Watch cowboys and cowgirls as they roundup and drive a herd of 1,300 bison. Each fall the Great Buffalo Roundup allows for sorting, vaccination and branding of these great icons of the American West. Not only a sight to see but also a critical management tool in maintaining a strong and healthy herd!
- Four-night stay in Rapid City
- Guided tours to Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument
- Factory tour of Black Hills Gold Manufacturing Site
- Visit the Homestake/Sanford Science Lab
- Great Buffalo Roundup in Custer State Park
- Guided tour and dinner in Deadwood
- Scenic tour of Badlands National Park
DAY 1: ARRIVE
Fly into Denver and head north to Cheyenne for dinner and an overnight stay. D
DAY 2: RAPID CITY, SD
Visit famed Fort Laramie, the “grand old post” that witnessed the entire sweeping saga of America’s western expansion and Indian resistance. In Hot Springs, see the impressive Mammoth Site museum and paleontological site that contains the remains preserved by entrapment in a karst sinkhole during the Pleistocene era. Travel through Wind Cave National Park to enjoy an Old West supper at Blue Bell Lodge before getting comfortable for a four-night stay. B, D
DAY 3: BUFFALO ROUNDUP
Today’s the day! Enter Custer State Park bright and early for the annual Great Buffalo Roundup. Feel the thunderous rumble as cowboys and cowgirls saddle up to drive the park’s approximately 1,300 bison into corrals to maintain a strong and healthy herd. Enjoy lunch in Keystone, SD, before boarding the 1880 Train for a journey through the Black Hills National Forest on a vintage like train that helped develop the West. B
DAY 4: “PAHA SAPA” (THE BLACK HILLS)
Start the day with a factory tour of Black Hills Gold manufacturing site. A local expert will guide us through the Black Hills including visits to Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument. This evening visit Suzie Cappa Art Center for a private dinner followed by “Sequoia” who will dance, play the flute and share Sioux Indian culture stories. B, D
DAY 5: DEADWOOD
Travel to Lead, SD, along the Custer Trail and visit the Homestake/Sanford Science Lab, where scientists from around the world study some of the largest questions about our universe. Experience the Wild West history of Deadwood, SD, and visit Mount Moriah Cemetery where the graves of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are located. Enjoy leisure time to explore Deadwood before dinner at a local favorite. B, D
DAY 6: BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Explore the sculpted buttes and pinnacles of Badlands National Park. Take a look into prehistoric ages preserved and fossilized in the layers of sediment throughout this colorful park. Spend time at the world-famous Wall Drug Store, welcoming westward visitors into its gift shops and restaurant since 1931. Continue to Dakota Dunes for dinner and an overnight stay. B, D
DAY 7: RETURN HOME B
Departure Cities:
- St. Louis
- Kansas City
Depart: September 24, 2025
Return: September 30, 2025
Price Per Person:
- Double $2,299
- Triple/Quad $2,099
- Single $2,799
Weather
Temperatures may range from highs in the 80s and lows in the 50s.
Elevation
Elevations will reach up to over 6000 feet. Our visit to Pikes Peak will reach elevation of 14,115 feet.
Transportation
This tour departs via plane and returns via coach.
Mobility
Moderate walking required for this tour. Walking at times may be on uneven and unpaved surfaces. Caution is advised.
To fully enjoy your Sunrise Tours vacation, you should be in good physical health and be able to walk at a steady pace for up to a mile at a time and be able to manage steps to board/de-board the motorcoach several times a day. Those who have difficulty walking should discuss their personal situation with their doctor before registering.
Other General Information
We will send 3 key communications for your tour; “Get Ready” is your email confirmation and initial tour information sent upon registration, “Get Set” email will be sent about two months before departure, “Go” trip documentation mailing is sent via USPS 3-4 weeks before departure and will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags and final departure information.
Travel Protection is optional and highly recommended and can be purchased until the day before departure. We offer Travel Guard from AIG, which costs 8.5% of your tour, information about which will be sent with Get Ready email.
Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes: Professional Sunrise Tour Director, meals as indicated, local step on guides including gratuity (international tour guide gratuity inclusion vary by tour), deluxe motorcoach transportation w/rest room, admission to activities and events as indicated, airfare from designated airports, transportation to/from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*, luggage handling at hotels when available
We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and our staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver may be $5-$7per person, per day on tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers appreciate gratuities (suggest $5 per person) for excellent service as well. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or pass out envelopes.
We are happy to offer refreshments on most motorcoach travel days on tour. We recommend you bring a refillable water bottle to maintain healthy hydration.
If less than 4 people request a pickup point, we may ask that you choose another pickup point from which to join your Sunrise Tour.
If you would like to join a tour from a city not listed as a departure point, we would love to have you along! Please discuss arrangements with our friendly reservation team. From a departure city not listed, typical airfare will be +$100 higher than our published fare for domestic tours, and +$200 for international tours.
If you have a TSA precheck or Airline Rewards numbers, you MUST give those numbers to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure, otherwise they may not be applied.
Preferred seating may not be available on group air. In some cases, seats are not assigned until the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy seat on the flight; it does not include seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available at an additional cost.
To help make our tours the most comfortable in the business, we limit Sunrise Tours motorcoaches to 80% capacity, or 44 passengers on a coach built for 55. We reserve the right to amend this practice.
Your Tour Director will rotate seats on the motorcoach each day of your tour. A single fare does not guarantee two seats on coach; you may be seated next to another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.
Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.
