American Parks Trail - End Rapid City, Small Group
American Parks Trail - End Rapid City, Small Group
9 Days Starting in Salt Lake City, USA and ending in Rapid City, USA
Visiting: Salt Lake City, Jackson, Yellowstone National Park, Cody, Devils Tower, Badlands National Park, Black Hills, Rapid City
Tour operator:
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through America's stunning national parks with the "American Parks Trail - End Rapid City, Small Group" tour. This adventure begins in Salt Lake City and takes you through the breathtaking landscapes of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, where you'll witness geysers, hot springs, and diverse wildlife. Explore the historic town of Jackson, marvel at the iconic Mount Rushmore, and delve into the rich culture of the Lakota people at the Oglala Lakota Living History Village. Enjoy authentic dining experiences, including a hearty ranch-style dinner at Ucross, and choose between horseback riding or fishing in the serene countryside. Conclude your journey in Rapid City, having experienced the majestic beauty and cultural heritage of America's great outdoors.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Salt Lake City
Location: Salt Lake City
Accommodation Name: Sheraton Salt Lake City
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah. Situated between Wasatch Range and the Great Salt Lake, this mountainous city is perfect for lovers of the outdoors, with a strong focus on skiing and hiking. Savor a dinner accompanied by wine in the company of your fellow travelers.
Day 2: Jackson And The Tetons
Location: Jackson
Accommodation Name: Elk Country Inn, Jackson Hole
Meals Included: Breakfast
Before leaving Salt Lake City, take in the State Capitol building. Drive along the scenic Logan Canyon, over the Wasatch Mountain Range, and up to the Bear Lake. Stop for lunch near Bear Lake offering views of beautiful turquoise waters. Then, head north across the Oregon Trail to historic Jackson. Have your cameras ready for the famous elk antlers at central square, while eager shoppers will find a number of charming traditional boutique galleries to browse. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure, with your hotel located only a short walk away from Jackson's Town Square.
Day 3: Yellowstone National Park
Location: Yellowstone National Park
Accommodation Name: Yellowstone National Park Lodges
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wake up to a mountainous view like no other and witness the striking Grand Tetons thrust skyward 13,775 Ft (4,199 m) from the valley floor. This morning, you have the opportunity to partake in an optional scenic float down the Snake River inside Grand Teton National Park. In keeping with today’s rustic country charm, you’ll enter Yellowstone, the world’s first National Park. Known for its unique geothermal activity, spectacular landscapes and abundant wildlife, you’ll experience Wyoming in all its glory. Keep an eye out for black bears or wolves. Tonight you’ll stay in one of Yellowstone's National Park Lodges, allowing you to experience the park after hours, in its natural habitat.
Day 4: Geysers And Colorful Mudpots
Location: Yellowstone National Park
Accommodation Name: Yellowstone National Park Lodges
Meals Included: Breakfast
Savor the surreal surroundings of Yellowstone with a relaxed start. Walk among the rainbow tinted hot springs and watch the erupting geysers as you take in the history of the park on an informative stroll with your Travel Director. Catch the renowned colorful bubbling mud pots and observe Old Faithful geyser shooting water over 120 feet (37 meters) into the air. In the afternoon, enjoy the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone as you take in stunning natural wonders. While driving through Hayden Valley, famous for its wildlife, keep an eye out for wolves, bears, elk and hundreds of bison. The rest of the evening is at leisure for you to relax.
Day 5: The Ranch At Ucross
Location: Cody
Accommodation Name: Ranch at UCross, Clearmont
Meals Included: Breakfast
Set off on your travels through the stark Shoshone Canyon and Absaroka Rocky Mountains, leading you to the Wild West Town of Cody. Channel your inner showman and learn more about America’s great Western legends at the Buffalo Bill Center, known for its Western art collection, firearms, and natural history. Travel through the Bighorn National Forest to the Ranch at UCross. Take in the rustic charm as you're hosted at a traditional Wyoming Family ranch. Start off the evening with a cocktail hour in the historic Ranch House bar. After a home-cooked dinner, enjoy a fire pit with live entertainment, including country, folk and bluegrass music.
Day 6: Devils Tower Into The Black Hills Relaxed Start
Location: Devils Tower
Accommodation Name: Spearfish Canyon Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
Live the American frontier dream and begin your day with a scenic country horseback ride accompanied by a Ranch Hand. If playing cowboy isn’t your thing, perhaps go fishing, or merely relax and take in your beautiful surroundings, the choice is yours. Make your way to Devils Tower, an astounding geological feature that protrudes out of the surrounding Black Hills. You'll learn why this symbolic landmark is considered sacred to the Lakota and other local tribes. Experience Spearfish Canyon, a favored spot among wildlife enthusiasts, and one famous for its elvish woodland beauty. The limestone palisades of this creek-carved gorge are more ancient than the Grand Canyon itself.
