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National Parks and Native Trails of the Dakotas
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Length
9 Days
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Quality
This indicates the overall quality of the tour operator's products. A low rating does not mean it is not good - it just means that it does not include as much, or perhaps is of a more standard quality than the higher quality tours. For example, a 3 star quality rating means that it is a more standard/economical tour, while 5 stars is a very luxurious tour that often includes a lot of amenities. -
Starts in
Rapid City (South Dakota)
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Ends in
Bismarck (North Dakota)
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Available Tour Start Dates
JUN 1, 2025 to SEP 20, 2026
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Activity Level
No Rating Provided
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Language
English
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Guaranteed Date(s)
Yes means that there is at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur. No means that there is not at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur, which usually means that the vendor wants a certain amount of reservations on each tour in order for each one to occur. Of course, the terms and conditions of the vendor do allow for the vendor to cancel guaranteed tour dates for certain reasons (for example, a natural disaster).No
From
Pricing listed is per person, based on double occupancy, and is the least expensive price for at least one departure date of this tour. Price is for the tour only. Additional items, including but not limited to, airfare (unless noted otherwise), travel insurance, and more, are additional.
$2,971.13
Overview
This bespoke, culturally-rich itinerary supports the growth of indigenous tribal tourism in the USA , developed in collaboration with local communities in the Dakotas, for an authentic, one-of-a-kind insight into Native American history and heart. Through the power of storytelling through passionate locals you’ll meet, you’ll leave enlightened by your visits to four reservations of the Dakotas, as well as National Parks and monuments to discover first-hand the stark and rich history and future of the people that call it home. Packed with meaningful travel experiences, this is a must-book itinerary supporting culture and heritage of our important Tribal Nations.
Visited During Tour
Badlands National Park (South Dakota) | Bismarck (North Dakota) | Chamberlain (South Dakota) | Crazy Horse Memorial (South Dakota) | Fort Yates (North Dakota) | Medora (North Dakota) | Mount Rushmore (South Dakota) | New Town (North Dakota) | Pierre (South Dakota) | Pine Ridge Reservation (South Dakota) | Rapid City (South Dakota) | Rosebud Reservation (South Dakota) | Theodore Roosevelt National Park - North Unit (North Dakota) | Theodore Roosevelt National Park - South Unit (North Dakota)
Dates, Offers & Prices
Tour Itinerary
More Details
Dates, Offers & Prices
The following are National Parks and Native Trails of the Dakotas tour dates available from Trafalgar. Select a bonus offer graphic to view its details, including its terms.
Tour Itinerary
Trafalgar Tour Code 708-2143
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Day
1Welcome To Rapid City Make Travel Matter
Begin your exploration of the Tribal Nations of North and South Dakota at a Welcome Dinner featuring Stephen Yellowhawk of the Lakota Sioux tribe. During this Make Travel Matter experience Stephen will regale you with oral histories and traditional song and dances of his tribe.
- Meals Included:
- Dinner
Accommodations: The Rushmore Hotel & Suites -
Day
2Exploring The Badlands National Park And Oglala Sioux Tribe Make Travel Matter
Discover how deeply the Lakota people are connected to their land, customs and ancestors as you enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the Oglala Lakota Living History Village. Take in the sights along the iconic Badlands Loop Road, arriving at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation where you’ll meet talented Native artists. Later, visit Wounded Knee Memorial, site of the 1890 Massacre, told in vivid detail by a local storyteller who’ll share personal stories passed down through generations as you look upon the historic lands where it unfolded.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodations: The Rushmore Hotel & Suites -
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3Visit Mount Rushmore And The Crazy Horse Memorial
Head to one of America's most iconic sites and learn of its complicated past. Embark on a self-guided walk in the majestic Black Hills before today’s highlight: the Crazy Horse Memorial. View a depiction of the famous Oglala Lakota warrior riding a horse and pointing to his tribal land, a striking monument that has been a work in progress since 1948. Take a locally guided walk to the base of the mountain where we will get even more immersed in the story of the land through a visit to the museum.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: The Rushmore Hotel & Suites -
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4Spend The Day With The Rosebud Sioux Tribe Make Travel Matter Connect with Locals
Get an insider’s view from a Local Specialist at the Rosebud Indian Reservation, home to the Sicangu Lakota Oyate Nation, for a deeply meaningful MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. You'll learn the history and cultural heritage of the Rosebud Reservation, in addition to understanding the socio-economic issues impacting the Lakota in today’s modern world. Later, sample delicious and authentic Lakota food over lunch at Sinte Gleska University. Founded in 1971, the university's mission is to provide higher education opportunities while preserving and promoting the Lakota culture and traditions. The university aims to integrate Lakota perspectives and values into its academic programs and foster a sense of identity and pride among its students. After lunch, you will meet Lakota elder Victor Douville for a Star Knowledge Presentation.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodations: Arrowwood Cedar Shore Resort & Conference Center -
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5Day Trip To Lakota Youth Development Connect with Locals
