Glass-Top Mercedes Tour (Spearfish/Deadwood)

Overview

Custer State Park in the one of the largest State Parks in the nation. Encompassing 71,000 acres in the Black Hills, it is home to abundant wildlife and adventures. There’s something here for everyone, the granite peaks, rolling plains and clear mountain waters are fantastic.

Open-Top-Tours is the only company to offer 6 hour Bison Jeep Tours to ALL of Custer State Park. (Not the 60 minute limited tour offered by others.) We tour in our unique modified Jeep Gladiators and Wrangers, with seating from 2 to 14 with great panoramic viewing.

Our guides are professional, well informed and a 'hoot' to tour with. They will explain local history, wildlife and answer your questions.

Tours include: fees, bottled water and snacks. And we include special treats to feed the "Beggin Burros" as we stop along the Loop. (They know us well and come running when they spot us.)

Tours depart Rapid City at 8:00am and Keystone at 8:30am. Lots of restroom stops and extra wildlife/landscape photo ops.

City: Rapid City

Mon 30 Jun

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $339.00

Make a reservation

Mon 30 Jun

Starting at $339.00

Make a reservation

New York City Tours

Unique Activities (21) Transfers & Transportation (175) Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises (252) Entry Tickets (96) Sporting Events (4) Good for Small Groups (27) Seasonal & Holiday Tours (113) Walking Tours (705) Outdoor Activities (48) Limitied Availability Tours (29) LGBT Friendly Tours (9) Family-friendly Activities (8) Wildlife Activities (6) Solo Travelers' Tours (147) Food & Drinks (96) Travelers recommend (174) Good for Groups (32) Top Activities (75) Guided Audio Tours (10) Art, Culture & History (406) Attractions to explore (43) Sustainable Tours (1) Limousine Transfers (5) Donut Walking Tour (2) Virtual Experiences (1) Additional fees (7) DSA non-compliant (17)

What's Included

Special Treats for feeding Begging Burros

Bottled water

Snacks

All Fees and Taxes

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Layered clothing, jacket, sun screen, sunglasses and a hat are recommended
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
All-Season Tours Available

What To Expect

Custer State Park Visitor Center

First we stop at the State Game Lodge and detail its history at the Summer White House for Presidents Coolidge and Eisenhower. Then stopping at the Custer State Park Visitor Center we visit the many displays about the iconic species of the prairie, the bison. And one more stop along the Wildlife Loop Road at the Buffalo Corrals. The new Custer State Park Bison Center brings an all-bison experience to the park's scenic drive through the southern prairie of our 71,000 acre park.

Wildlife Loop Road

We tour through 18 miles of open grasslands and pine-speckled hills that much of Custer State Park's wildlife calls home. Keep eyes peeled for bison, pronghorn, whitetail and mule deer, elk, coyotes, burros, prairie dogs, eagles, hawks, and a variety of birds that are rarely found together in one location. A medley of colorful wildflowers and prairie grasses surround the road, making for a picturesque drive; and the landscape changes throughout your trip, keeping you on your toes.

Mount Coolidge Fire Lookout Tower

Built of local stone, Mt Coolidge Fire Tower rests atop a 6,023-foot peak on the way to Blue Bell Lodge and is still used today as a fire lookout and dispatch center. As the highest point in central Custer State Park, it offers breathtaking 360-degree views from the top of the fire tower. On a clear day, you can see the Badlands nearly 60 miles away in the east, Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse to the north and the Wildlife Loop Road to the south.

Stockade Lake

Stockade Lake is the largest lake in Custer State Park and is located between Mt Coolidge Lookout and the Needles Highway. It has a very scenic and serene atmospher and here we pause for a picnic lunch.

Needle Eye Tunnel

The Needles Highway is a spectacular drive through pine and spruce forests, meadows surrounded by birch and aspen, and rugged granite mountains. The road’s name comes from the needlelike granite formations that seem to pierce the horizon along the highway. The roadway was carefully planned by former South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck, who marked the entire course on foot and by horseback. Construction was completed in 1922. Needles Eye Tunnel is a unique rock formation, so named for the opening created by wind, rain, freezing, and thawing. It is the most popular tunnel in the Park.

Sylvan Lake

Sylvan Lake is the most popular of the may lakes in the Park. It was created in 1891 when Theodore Reder built a dam across Sunday Gulch Creek. It is surronded by large granite spires, huge pines and creates a unique alpine feel to the guests. I is also home to an average of 4 wedding a week during the summer season.

Iron Mountain Road

Iron Mountain Road is a unique road designed to showcase the Black Hills and Mt Rushmore. Known for its “pigtail” bridges. Iron Mountain Road redefined what a road could be with 314 CURVES, many one one-tunnels and of course the "pigtail" bridges.

Show 4 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (23)

G9164PPmariac

Aug 2023

A very enjoyable tour. Our guide Jeff was knowledgeable about the area and provided good insight into the history. I highly recommend this tour.

Response from Host

Sep 2023

Hi G - I'm glad you enjoyed your time in the Hills and your tour with Jeff. Jeff's a retired teacher and enjoys sharing the history of the region. Thanks for your review. Be Well - Rich

A_V

Aug 2023

I didn't get to go on this trip because your company didn't communicate with the people running the excursion. I had to get ahold of them and they took care of the situation. I will never use this site again 😒

georgegR6077DQ

Jul 2023

TripAdvisor never notified tour of our reservation even though we got confirmation notice from TripAdvisor. Call company and said there were never notified. Had problems with TripAdvisor before. Called TripAdvisor and they immediately refunded our money. They're comments were we sorry, end of conversation. This after waiting 1 and half hours at pick up point. This with two small children. Will never use TripAdvisor again.