Private - JEEP Badlands Backcountry (Sage Creek/Scenic) Open-Top-Tours

Embark on a thrilling private Jeep tour of the Badlands with Open-Top-Tours. Discover hidden gems, encounter wildlife, and learn fascinating history from expert local guides. Book now!

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Sheep Mountain Table Road - Sheep Mountain Table is a hidden gem, not frequented by many visitors compared to other areas in the National Park. It is situated near the renowned Stronghold Table (Ghost Dance). Nestled in a unique and secluded spot between the North and South Units, it boasts rich Lakota and Homesteading history and offers stunning views of the Badlands and distant Black Hills.

The road is safe when dry, but Sheep Mountain Table may be inaccessible if the road is wet.

“Sheep Mountain Table Road is a dirt road that should not be driven during or after storms. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended, even in dry conditions.” - National Park Service

  • Scenic - Once a bustling railroad stop with hotels, banks, and bars, it is now an empty ghost town.
  • Ben Reifel Visitor Center - The main facility in the North Unit of the park, where you can interact with rangers, explore museum exhibits, visit the Fossil Preparation Lab, and browse the Badlands Natural History Association bookstore.
  • Fossil Exhibit Trail - A fully accessible boardwalk featuring fossil replicas and exhibits of extinct creatures that once lived in the area. The trail is just 0.25 miles long and takes you through 75 million years of history and the animals that once inhabited this land.
  • Yellow Mounds Overlook - These uniquely colored mounds are the result of an ancient sea draining away and chemicals from decaying plants turning the soil yellow, making for a great photo opportunity.
  • Pinnacles Overlook - The highest overlook on the Badlands Loop Road, offering some of the most panoramic views. It showcases the vast Sage Creek Wilderness area. On clear days, the Black Hills are visible on the horizon, and you might spot bison in the distance. This overlook is also a popular gathering spot for Bighorn sheep and a lambing area for them in late April to early May, so you might see lambs navigating the rocky slopes of the Badlands.
  • Roberts Prairie Dog Town - First, we stop at the Sage Creek Overlook, which many consider the best view in the Park.

Next, we visit the largest prairie-dog town in the accessible areas of Badlands National Park. Besides the mounds of dirt where the prairie dogs live, you’ll likely notice their high-pitched squeaks and noises. Prairie dogs provide habitat for around 200 animal and plant species, so keep an eye out for other wildlife at this pulloff.

  • Sage Creek Wilderness Area - A less traveled area of Badlands National Park with unique scenery and wildlife such as bighorn sheep, bison, black-footed ferrets, and prairie dogs. This area is one of the oldest in the Park, where most of the badlands formations have eroded away, revealing underlying Cretaceous sediments that are more suitable for grassland soil development. Due to the presence of Sage Creek, you will find abundant wildlife, including bison, sheep, antelope, deer, and more. The roads are less developed but manageable for our Jeep Gladiators.
What's Included
  • Exclusive Jeep tour with 2-6 guests per vehicle for personalized experience.
  • Complimentary bottled water to stay hydrated.
  • Tasty snacks provided.
  • Delicious lunch included.
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities Not Included
Additional Information

Open-Top-Tours is the only company that offers a ‘real’ Jeep tour of the Badlands famous interior.

Our Jeep Gladiators-Wrangler excursions offer an unforgettable on roads less traveled . . . with bison, deer, prairie dogs and much more. Insider information and history from the area’s most knowledgeable and experienced local guides. Information about the Badlands formation, Native Americans of the region and the early 20th century homesteaders of the plains.

We offer Private tours for couples or groups. Tours are all inclusive: National Park Fees, bottled water, snacks and picnic lunch are included.

Location
Common Cents Store & Deli
South Dakota 44
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(27 Ratings)
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Michaelwl5713zn
Aug 29, 2023
Great anniversary trip - We had the best time, Doug was an outstanding guide, professional, knowledgeable, and extremely patient. This is a quality company made up of quality people.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shari
Jul 3, 2023
Good time - We had such a good time. Rick was very knowledgeable about the park and the animals. We saw lots of bison, some pronghorn, prairie dogs, and various birds. Lots of great nature pictures were taken on this as well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
T2090nachrisr
May 27, 2023
Lot's of Buffalo and their babies! Excellent! - The tour and tour guide David were absolutely amazing! We did the 10:00 today. It lasted just a little over 2 hours and we were right in the thick of a large buffalo family and so many other animals. It was a really great experience thanks to David's experience and knowledge of where to find the buffalo! Recommend to anyone! Good time of year too because the babies were very young with some only a day old!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Krk11159
Oct 23, 2022
Great Jeep Tour - Favorite part of the tour was the drive up Needles Point. Our guide Jeff was excellent. So much great information about the history of the area. He answered all our questions and was very good and sharing personal experiences we could relate too. This was well worth the money. It ended up being a private tour since no other parties signed up. We were able to see some Bison but there were not a lot out that day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Backpacker512983
Oct 7, 2022
Best way to see Custer Park - This was a wonderful way to see Custer Park. Our guide was terrific! He was insightful and showed us things we would never have discovered on our own. I highly recommend this trip for anyone who wants to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Y8052qdpatriciam
Oct 4, 2022
Guide Charlie makes the tour great - Great guide (Charlie). He knew a lot about the area. Extensive tour of the area! Pick up in Rapid City and return to hotel was what sold this trip for us.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Crissy
Sep 30, 2022
Tour with Jeff - Outstanding! - Our guide was Jeff and he was FANTASTIC! Very friendly and knowledgeable. Picked us up right at the hotel. Made sure we saw all of the "hidden gems". Gave a great recommendation for dinner. The tour itself was fabulous. So mich to see and learn about. Definitely recommend. Thank you Jeff!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Velma
Sep 24, 2022
Awesome Day - We lucked out with a private tour which made it more comfortable to speak and move about comfortably. You can’t beat the open back experience of being in a Jeep Gladiator.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stay04038793610
Aug 21, 2022
Great trip to get real feel for area. - Mike was great. His knowledge really helped us enjoy the area more. We really lucked out on the wildlife. Thank you so much.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Reid
Sep 13, 2022
Amazing Trip fun for kids - It was very fun you got to see many different species of animals such as American Bison, Pronghorn Antelope, and Prarie Dogs. Overall a very fun experience no mater the age
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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2 Adult
September 2024
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