The future of the Lakota Oyate (Lakota Nation) takes center stage as you meet Marla C. Bull Bear, Executive Director of Lakota Youth Development, a non-profit organization whose mission is to reclaim Lakota language, culture, and spirituality by promoting healthy lifestyle education for Lakota youth through culturally based strategies. Listen to Indigenous storytelling, enjoy a performance put on by tribal youth, and appreciate an Indigenous plant walk all before sharing a meal with tribal members of the Rosebud Reservation. We continue to Chamberlain where you'll witness to awe-inspiring Statue of Dignity, a soaring sculpture of a Native woman standing high on a bluff above the Missouri River.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodations: Arrowwood Cedar Shore Resort & Conference Center -
Day
6Sitting Bull & Standing Rock Indian Reservation Connect with Locals
Travel along the Native American Scenic Byway stopping in South Dakota’s capital, Pierre, for a tour of the town and the State Capitol. Next up, visit Sakakawea Monument & Sitting Bull Monument, believed to be the final resting place of Native American spiritual and social leader, Sitting Bull. Unlock more of the life and story behind Sitting Bull’s grave at Fort Yates Military Cemetery, where Sitting Bull was originally buried. Learn how the US Army abandoned Fort Yates in 1903 and had all the graves moved except for Sitting Bull’s. In the 1950s a group of businesspeople from Mobridge, South Dakota received permission through the Bureau of Indian Affairs to move Sitting Bull’s remains from the neglected grave in Fort Yates to Mobridge in an effort to attract tourists to their town.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Radisson Hotel Bismarck -
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7The Mandan, Hidatsa And Arikara Nation Make Travel Matter
Visit Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center before Earth Lodge Village where you'll experience traditional archery and parfleche painting. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the MHA Nation Interpretive Center where Native artifacts are on display.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodations: Teddy's Residential Suites New Town -
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8Theodore Roosevelt National Park Sightseeing Stays With Stories
Stop at Crows Flies High for views of Lake Sakakawea and the Four Bears Bridge. Take the scenic route to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park that climbs through the canyon to must-sees like the Oxbow Overlook. Arrive in Medora for a free afternoon. Your Stays with Stories is the historic Rough Riders Hotel filled with western charm and 1880s nostalgia. Enjoy a last dinner reflecting on the countless impactful moments.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Rough Riders -
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9Farewell In Bismarck
End your tour with a drive through a portion of the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Say your final goodbyes before arriving at Bismarck airport.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
More Details
Trafalgar is informing us of the following additional details regarding their National Parks and Native Trails of the Dakotas tour:
Travelers Notes
* NOTE: This Trip falls under LEVEL 1. Please refer to the Deposit, Payment and Cancellations policies on our website. * Please refer to guest documents for transfer options on arrival day. Private chargeable transfers are available at an additional charge. Welcome desk hours are 3-5 pm and welcome reception starts at 6pm. Recommended flight arrival time by 3pm to avoid missing your welcome reception. *On the last day of the trip, guests will arrive at Bismarck Municipal Airport at approx 1pm. Please allow ample time between this approx arrival time and flight departure time to allow for check-in/clearance of immigration etc (as per domestic/international guidelines for guests onwards flight). *The highest elevation point for this guided vacation is 4493 ft / 1369 m.
Pricing listed above for tours is per person, in US Dollars, and is based on double occupancy. Pricing may change for other occupancy types. Pricing is based on the last time the vendor electronically sent us pricing data, which varies by vendor (usually occurs overnight or multiple times throughout each day).
Pricing and availability are subject to change and must be confirmed by one of our travel advisors, who can contact the vendor to do so. Intra-vacation air (also referred to as internal air) is usually based on economy class seating (do not assume otherwise, unless explicity noted otherwise) and may be 100% non-refundable at time of final payment. Air quotes (including intra-vacation airfare) may be subject to change until final payment has been received by the vendor. Flight confirmation may be based on availability. Air reservations may not be able to be confirmed until a passport copy is received by the vendor. The following charges are not included in the vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security fee, passenger facility charges, Federal domestic flight segment fees, and U.S. and international arrival and departure and other government-imposed fees added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature. Itinerary details are provided by the vendor. Vendors may reserve the right to change itineraries, even on existing reservations. There may be instances where the name of a tour contains a tour length in it, but where there is a version of the tour that is a different number of days in length. You can check the true length of a tour by referring to the length value listed in association with that tour. Destination images displayed on this web page, some which are supplied by the related vendor and some which are not, are intended to simply give a general representation of the region of the world being visited during the tour. Such images are not necessarily of the exact areas being visited during the tour. Hotel details (including, but not limited to: rating/class, descriptions, images, amenities and addresses) are provided by Trafalgar. Hotel amenities may be communicated in shorthand by Trafalgar (for example, if "Laundry" is listed that may only mean that the hotel has an optional fee-based service that would allow for your laundry to be done by their staff). We reserve the right to correct errors.