Discover the majestic parks and historic lodges of the American West. Begin your adventure in Rapid City, South Dakota, gateway to the Black Hills. Enjoy an orientation tour, buffalo safari, and chuck wagon cookout, as well as the stunning scenery of Badlands National Park. Visit the world’s largest mammoth remains excavation site in Hot Springs, spend free time exploring Custer State Park, and visit Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse monument. Then, on to the Old West town of Deadwood, final resting place of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Cross the plains and mountains of Wyoming and arrive in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West town of Cody. Next up: Yellowstone, America’s first national park and the geothermal home of Old Faithful Geyser, and beautiful Grand Teton National Park. Your grand vacation ends in Jackson with two overnights and plenty of leisure time to discover this incredible Western town in your own way.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Arrive in Rapid City
Welcome to Rapid City, gateway to the Black Hills. Join your Tour Director for a Welcome recept ion this evening. (WR)

Day 2 Rapid City–Badlands National Park–Custer State Park
After breakfast, enjoy an orientation tour of Rapid City, then visit BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK where you’ll see some of the most spectacular scenery in the region. Afterward, there’s time to explore Wall Drug, wellknown for its quirky roadside signs and free water. Later this afternoon, enjoy a BUFFALO SAFARI and a CHUCK WAGON COOKOUT. We overnight at the Historic State Game Lodge in Custer State Park, known as the Summer White House of President Calvin Coolidge. (B,D)

Day 3 Custer State Park
This morning you will travel to Hot Springs to visit the world’s largest MAMMOTH SITE where scientists are currently excavating remains of woolly 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. 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. (B,D)

Day 4 Custer State Park–Deadwood
Today, visit two of the world’s largest stone monuments, MOUNT RUSHMORE and CRAZY HORSE. At Mount Rushmore, the solid granite faces of four presidents loom more than a thousand feet overhead. After lunch, continue to the Old West town of Deadwood, where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are laid to rest on Boot Hill. Overnight at picturesque Spearfish Canyon Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Deadwood–U-Cross Ranch–Cody Wyoming
This morning, drive through scenic Spearfish Canyon and across the grassy plains of Wyoming. Enjoy lunch at an authentic WESTERN RANCH, where you can try your hand at fly-fishing, horseback riding, or take a dip in the pool. Next, we cross the Bighorn Mountains via Shell Creek Canyon to Buffalo Bill’s Wild West town of Cody, Wyoming. (B,L)

Day 6 Cody–Yellowstone National Park
Enjoy a leisurely visit to the BUFFALO BILL HISTORIC CENTER, 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. Tonight, stay at the majestic Lake Yellowstone Hotel which sits on the shore of Yellowstone Lake and is listed on the Register of Historic Places. (B,D)

Day 7 Yellowstone National Park
On today’s TOUR you will see Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon 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. Spend the night at the historic Old Faithful Lodge, one of the largest log structures in the world and located right beside magnificent Old Faithful Geyser. (B,D)

Day 8 Yellowstone National Park–Grand Teton National Park
This morning, tour GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK . The jagged Tetons form a perfect backdrop behind Jenny and Jackson Lakes. Next, continue to the Western town of Jackson, Wyoming. This afternoon and evening are free to explore on your own. You may choose to see a shoot-out in Town Square, shop for souvenirs, or perhaps join our optional excursion to Bar-T-Five for a covered wagon cookout and Wild West show. (B)

Day 9 Jackson. Choose Your Experience
Select how you wish to spend your day. Join in a guided FLOAT TRIP along the majestic Snake River or perhaps take a guided tour of the NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART, where the mission is to bring together people, wildlife, and fine art. Tonight, enjoy a festive FAREWELL DINNER hosted by your Tour Director at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 10 Jackson
After a leisurely breakfast, bid farewell to newfound friends as your vacation comes to an end with an included transfer to the airport. (B)