Black Hills Nature Tour Wildlife Watching and Scenic Views

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Iron Mountain Road

  A classic scenic drive created to showcase the granite-sculpted hills and tall Ponderosa pine forests. Famous for its curved route, pigtail bridges, and narrow tunnels that were designed to frame views of Mount Rushmore, this road feels like a moving picture of the Black Hills as you climb and descend. Stop at Peter Norbeck Overlook for sweeping panoramas and quick field talks about road history, geology, and forest ecology.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2

  Here you’ll find peaceful waters, a small trail loop, and a setting inviting contemplation rather than adrenaline. It’s a favored spot among anglers and visitors seeking a moment of calm among pines, water ripples, and birdsong.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 3
  Custer State Park

  This scenic loop inside Custer State Park invites a more relaxed, immersive pace—perfect for spotting wildlife, enjoying shifting light in meadows and forests, and connecting with the Black Hills’ spirit of openness. The undulating terrain, gentle curves, and frequent pullouts offer opportunities to witness bison, pronghorn, mule deer, and more roaming free.

  1 hour • Admission ticket included
• 4
  Sylvan Lake

  Dramatically framed by granite walls and topped by forested ridges, Sylvan Lake is as photo-friendly as it is peaceful. Rising from the shores you feel the rock formations closing in, giving a dramatic contrast to the lake’s gentle surface. Created in 1891 when a dam was built across Sunday Gulch Creek, the lake now hosts hiking, paddling, and swimming in a truly iconic Black Hills setting.

  40 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 5
  Stockade Lake

  Stockade Lake is the largest lake in Custer State Park and offers glimpses into regional history along its shores.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6

  Legion Lake evokes a refined stillness. Combining unusual geology with modern history, this makes for a perfect stop along the way.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 7
  Mount Coolidge Fire Lookout Tower

  At 6,023 feet, this is a fantastic place to drive, get out, and look at the wilderness we've been exploring, but from above.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 8

  A journey on Needles Highway is more than a drive—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience through jagged granite spires, slender tunnels, lush forest, and open meadows. Inspired by Peter Norbeck, the vantage points couldn't be any better, and the observational pull-offs are stunning.

  1 hour • Admission ticket included
• 9

  Also known as the inspiration for Mount Rushmore, these granite spires and peaks were spared from blasting, and we're happy they were. It's the core of the mountain, and displays rock billions of years old.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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