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National Parks and Native Trails of the Dakotas
Preferred
Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- Chamberlain: The future of the Lakota Oyate "Lakota Nation" takes center stage as you Connect with Locals Marla C. Bull Bear, Executive Director of LYD, and the Rosebud tribal youth and members for a traditional storytelling, an original performance, a traditional meal during this Be My Guest Experience, and plant knowledge as you get a true taste of the prairie and everything Grandmother Earth has to offer. Learn about their mission to reclaim their language, culture, and spirituality and how this experience supports local youth.
- Pine Ridge Reservation: Learn the History of Wounded Knee as told by Warren Yellow Hair as you look upon where it happened. Listening to stories told from generation to generation will give you a perspective that cannot be gained from a history book but rather an authentic and emotional experience.
- New Town: Enjoy a guided tour of the Earth Lodges and see how the MHA people used to live. The tour is followed by the incredible opportunity to witness dancers and singers perform a cultural dance. The meaningfulness of each dance and song will leave you touched and with a deeper understanding of the culture of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara.
- Badlands National Park: Enjoy the spectacular sights as you make your way through Badlands Loop Road.
- Black Hills: Contribute to the preservation of the heritage of Native Americans during a visit to the Crazy Horse Memorial. This iconic monument represents the Oglala Lakota warrior 'Crazy Horse' on land considered sacred, in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
- Chamberlain: The Dignity sculpture, a stunning combination of art and history. Specifically designed by sculptor Dale Lamphere to honor the cultures of the Lakota and Dakota people Dignity of Earth and Sky is a soaring sculpture of a native woman standing high on a bluff above the Missouri River.
- Pierre: You'll travel through and past the different indigenous communities and reservations in South Dakota.
- Theodore Roosevelt North Unit: Head to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park this morning, the less frequented part of the National Park that should not be missed. The scenic drive starts at the bottom of the badlands and crawls up out of the canyon to the North Unit's most iconic view, River Bend Overlook. Unusual yet totally fascinating geological formations like the cannon ball concretions can be seen and a high chance of wildlife like Bison and bighorn sheep.
- Rapid City: Meet Stephen Yellowhawk or a Lakota Tribe Member and discover the history of his tribe during a festive evening of dance and song.
- Rapid City: Travel to the past from the present at the Oglala Lakota Living History Village and gain priceless insights into the culture and indigenous knowledge of Lakota Country.
- Pine Ridge Reservation: Enjoy a traditional box lunch prepared by a local Lakota family before your next activity.
- Rosebud Reservation: 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 that intertwines Native culture and life while adding to their growing economy of tribal tourism.
- Rosebud Reservation: Enjoy a lunch of local foods from the Lakota Tribe at Turtle Crossing. After lunch you'll learn about Rosebud's food sovereignty projects, life on the reservation, and economic initiatives for the area from a community member involved in the projects.
- Rosebud Reservation: Enjoy a visit to Sinte Gleska University where you will be given a Star Knowledge Presentation by a Lakota elder, Victor Douville.
- Fort Yates: Meet Jennifer Martel, also known as Wahukaze Nunpa Win, who will share with you her experiences of speaking at the United Nations, being part of the Standing Rock Movement, and being on the board of the Indigenous Peoples Movement.
- Fort Yates: You will get to experience and learn about traditional plants hands-on as you make your own tea-mix based on what healing purposes you want to focus on.
- New Town: You'll have the chance to browse arts and crafts from local community members in the gift shop. If you choose to purchase any art or craft pieces the proceeds will directly support the artisans of the community and help to raise awareness of what they do.
- Explore Medora
- See Dignity Statue, Sitting Bull & Sakakawea Monument
- View Crow Flies High outlook
- Visit Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Rosebud Indian Reservation, Standing Rock Indian Reservation, Fort Berthold Indian Reservation
- Scenic Drive to Badlands Loop Road Drive, Mobridge
- Explore Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Visit Indigenous communities and learn, see & hear about history & traditions.
