Indiana Audubon 2025 Badlands & Black Hills Tour – Rapid City, SD

Join fellow Indiana Audubon members for an early summer birding adventure into the Black Hills area of South Dakota. This nearly weeklong birding tour provides participants a chance to see and hear a great number of western species without having to travel too far west. The Black Hills is home to many easternmost outposts for some interesting western specialties, including American Dipper and Virginia’s Warbler.

Trip Leaders: This tour will be led by IAS operations manager Libby Keyes and Board Member Tina Rosier. Both have experience birding this unique western landscape. Participants will be responsible for getting to Rapid City, SD on June 10th and departing on June 15th. Transportation from Rapid City, and for the duration of the trip, will be 12-person passenger vans.

As part of Indiana Audubon’s commitment to conservation in areas we visit, a portion of the trip proceeds will be donated towards the Nature Conservancy’s conservation work in the Black Hills in protecting natural resources for sustainable economic growth.

Trip Itinerary at a glance:

• Day 1. Arrive in Rapid City, SD, evening meet and greet dinner
• Day 2. Badlands National Park, lodging in Rapid City
• Day 3. Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park, lodging in Custer, SD
• Day 4. Black Hills National Forest, lodging in Custer, SD
• Day 5. Spearfish Canyon and Black Hills National Forest, longspur grasslands and wetlands, lodging in Rapid City
• Day 6. Departure

The complete itinerary for this trip can be found HERE.

Indiana Audubon Field Trip Rating

Birding Pace: Extended Tour. Multiple days with early starts. On certain days guests may have the opportunity to take a break from the regular activities to enjoy an afternoon at the hotel. Joining for the early morning birding is highly encouraged as it is the birds’ most active time.

Physical Requirements: Moderate. The Black Hills and Badlands are dry and rugged. Participants can expect one or two miles of hiking per day at a birding pace on rough terrain and elevation under 7,000 feet. Heat and sun exposure are the usual concerns to take care of.

Birding Skill Level: Beginner to mid-level. Though this is an intro-level trip, the focus will be on western specialties. Research of anticipated birds is encouraged.

Additional Considerations

Included with the Tour:

• IAS guides coordinating trip logistics before and during the tour
• Van transportation during the entirety of the trip
• 5 nights lodging
• All meals starting with dinner on Day 1, ending with breakfast on Day 6.
• All entrance fees to reserves, state parks, and national parks
• Standard meal tips for restaurant wait staff

Not included with the Tour:

• ·Airfare or other transportation to and from Rapid City
• Tips for hotel staff and guides
• Medical expenses, prescription drugs and other items of personal use.
• Alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, and anything else not listed on the menus of restaurants
• Health and/or trip insurance
• Laundry service
• Souvenirs
• Any other expense not listed as included above

Price

• IAS Member: $1,799 per person
• Non-Member: $1,899 per person
• Single Supplement: $430

The trip size is 4-10 participants. Prices are based on double occupancy.

A $200 deposit is required at the time of reservation booking. Your balance will be invoiced via check or credit card.

The complete itinerary for this trip can be found HERE.

Lazuli Bunting and Upland Sandpiper image by by Ryan Sanderson. Western Tanager and Burrowing Owl by Jason Jablonski.