AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARKS W/ BADLANDS EXTENSION

Vacation Overview

Experience the wonders of the West through its best-known national parks, gold-mining towns, and old saloons on this colorful 11-day vacation that is a Traveler’s Favorite. Begin with sightseeing in Salt Lake City before heading north to Jackson, Wyoming, to see the Teton Range, enjoy a chuckwagon cookout, and visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Then head further north to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Admire Old Faithful and the Mammoth Hot Springs before venturing on to Cody and its Buffalo Bill Historical Center. Next is the cattle town of Sheridan at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains. Other highlights include the Little Bighorn Battlefield, the gold-mining town of Deadwood, and Tatanka. Your western journey ends with visits to Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore and sightseeing in Rapid City.

Itinerary

Day 1Salt Lake City

Welcome to Salt Lake City! This evening, mix and mingle with your traveling companions at the 6 p.m. WELCOME RECEPTION. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure. (WR)

Day 2Salt Lake City–Jackson

Morning sightseeing focuses on the city’s many historic monuments, including Temple Square. Continue northward into Wyoming, and reach the all-western town of Jackson. This evening, enjoy the BAR-T-5 CHUCK WAGON COOKOUT and Wild West show. (B,D)

Day 3Jackson. National Museum of Wildlife Art

This morning, visit the NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART, overlooking the National Elk Refuge, which boasts more than 4,000 works of art inspired by humanity’s relationship with nature. The afternoon and evening are at leisure to stroll along the downtown boardwalks and enjoy a drink in one of the swing-door saloons. (B)

Day 4Jackson–Grand Teton National Park–Yellowstone National Park

Morning is free in Jackson to explore the array of shops and museums in the historic downtown area. Then head north through GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK and on to YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK , established in 1872 as the world’s first national park. Admire famous Old Faithful Geyser that has been erupting consistently for more than 100 years. (B,D)

Day 5Yellowstone. Mammoth Hot Springs & Yellowstone Lake

A scenic drive with a stop at Fountain Paint Pots. At Mammoth Hot Springs, take a short trail walk through steaming limestone terraces. Rejoin the loop road and enjoy several photo stops with the best perhaps at Yellowstone River’s Lower Falls, almost twice as high as Niagara. (B,D)

Day 6Yellowstone–Cody

Near the east exit of the park, watch for wildlife. Leave Yellowstone for Cody, named after dashing Buffalo Bill Cody. This afternoon, visit the BUFFALO BILL HISTORICAL CENTER, a fine museum of weapons and western art. Later, enjoy free time or an optional float trip on the Shoshone River. (B,D)

Day 7Cody–Little Bighorn Battlefield–Sheridan

Enjoy this morning’s scenic drive through the Bighorn Mountains on your way to the LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD. Tour the battlegrounds where Custer was defeated by approximately 7,000 Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors, and visit the museum. Then head to the cattle town of Sheridan. (B,D)

Day 8Sheridan–Rapid City

Journey through the rolling hills of Wyoming’s Powder River Basin and BLACK HILLS NATIONAL FOREST, arriving in South Dakota. Tour DEADWOOD, once a wild gold-mining town, and hear stories of legendary Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Afterward, visit TATANKA, “The Story of the Bison,” and experience the richness of the Lakota people, a Plains Indian buffalo culture. Continue to Rapid City. (B)

Day 9Rapid City. Visit to Mount Rushmore

The day begins with a visit to CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL, built in honor of the fearless Sioux Indian chief. Afterward, explore MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL, which features the monumental likenesses of four U.S. presidents—Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. Maybe stroll along the Presidential Trail for more intimate views or visit the Information Center. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a special GLOBUS FAREWELL CELEBRATION DINNER. (B,D)

Day 10Rapid City-Badlands National Park

Enjoy a narrated drive to BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK, a wonderland of eroded spires and rugged canyons. Also visit Wall Drug, famous for its “Free Ice Water” and for billboards all across the world. (B)

Day 11Rapid City

The vacation ends today with guests departing on individual schedules. Airport
transfers are provided. (B)

Vacation Highlights