annually.

What's Included

Exclusive Jeep tour with 2-6 guests per vehicle for personalized experience.
Complimentary bottled water to stay hydrated.
Tasty snacks provided.
Delicious lunch included.

What's Not Included

Gratuities Not Included

Additional Information

The renowned Badlands landscapes provide distinctive scenes at each corner. Our Jeep Gladiator journey presents a memorable off-the-beaten-track exploration teeming with bison, deer, prairie dogs, among other wildlife, along with expert insights from the region’s well-informed and seasoned local guides. It encompasses information about the formation of the Badlands, the area’s Native American historical background and the early 20th century settlers of the plains.

The opportunity to partake in guided hiking trails can be included in the schedule free of charge.

Location

Common Cents Store & Deli

South Dakota 44

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.9

(27 Ratings)

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1 star

Michaelwl5713zn

Aug 29, 2023

Great anniversary trip - We had the best time, Doug was an outstanding guide, professional, knowledgeable, and extremely patient. This is a quality company made up of quality people.