Top 5 Custer Half-Day Tours: Expert Reviews & Recommendations

Custer State Park, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is something special, very stunning scenery and chances to spot local animals, yet a lot to do is pack into one day. If you are looking for a shorter amount of time and like half-day tours, well, you are in luck! We did the work to narrow down the five tours for the best experience.

1. The Wildlife Loop Road Adventure

If it’s views and possible animals, then this tour might be for you. So, many companies provide trips down Wildlife Loop Road. You can check for local animals, like bison and elk, deer, and sometimes even wild burros.

The tour tends to go at a comfortable speed and can make a stop, it’s almost like this for you to have time for great pictures and ask questions, too. Tour guides normally have knowledge and can share information about the animal and park history. Be ready for any change in weather and animals; a good camera with an extra battery might be important! These tours commonly last around 3-4 hours, so this can give you plenty of time to experience and still have most of your day for even more sightseeing.

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2. Needles Highway Scenic Tour

For that incredible and rather unforgettable views and driving around, then a half-day tour along Needles Highway needs to be something. As a matter of fact, this road has granite mountains and some amazing rock forms and tunnels. Be aware that you can expect very winding roads and possibly just a little, some one-lane parts, and be ready for other cars!

Needles Eye is rather stunning and it’s quite common to be a place for picture opportunities and be very scenic. A lot of the tours include other stops on the road and Sylvan Lake, this almost makes it another picturesque place to walk around and also check the view. The tour guide will tell of history about construction on the road, too. These tours are commonly three hours, depending on the number of stops.

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3. Sylvan Lake and Black Hills History Tour

With this tour, it’s likely to take you to both the beautiful scenery and also local history. You may want to start at Sylvan Lake, a very beautiful body of water bordered by interesting rocks. Be aware, though, it tends to be well-visited, particularly in peak times! Then a guide might tell some stories regarding Black Hills, this could include details about Crazy Horse Monument and Mount Rushmore.

You could just want to make the tour with history. Many local tour providers will tell the history in that region; many of them know so many things concerning local things from then to now! So, the half-day tours are commonly around four hours to permit time for the lake, pictures, and the stories.

Read our full review: Sylvan Lake and Black Hills History Tour Full Review and Details

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4. The Iron Mountain Road Expedition

For exciting drives and just a little planning ahead of time, so you should travel Iron Mountain Road. You almost see Mount Rushmore via the road’s tunnels and spots a lot of appealing views. So, some have wood “pigtail bridges,” and make for nice photos.

This is somewhat of a scenic option and could just take your trip. Actually, a few tours may stop to tell about history and structure and building the roads, depending on what the company may be offering at the time. I mean, the tours will run approximately three to four hours and depend where any other stop location happens to be.

Read our full review: The Iron Mountain Road Expedition Full Review and Details

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5. Black Hills Hot Air Balloon Tour (Half-Day)

Should you need anything so beautiful and pretty unforgettable then try one of the tours on half day trips. Most are from sunrise or the setting sun and a really, really awesome viewing experience. But, weather conditions do play a big part for that and there can be issues, yet can commonly get pictures on the air for one nice scene.

These kind of balloon rides need to plan ahead and a certain condition level to remain secured. Basically, get confirmation, ask questions to see the requirements and details; those half-day trip tour may be up to 4 hours for setting up. Still a little, may be for only a hour in real time with trip but for any occasion to make memorable.

Read our full review: Black Hills Hot Air Balloon Tour Full Review and Details

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