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Badlands Wildlife: Sunset and Stargazing Tour
4.9
36 Ratings
Sage Creek Wilderness Area
Experience the Badlands’ wildlife at sunset, then stargaze in secret spots. Capture unforgettable moments with expert photography.
Experience the Badlands’ wildlife at sunset, then stargaze in secret spots. Capture unforgettable moments with expert photography.
Duration:
7 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Sage Creek Wilderness Area - Discover the best way to experience the park at sunset. We’ll guide you through the Sage Creek Wilderness area, showcasing various formations with the sunset behind us. This creates stunning opportunities for wildlife, shape, and shadow photography. It’s our favorite tour spot, and you’ll soon see why.
- **Hay Butte…
- Sage Creek Wilderness Area - Discover the best way to experience the park at sunset. We’ll guide you through the Sage Creek Wilderness area, showcasing various formations with the sunset behind us. This creates stunning opportunities for wildlife, shape, and shadow photography. It’s our favorite tour spot, and you’ll soon see why.
- Hay Butte Overlook - One of the most breathtaking views of the Badlands, often overlooked. We’ll make sure to stop here for photos and possibly set up for a sunset viewing.
- Badlands Wall - We’ll prepare for a spectacular night sky at a special location known only to us. Our tour includes blankets, comfy mats, and pillows to maximize your sky-gazing experience. Relaxing on the cozy mats, we’ll observe planets, shooting stars, and the Milky Way Galaxy.
Our guide will capture night photos and share them with you at the end of the tour. We can also teach you how to take them with your phone. Red light flashlights are provided to preserve your night vision!
We also offer a night sky chart showing constellations and satellites passing overhead. This is a truly unique experience for both adults and kids. Badlands National Park offers a clarity of the night sky that few in the United States get to enjoy, with over 7,500 stars visible on any given night.
- Pinnacles Overlook - We’ll enter Badlands National Park at the magical time just before sunset. We’ll set up folding chairs at the perfect spot for viewing. Afterwards, we’ll head to the Amphitheater for night sky viewing with a telescope, watching the stars illuminate the sky.
- Bigfoot Pass Overlook - Named after Chief Bigfoot, who led his tribe through the Badlands while being pursued by the U.S. Army until they reached Wounded Knee, where they were tragically massacred. Chief Bigfoot was known for his diplomatic skills, but unfortunately, that didn’t save him and his tribe from the genocide carried out by the U.S. Government and Col. James Forsyth.
- Big Badlands Overlook - Just moments away from our secluded night sky viewing spot. Soon, our comfortable viewing area will be set up, eyes will be wide open, and the show will begin!
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Zero-Gravity Folding Chairs for Star Viewing
- Binoculars
- Blankets
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Constellation Locator Software
- Private transportation
- Zero-Gravity Folding Chairs for Star Viewing
- Binoculars
- Blankets
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Constellation Locator Software
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Gratuities
Additional Information
This is our favorite tour! We care about you, your experience, and your time in South Dakota.
You’ll be taken to special locations where animals congregate during the setting sun. As you enjoy the wildlife of the Badlands, we’ll take care of any photos you wish. The “Blue Hour” begins after sunset and continues for an hour, highlighting the wild…
This is our favorite tour! We care about you, your experience, and your time in South Dakota.
You’ll be taken to special locations where animals congregate during the setting sun. As you enjoy the wildlife of the Badlands, we’ll take care of any photos you wish. The “Blue Hour” begins after sunset and continues for an hour, highlighting the wild formations with the bright blue and orange sky.
Next, we’ll take you to the night viewing area in the park at a location only My XO Adventures knows. We’ll see planets, shooting stars, and the Milky Way Galaxy.
Our highly skilled guide will capture night photos and share them at the end of the tour, ensuring you have great memories of your experience.
Location
Sage Creek Wilderness Area
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(36 Ratings)
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Gailf285
Jun 29, 2025
The Badlands in a thunderstorm are an amazing experience and our guide made a great sight even better. - We originally booked this tour with the hope of seeing the stars at night. As it turned out there were clouds and thunderstorms that night, so no stars, but as it turned out, the Badlands in a thunderstorm is an amazing sight. The colors in the rock striations are intense and the stormy skies add an incredible counterpoint to the varied landforms. It was awesome seeing the rain pour down on other parts of the peaks and watch the lightning in the clouds.
Our guide Dan was wonderful. Given the weather situation and the fact that nighttime viewing of the stars would not be good, he texted us and offered us an earlier start time. The approach to the Badlands was through back roads which I would never have found on my own, and we saw more wildlife closer up than at any other time in our trip to the Black Hills. Dan was a scoutmaster and had that great scoutmaster way of adding details and telling informative stories. He is also a skilled amateur photographer and took many pictures of the sights (and of us), which he edited and emailed to us after the trip. His pictures were much better than mine (!!!) and will be an important part of my scrapbook.
I am so happy that we took this trip and even happy that we ended up with the thunderstorm rather than the stars. But I would still like to see the Milky Way, so if we head back to the Badlands, we will be sure to book this trip again and hope for clear skies on our second time out.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rachael_j
Apr 26, 2025
A Must Do Tour - We had such a fun time and got to learn the history behind ranching, farming and so much more! We also were able to see plenty of wildlife and the tour was personalized to what we wanted to see.
