National Parks and Native Trails of the Dakotas
National Parks and Native Trails of the Dakotas
$3475
National Parks and Native Trails of the Dakotas
9 Days Starting in Rapid City, USA and ending in Bismarck, USA
Visiting: Rapid City, Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore, Rosebud Reservation, Chamberlain, Pierre, New Town, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Bismarck
Tour operator:
Tour code:
DMTMZN20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Special Guest Tours, Wildlife Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of the Dakotas with the "National Parks and Native Trails" tour. This immersive experience takes you from Rapid City to Bismarck, exploring the rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes of North and South Dakota. Discover the profound connection between the Lakota people and their land at the Oglala Lakota Living History Village, and witness iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. Engage with local communities, learning about their history and traditions, and enjoy authentic Lakota cuisine. Visit the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Reservations, and explore the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation. Marvel at the natural beauty of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and enjoy a stay at the historic Rough Riders Hotel. This tour offers a unique blend of cultural insights, breathtaking scenery, and meaningful connections with Indigenous communities, making it an unforgettable adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Rapid City Make Travel Matter
Location: Rapid City
Accommodation: The Rushmore Hotel & Suites
Accommodation Name: The Rushmore Hotel & Suites
Meals Included: Dinner
Begin your exploration of the Tribal Nations of North and South Dakota at a Welcome Dinner featuring Stephen Yellowhawk of the Lakota Sioux tribe. During this Make Travel Matter experience Stephen will regale you with oral histories and traditional song and dances of his tribe.
Day 2: Exploring The Badlands National Park And Oglala Sioux Tribe Make Travel Matter
Location: Badlands National Park
Accommodation: Arrowwood Cedar Shore Resort & Conference Center
Accommodation Name: The Rushmore Hotel & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Discover how deeply the Lakota people are connected to their land, customs and ancestors as you enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the Oglala Lakota Living History Village. Take in the sights along the iconic Badlands Loop Road, arriving at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation where you’ll meet talented Native artists. Later, visit Wounded Knee Memorial, site of the 1890 Massacre, told in vivid detail by a local storyteller who’ll share personal stories passed down through generations as you look upon the historic lands where it unfolded.
Day 3: Visit Mount Rushmore And The Crazy Horse Memorial
Location: Mount Rushmore
Accommodation: Arrowwood Cedar Shore Resort & Conference Center
Accommodation Name: The Rushmore Hotel & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast
Head to one of America's most iconic sites and learn of its complicated past. Embark on a self-guided walk in the majestic Black Hills before today’s highlight: the Crazy Horse Memorial. View a depiction of the famous Oglala Lakota warrior riding a horse and pointing to his tribal land, a striking monument that has been a work in progress since 1948. Take a locally guided walk to the base of the mountain where we will get even more immersed in the story of the land through a visit to the museum.
Day 4: Spend The Day With The Rosebud Sioux Tribe Make Travel Matter Connect With Locals
Location: Rosebud Reservation
Accommodation: Radisson Hotel Bismarck
Accommodation Name: Arrowwood Cedar Shore Resort & Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Get an insider’s view from a Local Specialist at the Rosebud Indian Reservation, home to the Sicangu Lakota Oyate Nation, for a deeply meaningful MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. You'll learn the history and cultural heritage of the Rosebud Reservation, in addition to understanding the socio-economic issues impacting the Lakota in today’s modern world. Later, sample delicious and authentic Lakota food over lunch at Sinte Gleska University. Founded in 1971, the university's mission is to provide higher education opportunities while preserving and promoting the Lakota culture and traditions. The university aims to integrate Lakota perspectives and values into its academic programs and foster a sense of identity and pride among its students. After lunch, you will meet Lakota elder Victor Douville for a Star Knowledge Presentation.
Day 5: Day Trip To Lakota Youth Development Connect With Locals
Location: Chamberlain
Accommodation: Teddy's Residential Suites New Town
Accommodation Name: Arrowwood Cedar Shore Resort & Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
The future of the Lakota Oyate (Lakota Nation) takes center stage as you meet Marla C. Bull Bear, Executive Director of Lakota Youth Development, a non-profit organization whose mission is to reclaim Lakota language, culture, and spirituality by promoting healthy lifestyle education for Lakota youth through culturally based strategies. Listen to Indigenous storytelling, enjoy a performance put on by tribal youth, and appreciate an Indigenous plant walk all before sharing a meal with tribal members of the Rosebud Reservation. We continue to Chamberlain where you'll witness to awe-inspiring Statue of Dignity, a soaring sculpture of a Native woman standing high on a bluff above the Missouri River.
