Experience the rugged and wild West during this 9-Day tour with Insight Vacations.
Start in Salt Lake City, and then head to Jackson & the Grand Tetons. The adventure continues to Yellowstone National Park where you will walk beside the rainbow-hued hot springs and watch Old Faithful spew water more than 120 feet into the air. In Cody, see a firearms collection at the Buffalo Bill Center. Travel to Devils Tower, a butte of igneous rock jutting from the craggy Black Hills mountains. Here, you will also join a Local Expert for a Deadwood tour, where you’ll learn about the Western legends Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Then head to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where the visages of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt are carved into the mountainside. And ascend 563 feet to the top of Crazy Horse Memorial, named for the Lakota warrior, and stand face-to-face with the world’s largest mountain carving.
*This itinerary can also be run in reverse
Day 1 - Arrive Salt Lake City
Welcome to Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah. Situated between Wasatch Range and the Great Salt Lake, this mountainous city is perfect for outdoorsy types, with a strong focus on skiing and fishing. At 18:00, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner with wine, where you will meet your fellow guests.
Day 2 - Jackson & the Tetons
Before leaving Salt Lake City, take in the State Capitol building. Drive
along the scenic Logan Canyon, over the Wasatch Mountain Range, and up
to the Bear Lake Summit. Stop for lunch at Garden City, Utah while
enjoying views of the beautiful turquoise waters of Bear Lake. You will
then head north across the Oregon Trail to historic Jackson. Have your
cameras ready for the famous elk antlers the central square, while eager
shoppers will find a number of charming traditional boutique galleries
to browse. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure, with your hotel
located only a short walk away from Jackson's Town Square.
Day 3 - Yellowstone National Park
Wake up to a mountainous view like no other and witness the striking
Grand Tetons thrust skyward 6,562 feet (2,000 meters) from the valley
floor. This morning, you have the opportunity to partake in an optional
scenic float down the Snake River inside Grand Teton National Park.
In keeping with today’s rustic country charm, you’ll enter Yellowstone,
the world’s first National Park. Known for its unique geothermal
activity, spectacular landscapes and abundant wildlife, you’ll
experience Wyoming in all its glory. Keep an eye out for black bears or
wolves. Tonight you’ll stay in the National Park Lodges, allowing you to
experience the park after hours, in its natural habitat.
Day 4 - Geysers and Colorful Mudpots
Savor the surreal surroundings of Yellowstone with a relaxed start. Walk
among the rainbow-tinted hot springs and watch the erupting geysers as
you take in the history of the park on an informative stroll with your
Travel Director. Catch the renowned colorful bubbling mud pots and
observe Old Faithful geyser shooting water over 120 feet (37 meters)
into the air. In the afternoon, enjoy the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone as
you take in stunning natural wonders. While driving through Hayden
Valley, famous for its wildlife, keep an eye out for wolves, bears, elk
and hundreds of bison. The rest of the evening is at leisure for you to
relax.
Day 5 - The Ranch at Ucross
Set off on your travels through the stark Shoshone Canyon and Absaroka
Rocky Mountains, leading you to the Wild West Town of Cody. Channel your
inner showman and learn more about America’s great Western legends at
the Buffalo Bill Center, known for its Western art collection, firearms,
and natural history. Travel through the Bighorn National Forest to the
Ranch at Ucross. Take in the rustic charm as you're hosted at a
traditional Wyoming Family ranch. Start off the evening with a cocktail
hour in the historic Ranch House bar. After a home-cooked dinner, enjoy a
fire pit with live entertainment, including country, folk and bluegrass
music.
Day 6 - Devil's Tower into the Black Hills
Live the American frontier dream and begin your day with a scenic
country horseback ride accompanied by a Ranch Hand. If playing cowboy
isn’t your thing, perhaps go fishing or merely relax and take in your
beautiful surroundings, the choice is yours. Make your way to Devils
Tower, an astounding geological feature that protrudes out of the
surrounding the Black Hills. This symbolic landmark is considered sacred
to the Lakota and other tribes. Experience Spearfish Canyon, a favored
spot among wildlife enthusiasts and one famous for its elvish woodland
beauty. The limestone palisades of this creek-carved gorge are more
ancient than the Grand Canyon itself.
Day 7 - Custer and the Wild, Wild West
A day for those looking to explore the Wild West, try spotting the
fastest mammal in North America, the pronghorn antelope as you cross the
great high plains to the Black Hills of South Dakota. We visit Badlands
National Park in South Dakota, 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes,
pinnacles and spires blended with the largest protected mixed grass
prairie in America. Without a doubt, a hidden gem in the national park
system, the unique beauty of the Badlands landscape is like no other.
Sightseers as well as scholarly scientists are attracted to the area for
its astounding beauty and the opportunity to peek into an ancient
world. Continue on to Custer State Park, renowned for its beautiful
landscape and abundant wildlife.
Day 8 - Mountain Moments of the Black Hills
Travel to the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Here, carvings of
Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt overlook the
landscape. Join an Insight Experience at the Crazy Horse Memorial- the
world's largest mountain carving created in honor of the Lakota warrior.
Curated with a view to help protect and continue the living heritage of
the Native Americans, this experience details how the memorial was
carved from land sacred to the tribes. With exclusive access not
available to the general public, guests ascend 563 feet (172 meters) and
have the opportunity to face the monument up close.
Join your Travel
Director and newfound friends for a Celebration Dinner with wine, as
you reflect on your adventure across the wide-open spaces of America's
national parks.
Day 9 - Depart Denver
Travel south from Custer State Park where your trip ends on arrival in
Denver. A transfer is available to Denver International Airport. Airport
arrival in Denver will be at 16:30.
Please refer to vendor brochure or their website for general information, itineraries and all terms, conditions and responsibility statements. Wi-Fi access may be limited. Applicable AAA benefits apply to first two passengers, are non-transferable, have no cash value if not used, and may not be applied to purchase. Gov’t misc fees/taxes and travel insurance not included. Restrictions and limitations apply. Ask AAA for details. Agency #178-018-521