Badlands Premium Van Tour: Guided National Park Exploration

Experience the beauty of the Badlands National Park on a guided van tour. Explore scenic overlooks, visit historic sites, and capture stunning photos along the way. Comfortable transportation and a picnic lunch included.

Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Delta-09 Missile Silo - From 1963 until the early 1990s, the missile silo at Delta-09 contained a fully operational Minuteman Missile, bearing a 1.2 megaton nuclear warhead. The Delta-09 missile silo was one of 150 spread across western South Dakota. In total there were 1,000 Minuteman missiles deployed from the 1960’s into the early 1990’s. Visitors can now tour the site daily.

The launch facility consists of a silo 12 feet in diameter and 80 feet deep made of reinforced concrete with a steel-plate liner. The door to the silo has been welded and fitted with a glass roof, and an unarmed missile placed inside. For safety reasons, tours are not conducted underground. In addition to the missile and silo, visitors will see support structures such as antennas and motion sensors.

  • Minuteman Missile National Historic Site - Short stop at location of 1950’-60’s Nuclear Missile Site. Small museum provides exhibits of the ‘Duck and Cover’ days.

During the Cold War, a vast arsenal of nuclear missiles were placed in the Great Plains. Hidden in plain sight, for thirty years 1,000 missiles were kept on constant alert; hundreds remain today. The Minuteman Missile remains an iconic weapon in the American nuclear arsenal. It holds the power to destroy civilization, but is meant as a nuclear deterrent to maintain peace and prevent war.

*No Tours on Sundays, Mondays & Tuesdays (Closed)

  • Badlands National Park - Badlands Loop Road (SD 240) is a spectacular way to see the North Unit of Badlands National Park. This two-lane paved road is wide and safe and does include viewing wildlife along the Loop Road. We drive carefully, stopping to use overlooks and pull-outs. There are over a dozen spectacular overlooks and trailheads, we stop at the best ones to explore and take photos.
  • Door Trail - A wheelchair-accessible ¼ mile boardwalk leads through a break in the Badlands Wall known as “the Door” to a panoramic view of the Badlands. You have the option to explore the trail. The maintained trail ends and continues onto Badlands bedrock, with yellow posts marking the primitive portion of the trail.
  • Ben Reifel Visitor Center - The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is the main facility in the North Unit of the park. You can stop by to talk with rangers, explore museum exhibits, check out the Fossil Preparation Lab, or visit the Badlands Natural History Association bookstore.
  • Fossil Exhibit Trail - The Fossil Exhibit Trail is a fully accessible boardwalk featuring fossil replicas and exhibits of extinct creatures that once lived in the area. The exhibits are tactile, so please feel free to touch.
  • Pinnacles Overlook - This view displays the expanse of the Sage Creek Wilderness area. On clear days, the Black Hills are visible on the horizon. Bison might be visible in the distance, in the valley below or the upper prairie to the northwest. This overlook is also a popular spot for Bighorn sheep to gather. This is also a lambing area for Bighorn sheep in late April to early May, so it’s not unusual to see lambs traversing the rocky slopes of the Badlands.
  • Wall Drug - One of the world’s most well-known tourist attractions, it’s hard to believe Wall Drug Store got its start with something many wouldn’t even turn their heads at today … the promise of free ice water. But in fact, the Husteads turned free ice water into a million-dollar idea with a little determination, quick thinking and a lot of signs.

Signs with catchy jingles like “Get a soda . . . Get a root beer . . . turn next corner . . . Just as near . . . To Highway 16 & 14. . . Free Ice Water. . . Wall Drug” drew weary travelers into the small-town drug store to enjoy a refreshing break. Today, more than 2 million visitors a year stop at the popular roadside attraction for a meal or activity, 5 cent coffee, and ice water – which is still free.

  • The Black Hills - As we drive to the Badlands and back you will have distant views of the famous Black Hills to the west and the Prairie Grasslands to the east. And as we approach the Park you will be able to discern the barren dessert tables of the Park.

Many stops for rest and bathrooms breaks.

What's Included
  • Local guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Bottled water
  • National Park fees
  • All taxes, fees and handling charges
  • Snacks
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Lunch
Additional Information

Our professional guides offer an unforgettable tour of the unique Badlands National Park. You’ll discover the history of the Badlands, the local Native American tribes, and the western homesteaders.

We travel in comfort and style in a 14-passenger Ford TurtleTop Executive Van, featuring leather reclining seats, large side windows, and a touring window above the windshield. Enjoy unobstructed views as we journey, with plenty of stops for photos and restroom breaks.

We also provide this tour in our wheelchair-accessible Mercedes Sprinter Van, which accommodates a single wheelchair and includes 5 executive leather seats. The large side and front windows offer excellent viewing opportunities. The handicap lift ensures everyone can participate in roadside stops and boardwalk trails.

Additionally, we visit Wall Drug and the Minuteman Missile Site.
*Please note: The Minuteman Missile Site is closed on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Location
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
North Elk Vale Road
Near lobby front door.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.7
(39 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Donald_m
Aug 26, 2024
Great Experience - Our tour guide (Gene) was very knowledgeable about our tour. He shared lots of good information and he was very conscientious about making sure we were seeing everything we wanted to see. It was an excellent experience!
Review provided by Viator
Paula_m
Aug 22, 2024
Priceless day on the prairie - Thank you for an amazing day with a wonderful leader . Wish we used this company more . Don’t miss out book now
Review provided by Viator
Barbara_d
Jun 10, 2024
Family Vacation - The vastness of the Badlands. Disappointed we were unable to see the Missile Silo site. Wall Drugs wish we had more time.
Review provided by Viator
Richard_j
Jun 9, 2024
Great day in the Badlands! - We had signed up for a group/public tour but were the only tour members for this trip so it became private. Crystal was so patient, so knowledgeable and willing to stop wherever we wanted for as long as we needed. Having never toured the Badlands, it was a terrific experience and Crystal was exceptional in her presentation through conversation and stories. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with her and would heartily recommend her to anyone who was considering this tour, It is worth every penny!
Review provided by Viator
John_c
Jun 6, 2024
Adventure of John & Sue - Tour Guide (Charlie) was very informative & explained all areas of tour (e.g., silo, Overview of Badlands was educational.
Review provided by Viator
Gail_k
Oct 3, 2023
An experience that exceeded our expectations. - Our tour guide Jeff was excellent. Very knowledgeable, personable, and really catered to what we wanted to do or how long we wanted stay at a specific place, etc. I will have to say he is what made our day an excellent+
Review provided by Viator
Deb
Sep 29, 2023
Our tour guide Julie was amazing! She was knowledgeable, engaging and competent. She customized the tour beautifully - Our tour guide Julie was amazing. She was knowledgeable, engaged and competent. She customized the tour to our preferences.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Betty_c
Sep 7, 2023
Spectacular - Seeing the remarkable terrain Our tour guide,Joe was knowledgeable, patient, and really makes you feel like you are top priority. Just a great trip
Review provided by Viator
Holly_c
Aug 24, 2023
Good trip! - The Badlands are beautiful and we had a great time. Our driver was very nice and made sure everybody stayed hydrated on a super hot day there.
Review provided by Viator
Guide678717
Aug 17, 2023
Tour was good - Not enough time at most locations to view and read displays. The driver was good but maybe a little rumor would be well received.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
2 Adult
September 2024
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