Globus Escorted Tours & Guided Vacations

America's National Parks (AN)

10 Day Tour from Rapid City to Salt Lake City

2019 Tour Details

Experience the wonders of the West through its best-known national parks and gold-mining towns on this colorful vacation. If you’re interested in seeing stunning scenery and amazing wildlife, this National Parks tour is for you. Stay two nights inside Yellowstone National Park, where you’ll view the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and stand in awe as you hear the roar of the water and view the glorious falls of Yellowstone’s impressive Lower Falls, almost twice as high as Niagara 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 and wildlife, including Rocky Mountain goat, mule deer, and bison. Also visit Crazy Horse Memorial, built in honor of the Lakota Chief, and Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, commemorating the famous battle where Custer was defeated by the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors. Drive through Black Hills National Forest with its timbered mountains, rugged rock formations, canyons, grasslands, streams, and lakes.

On this National Parks tour, Globus has included some out-of-the-ordinary experiences. Visit Tatanka to learn “The Story of the Bison” and to learn about the Lakota people. Globus has also arranged a chuck wagon cookout and Wild West show in Jackson. All of this and more—including time in Jackson—await you on this marvelous vacation through some of the West’s national parks.

800.268.3636
5% off 2019 Globus vacations early bookings.*

 Destinations & Sightseeing

Notes:

  • Enjoy the spectacular fall colors of the West on our special Fall Foliage departures: September 12 - September 29 (if Mother Nature permits).
  • This vacation visits national parks and other remote locations where facilities may not be up to the first-class standard you expect from Globus. Some lodges within the parks do not have air-conditioning, televisions, and other amenities you would expect from most Globus hotels.
  • Maximum elevation on tour: 9,033 ft.

The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited on this vacation:

  • Yellowstone National Park

Transportation:

Free Wi-Fi available on your motorcoach and in most hotels.

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

Breakfast daily, 4 three-course dinners including a farewell dinner in Salt Lake City

 Itinerary

Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.

Day 1 RAPID CITY

Welcome to the heart of America! At 6 pm, join your travel companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure.

Day 2 RAPID CITY. EXCURSION TO CRAZY HORSE & MOUNT RUSHMORE

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.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 3 RAPID CITY–DEADWOOD–SHERIDAN

This morning, enjoy a drive through BLACK HILLS NATIONAL FOREST and experience the area’s colorful history on a guided tour of DEADWOOD, once a wild gold-mining town, and hear the stories of legendary Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Afterward, visit Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite TATANKA to learn “The Story of the Bison” and experience the richness of the Lakota people, a Plains Indian buffalo culture. Then, continue through the Black Hills to the cattle town of Sheridan at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 4 SHERIDAN–LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT–CODY

Journey this morning into southern Montana to visit LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT, 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, arriving in Buffalo Bill’s Cody, with time for an optional float trip on the Shoshone River.

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 5 CODY–YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

This morning, visit the BUFFALO BILL CENTER OF THE WEST, 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.

SPECIAL FEATURE: Enjoy two nights inside Yellowstone National Park. Each lodge has its own unique setting and atmosphere. Lodges featured are the Old Faithful Inn, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Grant Village, and the Canyon Lodge. Specific lodges will be confirmed in your documents.

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.

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 6 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Spend the day exploring Yellowstone. Travel along Grand Loop Road to Fountain Paint Pot to see the bubbling mud. Continue on to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone for magnificent views of the 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.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 7 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK–GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK–JACKSON

Journey south 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. Enjoy a freshly made Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite HUCKLEBERRY SHAKE while enjoying your beautiful surroundings. Continue to the all-Western town of Jackson. This evening, travel by horse-drawn covered wagon into Cache Creek Canyon and experience dinner at the Globus Local FavoriteGlobus Local Favorite BAR T-5 CHUCKWAGON COOKOUT and Wild West show. Feast on slow-cooked chicken made in traditional Dutch ovens, along with other local specialties.

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 8 JACKSON

Spend a full free day 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 swinging-door saloons.

Breakfast Breakfast

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 a local restaurant.

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 10 SALT LAKE CITY

Your tour ends this morning with guests departing on independent schedules.

Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With Globus, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

MARY SYRDAHL

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

“I must have been born under a wandering star! I started life in South Carolina but moved to Brazil when I was just 18 months old. From that point on, I've just kept on going. While I've lived mostly on the East Coast and Texas in the US, it's the West and Southwest, along with the magnificent National Parks in that area that I specialize in. I love the history, the culture and the stories of the people who settled these areas, from the Native Americans to the melting pot of nationalities who make up the landscape today. And most especially, I love the stunning beauty and variety of our National Parks which have been so fortunately preserved for us to enjoy. When I'm not traveling, I serve on the Board of Directors of the New School in the Heights, a school for emotionally challenged children in Houston, and visit with my own children and grandchildren. And to make sure they continue the wandering tradition, I've already started taking my grandchildren on tours in the National Parks!”

Tour Director - MARY SYRDAHL

 Accommodations

Rapid City
Sheridan
Cody
Yellowstone National Park
Jackson
Salt Lake City

 Optional Excursions

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyGlobus site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 CAD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 CAD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 CAD)
$$$$ (Over $150)


Cody

Cody

Shoshone River Float Excursion

Shoshone River Float Excursion

Discover the Shoshone River on this scenic float trip and hear about the geology, mountain men, and pioneers of the area as you experience the thrill of the occasional rapid.

Price Range: $$

 Know Before You Go

These Know Before You Go travel tips are designed with you in mind, with helpful hints to help you prepare for and enjoy your escorted vacation. They are your guide to getting ready and contain general information on travel documentation, customs, and the country/countries you will be visiting, including budgeting, transportation, climate, languages, and much more. With Globus, you benefit from our experience.



* The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.