June 13-21, 2022
9 DAYS – 12 MEALS
Epic, rugged, and wild, few things embody the bold American spirit as fully as our great national parks—a uniquely American concept. Experience America’s natural bounty on this 13-day journey, focused on our Northwest national parks. Explore the expansive wilderness and geothermal wonderland of Yellowstone—the first national park in the world, and still one of its most enchanting—delve into the history of the country’s lawless frontier days, admire the mountain majesty of Grand Teton, and marvel at the natural and man-made treasures that abound at some of the most magnificent settings on Earth, from the austere faces of Mount Rushmore to the ever-changing landscape of the Dakota Badlands.
Pricing
Double: $3699 pp
Single: $4599
Triple: $3399 pp
Quadruple: $3299 pp
***Includes Roundtrip Airfare from Springfield, MO***
Deposit: $600 pp (due at time of booking)
Travel Protection: $299 pp (due at time of booking)
Final Payment due April 14, 2022
Day 1
Welcome to Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah with a small-town feel, surrounded by the often snow-dusted Wasatch Mountains.
Day 2
Get to know Salt Lake City on a tour featuring the Great Salt Lake and the Utah State Capitol building. After you’re acquainted with the city, spend the rest of the day relaxing or explore more on your own. Perhaps you will choose to explore Temple Square – a beautifully landscaped area set in the heart of downtown. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner with your new travel companions. (B, D)
Day 3
Mile after mile of stunning scenery unfolds on your drive to Wyoming. Pastoral ranch lands and towering mountains like Bear Lake Summit serve up a feast for the eyes as you make your way to the valley of Jackson Hole. (B)
Day 4
Wind through Grand Teton National Park, home to the youngest peaks in the Rockies. Keep your camera handy – there are plenty of opportunities to take photos. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore trendy downtown Jackson. Look for the Antler Arch at the entrance to the historic town square. Get your first taste of the Old West at dinner where your ride in a covered wagon takes you past the Cache Creek Canyon for a night of Western hospitality at a chuck wagon dinner* with entertainment. (B, D)
Day 5
Visit Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park. Famous for its geysers, hot springs and incredible wildlife – including free-ranging herds of buffalo – Yellowstone lives up to its reputation. No visit to the park would be complete without seeing its most renowned attraction: Old Faithful. Watch in awe as the geyser sends a fountain of steam more than 130 feet in the air. Travel over the Sylvan Pass and see Yellowstone Lake on the way to Cody, your home for the evening. (B, D)
Day 6
This morning, visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a tribute to one of the most well-known figures of the Old West. This afternoon, make your way through the Bighorn Mountains and cross through the territory of the Great Sioux Nation before turning in for the night in Sheridan. (B)
Day 7
Stop in Deadwood, a rambling Western town and a National Historic Landmark. Recreations of turn-of-the-century streetlamps light the way through the restored architecture. A local guide introduces you to the history of the city, where gold, gambling and gunpowder were once the order of the day. Visit Mount Moriah Cemetery, final resting place of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and other figures from the Wild West. Continue on to Kevin Costner’s Tatanka: “Story of the Bison.” This interpretive center features large, awe-inspiring sculptures depicting the relationship of bison and the Lakota Native Americans. Your day ends in Rapid City. (B)
Day 8
Travel to Custer State Park and search for a herd of over 1,000 roaming bison. Your guide will fill you in on the park’s wildlife history and facts. Next, prepare to be amazed by the Crazy Horse Memorial, the world’s largest mountain sculpture still in progress. The memorial includes the Indian Museum of North America, Native American Cultural Center, the sculptor’s studio, an orientation center and theaters. Many Native American artists and craftspeople practice their art at the memorial and are on hand to discuss the influence their culture has on their work. Later, see Mount Rushmore, one of the country’s most famous landmarks. This evening, engage in a special conversation with a Lakota Native American to discuss his dedication to his community and the Native American way of life, past and present. Complete your day with a farewell dinner, where you’ll toast to the end of your adventure through America’s cowboy country. (B, D)
Day 9
Your tour comes to a close today, leaving you with many pleasant memories. (B)