Day 6: Sitting Bull & Standing Rock Indian Reservation Connect With Locals
Location: Pierre
Accommodation: Rough Riders Hotel
Accommodation Name: Radisson Hotel Bismarck
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel along the Native American Scenic Byway stopping in South Dakota’s capital, Pierre, for a tour of the town and the State Capitol. Next up, visit Sakakawea Monument & Sitting Bull Monument, believed to be the final resting place of Native American spiritual and social leader, Sitting Bull. Unlock more of the life and story behind Sitting Bull’s grave at Fort Yates Military Cemetery, where Sitting Bull was originally buried. Learn how the US Army abandoned Fort Yates in 1903 and had all the graves moved except for Sitting Bull’s. In the 1950s a group of businesspeople from Mobridge, South Dakota received permission through the Bureau of Indian Affairs to move Sitting Bull’s remains from the neglected grave in Fort Yates to Mobridge in an effort to attract tourists to their town.
Day 7: The Mandan, Hidatsa And Arikara Nation Make Travel Matter
Location: New Town
Accommodation Name: Teddy's Residential Suites New Town
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Visit Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center before Earth Lodge Village where you'll experience traditional archery and parfleche painting. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the MHA Nation Interpretive Center where Native artifacts are on display.
Day 8: Theodore Roosevelt National Park Sightseeing Stays With Stories
Location: Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Accommodation Name: Rough Riders
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Stop at Crows Flies High for views of Lake Sakakawea and the Four Bears Bridge. Take the scenic route to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park that climbs through the canyon to must-sees like the Oxbow Overlook. Arrive in Medora for a free afternoon. Your Stays with Stories is the historic Rough Riders Hotel filled with western charm and 1880s nostalgia. Enjoy a last dinner reflecting on the countless impactful moments.
Day 9: Farewell In Bismarck
Location: Bismarck
Meals Included: Breakfast
End your tour with a drive through a portion of the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Say your final goodbyes before arriving at Bismarck airport.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
The tour includes the services of an expert Travel Director and a professional Driver.
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Accommodation is provided in carefully selected hotels that are tried and trusted.
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
Porterage and restaurant gratuities are included in the tour package.
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are covered in the tour.
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
The tour includes daily breakfast and up to half of the evening meals.
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
The tour features must-see sightseeing opportunities and surprise extras.
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Audio headsets are provided for flexible sightseeing experiences.
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Transportation is provided in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries, or alternative transportation such as rail journeys.
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Optional Experiences and free time
The tour offers optional experiences and free time for personal exploration.
What's Not Included
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Personal expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and other personal purchases are not included.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Flights
Flights to and from the tour start and end locations are not included.
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Visa fees
Visa fees and any related travel documentation costs are not included.
Dining Summary
- 2 Dinner (D)
- 8 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Lunch (L)
Dive Into Culture
- Pine Ridge Reservation: Learn the History of Wounded Knee as told by Warren Yellow Hair as you look upon where it happened. Listening to stories told from generation to generation will give you a perspective that cannot be gained from a history book but rather an authentic and emotional experience.
- New Town: Enjoy a guided tour of the Earth Lodge Village and see how the MHA people used to live. You will also try your hand at archery and parfleche painting to gain a deeper understanding of the culture of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 10 & 11: Reduced Inequalities & Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style and comfort with a luxury air-conditioned coach equipped with Wi-Fi, ensuring a seamless journey through the scenic landscapes of the Dakotas.
Accommodation
Experience the charm of the Dakotas with stays at The Rushmore Hotel & Suites, Arrowwood Cedar Shore Resort & Conference Center, Radisson Hotel Bismarck, and Rough Riders Hotel, offering a blend of modern comfort and historical ambiance.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique cultural experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes several unique cultural experiences such as meeting Stephen Yellowhawk for a festive evening of dance and song, visiting the Oglala Lakota Living History Village, and participating in a Star Knowledge Presentation by a Lakota elder at Sinte Gleska University. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to engage with local specialists at the Rosebud Indian Reservation and explore the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation.
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How does the tour support local communities?
The tour supports local communities by promoting cultural understanding and economic growth through tribal tourism. Experiences such as the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® initiatives at the Rosebud Reservation and the MHA Nation Interpretive Center contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by reducing inequalities and supporting sustainable communities.
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What historical sites will be visited during the tour?
The tour includes visits to several historical sites such as the Wounded Knee Memorial, Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and the Sitting Bull and Sakakawea Monuments. Additionally, you will explore the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
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What kind of accommodations can be expected on this tour?
Accommodations on the tour include stays at cherry-picked hotels such as The Rushmore Hotel & Suites, Arrowwood Cedar Shore Resort & Conference Center, Radisson Hotel Bismarck, and the historic Rough Riders Hotel, which offers a unique Stay With Stories experience.
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What meals are provided during the tour?
The tour provides breakfast daily, up to half of your evening meals, and includes several lunches. Specific meals include traditional Lakota dishes at Sinte Gleska University and a traditional meal during the Be My Guest Experience with the Rosebud tribal youth.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions