South Dakota Photography Tour: Badlands, Custer State Park & Mount Rushmore

I am an Authorized Permittee of the National Parks

This South Dakota Photography Tour showcases the dramatic landscapes and wildlife of the Badlands and Custer State Park, along with a visit to iconic Mount Rushmore. Designed for photographers of all levels, the tour focuses on sunrise and sunset photography when the light is at its best across rugged formations, rolling prairies, and wildlife-rich valleys.

You will photograph bison, pronghorn, prairie dogs, colorful Badlands formations, and sweeping Western scenery while learning photography techniques in the field. Along the way, we’ll explore some of South Dakota’s most scenic locations, with a visit to Mount Rushmore rounding out the experience.

Note: This tour involves both wildlife and landscape photography. Participants should have a strong interest in both.

BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK

Landscapes
Badlands National Park is known for its jagged spires, colorful sediment layers, deep canyons, and vast prairie landscapes. Sunrise and sunset bring warm light and long shadows across the formations, revealing the textures, patterns, and layers that make the Badlands such a fascinating place to photograph. Changing weather and cloud formations can add even more interest to this already dramatic landscape.

Wildlife
The Badlands are also an excellent location for wildlife photography. Bison, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn are often found among the formations and surrounding prairie, giving us opportunities to photograph wildlife within the landscape as well as closer portraits. Prairie dog towns are another favorite, with plenty of activity and interesting behavior to photograph.

CUSTER STATE PARK

Landscapes
Custer State Park combines rolling prairie, forested hills, granite formations, and open meadows, providing a wide variety of landscape photography. The Needles area is especially striking, with towering granite spires and rugged rock formations. Scenic roads through the park also provide expansive views of the Black Hills and plenty of locations to photograph in changing light and weather.

Wildlife
Custer State Park is one of South Dakota’s best locations for wildlife photography. Large herds of bison roam the park’s grasslands and hillsides, often surrounded by classic Black Hills scenery. We’ll also watch for pronghorn, deer, prairie dogs, and the park’s well-known burros, photographing both portraits and natural behavior as we explore the park.

In both parks, our daily schedule will remain flexible based on recent wildlife activity, weather, and the best light for photography. This allows us to spend our time where the conditions and photography are best, with opportunities to capture both the incredible landscapes and wildlife of South Dakota.

WHEN:
May 16-22, 2028 (4 spaces left)

AIRPORTS
Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP)

If you want to stay longer, please contact us, and we will give you ideas on where to stay and visit.

GROUP SIZE
Our group size is limited to a maximum of eight people with two leaders. That is a 4-to-1 ratio between participants and leaders, which provides more personal one-on-one instruction.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Welcome & Custer State Park

11:00 AM: Meet in the hotel lobby for introductions and an overview of the week ahead. From there, we’ll begin our drive to Custer State Park, stopping for lunch along the way.

After checking into our hotel, it’s time to head into the park for our first afternoon and sunset photography session before gathering for dinner.

Day 2: Custer State Park

Today is dedicated to exploring and photographing Custer State Park, with a focus on both wildlife and landscapes. Bison, pronghorn, deer, prairie dogs, and other wildlife may be found throughout the park, along with rolling grasslands, granite formations, and scenic valleys. Our schedule will remain flexible based on wildlife activity, weather, and the best light.

Day 3: Custer State Park & Mount Rushmore

The morning takes us back into Custer State Park for more wildlife and landscape photography, exploring different areas based on recent wildlife activity and conditions. Later in the day, we’ll visit Mount Rushmore to photograph one of South Dakota’s most recognizable landmarks and explore the surrounding area.

Day 4: Custer State Park to Badlands National Park

Following a morning photography session, we’ll make our way to Badlands National Park and check into our next accommodations. The afternoon and evening will be spent exploring the park and photographing its colorful formations, expansive prairie landscapes, and wildlife.

Days 5 & 6: Badlands National Park

Two full days give us plenty of time to photograph the landscapes and wildlife of Badlands National Park. Sunrise and sunset will be priorities for landscape photography, with the rest of each day guided by wildlife activity, weather, and changing conditions throughout the park.

Day 7: Farewell Sunrise & Departure

Our final morning begins with a sunrise photography session before returning to the hotel for a 10:00 AM checkout. From there, we’ll drive to the airport for an approximately 1:00 PM drop-off.

SKILL AND FITNESS LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Anyone with an interest in photography, from beginner to professional.

• The participants should have a love of nature and enjoy the company of other people in a small group setting. Participants should be interested in both wildlife and landscape photography.

• This trip will involve some short hikes from 1 to 3 miles round-trip. Some hikes may have slippery or uneven terrain.

• Participants should be in good health and self-sufficient.

PRICE INCLUDES

• Lodging (6-night stay). The rooms are double occupancy. If you prefer your own room (single occupancy), it is an additional $350. Please select the Single Room option on the shopping cart.

• Gate fees and permits.

• Professional Instruction on photography, wildlife identification, and behavior

NOT INCLUDED

• Food and drinks. We will visit various restaurants in and out of the park. Each participant will be responsible for their food tab.

• Air travel is not included.

PRICE

$4895 per person
Deposit: $2000 per person (this reserves your spot).
Balance: $3495 Due six months before the tour begins.

Single Room Upgrade: $350 (this will give you a private room).

PAYMENT
Payment can be made by check to Slonina Photography. We also accept credit cards through our online shopping cart.

Cancellation Policy:

Testimonials:

John Slonina (Leader)
John is a professional nature photographer with more than 35 years of experience photographing wildlife and landscapes throughout North America. His teaching combines clear, practical instruction with a strong understanding of wildlife behavior, light, and changing conditions in the field. John helps participants strengthen their photography while gaining a greater appreciation for the landscapes and wildlife they photograph.

Jenny Bowlden (Co-Leader)
Jenny is a professional nature photographer with over 20 years of experience photographing wildlife and landscapes throughout North America. She takes a hands-on approach in the field, helping participants with camera settings, timing, composition, and adapting to changing light and wildlife activity. Her goal is to help photographers of all levels become more confident behind the camera and create stronger, more intentional images.

We hope you can join us at this incredible place! If you have any questions, please contact us.