11 DAYS • 14 MEALS

Days One and Two – Travel to North Dakota
Our Yellowstone and Grand Teton adventure begins as we pass through Wisconsin and Minnesota with its 10,000 lakes. Moving on we arrive in North Dakota where are treated to fun and entertainment at the Medora Musical. (2 Dinners and breakfast)

Day Three – Little Bighorn Battlefield
and Cody Nite Rodeo
Depart North Dakota today and enter the Treasure State of Montana. We stop at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, the site of General Custer’s last stand. Continuing into Wyoming we arrive in Cody, “the Rodeo Capital of the World.” Tonight, we attend the Cody Nite Rodeo, complete with Bull Riding, Barrel Racing and Saddle Bronc Riding. (Breakfast)

Day Four – Buffalo Bill Territory
Today we near the Rocky Mountains, which offer us spectacular valley vistas, grass prairies, rugged alpine peaks and views where it is said on a clear day “you can see forever.” Arriving in Cody we visit the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, which houses an impressive collection of western art, firearms and western culture and traditions. We continue on into Yellowstone National Park where we spend the next two nights. (Dinner)

Day Five – Yellowstone National Park
We explore Yellowstone today in all its glory on a guided tour. We watch Old Faithful blow off some steam and see the upper and lower falls of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon, one of the most breathtaking sights inside the park. In addition, there are many other natural geothermal sites. Geysers, mud paint pots and venting occur regularly throughout the region. (Breakfast)

Day Six – Snake River Rafting
Board a scenic rafting adventure today on the Snake River through Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge. Jackson Hole offers western charm at its finest. Later, enjoy a stroll down wooden sidewalks and watch for shoot-outs on the town square. (Breakfast)

Day Seven – Oregon Trail and Baby Grand Canyon
Today we cross the Continental Divide as we follow the Oregon Trail just as the pioneers did before us. The way is dotted with ghost towns, reminders of the arduous trek west. Later we visit Hell’s Half Acre, a 320-acre depression, which is sometimes called the Baby Grand Canyon, and contains brightly colored and unique rock formations caused by erosion. This afternoon we arrive in Casper and our hotel for the night. (Breakfast)

Day Eight – Crazy Horse National Monument
This morning it’s on to South Dakota. This region provided the magnificent backdrop for the movie Dances with Wolves. We skirt the edge of Thunder Basin National Grassland, site of many U.S. Cavalry and Native American skirmishes, before arriving at the awe-inspiring Crazy Horse National Memorial. Later we arrive at our hotel in Keystone, our home for the next two nights. (Breakfast and dinner)

Day Nine – Black Hills Central Railroad
and Mt. Rushmore
We begin the day with a visit to the Big Thunder Gold Mine where you have the opportunity to strike it rich. Then, board the 1880 Train of the Black Hills Central Railroad where our journey takes us along the tracks laid in the 1880s to service the area mines and today offers spectacular mountain scenery. A brief stop is planned at the Borglum Historical Center to learn more about the man who carved the incredible Mt. Rushmore, the largest statue monument in the world and one of America’s most endearing landmarks. (Breakfast)

Days Ten and Eleven – Return Home
We begin our journey home by traveling across South Dakota and into Minnesota where we gather for our farewell dinner and share wonderful memories and warm thoughts of our Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks adventure.
(2 Breakfasts and dinner)