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U.S. National Parks: The Rockies to Yellowstone

with The Badlands & Mount Rushmore extension

Duration: 9 or 13 days
Group size: 15-35
Reviews: 75

Go west and discover the America of legends and folklore.

Stand in awe of extraordinary landscapes and embrace your pioneering spirit on this breathtaking adventure. From the soaring peaks of the Rocky Mountains and the mesmerizing sandstone cliffs of Moab to the wildlife of Yellowstone, this is America at its most majestic.

Your tour package includes

8 nights in handpicked hotels
8 breakfasts
3 dinners with beer or wine
6 guided sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

Downtown Denver
Rocky Mountain National Park
Vail
Arches National Park
Park City's historic Main Street

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Day-by-day itinerary

Denver, Colorado2 nights

Day 1: Arrival in Denver

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Colorado! Enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers this evening.

Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Denver

Included meal: Breakfast

Explore Colorado’s capital city on a tour led by a local guide.

• See the Colorado State Capitol Building and the Denver Public Library

• View the Botanic Gardens and the Denver Mint

• Pass through the city’s vibrant art and museum districts

Enjoy a free afternoon in Denver or add an excursion.

Garden of the Gods & Cave of the Winds

Excursion (additional cost)

Rocky Mountain National Park Region, Colorado1 night

Day 3: Rocky Mountain National Park

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Set out to explore the wonders of Rocky Mountain National Park.

• Drive along the Trail Ridge Road, which soars to 12,000 feet in elevation (weather-dependent)

• Take several short trail walks

• Look out for wildlife including elk, bighorn sheep, moose, and bears

Sample local brews during an included beer tasting and dinner this evening.

Moab, Utah2 nights

Day 4: Moab via Vail

Included meal: Breakfast

Make several stops as you travel through the Rockies and Glenwood Canyon en route to Moab, Utah.

• Stop in Vail, a famous resort town

• Visit the charming mountain town of Glenwood Springs

Then, continue along the continental divide to Moab.

Day 5: Arches National Park

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free morning in Moab or add an excursion.

This afternoon, gaze at the red rock sculptures carved by nature as you explore Arches National Park, home to more than 2,000 arches, spires, domes, pinnacles, and fins.

Please note: The order of activities may vary based on season.

Enjoy a free evening in Moab or add an excursion.

Colorado River Raft Trip

Excursion (additional cost)

Canyonlands River Cruise & Old West Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Park City, Utah1 night

Day 6: Transfer to Park City & sightseeing tour

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy the open spaces and fantastic scenery as you travel north to Park City, a popular ski resort that’s also known for hosting the Sundance Film Festival. With your Tour Director leading the way, get to know the city on a guided tour.

• Explore the historic Main Street, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979

• Pass the Park City Museum, where you can discover the city’s rich past

Jackson, Wyoming2 nights

Day 7: Transfer to Jackson & Grand Teton National Park

Included meal: Breakfast

Make your way to Jackson, Wyoming this morning. Then, spend the afternoon exploring Grand Teton National Park with your Tour Director.

• Admire the Grand Tetons, the youngest mountain range in the Rockies

• Take short walks to view the park’s unique wildlife

Day 8: Yellowstone National Park

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel to Yellowstone, which was designated the world’s first national park in 1872.

• Marvel at natural wonders as you explore Yellowstone National Park

• Spot hot springs and geysers, including the iconic Old Faithful

• View wildlife including bison, grizzly bears, elk, and wolves

Enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers this evening.

Flight Home

Day 9: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to visit the Badlands and Mount Rushmore.

Extension to The Badlands & Mount Rushmore

Head further into Wyoming while also enjoying time in Montana and South Dakota. You'll visit national monuments including the Little Bighorn Battlefield, Devils Tower, and Crazy Horse to learn more about the area's rich Native American roots. Then, spend a full day getting to the heart of two of the region's top sites—Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore.

Cody, Wyoming1 night

Day 9: Transfer to Cody & Buffalo Bill Museum Center of the West

Included meal: Breakfast

Travel to Cody and visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which was founded in 1921 by Buffalo Bill’s foster son Johnny Baker.

• Learn about the life, times, and legend of William “Buffalo Bill” Cody

• View Buffalo Bill’s show outfits

• See Frederick Remington’s Portrait of a Ranch Hand as well as Sitting Bull’s bow and arrows

Sheridan, Wyoming1 night

Day 10: Sheridan via Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

Included meal: Breakfast

Head north into Montana to pay a visit to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.

