America's National Parks

2012 Season
Departs From: Salt Lake City

From 1,532EUR

Length: 10 days from Rapid City to Salt Lake City

Overview

Experience the wonders of the West through its best-known national parks, gold-mining towns, and old saloons on this colorful vacation. If you are interested in seeing stunning scenery and amazing wildlife, this tour is for you. Visit Yellowstone National Park and view the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and impressive Lower Falls, almost twice as high as Niagara Falls. Hear the roar of the water and stand in awe as you view the glorious falls. Witness Old Faithful as it explodes into the air and admire the herds of bison, elk, and other wildlife as you explore the park. Similarly, in Grand Teton National Park, enjoy beautiful glacier-fed Jenny Lake and the rugged mountains—a dramatic sight indeed. Get back to nature and allow a sense of peace to envelope you as you take in the scenery.

Mount Rushmore offers the astounding monument of four U.S. Presidents as well as spectacular scenery. Just imagine how difficult it must have been to sculpt the faces into the stone! In fact, did you know nearly 400 workers helped to create this memorial? Plenty of wildlife also roam this area, including Rocky Mountain goat, mule deer, and bison.

All of this and more await you on this marvelous vacation through some of the West’s national parks. Be sure to pack your camera, as you’ll have plenty of photo opportunities!

Note:

Fall Foliage: Enjoy the spectacular fall colors of the West on our special Fall Foliage departures: September 13-September 29 (if Mother Nature permits).

Duration: 10 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
24 May, 2012	02 June, 2012
26 May, 2012	04 June, 2012
31 May, 2012	09 June, 2012
15 June, 2012	24 June, 2012
16 June, 2012	25 June, 2012
21 June, 2012	30 June, 2012
23 June, 2012	02 July, 2012
06 July, 2012	15 July, 2012
07 July, 2012	16 July, 2012
13 July, 2012	22 July, 2012
14 July, 2012	23 July, 2012
19 July, 2012	28 July, 2012
21 July, 2012	30 July, 2012
27 July, 2012	05 August, 2012
28 July, 2012	06 August, 2012
03 August, 2012	12 August, 2012
10 August, 2012	19 August, 2012
11 August, 2012	20 August, 2012
17 August, 2012	26 August, 2012
18 August, 2012	27 August, 2012
24 August, 2012	02 September, 2012
25 August, 2012	03 September, 2012
30 August, 2012	08 September, 2012
31 August, 2012	09 September, 2012
01 September, 2012	10 September, 2012
07 September, 2012	16 September, 2012
08 September, 2012	17 September, 2012
13 September, 2012	22 September, 2012
15 September, 2012	24 September, 2012
20 September, 2012	29 September, 2012
21 September, 2012	30 September, 2012
22 September, 2012	01 October, 2012
27 September, 2012	06 October, 2012
28 September, 2012	07 October, 2012
29 September, 2012	08 October, 2012

City Highlights

Rapid City
Orientation

Mount Rushmore
Visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial

Black Hills National Forest
Scenic drive

Deadwood
Sightseeing tour; visit Tatanka

Little Bighorn Battlefield
Sightseeing and visit museum

Cody
Visit Buffalo Bill Historical Center

Yellowstone National Park
Stay two nights inside the park; sightseeing

Jackson
Grand Teton National Park; chuck wagon cookout

Salt Lake City
Sightseeing tour; farewell dinner at Temple Square

Note:

Maximum elevation on vacation: 9,033 ft.
Fall Foliage: Enjoy the spectacular fall colors of the West on our special Fall Foliage departures: September 13-September 29 (if Mother Nature permits).

Day 1   Arrive in Rapid City.Welcome to the heart of America! At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure.

Day 2   Rapid City. After an orientation tour of Rapid City, visit CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL, built in honor of the fearless Sioux Indian chief whose fame is derived from 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. Maybe stroll along the Presidential Trail for more intimate views, or visit the Information Center. (B)

Day 3   Rapid City–Deadwood–Sheridan.This morning, journey through the rolling BLACK HILLS NATIONAL FOREST to TATANKA. Here, learn “The Story of the Bison,” and experience the richness of the Lakota people, a Plains Indian buffalo culture. Afterward, experience the area’s colorful history with a guided tour of DEADWOOD, once a wild gold-mining town, and hear the stories of legendary Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Then, continue through Wyoming’s Powder River Basin to the cattle town of Sheridan at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains. (B,D)

Day 4   Sheridan–Little Bighorn Battlefield–Cody. Journey this morning into southern Montana to visit LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD, 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. Afterward, continue your scenic drive through the Bighorn Mountains, stopping at Shell Falls en route to Buffalo Bill’s Cody, with time for an optional float trip on the Shoshone River. (B)

Day 5   Cody–Yellowstone National Park. This morning, visit the BUFFALO BILL HISTORICAL CENTER, a fine 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, including world-famous Old Faithful Geyser. (B,D)

Note:
The routing and areas visited within Yellowstone are subject to favorable weather and/or road conditions. When conditions are unfavorable, routing may be adjusted accordingly.

Day 6   Yellowstone National Park. Spend the day exploring Yellowstone. Travel along Grand Loop Road to Fountain Paint Pots to see the bubbling mud. Continue on to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone with magnificent views of Yellowstone 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)

Day 7   Yellowstone National Park–Grand Teton National Park–Jackson. Journey south this morning 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 before ending the day in the all-Western town of Jackson. This evening, travel by horse-drawn covered wagons into Cache Creek Canyon and experience dinner at the BAR T-5 CHUCK WAGON COOKOUT and Wild West show. (B,D)

Day 8   Jackson. Full day at leisure to enjoy this spectacular playground. Perhaps choose an optional float trip along the Snake River or stroll along the downtown boardwalks and enjoy a drink at one of the swing-door saloons. (B)

Day 9   Jackson–Salt Lake City. Today’s journey continues alongside some of Wyoming’s most beautiful mountain ranges into Utah, home to five national parks. Arrive in Salt Lake City, founded by Brigham Young in 1847. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the capital city and its historic monuments. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner at Temple Square. (B,D)

Day 10   Salt Lake City.Your vacation ends this morning with guests departing on independent schedules. Transfers are provided to Salt Lake City International Airport. (B)

Meals:  American breakfasts daily (B), 4 three-course dinners (D) including a farewell dinner in Salt Lake City

Hotel Information:  RAPID CITY Radisson Rapid City (F), SHERIDAN Best Western Sheridan Center (MF), CODY Holiday Inn Buffalo Bill Village (F),YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Yellowstone Park Lodges (NP), JACKSON Rustic Inn (F), SALT LAKE CITY Radisson Hotel (F)


Terms and Conditions

Note: Flights are NOT included with the Tour and unless otherwise stated above transfers are also NOT included.

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