A late-June storm chasing tour offers more than severe weather. As the route moves into the Northern Plains, guests may also pass through parts of South Dakota known for dramatic scenery and famous landmarks.
Tour 7 is the 2028 package most closely connected with this possibility. Its official description mentions Mount Rushmore and the Badlands as places guests may encounter during downtime. These stops are not guaranteed because the strongest practical storm target always determines the route.
Why South Dakota Fits the Northern Season
By late June, severe-weather opportunities often shift northward from the Southern Plains toward Nebraska, South Dakota and nearby regions. This movement can bring the chase team closer to South Dakota when organized storms develop across the Northern Plains.
The area offers broad grasslands and open highways. These landscapes can make isolated supercells, lightning and changing cloud structure especially impressive.
A route through South Dakota may also place the group near Mount Rushmore National Memorial or Badlands National Park. Whether there is time to stop depends on the forecast, driving distance and next target.
What Mount Rushmore Could Add
Mount Rushmore is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the United States. Seeing it during a storm chasing journey could add a cultural element to a weather-focused trip.
A short visit may allow guests to:
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View the memorial from public areas
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Photograph the surrounding Black Hills scenery
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Take a break from long road days
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Learn more about the region
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Add a famous landmark to the journey
The team would only consider the stop when conditions allow. Developing severe weather would take priority over sightseeing.
Why the Badlands Can Be Memorable
Badlands National Park offers a different landscape. Its eroded rock formations, open prairie and layered terrain contrast with the flatter agricultural areas often associated with storm chasing.
For photographers, possible subjects include:
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Distinctive rock formations
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Wide natural views
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Changing sunlight and shadow
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Open prairie landscapes
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Dramatic skies over rugged terrain
Guests should remember that park visits take time. A clear-weather period may be needed for repositioning toward the next storm system instead.
Downtime Is Never Guaranteed
Storm chasing schedules remain flexible. A day that appears quiet may later produce an unexpected target, while a clear period may be used for long-distance travel.
The official FAQ explains that severe-clear days may involve attractions, rest, community support or repositioning. Mount Rushmore is specifically mentioned as one possible destination when the group is nearby and has enough time.
A sightseeing stop may depend on:
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Distance from the next forecast target
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Expected storm-development time
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Road and traffic conditions
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Group energy levels
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Hotel location
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The tour leader’s decision
Guests should treat every attraction as an added opportunity rather than part of a fixed itinerary.
Tour 7 2028 Package Details
Tour 7 begins with arrival in Wichita on June 17, 2028. Six chase days follow from June 18 through June 23.
The package focuses on the dynamic northern season and is currently listed as Now Booking. It includes five hotel nights during the active chase, transportation, fuel, forecast experts, guides and drivers, weather briefings, airport transfers, a guaranteed window seat and an exclusive tour shirt.
The listed price is US$2,800 for a single traveler and US$2,600 for couples sharing a hotel room. A US$1,000 deposit reserves an available place.
The Scenery Complements the Storms
Mount Rushmore and the Badlands do not replace the main purpose of Tour 7. The package remains a professional storm chasing experience built around forecasts, flexible routes and severe-weather opportunities.
However, these destinations can add variety to a long road journey. Guests may return home with photographs of supercells, rural highways, famous landmarks and northern landscapes.
That range can make the trip feel more complete, especially for international travelers or first-time visitors.
Keep Expectations Flexible
A guest should not book Tour 7 only because they expect to visit Mount Rushmore or the Badlands. Storms may develop in another state, or the group may need to travel during clear weather to prepare for the following day.
The best approach is to value both possibilities. An active day may deliver organized storms and dramatic lightning, while a quieter period may create time for scenery, rest or an unexpected roadside destination.
Conclusion
Mount Rushmore and the Badlands could enhance a 2028 chase trip by adding history, landscape photography and a memorable South Dakota experience to the northern storm season.
Their inclusion depends entirely on the route, forecast and available downtime. When conditions allow, they can provide a valuable contrast to long drives and active chase days.
Tour 7 gives guests six weather-led days to follow Northern Plains storms while remaining open to the remarkable places that may appear between them.
