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            [HighlightText] => Uncover the mystery of the eerie and stunning Badlands National Park
            [Description] => Uncover the mystery of the eerie and stunning Badlands National Park
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            [HighlightText] => Stroll the Avenue of Flags at Mount Rushmore National Memorial
            [Description] => Stroll the Avenue of Flags at Mount Rushmore National Memorial
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            [HighlightText] => Explore two of the largest caves in the world
            [Description] => Explore two of the largest caves in the world
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            [Description] => rushmore
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            [Description] => sunset
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            [Description] => badlands
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            [Description] => bison
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            [Description] => big horn
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Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Alisa L.

Growing up in Montana and New Mexico instilled an early love of the outdoors in Alisa. Following her childhood dreams, she spent nine adventurous summers working in and exploring magnificent Glacier National Park. Her winters were dedicated to skiing in Big Sky, Montana, and in between she explored other outdoor adventures around the country. While rafting the Grand Canyon in 2016, she realized she wanted to become a guide and has since led river and hiking trips in 14 national parks. She lives the life she loves and loves the life she lives, as the saying goes!

Stephen S.

Making his home in Greater Yellowstone, Stephen takes advantage of exploring the region year-round. He has a wealth of experience leading hiking and multisport adventures in national parks around the country. When he’s not guiding, he revels in the diverse beauty of the landscapes around him, roaming along winding rivers and tackling mountain slopes. He is excited to share his love of the outdoors with you.

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                    [Headline] => Welcome to Badlands National Park
                    [ActivityOverview] => 2-3 miles hiking with 197\' elevation gain and loss
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                    [ItinBlock] => We meet in the lobby of our host hotel in Rapid City for a quick orientation before making our way to Badlands National Park. We\'ll make a short stop en-route at the famous roadside attraction, Wall Drug - no South Dakota Road trip would be complete without it! After a quick cup of their famous 5-cent coffee, we\'ll make our way to Sage Creek Rim Road. This scenic road winds its way through the park and provides incredible views and the occasional (and welcomed) bison jam. Our mellow hike today allows us to truly immerse ourselves in this bizarre landscape as we do a little exploring on the badland\'s colorful bedrock. Late this afternoon we tour the park\'s impressive visitor center before making our way to the historic and quaint, Cedar Pass Lodge, the only lodge inside the park. We\'ll have dinner at the lodge\'s restaurant before settling into our private cabins for the night. Lunch and dinner included.
                    [Breakfast] => 0
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 2.5 hours private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 44.079
                    [Longitude] => -103.231
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                    [Headline] => From Badlands to the Black Hills
                    [ActivityOverview] => 4-5 miles hiking with 142\' elevation gain and 161\' loss
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                    [ItinBlock] => Rise early this morning and enjoy the sunrise over the badlands from the inviting, handcrafted pine chairs on your patio. Today we\'ll hike the winding Castle Trail through an alien landscape and vast prairie lands. Once we return to our trailhead, we say our goodbyes to Badlands National Park and head over to the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, a unique relic of the Cold War. This afternoon we make our way west toward the lush forests and jagged granite peaks of the Black Hills. We\'ll spend our remaining nights in private, rustic cabins in the charming town of Custer.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 2.5 hours private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 43.764
                    [Longitude] => -103.6
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                    [Headline] => Tour Jewel Cave & visit the impressive, Crazy Horse Memorial
                    [ActivityOverview] => 3.5-4.5 miles hiking with 507\' elevation gain and 491\' loss
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                    [ItinBlock] => Today we\'ll explore one of the largest caves in the world, and the impressive stone carving of the famous Lakota leader, Crazy Horse. At Jewel Cave, we\'ll follow a ? mile paved path surrounded by sparkling calcite crystals, dripping stalactites & stalagmites, and glossy flowstone. After our cave exploration, we\'ll enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our guide and hike the only trail above ground in the park. Late this afternoon we visit the unfinished, incredible, Crazy Horse Memorial. Once completed this imposing stone carving will be over three times the size of Mount Rushmore. We\'ll tour the extensive museum and take a rustic bus ride right to the base of the mountain. We end our day with dinner in Custer where our guide shares what exciting adventures await us tomorrow. All meals included.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 1 hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 43.764
                    [Longitude] => -103.609
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                    [Headline] => Hike to the Cathedral Spires & visit the iconic, Mount Rushmore National Memorial
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5 miles hiking with 1,161\' elevation gain and 1,175\' loss
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                    [ItinBlock] => Today\'s hike takes us to the arresting Cathedral Spires, striking granite pinnacles named for their resemblance to the organ pipes in a Cathedral. These unique rock formations were chosen as the original canvas for Mount Rushmore, but it was quickly discovered the rock was too thin to support the massive edifice that sculptor Gutzon Borglum envisioned. This afternoon we soak in the incredible views on the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway as we make our way to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. We can enjoy different views of this national treasure as we follow the Presidential Trail stopping at the Sculpture\'s Studio along the way. We enjoy our final, celebratory dinner together in Custer this evening.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 2.5 hours private van transfer
                    [Quotation] => 
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                    [Latitude] => 43.764
                    [Longitude] => -103.609
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                    [Headline] => Wind Cave & Mammoth Site
                    [ActivityOverview] => 1-2 miles hiking with 241\' elevation gain and 235 loss
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                    [ItinBlock] => This morning we\'ll explore another mysterious underground labyrinth. The shimmering calcite crystals of Jewel Cave are replaced with the extremely rare, delicate boxwork formations found in Wind Cave. Before our ranger-led cave tour, we\'ll hike a short trail so we can appreciate the magic above ground in the vast mixed-grass prairie. After our illuminative cave tour, we\'ll celebrate our final meal together while we discuss all the intriguing & distinct differences between these two caves. On our final adventure together we\'ll explore a different kind of underground treasure, the Mammoth Site, an active paleontological dig site that has uncovered the remains of 60+ Mammoths. This afternoon we return to our host hotel in Rapid City recounting all the incredible things we\'ve done and seen during our time together.
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                    [Lunch] => 0
                    [Dinner] => 0
                    [Travel_Type] => 2.5 hours private van transfer
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                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 44.07
                    [Longitude] => -103.23
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    [ActivityHighlight] => Participants should have experience hiking and be comfortable hiking 1-6 miles with up to 1,200\' elevation gain/loss each day. The trails in Badlands are mostly dirt & flat with very limited shade. Some trails in the Black Hills are paved while some require navigating uneven terrain that include, rock, dirt, and roots. The Cave tours require comfortably navigating uneven ground and climbing a series of stairs that can be slippery, steep, and dimly lit. Some bending & stooping is required.
    [Trip_Level] => 2
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Accommodations

