Public Luxury - Mt. Rushmore & Crazy Horse & Custer State Park
4.6 / 5 · 45 traveler reviews
The Mercedes Calèche Sprinter tour by Black Hills Open-Top Tours is unique because it combines luxury vehicle design with open-air sightseeing across the region's most rugged terrain. • Retractable Glass Top: Features a sliding/retractable glass roof that provides 360-degree, unobstructed panoramic views of towering pine trees, granite spires, and rock formations while keeping you protected from the elements. • Navigating Tight Tunnels & Pigtail Bridges: The vehicle is built to easily maneuver through the narrow Needles Eye Tunnel, granite rock squeezes, and famous wooden pigtail bridges on Iron Mountain Road while you look straight up through the glass roof. • Small Group / Intimate Experience: Seats up to 14 guests (with upscale comfort configurations), avoiding the cramped and impersonal feel of a large tour bus. • Local Expert Narration: Led by a passionate driver-guide sharing the history, geology, and culture of Custer State Park, Crazy Horse, Sylvan Lake, and the Needles.
Your experience
Stop 1
Our loop kicks off with a smooth drive into the heart of the national forest. As we wind toward Mount Rushmore, the Calèche’s open-top roof offers a dramatic, towering perspective of the granite faces as they emerge above the tree line. Enjoy ample time to explore the Presidential Trail, visit the museum exhibits, and snap incredible photos without the stress of navigating park traffic or parking gates.
Stop 2
Leaving Rushmore, we tackle the legendary Iron Mountain Road. Experience an engineering masterpiece firsthand as we cruise over wooden pigtail bridges and glide through hand-carved stone tunnels. We will pause at Norbeck Overlook, giving you a spectacular, elevated panorama of the sprawling wilderness and unique, hidden angles of the monument from afar.The road features three incredibly narrow, single-lane tunnels blasted directly through the solid granite mountainside. As you exit each one, Mount Rushmore beautifully reveals itself, framed perfectly right through the center of the tunnel openings. To tackle the mountain's steep elevation drops, engineers designed a series of three pigtail bridges. These architectural wonders are wooden spiral structures that corkscrew upward, looping the highway entirely over itself. Built using native timber, they provide an incredibly smooth transition over steep grades and offer a playful, roller-coaster-like driving experience.
Stop 3
Our final destination is the epic Crazy Horse Memorial. Learn about rich Native American heritage, the story of sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, and the massive scale of this independent project. Our sleek Sprinter ensures quick entry and exit, giving you maximum time to tour the impressive cultural center, expansive museums, and outdoor viewing verandas.Beyond the jaw-dropping scale of the mountain itself, the site serves as a vibrant, living cultural hub. Visitors can explore an expansive on-site museum that proudly protects and showcases over 14,000 authentic pieces of Native American art and historical artifacts. The experience truly comes alive during the summer months when talented Lakota dancers perform powerful, traditional dances on the outdoor patio, sharing their living heritage. Combining breathtaking artistry, deep history, and active storytelling, it is a profoundly moving educational and cultural experience
Stop 4
Often celebrated as the crown jewel of Custer State Park in South Dakota, Sylvan Lake is a breathtaking alpine oasis that captivates every traveler who visits. Surrounded by rugged, towering granite rock formations, dramatic outcroppings, and dense pine forests, this picturesque destination feels like something straight out of a postcard. Whether you are looking for an action-packed day of outdoor recreation or a peaceful spot to unwind and soak in the natural beauty of the American West, Sylvan Lake delivers an unforgettable experience. Originally created in 1881 when Theodore Reder built a dam across Sunday Gulch Creek, the lake sits at an elevation of over 7,200 feet. Today, it serves as one of the premier recreational hubs in the region, drawing hikers, photographers, families, and nature enthusiasts from all over the world.
Stop 5
Prepare for one of the most thrilling and visually stunning drives in the American West along the legendary Needles Highway in Custer State Park. This 14-mile iconic route is a masterpiece of engineering and natural wonder, featuring dramatic granite spires, hairpin turns, and tight, rock-hewn tunnels. The crown jewel of the drive is the famous Needles Eye Tunnel, where the roadway squeezes directly through a narrow fissure in the towering rock formations. As you approach, you will see the needle-like granite spire that gives the landmark its name. Driving or riding through the single-lane stone passage is an unforgettable experience—and you will likely spot other travelers taking photos of the dramatic rock frames and passing vehicles.
Stop 6
An Unforgettable, World-Class tour of the Wildlife Loop! We wanted an immersive, high-end experience to see the area's legendary wildlife, and this tour exceeded every single expectation. The absolute highlight of the ride was their Caleche Sprinter. Unlike standard enclosed vans where you are squinting through tinted glass. The Caleche Sprinter offers the perfect, luxurious middle ground. The panoramic view is unmatched, allowing for incredible, unobstructed wildlife photography right from your seat. When the top is back, you feel entirely connected to the vast South Dakota landscape, yet you still enjoy incredible comfort, shade, and climate control when transitioning between slow gravel trails and higher-speed roads. We were surrounded by the historic bison herd, watched bighorn sheep on the ridges, and even got to interact with the famous begging burros.
What’s included
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- All Fees and Taxes
- Lunch
Not included
- Gratuites are Not Included
Meeting and pickup
Located in front of the old Holy Terror Mine.
Before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check the policy for your selected date and option before booking.
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