Best for
Families who want a pool day, breakfast, and a predictable chain-hotel setup.
Main catch
WaTiki says passes are included with every La Quinta stay, but only up to the room's maximum occupancy. Extra passes cost more at the front desk.
Location
The Elk Vale Road area is convenient for Rapid City services, but it is a drive to Mount Rushmore and the southern Hills.
Add a Black Hills day trip
Rapid City is a useful launch point for Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and Badlands tours.
We earn a commission on Viator bookings, at no extra cost to you. Check dates and final prices on Viator. Tour information collected May 15, 2026; not live availability.

Twilight Tour: Custer State Park & Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony
Confirm group format · 6h
Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (38 reviews)
Route and experience details
Experience the scenery of the Black Hills on this private afternoon & evening tour, designed to highlight the region’s most scenic drives & end with the Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony. First, we visit the tranquil Sylvan Lake, in pine-covered hills & dramatic rock formations. We continue with a picturesque journey along the legendary Needles Hwy, where towering granite spires, narrow tunnels, & sweeping views create an drive. You’ll have plenty of time for photo stops, short walks, and commentary from your knowledgeable local guide. Then, travel the engineering marvel of Iron Mt Rd, known for its pigtail bridges, scenic switchbacks, & tunnels that perfectly frame Mt Rushmore in the distance. We arrive at Mt Rushmore with time to explore, then as night falls, gather at the amphitheater for the Lighting Ceremony, a patriotic & heartfelt experience that includes a short film, tribute to veterans, & the illumination of the iconic carvings.
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From USD 760
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Western Horizons Hot Air Balloon rides
Confirm group format · 3h
Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (38 reviews)
Route and experience details
Western Horizons Hot Air Balloons offers panoramic views of the beautiful Southern Black Hills of South Dakota. Our hot air balloon rides last approximately one hour. The entire experience from pre-flight set up to post-flight refreshments can last from 2 to 3 hours. We fly out of Hot Springs, SD, just after sunrise, weather permitting.
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From USD 395
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Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour
Confirm group format · 9h
Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (34 reviews)
Route and experience details
What makes this tour unique is the combination of three of Western South Dakota's most iconic destinations, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop, into a single, comprehensive, and fully narrated experience. Over 8-9 hours, you'll not just see these landmarks, but gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for their history, cultural significance, and natural beauty. We always give the guest time to buy their lunch during the tour.
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From USD 312
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Bike Adventure on the Mickelson Trail - Private
Private tour · 24h
Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (31 reviews)
Route and experience details
See the Black Hills in a unique way. Enjoy the quiet, scenic trail and let our guides tell you on some of the history, culture and flora and fauna of the area! Great fun for any fitness level - we can accommodate all in your group, even if some want to ride and others don't. This tour is customizable. Questions? Contact us for more information.
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From USD 375
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Badlands National Park - Sunset and Stargazing (Private)
Private tour · 7h
Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (26 reviews)
Route and experience details
A once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the incredible Badlands; first in the afternoon and into a golden sunset - followed by the official National Park stargazing program. The best of both worlds, this tour allows us the view wildlife and the parks formations before the sun sets, and then taking on the park after dark! Because Badlands National Park is not surrounded by big cities or other major sources of light pollution, night skies in the park are very clear. After dark, visitors can see many of the night sky’s greatest hits: constellations, the moon, satellites, and airplanes. But the special darkness of Badlands National Park helps visitors to see even more like planets, the Milky Way, star clusters, nebulae, the International Space Station, shooting stars, and, very occasionally, the aurora borealis.
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From USD 850
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Private Tour of the Badlands with Local Experts
Private tour · 9h
Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (25 reviews)
Route and experience details
The Badlands have many secrets and requires a seasoned guide to explain and reveal them. GeoFunTrek Tours' guides are local experts with decades of experience. We have no seasonal-guides, part-time guides or trainee-guides. This is a family-owned business and all tours are conducted by family members: Cindy, Christopher and John Esposti. We have the knowledge and skills to make your day one to remember. You will always get the A-Team when you tour with GeoFunTrek Tours! All tours are PRIVATE TOURS, exclusive to the group booking the tour, and no additional guests will be included. Children must be accompanied by one adult. Children 3 years and younger are free and will have their own seat. Children's car seats must be supplied by family members when required. Our vehicles are SUV's and a van may be rented for larger groups. Please enquire about vehicles if you have any questions. This tour is great for 3-generation families with Children, multiple couples and groups of friends.
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From USD 425
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Check dates on Viator (opens in a new tab)What the stay is actually like
At WaTiki, younger kids can burn off energy in the waterpark while adults get a break from another long scenic drive. That convenience is the reason to choose it, and it works in any season: WaTiki is open 365 days a year and kept at 84 degrees. Winter hours run August 22, 2026 to May 20, 2027, with weekdays 4pm to 9pm and weekends 8am to 9pm, so on a weekday visit the waterpark is an evening activity. Daily 8am to 9pm hours return May 21, 2027. The trade-off is noise, a busy common area, and a location that works better for a split itinerary than for a Mount Rushmore-only weekend.
Breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking, and pet-friendly policies are useful basics, but verify current terms before booking. Hotel packages and waterpark passes can change, and the final price matters more than the headline room rate.
When it is a good fit
- You want a built-in rainy-day activity.
- Your children care more about the waterpark than a scenic lodge.
- You are using Rapid City for several day trips.
When to choose something else
- You want walkable historic character or a quiet night.
- You are optimizing for the shortest Mount Rushmore morning.
- You will not use the waterpark enough to justify the premium.
Three questions to check before booking
- How many waterpark passes come with the room? Passes are included up to the room's maximum occupancy, so a bigger group may need to buy extras.
- What is the cancellation window? Family plans change; flexible terms can be worth more than a small discount.
- How does the drive fit the itinerary? Rapid City is convenient for services, but Keystone or Custer may save time on a southern-Hills route.
Check the package, then compare the route
If WaTiki is the right family fit, check current rates. For a more scenic base, compare Keystone hotels and Custer hotels.