Review provided by Viator
Guadaluped897
Feb 28, 2025
Amazing Tour!!!! - We had an absolutely amazing experience with our vacation guide, My XO Adventures Daniel, during our trip to South Dakota! From Mount Rushmore to Devils tower, and the Badlands, every moment was unforgettable. Daniel provided superb customer service and was incredibly knowledgeable about the areas.
Not only did he take us to the places we wanted to see, but he also surprised us with many hidden gems along the way. Instead of sticking to the expressways, he took us through scenic backroads, giving us the chance to witness breathtaking natural sights we would have otherwise missed.
There was never a dull moment, Daniel was super easy to talk to, incredibly friendly, and made sure we were always comfortable. He even brought water, coffee and snacks, going above and beyond to make our trip enjoyable.
I can't say enough great things about Daniel and how unforgettable he made our vacation! If I could give him a 10 star I would! If you're looking for a top-notch guide in South Dakota, I highly recommend “My XO Adventures” 100%!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
I2168wwrichardg
Feb 7, 2025
Fantastic tour - The whole tour was awesome and quite tailored to my family and i. the night sky was the highlight. Words do not do it justice. I highly recommend My XO tours they really did well by us
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trailblazer157812
Feb 6, 2025
Plan on doing again and again - The absolute highlight of our 10-day trip. Tour guide was awesome, very friendly and very knowledgeable. Group of three, one member mobility impaired. but he didn't miss out on a thing-including laying down in the Badlands and watching the stars. Highly recommend this tour. Check the moon phase schedule to get a dark night for best star viewing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Voyage15314111711
Feb 6, 2025
Awesome! - Last April/May we decided to travel to Rapid City, SD, to see the natural wonders of the area and called XO Private Tour Company to receive some information. It was the beginning of the most wonderful experience of my life. From the moment I spoke to Daniel's (owner) Mother, who works in the office, I knew this company was something special and decided to go with them.
The two of us were picked up at our hotel door the mornings of our three private tours by our own Tour guide (either an employee or Daniel), who was totally attenive to only us. We traveled in an immaculate and comfortable SUV.
We traveled to Custer National Park with a female guide who knew everything about the formation of the land, the history and animals. She was friendly, personble, and
had answers to all of our questions, which were welcomed. The day flew by and made us only look forward to our coming tours and hope they were as wonderful as our first experience.
Our next two tours were with Daniel and Dan! We traveled to the Badlands at Sunset, seeing the bison, etc., roaming freely, and shadows of light on the rocks as the sun was setting. We were pampered in the quiet solitude of the Badlands with warm blankets on zero gravity recliners while we gazed at the magnificent nightime sky.
On one of our tours they also took us on a walk by a crystal clear stream and pointed out every plant while explaining everything about the plants. Dan even had a a cane for me because of my bad knee. Lol, I dropped the cane and let's just say he retrieved it for me.
We also went to Mt. Rushmore, the Crazy Horse monument, a rebuilt old Western town, Sanford Labs, Devils Tower and a couple of lunches.
Throughout every tour, they were full of knowledge and anecdotes. The time was our own. We were never rushed. They also took pictures of us, sent us pictures, stopped the vehicle and backed up when I missed a shot.
They also gave us suggestions, according to our interests, as to what to do and where to eat in our spare time.
It's been almost a year since our trip and I'm still excited about it. Lol, I could write a book about it. The extra penny was worth it and I strongly encourage everyone to use XO Tours. Thank you, Dan and friends, for a laid back, informative, fun and laughter, wonderful once in my lifetime experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rdh4u
Feb 4, 2025
Don't miss this opportunity. - We had a wonderful trip with Daniel! It was so relaxing and yet informational. We were there during daylight and saw a super moon rise! A beautiful clear night in which we thoroughly enjoyed the quiet and stars. There wasn't any time limit under the stars and we lost track of time. It was the best and most memorable part of our vacation!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jdbarch
Feb 4, 2025
Go with XO! - We had a fabulous trip with Dan! We toured the Badlands and Wall Drugs all day and the sunset tour at night. We saw so much that we would not have seen on our own! The van was very comfortable, and Dan went the extra mile to return one of our hats that had been left in the van!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brian
Aug 4, 2024
Great tour of The Badlands!!! - We had an excellent tour with Daniel! His passion for The Badlands is evident in the tour that he guided. Our tour was filled with great detail & explanations. Daniel has a wealth of knowledge to share and willingly does so. Thank you for a wonderful tour! I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area.
Review provided by Viator
Jasonhi3012sg
Aug 2, 2024
Amazing tour! - Daniel gave us a tour of Wal Drug and the Badlands. He was able to show us a back way that gave us a special view of the park that was breathtaking. The timing of the tour was so we wound up in the park at sunset where the colors just popped. At the end he was able to find a unique spot for star gazing and brought folding reclining chairs so we could see the stars in comfort. Shooting stars and a northern lights appearance capped off a perfect day. He is extremely knowledgeable and made us feel like it was a family member showing us around. Since we were in the area for the week he also provided us with tips on what and when to go to other places in the area. Really wish we could have done all the tours but this trip for us was so much better with Daniel’s knowledge. Before the tour we were also contacted by Aimee who asks questions and shows that this company really cares about the customer experience. One of the most service oriented companies I have ever dealt with, thanks Daniel!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