- Connect with Locals during a lunch at Lakota Youth Development
- Theodore Roosevelt South Unit: Watch the sunrise as you go along the scenic loop of the National Park and potentially see bison herds, wild horses, coyotes, wild turkeys, and hundreds of prairie dogs. With an early start you'll also have the opportunity to enjoy the park without many other people around.
- Medora: Enjoy your Stay With Stories experience at the Rough Riders Hotel. Bask in the 1880s nostalgia and its western charm, as you enjoy a dinner with your new friends.
Short Description
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.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Rapid City Make Travel Matter
Begin your exploration of the Tribal Nations of North and South Dakota at a welcome reception.
The Rushmore Hotel & Suites
Welcome Reception
Day 2: Exploring 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.
The Rushmore Hotel & Suites
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Visit 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 the 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.
The Rushmore Hotel & Suites
Breakfast
Day 4: Spend 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. Later, at the Turtle Creek Crossing Supermarket, sample delicious and authentic Lakota foods. Finally, it’s onto Sinte Gleska University for a Star Knowledge Presentation by Lakota elder, Victor Douville.
Arrowwood Cedar Shore Resort & Conference Center
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Day 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 LYD, and the Rosebud tribal youth and members for traditional storytelling, performance and meal during this Be My Guest Experience. Learn about their mission to reclaim their language, culture, and spirituality and how this experience supports local youth.
Arrowwood Cedar Shore Resort & Conference Center
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6: Sitting Bull & Standing Rock Indian Reservation Connect with Locals Make Travel Matter
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 when the Army abandoned Fort Yates in 1903, all the graves were 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.
Radisson Hotel Bismarck
Breakfast
Day 7: Mandan, Hidatsa And Arikara Nation Make Travel Matter
At Earth Lodge Village, experience the role of tribal tourism, as dancers and singers perform for you. Discover life on the harsh Northern Plains through the stories of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara peoples. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience visiting the MHA Nation Interpretive Center where historical Native artifacts are on display. Finish with a delicious traditional dinner you won't soon forget.
Teddy's Residential Suites New Town
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Theodore 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.
Rough Riders Hotel
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Farewell In Bismarck
Watch the sun rise over the Badlands at the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Stop at the Maltese Cross Cabin, famously used by Theodore Roosevelt before he was president. We depart to Bismarck with an airport arrival at 2pm.
Breakfast
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19,631 Trafalgar Travel Reviews & Ratings
National Parks and Native Trails of the Dakotas
Company Reviews
Best of Italy Tour for 13 days, really 11 days. Recommendation: Do NOT take a Trafalgar Tour of any kind!
1) Could ONLY understand about 10 % of the travel director's harangue. Her name was Frederica. The same situation occurred in Egypt.
2) The bus driver named Theo was surly and rude.
3) The Travel Director constantly sold the extra excursions. These were 2.5 times more expensive then privately-made tours. Example in Rome--Crown Tours.
4) The food was terrible.
5) The hotels were at best 2-3 star. NO AC, low water pressure, and the breakfasts were poor.
6) Many hours were spent most days on the bus--4-8 hours. There were 49 passengers on this bus! You could not relax on the bus because the tour director constantly was speaking and selling optional excursions. Again, could not understand but 10 % of what she said.
7) We pre-paid gratuities, but wished that we had not done so. Neither the driver nor Travel Director thanked us. We will not prepay again, however, we will NEVER take another Trafalgar Tour.
Anonymous
Carolyne and Christof deserves a raise!
Anonymous
Kerrie
Anonymous
Details
Group Size
Standard Group - 25 + people
Maximum Number of People in Group: 40
Accommodations
- The Rushmore Hotel & Suites
- Arrowwood Cedar Shore Resort & Conference Center
- Radisson Hotel Bismarck
- Teddy's Residential Suites New Town
- Rough Riders Hotel
Trip ID#:
trafalgar-DMTMN19
Meals Included
- 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
- 8 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Lunch (L)
- 2 Dinner (D)
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