Day 7: Custer And The Wild, Wild West
Location: Badlands National Park
Accommodation Name: State Game Lodge, Custer State Park
Meals Included: Breakfast
A day for those looking to explore the Wild West, try to spot the fastest mammal in North America, the pronghorn antelope as you cross the great high plains to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Our first stop this morning is the Oglala Lakota Living History Museum for a one-of-a-kind MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Visit Badlands National Park in South Dakota, 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest protected mixed grass prairie in America. A hidden gem in the national park system, the unique beauty of the Badlands landscape is unlike any other.
Day 8: Mountain Monuments Of The Black Hills Relaxed Start
Location: Black Hills
Accommodation Name: State Game Lodge, Custer State Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, see the granite faces of Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Later, you'll experience the Crazy Horse Memorial - the world's largest mountain carving in honor of the Lakota warrior. With exclusive access not available to the general public, guests ascend 563 feet (172 meters) and have the opportunity to face the monument up close. Tonight, celebrate your travels over dinner with your Travel Director and new found friends.
Day 9: Depart Rapid City
Location: Rapid City
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your journey comes to end today. Say goodbye to your travel companions and depart Rapid City on a scheduled shuttle bus transfer arranged by the Travel Director. Please provide your flight details to your Travel Director as soon as possible. Guests have the option to end the tour in Rapid City or Denver at time of booking.
What's Included
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Choice Highlights
Choose between two carefully selected activities: a scenic morning country horseback ride or a leisurely fishing outing at Ucross.
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Top Rated Highlights
Visit historic Jackson, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Cody, Black Hills, Custer State Park, Badlands National Park, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
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Make Travel Matter
Discover the past, present, and future of the Lakota people at the Oglala Lakota Living History Village.
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Authentic Dining
Enjoy a dinner with wine in Salt Lake City, a hearty ranch style dinner at Ucross, and a dinner at your lodge in Custer State Park.
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Dining Summary
Includes 3 dinners with wine and 8 breakfasts.
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Additional Included Highlights
Travel Director services, baggage handling, hotel and restaurant tips, taxes, porterage charges, personal radio headsets, Insight Flourish, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
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Insight Experiences
Visit Crazy Horse Memorial and stand face-to-face with the world's largest mountain carving.
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Well-being
Travel in a luxurious, air-conditioned coach with enhanced hygiene protocols and physical distancing measures.
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Participation in optional activities such as a scenic float down the Snake River is not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Flights
Flights to and from the tour start and end locations are not included.
Dining Summary
- 3 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 8 Breakfast (B)
Additional Included Highlights
- Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
Insight Experiences
- Black Hills: Visit Crazy Horse Memorial, which is dedicated to protecting and preserving the culture, tradition and living heritage of the Native American people. A special Insight Experience awaits as you are taken up to stand face-to-face with this impressive sculpture. Measuring 641 feet (195 meters) long and 563 feet (172 meters) high, the piece takes the record as the world’s largest mountain carving.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19. All Travel Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
- We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort aboard Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom, ensuring a seamless journey through the stunning landscapes of the American West.
Accommodation
Experience a variety of accommodations including the Sheraton Salt Lake City, Elk Country Inn in Jackson Hole, Yellowstone National Park Lodges, Ranch at UCross, Spearfish Canyon Lodge, and State Game Lodge in Custer State Park, each offering unique charm and comfort.
Check out our Q&As
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What activities are available at Ucross during the tour?
At Ucross, you can choose between a scenic morning country horseback ride or a leisurely fishing outing to enjoy the serene surroundings.
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What unique experiences does the tour offer in Yellowstone National Park?
In Yellowstone National Park, you will have the opportunity to walk among rainbow-tinted hot springs, watch erupting geysers, and observe the Old Faithful geyser shooting water over 120 feet into the air. You will also explore the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and drive through Hayden Valley, known for its abundant wildlife.
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How does the tour contribute to the local community?
The tour includes a visit to the Oglala Lakota Living History Village, where your visit contributes to the sustainability and resilience of the Lakota community. Local artists present culture and tradition through their crafts and storytelling.
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What is the significance of Devils Tower on the tour?
Devils Tower is an astounding geological feature that protrudes from the surrounding Black Hills and is considered sacred by the Lakota and other local tribes. The tour provides an opportunity to learn about its cultural significance.
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What dining experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a dinner with wine in Salt Lake City, a hearty ranch-style dinner at Ucross, and a farewell dinner at your lodge in Custer State Park.
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What wildlife might you see during the tour?
During the tour, you may see a variety of wildlife including bison, wolves, bears, elk, moose, pronghorn antelope, and more, especially in places like Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and Custer State Park.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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