On a Journey through the west to Utah, Wyoming and South Dakota, you will explore the Badlands National Park, Custer State Park, Hot Springs, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park, and Grand Teton National Park. Sleep in classic lodges with outstanding views and enjoy the buffalo safari, a chuckwagon cookout, and the world’s largest mammoth excavation.
11 Days • fr. $4,899
Welcome to Rapid City, gateway to the Black Hills. At 6:30 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure.
THE RUSHMORE HOTEL
After breakfast, enjoy an orientation tour of Rapid City, then visit Badlands National Park to see some of the most spectacular scenery in the region. Afterward, there’s time to explore Wall Drug, known for its quirky roadside signs and free water.
Later this afternoon, travel into the backcountry and enjoy a Buffalo Safari and Chuckwagon Cookout.
SPECIAL FEATURE: We stay overnight at the historic State Game Lodge in Custer State Park. This gracious stone and wood lodge is set in a beautiful mountain valley, surrounded by a ponderosa pine forest. Built in 1920 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the lodge served as the “Summer White House” for President Calvin Coolidge and was visited by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Breakfast, Dinner
STATE GAME LODGE AT CUSTER STATE PARK
This morning, we travel to Hot Springs to visit the world’s largest mammoth site, where scientists are currently excavating remains of mammoths that were trapped and died in the pond more than 26,000 years ago. After a short tour, you’ll have time to stroll the sidewalks of the dig area and see the paleontology laboratory.
Next, visit Crazy Horse Memorial, built in honor of the fearless Sioux Indian chief whose fame is derived from the Battle of Little Bighorn.
The remainder of the day is yours to relax in Custer State Park. Perhaps try some fly-fishing, mountain biking, or take a nature walk.
Breakfast, Dinner
STATE GAME LODGE AT CUSTER STATE PARK
Today, visit one of the world’s largest stone monuments: Mount Rushmore National Memorial. At Mount Rushmore, the solid granite faces of four presidents loom more than a thousand feet overhead.
We then continue on a guided tour of the Old West town of Deadwood, where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane marked their place in history.
We spend the night deep in the heart of one of the most breathtakingly beautiful canyons in the world. The location for scenes from the movie Dances With Wolves, Spearfish Canyon Lodge sits nestled among lofty pines and spectacular cliffs.
Breakfast, Dinner
SPEARFISH CANYON LODGE
This morning, drive through scenic Spearfish Canyon and across the grassy plains of Wyoming. Enjoy lunch at an authentic western ranch.
Next, we cross the Bighorn Mountains via Shell Creek Canyon to Buffalo Bill’s Wild West town of Cody, Wyoming.
Breakfast, Lunch
HOLIDAY INN BUFFALO BILL VILLAGE - CODY
Enjoy a leisurely visit to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a fascinating tribute to frontier America.
Later, depart for Yellowstone National Park, America’s first national park, where wild animals roam freely in vast meadows and forest.
SPECIAL FEATURE: Enjoy two nights inside Yellowstone National Park. Each lodge has its own unique setting and atmosphere. Lodges featured are the Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, Canyon Lodge, and Grant Village. Specific lodges will be confirmed in your documents.
NOTE: The routing and areas visited within Yellowstone are subject to favorable weather and/or road conditions. When conditions are unfavorable, the routing may be adjusted accordingly.
Breakfast, Dinner
CANYON LODGE - YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Today, you will see the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone with its Upper and Lower Falls. Watch for herds of bison in Hayden Valley, and view many of Yellowstone’s geothermal sites, including Old Faithful Geyser.
Breakfast
CANYON LODGE - YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
This morning, tour Grand Teton National Park. The jagged Tetons form a perfect backdrop behind Jenny and Jackson Lakes.
Next up: the Western town of Jackson. The rest of the day is free to explore on your own. You may choose to see a shootout in Town Square, shop for souvenirs, or relax with a cold drink at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.
Breakfast
RUSTIC INN AT JACKSON HOLE CREEKSIDE
Today is at your leisure to explore on your own or perhaps take an optional float trip down the Snake River.
Breakfast
RUSTIC INN AT JACKSON HOLE CREEKSIDE
Follow the Snake River and lovely Star Valley en route to Utah. Wind along the shores of beautiful Bear Lake before climbing through the Wasatch Mountains and on to the Great Salt Lake Basin and Salt Lake City. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner hosted by your Tour Director.
Breakfast, Dinner
RADISSON HOTEL DOWNTOWN SALT LAKE CITY
After a leisurely breakfast, bid farewell to newfound friends as your tour comes to an end.
Breakfast
All rates listed are per person based on double occupancy and are subject to change without notice. Your land package pricing will be confirmed and guaranteed once your deposit is received and applied to the booking, except where price increases may result from increases in government taxes or fees. Room configurations are subject to availability. Guests added to your party after the booking are priced at the prevailing rate at the time they are added.