9 Day Classic National Parks, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone & Grand Teton with the Badlands
Starting at $2,139
Destinations & Sightseeing
Itinerary and Meals
Accomodations
800.528.9300
Destination & Sightseeing
- Flights Los Angeles-Rapid City, Salt Lake City-Los Angeles
Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices - Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
- 8 nights accommodations
- 3 nights Rapid City
- 1 night Cody
- 2 nights Yellowstone National Park
- 1 night Jackson
- 1 night Salt Lake City
- Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
- Hotel porterage
- 12 meals: 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
- Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
- Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
- Services of local guides
- Entrance fees per itinerary
- Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring
Special Features
- Badlands National Park, view colorful spires and pinnacles, massive buttes and deep gorges
- Crazy Horse Memorial, started over 50 years ago and still incomplete
- Mount Rushmore the iconic massive carved sculpture of the faces of four U.S. presidents
- Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 as the first national park in the United States
- Discover dramatic Grand Teton National Park with its jagged peaks, glaciers, lakes and dense forests
- Salt Lake City Tabernacle, home of the world-famous Tabernacle Choir and Temple Square
ITINERARY
DAY 1, Wednesday - Arrive in Rapid City
Arrive in Rapid City, gateway to South Dakota's Black Hills and iconic Mount Rushmore. The city's downtown displays life-size bronze sculptures of past U.S. presidents. Transfer independently to the hotel. The rest of the evening is at leisure to discover Rapid City's restaurants and nightlife on your own
Overnight: Rapid City
DAY 2, Thursday - Badlands National Park, Wall Drug Store
After breakfast, visit Badlands National Park to see some of the most spectacular scenery in the region. Afterward, continue to Wall Drug, known for its roadside signs and free water. Spend a relaxed lunch before returning to Rapid City for an afternoon at leisure. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your fellow travelers
Overnight: Rapid City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 3, Friday - Crazy Horse Memorial, Mount Rushmore
This morning, head to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The faces of four American presidents - George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln - are carved into the granite mountainside high above the treetops of the Black Hills. The carving took 14 years to complete and serves today as a priceless shrine of democracy. This afternoon visit the Crazy Horse Memorial that started over 50 years ago by Chief Henry Standing Bear who invited sculptors to carve a mountain honoring the heritage, tradition, and culture of North American Indians. Today, this tribute is still incomplete. After lunch on your own, return to Rapid City. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Drink during an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers, followed by a Welcome Dinner to celebrate your arrival to Rapid City
Overnight: Rapid City
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4, Saturday - Drive to Cody
Morning departure to Sheridan, Wyoming set halfway between Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore, with its dramatic vistas of the striking Big Horn Mountains. After lunch, continue to Cody for an evening at leisure
Overnight: Cody
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 5, Sunday - Arrive in Yellowstone, Hayden Valley
An extraordinary experience as you enter spectacular Yellowstone National Park, a breathtaking natural wonderland established in 1872 as the first national park in the United States. Yellowstone is home to countless hot springs and two-thirds of all of the geysers in the world, highlighted by its awe-inspiring rock formations and the famed geyser, "Old Faithful". Upon arrival, cross over the Yellowstone River into the Lower Loop. Continue towards the Hayden Valley to see its incredible thermal features. See the Mud Volcano, with its rhythmic belching of steam and flashing tongue of water. The caldron exploded onto the landscape in 1948, blowing trees out by their roots and covering the surrounding forest with mud. All the while, be on the lookout for bison, bears, elk, and eagles in this sweeping glacial valley
Overnight: Yellowstone National Park
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6, Monday - Explore Yellowstone, Old Faithful
Begin the day in Yellowstone with a visit the dramatic Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with its turbulent river - 24 miles of twisting, sheer rock cliffs carved 1200 feet deep. Then on to Mammoth Hot Springs, a large complex of hot springs on a hill of travertine, created thousands of years ago. Continue to the Lower Geyser Basin to Fountain Paint Pots along the Firehole River. After, on to the highlight of the day - legendary "Old Faithful". The thrilling eruptions shoot up into the air approximately every 90 minutes as high as 184 feet. Dinner at leisure
Overnight: Yellowstone National Park
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Tuesday - Grand Teton National Park
Depart Yellowstone for magnificent Grand Teton National Park in northwest Wyoming with its jagged peaks, glaciers, lakes and dense forests rich with wildlife. Multiple photo stops on your way to Colter Bay where you stop at the visitor center. Continue past picturesque mountain vistas before visiting the Chapel of the Transfiguration, built in 1925 at the south entrance of Grand Teton National Park. Depart for Jackson. Here, there's time to shop in the town's many stores for genuine cowboy gear, or join the optional Snake River Scenic Float with Lunch. Surround yourself with stunning scenery as you glide down the beautiful Snake River. Learn about the history of Jackson Hole & Grand Teton, the geology, flora and fauna of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Tonight, try one of the many local restaurants offering a variety of cuisines. Be sure to stop at the world famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, known for its music and dancing as well as its large collection of western memorabilia
Optional: Snake River Scenic Float with Lunch (PM)
Overnight: Jackson
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Wednesday - Salt Lake City
Today, leave rugged Wyoming for Salt Lake City, Utah. Here, tour historic Temple Square*; the centerpiece of this beautifully landscaped 10-acre plot of ground in the heart of downtown Salt Lake is the six-spired Salt Lake Temple. Also located on the Square is the domed Tabernacle, home of the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. At this evening's Farewell Dinner, share wonderful memories of your western adventure with your newfound friends
*Some departures will feature alternate sightseeing due to local events. Details to be advised locally.
Overnight: Salt Lake City
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9, Thursday - Return Home
Transfer independently to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
National Parks route and program may vary according to weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety issues and wildlife migration patterns.
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