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Stay in one-of-a-kind cabins inside the National Park and bordering the National Forest.

Sylvan Lake Lodge

Comfortable Hotel

Sylvan Lake Lodge, located in Custer State Park, is rich with history and natural beauty. The stone and timber lodge overlooks the sloping hills and breathtaking beauty of Sylvan Lake. The lodge features lodge rooms, comfortable cabins, and private residences. The dining room is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner — and features locally sourced ingredients.

Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins

Comfortable Hotel

Located on 10 forested acres that border the National Forest, Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins offers a peaceful location convieintely located near Custer State Park. The comfortable, climate-controlled cabins feature rustic furnishings and plenty of privacy nestled in the pine trees. Many cabins also feature full kitchens and private hot tubs. The property also offers an outdoor pool, hot tub, a picnic area with outdoor grills, a playground, complimentary WiFi and complimentary continental breakfast.

Cedar Pass Lodge

Comfortable Hotel

Experience the unparalleled beauty of Badlands National Park at Cedar Pass Lodge, the park's only in-park accommodation. Stay in one-of-a-kind cabins, locally crafted in 2013, blending original 1928 design elements with modern comforts. Featuring regionally handcrafted lodgepole pine furniture and eco-friendly construction built to Gold Level LEED standards, these cabins offer charm and sustainability. Enjoy amenities like air conditioning, satellite TV, a mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, and more, ensuring a cozy and convenient retreat amidst nature's splendor.