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Black Hills National Forest

Black Hills National Forest: Our most recommended tours and activities

Custer: Black Hills Hot Air Balloon Flight at Sunrise

1. Custer: Black Hills Hot Air Balloon Flight at Sunrise

Go on a hot air balloon tour of the Black Hills and treat yourself to an experience of a lifetime. Admire the beautiful Black Hills and witness historic, wild landscapes and abundant wildlife from a hot air balloon. Soar above the southern Black Hills, and world-renowned Custer State Park with extraordinary 360-degree views of mountains, rock formations, valleys, lakes, and prairies.  Look out for wildlife such as elk, antelope, whitetail deer, buffalo, mule deer, or even a mountain lion. Fly just miles away from Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Wind Cave National Park, and the South Dakota Badlands. Certified pilots will navigate the flight with your safety and enjoyment in mind. During your 1-hour ride, your pilot will answer any questions that you might have and identify local points of interest.  Upon landing, enjoy a celebratory champagne toast, light snacks, and a story about the origin of hot air ballooning.

Buffalo Jeep Safari & Mammoth Site Tour

2. Buffalo Jeep Safari & Mammoth Site Tour

Get up close and personal with roaming buffalo, deer, and feed the wild donkeys at Custer State Park. Once in the park, board an open-air Jeep and explore the beauty the park has to offer with your guide. Make sure to bring healthy snacks for the wild donkeys and you will have them eating out of the palm of your hands. Next, travel to Hot Springs to get a behind-the-scenes VIP tour of the Mammoth Site. While at this active Paleontological dig site, view fossils from the ice age. Enjoy an interactive learning experience that includes a botany and geological walkway.

Pactola Lake: Private Kayak or Paddleboard Experience

3. Pactola Lake: Private Kayak or Paddleboard Experience

Start your day with a convenient pickup from your hotel and enjoy a short ride to Pactola Lake, the largest reservoir in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Be amazed by the stunning views. Choose whether to try a stand-up paddleboard or a kayak and enjoy your private guided adventure on the lake. Learn about the fascinating history of how the lake came to exist in western South Dakota. Spend the day taking in exquisite views of the best flora and fauna South Dakota has to offer. All five of your senses will be invigorated while on the lake. Enjoy lunch at a location of your choice. There are many locations to choose from and suggestions are available upon request.

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Other Sightseeing Options in Black Hills National Forest

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What people are saying about Black Hills National Forest

Overall rating

5.0 / 5

based on 7 reviews

this excursion is something special, well worth seeing with a very good tourist guide who also translates everything into German on the cell phone, everything is perfectly clear here you can see the most beautiful nature in the national park and the many bison.

Mike was awesome. He made us laugh multiple times. Highly recommend if you are thinking about doing this. Definitely worth the money and experience! My husband was super nervous but at the end he wanted to stay up longer! 10/10

This was on my bucket list!! I am not a liver of heights, but Damian and his whole crew made my first ballooning a wonderful experience!! Gentle, smoothe, beautiful, perfect!!

Very professional, made everyone very comfortable and answered any and all questions....usally with humor.Good experience.

Great pilots and crew. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience.