Rocky Mountains & Black Hills National Parks Tour

Arrive in Denver

Arrive in the Mile High City. Guests who booked their air with YMT will be met by a YMT representative and transferred to their hotel. The evening is at your leisure.

Rocky Mountain National Park to Cheyenne

On our first morning together, we’ll enjoy a city tour of Denver before traveling to spectacular Rocky Mountain National Park. Discover scenic mountains, alpine lakes, and an abundance of wildlife that call this park home. Then, continue to Cheyenne, Wyoming and learn about the rodeo and railroad capital of the Old West, which became the epicenter of westward rail expansion. Enjoy a leisurely evening tonight— perhaps stop at the Cheyenne Depot Plaza and Museum. (B)

Fort Laramie and Rapid City

Your first stop en route to South Dakota will be the Fort Laramie Historic Site, along the Oregon Trail. Originally a private fur trading fort, the “grand old post” became the largest and best known military post on the Northern Plains. We’ll also visit The Mammoth Site, a museum and paleontological site, before we end the evening in Rapid City. (B)

Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park

Today begins with a wonderful scenic drive through the Black Hills. You’ll have opportunities for sightseeing at Mount Rushmore National Monument and Crazy Horse Memorial, incredible and iconic stone carvings in the rock formations of South Dakota. End the day with leisure time in Custer State Park, South Dakota’s first state park, famous for its bison herds, historic sites, fishing lakes, scenic drives, and more! (B)

Deadwood and Sheridan

Immerse yourself in Wild West history; we’ll begin with a morning stop in the frontier town of Deadwood, South Dakota. This city at the heart of the Black Hills Gold Rush is where Old West figures “Calamity Jane” once lived and where “Wild Bill” Hickok played his last game of cards. Then travel to the quaint town of Sheridan, Wyoming. This charming town is where western history and dramatic mountain vistas meet modern comforts in a serene setting. Set against an awe-inspiring backdrop of the Bighorn Mountains, it’s no secret why Sheridan is known as the “heart of Ruby Valley.” Visit Devil’s Tower National Monument on the way to Sheridan. (B)

Cody

Drive through Big Horn National Forest this morning before visiting the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a complex of five museums where you can learn more about the American icon “Buffalo Bill” Cody, as well as the art and history of the Plains Indian tribes. Explore this quaint Western town tonight on your own. (B)

Yellowstone National Park

This morning, continue early on to nearby Yellowstone, our nation’s first national park. See spectacular geysers, lakes, and mountains during your visits here today and tomorrow morning! Have your camera ready for likely sightings of buffalo, elk, moose, gray wolves, or bears. Take in the tranquility of Hayden Valley and the vibrant colors of the geysers—Yellowstone is a feast for the eyes!

Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole

Today we pay a morning visit to Old Faithful, Yellowstone’s most famous geyser whose 20 daily eruptions attract many of the park’s 4 million annual visitors. Afterwards, we’ll continue south to Grand Teton National Park to enjoy a spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes, and wildlife. Overnight in Jackson Hole, one of the most quaint, yet upscale, mountain resort towns in the west. (B)

Salt Lake City

This morning, we’ll travel to Utah’s grand capital. This beautiful city played host to the 2002 winter Olympics, and you can still enjoy many of the improvements designed to make the city welcoming. Salt Lake City has the hospitable feel of a friendly mountain town, and is full of stunning parks, wonderful restaurants, and opportunities to shop, enjoy art, or take in live theatre and music.

Depart for Home (B)

Arrive in Salt Lake City

Welcome to Utah’s grand capital. This beautiful city played host to the 2002 winter Olympics, and you can still enjoy many of the improvements designed to make the city welcoming. Salt Lake City has the hospitable feel of a friendly mountain town, and is full of stunning parks, wonderful restaurants, and opportunities to shop, enjoy art, or take in live theatre and music Guests who booked their air with YMT will be met by a YMT representative and transferred to their hotel. The evening is at your leisure.

Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole

Relax and take in the scenery from your motor coach as we make the drive to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Enjoy the evening at leisure in Jackson, one of the most quaint, yet upscale, mountain resort towns in the west. Home to three ski areas, Jackson is a cowboy town with beautiful mountain surroundings. The Town Square features an arch made of shed antlers from the nearby National Elk Refuge, and the National Museum of Wildlife Art features works by Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keefe. (B)

Grand Teton National Park and Old Faithful

A spectacular landscape awaits as we continue to Grand Teton National Park this morning. Enjoy the majestic mountains, lakes, and wildlife! Then, contine to Yellowstone National Park and pay a visit to Old Faithful, the park’s most famous geyser whose 20 daily eruptions attract many of the park’s 4 million annual visitors.

Yellowstone National Park

This morning we take more time to drive through Yellowstone, our nation’s first national park. See spectacular geysers, lakes, and mountains during your time here! Have your camera ready for likely sightings of buffalo, elk, moose, gray wolves, or bears. Take in the tranquility of Hayden Valley and the vibrant colors of the geysers—Yellowstone is a feast for the eyes! Continue on to Cody, and explore this quaint Western town tonight on your own. Enjoy an overnight stay in lovingly-restored rustic cabins. (B)

Buffalo Bill Center of the West to Sheridan

Today we visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a complex of five museums where you can learn more about the American icon “Buffalo Bill” Cody, as well as the art and history of the Plains Indian tribes. Our drive then continues through Big Horn National Forest as we make our way to Sheridan, Wyoming. This charming town is where western history and dramatic mountain vistas meet modern comforts in a serene setting. Set against an awe-inspiring backdrop of the Bighorn Mountains, it’s no secret why Sheridan is known as the “heart of Ruby Valley.” (B)

Rapid City via Deadwood

Immerse yourself in Wild West history today with a stop in the frontier town of Deadwood, South Dakota. This city at the heart of the Black Hills Gold Rush is where Old West figures “Calamity Jane” once lived and where “Wild Bill” Hickok played his last game of cards. Continue on to Rapid City tonight and take the evening to relax before an exciting day tomorrow. (B)

Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park

Take a wonderful scenic drive through the Black Hills today! You’ll have opportunities for sightseeing at Mount Rushmore National Monument and Crazy Horse Memorial, incredible and iconic stone carvings in the rock formations of South Dakota. You’ll also have some leisure time in Custer State Park, South Dakota’s first state park, famous for its bison herds, historic sites, fishing lakes, scenic drives, and more! (B)

Fort Laramie & Mammoth Site

Your first stop today is a visit to The Mammoth Site, a museum and paleontological site. Continue along the Oregon Trail to the Fort Laramie Historic Site. Originally a private fur trading fort, the “grand old post” became the largest and best known military post on the Northern Plains. We arrive in Cheyenne, Wyoming and learn about the rodeo and railroad capital of the Old West. Enjoy a leisurely evening tonight—perhaps stop at the Cheyenne Depot Plaza and Museum. (B)

Rocky Mountain National Park to Denver

Discover scenic mountains, majestic alpine lakes, and an abundance of wildlife today as we travel through spectacular Rocky Mountain National Park. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure. (B)

Depart for Home (B)