Wed, Aug 14: Fly to Rapid City, South Dakota. Travel to Badlands National Park to see the chiseled spires, deep canyons, and jagged buttes that millions of years of wind, water, and erosion have created. Transfer to Keystone and check in to the K Bar S Lodge for the next four nights. Enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers at the hotel. (Meal: Dinner)

Thu, Aug 15: Take an off-road wildlife Jeep tour through Custer State Park followed by lunch on the grounds of the State Game Lodge, which once served as the “Summer White House” for President Calvin Coolidge and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park is the second largest state park in the United States and encompasses 71,000 spectacular acres of prairies, pine trees, and unique pillar-shaped, slender granite outcroppings called “Needles.” The park is home to many animals including elk, mountain lions, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, and over 1,300 bison—one of the largest herds in the world. Spend the evening exploring Mount Rushmore National Memorial, including the unforgettable Evening Lighting Ceremony, an inspirational program focusing on the presidents, patriotism, and the nation’s history, culminating in the lighting of the memorial. (B,L)

Fri, Aug 16: Transfer to Deadwood and meet a local guide for a city tour. The legends that surround this small Gold Rush boomtown are known for being some of the roughest and toughest outlaws around. See first-hand where “Wild Bill” Hickok and Calamity Jane walked and were laid to rest; and learn about Custer’s 1874 expedition to the Black Hills and Deadwood’s history as a lawless gold camp. Visit Tatanka: Story of the Bison, which tells the story of the 30-60 million bison that once roamed the Great Plains and the devastating massacre that wiped out nearly all of them—only 1,000 survived. Take a guided tour of the city of Lead, and a surface tour of Sanford Underground Research Facility. The Sanford Lab Homestake Visitors Center is located on the edge of the historic site of the original 1876 gold strike. This 1,250-foot-deep, half-mile wide manmade wonder is an iconic landmark in the Black Hills. Today the mine has been converted to a deep underground science and technology center. The exhibit hall has information about Sanford Underground Research Facility, the city of Lead, and the history of Homestake, and features a 3-D model of the underground, from the surface down to 8,000 feet. (B,D)

Sat, Aug 17: Visit the world’s largest mountain carving, Crazy Horse Memorial, and take a ride to the bottom of the monument for a unique view. Travel to Hill city and board the 1880 Train for a narrated ride to Keystone. Glide over the rugged landscape aboard a vintage steam train, like those that helped settle the Great American West. Stroll the main street of Hill City—small in size but rich in history, for lunch and shopping. Tonight, attend the Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper & Cowboy Music Variety Show, where you can view the original buildings of the Dances with Wolves film set and browse stores and workshops along the boardwalk. (B,D)

Sun, Aug 18: Transfer to the airport in Rapid City and fly home. (B)