JEEP Bison Safari at Custer State Park + Mt Coolidge Fire Lookout
Things to know
About the Activity
TWO NEW LOCATIONS - Safe parking. Custer - 615 Washington St. 8:00am Depart Keystone - 519 1st St. 8:30am Depart Custer State Park in the one of the largest State Parks in the nation. Encompassing 71,000 acres in the Black Hills, home to abundant wildlife and adventures. Open-Top-Tours is the only company to offer 6 hour Jeep Bison Safaris to ALL of the Park. Including - seldom toured Mt Coolidge Fire Lookout - spectacular views of the Southern Hills from 6,020 ft. We tour in our unique modified Jeep Gladiators and Wranglers, with seating from 2 to 14 with great panoramic viewing. Perfect vehicles to travel the back country roads searching for roaming bison and wildlife. Our guides are professional, well informed and a 'hoot' to tour with. They will explain local history, wildlife and answer your questions. included: fees, bottled water and snacks. Tours depart Rapid City 8am - Custer 8am - Keystone 8:30am. Lots of restroom stops and extra wildlife/landscape photo ops.6 hours 15 minutes
Pickup offered
Instant Confirmation
Mobile ticket
Availability and Prices
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Travel Date
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Travelers
Adult : 2
Inclusions & Exclusions
Special Treats for feeding Begging Burros
Food and drink : Bottled water. Bottled water
Food and drink : Snacks. Snacks
All Fees and Taxes
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Travel Itinerary
- Maximum 14 travellers in this tour.
Locations in the itinerary
1
Custer State Park Visitor Center
US Hwy 16A and Wildlife Loop Road, Custer, United StatesFirst 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.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket IncludedView Location2
Wildlife Loop Road
Custer, United States, 57730We 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.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket IncludedView Location3
Mount Coolidge Fire Lookout Tower
Custer State Park, , Custer, United StatesBuilt 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.30 minutes • Admission Ticket IncludedView Location4
Stockade Lake
Custer, United StatesStockade 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.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included5
Needle Eye Tunnel
Mp 31, Sd-87, Custer State Park, Custer, United States, 57730The 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.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket IncludedView Location6
Sylvan Lake
Custer, United States, 57730Sylvan 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.15 minutes • Admission Ticket IncludedView Location7
Iron Mountain Road
Custer, United StatesIron 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.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket IncludedView LocationMeeting and Pickup
Starting point
1
Call for more information.View Location
2
Gravel parking lot next to old mine.View Location
3
Call for more information.View Location
End point
1
Call for more information.View Location
2
Gravel parking lot next to old mine.View Location
3
Call for more information.View Location
Pickup details
Tour operator will pick up all customers from their respective locations; or, customers can make their own way to the start point- Travelers can choose a custom pickup or meeting location.
- For Rapid City guests - Please consider meeting us at 519 1st in Keystone at 8:30am. We return from the tour about 2:00pm. If you have your car in Keystone you can now visit many of the other local attractions.
- Travelers will be picked up 10 minutes before departure time
Pickup points
Additional Information
- 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
Language And Guide
Tour Guide Available In
- English
Ticket Details
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- One per booking
Ticket Redemption
No redemption point. This is a direct entry ticketCancellation & Refunds
Cancellable up to 24 hours before the travel date (local supplier time) for a full refund. A 100% cancellation penalty applies for cancellations submitted less than 24 hours before the start time.- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Suplier may cancel the activity due to too few participants.
- Cancel at least 1 day before activity starts in America/Denver time to receive 100% refund.
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No reviews found!Operated by Black Hills Open-Top-ToursCreated on 30 Apr 2017Created on 10 Jul 2025
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