Then, head south into Big Horn County, Wyoming and soak in the views of the mountains and wildlife as you travel to Sheridan.

Rapid City, South Dakota2 nights

Day 11: Rapid City via Devils Tower & Crazy Horse

Included meal: Breakfast

Cross into South Dakota, making several stops before continuing on to Rapid City for the evening.

• Visit the soaring Devils Tower National Monument, a sacred site for Native Americans

• View the Crazy Horse Monument, the world’s largest mountain sculpture and memorial for the legendary Lakota Chief

Day 12: The Badlands & Mount Rushmore

Included meal: Breakfast

Set out to admire some of the country's most famous attractions.

• Visit Badlands National Park, a desolate landscape of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires

• Stop at Wall Drug, South Dakota’s favorite general store

• Stand in awe of Mount Rushmore

• Enter the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center

Flight Home

Day 13: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

4.8 average

10/30/2018 by 2nd time traveler Brad F.

I would have like more hot meal choices. I am not used to eating at places with so many soup, sandwich and salad choices. There were also times when we were told that there were restaurants that were in close waling distance, but they were not always that close. One of the main ones that we were loo...

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Spectacular Part of the USA

09/28/2018 by 3rd time traveler Anonymous

A fast paced, see it all, tour. Our tour guide, Stephanie was fantastic and brought us to side trips that were an added bonus. One was our tour guide and storyteller, Rose, at Little Big Horn. Rose held us memorized. From the Prismatics at Yellowstone (please add an overnight stay here) to the Co...

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Mt. Rushmore, Crazy horse.

09/24/2018 by 4th time traveler Frances R.

Mt. Rushmore and Crazy horse are without a doubt amazing. . The guide for Crazy Horse was so full of information that you could listen to him for hours.

07/10/2018 by 3rd time traveler Anonymous

I so enjoyed this tour and recommend it highly. The tour guide had so much travel expertise to share and was so organized. I loved learning historical facts along the way. Every American should take this tour! Thank you Go Ahead for providing so many great tours of our wonderful USA.

Mt Rushmore Tour

07/02/2018 by 5th time traveler Pat S.

Wonderful tour. Informative and beautiful. Tour guide Stephyn was excellent. Highly recommend it.

Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

Hotels, flights, & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Elk Country Inn

This western hotel is located in the Historic neighborhood. Guests enjoy a fitness room, a free ski shuttle, and a picnic area. Nearby, you’ll find Gr...

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Hampton Inn & Suites Park City

This lodge-style hotel is located near Park City's outlet shopping center. Guests enjoy an indoor pool, fitness center, and laundry services. Nearby, ...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

U.S. citizens need valid government-issued identification for air travel within the United States.
In order to enter the United States, Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, please be sure to have any additional required identification with you as well.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 1 hour daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and unpaved trails, with few hills.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Denver, Colorado and depart from Jackson, Wyoming (or Rapid City, South Dakota on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Most domestic airlines impose charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to this region.
Be sure to check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and personal travel requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at [cdc.gov](https://www.cdc.gov).
Please be aware that you will be traveling to altitudes as high as 6,000 feet above sea level. These high altitudes can sometimes cause breathing difficulties for travelers who have heart problems or respiratory ailments. If you suffer from any of these conditions, please speak to your doctor regarding any potential health risks.
During the summer months, take proper care with sun exposure and heat.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

The cuisine of the American southwest combines influences from Spanish colonial settlers, Mexican staples, and Native American traditions. Expect dishes spiced with chile peppers, like enchiladas, tacos, and chili con carne.
Meals in the midwest borrow heavily from the area’s large immigrant groups, with Eastern European and Scandinavian cuisine being major favorites.
The western region of the United States is known for barbecue, especially in the plains and mountain states of Wyoming and Colorado, where the cowboy tradition lives on. Try a bison burger or a steak for a true local dining experience.

Electricity & air conditioning

All of North America operates on 110-120 volts and uses Type A or B plugs with two flat pins or two flat pins and one round pin, respectively.
The majority of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time Zones

Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming(as well as South Dakota on the tour extension) are on Mountain Standard Time (MST), which is two hours behind Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York City, it’s 10am on tour.

Currency

You will use the U.S. dollar on tour.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your purchases for fraudulent charges.
Many banks and businesses now primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in USD.
We recommend tipping $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on your tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.