Itinerary Details
America's National Parks
Day 1 ARRIVE IN RAPID CITYWelcome to Rapid City! At 6 pm, join your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BLACK HILLS
From the four faces carved high on the granite peak of Mount Rushmore to the rocky spires of granite, the Black Hills exemplify the American West and its native history with a rugged beauty and wild serenity you’ll not soon forget.
Day 2 RAPID CITY. EXCURSION TO CRAZY HORSE & MOUNT RUSHMORE MEMORIALSStone-Faced Patriots After an orientation tour of Rapid City, visit Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
MONUMENTAL HISTORY Visit the dramatic depiction of Chief Crazy Horse at the massive memorial built in honor of the fearless Sioux Chief – forever remembered for the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Afterward, explore Mount Rushmore National Memorial, which features the monumental likenesses of four U.S. presidents—Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt—carved on the face of a mountain. Take a stroll along the Presidential Trail for more intimate views of this moving monument or visit the Information Center.
Day 3 RAPID CITY–DEADWOOD–SHERIDAN Sheriffs & Sharpshooters This morning, enjoy a scenic drive through Black Hills National Forest and experience the area’s fascinating history on a guided tour of Deadwood. Then, continue through the Black Hills to the cattle town of Sheridan at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local family-run restaurant featuring true Rocky Mountain hospitality. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE The legendary town of Deadwood is home to the ghosts of the Wild West, where bold frontiersmen and optimistic gold miners set down stakes in this untamed mining town. Hear the rip-roaring stories of legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and Potato Creek Johnny while exploring the streets where shoot-outs and sheriffs ruled the day.
Day 4 SHERIDAN–LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT–CODY, WYOMING Buffalo Bill & Brave Warriors Journey this morning into southern Montana to visit Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. Continue your scenic drive through the Bighorn Mountains, arriving in Cody – named for its native son, Buffalo Bill Cody. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY HISTORY Visit Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, the site commemorating one of America’s most famous battles. Tour the battlegrounds where Custer was defeated by approximately 7,000 Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors, and visit the museum.
Day 5 CODY–YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARKLegends of the Wild West This morning, visit the Buffalo Bill Center of The West, a comprehensive museum of historic weapons and Western art. Then, continue through Shoshone National Forest to Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 as the world’s first national park, where wild animals roam freely in vast meadows and forest. Enjoy several photo stops along the way to your hotel. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ICONIC FOOTSTEPS Cavalry scout, Pony Express rider, ranch hand, wagon train driver, city planner, railroad contractor, bison hunter, fur trapper, gold prospector, Native American advocate, feminist, and inventor of modern Show Business, William Cody’s legend rides on as a symbol of the unbridled possibilities of the early American West. “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s horsemanship and sharpshooting skills gained notice by the U.S. Army and his Wild West shows endeared him to the elite audiences of Europe.
Day 6 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARKThe Living Earth Spend the day exploring Yellowstone. Travel along Grand Loop Road to Fountain Paint Pot to see the bubbling mud. See the world-famous Old Faithful Geyser and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone for magnificent views of the Canyon and the spectacular Lower Falls—almost twice as high as Niagara Falls! Next, stop at Mammoth Hot Springs and take a short trail walk through steaming limestone terraces. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Designated as a national park by law 150 years ago, President Ulysses S. Grant worked to preserve and protect the wild landscapes, native heritage, spectacular wildlife, and extraordinary geologic and ecological phenomena that make this Rocky Mountain paradise a treasure today and for future generations to treasure. From geysers to grizzlies and great bison, no one leaves the park without being changed forever by the natural wonder witnessed in any of its 2.2 million acres of pristine wilderness.
Day 7 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK–GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK–JACKSONGlacial Giants Journey south into breathtaking Grand Teton National Park. Visit beautiful glacier-fed Jenny Lake at the foot of the rugged spires for a delightful walk along the shore. Enjoy a freshly made [LF] huckleberry ice cream while enjoying your beautiful surroundings. Continue to the all-Western town of Jackson. This evening, enjoy an experience dinner at [LF] Bar T-5 Chuckwagon Cookout and Wild West show. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Experience the Wild West with a horse-drawn covered wagon ride through the forest to Cache Creek Canyon. Enjoy an authentic Bar T-5 Chuckwagon Cookout and Wild West Show, while dining on slow-cooked chicken from a traditional Dutch oven, along with other delicious western specialties. Pull up a seat and dig in to a traditional chuckwagon cookout complete with Wild West show. Wagons ho!
Day 8 JACKSONPeak Experiences Spend a full free day to explore this spectacular Rocky Mountain town beneath the Grand Tetons. (B)
FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE in Jackson with an optional float trip along the Snake River, stroll along the downtown boardwalks to enjoy a drink at one of the local saloons, or explore one of the many galleries that call Jackson home.
Day 9 JACKSON–SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH This is the Place! Today’s journey continues alongside some of Wyoming’s most beautiful mountain ranges into Utah. Arrive in Salt Lake City and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the capital city and its historic monuments. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT The capital city of Utah was first established in 1847 by early pioneer settlers led by Brigham Young, who exclaimed, “This is the right place,” upon seeing its vistas and verdant landscapes. More recently, the city played host to the 2002 Olympics and now offers a vibrant downtown with a variety of stores, attractions, and restaurants.
Day 10 SALT LAKE CITYSafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Want to explore more of Salt Lake City on your own? Extra nights are available for purchase. (B)
