National Park Wonders
National Park Wonders
National Park Wonders
9 Days Starting in Jackson (WY), United States and ending in Rapid City, United States
Visiting: Jackson, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Cody, Rapid City, Black Hills
Tour operator:
Tour code:
DNPWZN20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the breathtaking landscapes of America's iconic national parks with the "National Park Wonders" tour. Begin your adventure in Jackson, Wyoming, and explore the majestic peaks of Grand Teton National Park. Delve into the geothermal marvels of Yellowstone, where you'll stay within the park for an immersive experience. Discover the rich history of the Wild West in Cody and enjoy a unique dining experience in Billings. Traverse the stunning Black Hills of South Dakota, visiting the sacred Devils Tower and the monumental carvings of Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial. In Rapid City, engage with Native American culture through a captivating evening of dance and storytelling with Stephen Yellowhawk. This tour offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural insights, and historical exploration, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a deep connection with America's great outdoors.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Jackson
Location: Jackson
Accommodation: The Lodge at Jackson Hole
Accommodation Name: The Lodge at Jackson Hole
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Jackson! Home to an array of wildlife and the center of outdoor adventures, explore Jackson on your own before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner. Excitement builds as your Travel Director outlines the sites to come in your exploration of US national parks.
Day 2: An Adventure In Grand Teton National Park
Location: Grand Teton National Park
Accommodation: The Lodge at Jackson Hole
Accommodation Name: The Lodge at Jackson Hole
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend the morning connecting with the dazzling natural scenery of Grand Teton National Park. Marvel at the summit peaks of the Teton mountain range and take in the awe-inspiring Jenny Lake. This afternoon, choose to sail into the sky on an aerial tram ride to the peak of Rendezvous Mountain offering 360-degree views of the Tetons, Jackson Hole, the Snake River Valley, and Grand Teton National Park. This evening, opt for a western hoedown featuring a Dutch-oven style dinner with Bar-T 5.
Day 3: Delve Into Yellowstone National Park
Location: Yellowstone National Park
Accommodation: National Park Lodges Yellowstone
Accommodation Name: National Park Lodges Yellowstone
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, you may take an optional float trip down Snake River. Sit back and relax as your expert guide points out the sites and wildlife which may include beaver, cutthroat trout, cliff swallows, pelicans, osprey, and bald eagles. No matter what critters come into view, you’ll surely enjoy the mountain views. We continue our exploration of the great American West as we head to the world's first National Park, Yellowstone. Your encounter with its geothermal wonders will leave you in awe. Witness Old Faithful’s waters arc high into the air as it has done approximately every 90 minutes since the Washburn Expedition discovered it. We stay amidst the colorful pools of hotsprings, mudpots and geysers tonight at one of the park’s signature lodges.
Day 4: Journey Through Yellowstone National Park
Location: Yellowstone National Park
Accommodation: National Park Lodges Yellowstone
Accommodation Name: National Park Lodges Yellowstone
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rise and shine to unlock Yellowstone National Park. Begin by teaming up with local naturalist guides to explore Norris Geyser Basin, the hottest, most acidic and most dynamic geyser basin in Yellowstone on the rim of the Yellowstone volcano. Continue your discovery of the Park with your Travel Director, keeping a keen eye out for bison, grizzlies and elk as you journey through Hayden Valley en route to the rusting walls of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon. Drive along Dunraven Pass and past Montana’s Lamar Valley, home to herds of elk, bison and grizzlies. Admire the gentle cascade of water running down the multi-colored mineral terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs as they descend into the valley.
Day 5: Get A Taste Of The Wild West
Location: Cody
Accommodation Name: DoubleTree by Hilton Billings
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Head to the infamous town of Cody, named for its most famous native son, Buffalo Bill. Gain insights into the history of the American West at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and delve into the history of the cowboy, the role of the firearm in the early days, and the culture of the Plains Indians. This evening, enjoy a Be My Guest experience as you dine at the historic Billings Depot, featuring a hyper-local pairing of food and mixed cocktails. Meet Allen Hodges, owner and founder of Undammed Distilling Co. for a one-of-a-kind culinary experience.
Day 6: Journey To Rapid City
Location: Rapid City
Accommodation: The Rushmore Hotel & Suites
Accommodation Name: The Rushmore Hotel & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast
Head through the windswept prairies of the American Frontier and into the Black Hills of South Dakota, admiring the looming fortress of Devils Tower, a geological monolith that seems to rise up out of the prairie. You’ll learn why Devils Tower is considered sacred to local Native American tribes while appreciating its distinct beauty. Afterwards journey to Rapid City, where you'll have your overnight stay.
Day 7: Explore Rapid City
Location: Rapid City
Accommodation: The Rushmore Hotel & Suites
Accommodation Name: The Rushmore Hotel & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is your first full day in Rapid City to do as you please. Relax at your hotel or opt for one of our exciting Optional Experiences. Choose to visit Badlands National Park with your Travel Director exploring some of the 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires amongst the largest protected mixed grass prairie in America. You’ll even make a stop at the famous Wall Drug Store, one of the top roadside attractions in the country. Later, you may opt to see a different side of Mount Rushmore and enjoy a ranger talk at an outdoor amphitheater for a moving patriotic program and sculpture lighting ceremony as the evening culminates in the slow exposure of light until the monument is fully illuminated. (seasonal)
Day 8: Hear The History Of The Black Hills Make Travel Matter
Location: Black Hills
Accommodation: The Rushmore Hotel & Suites
Accommodation Name: The Rushmore Hotel & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel through the Black Hills to pay tribute to Crazy Horse, the largest mountain carving in the world, peering at the immortalized face of the famed war chief of the Lakota people etched from the granite rock of the Black Hills. We continue to Mount Rushmore featuring the enormous carvings of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln dramatically etched into the granite rock face. On tonight’s MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, meet with cultural ambassador Stephen Yellowhawk for a Farewell Dinner over stories about the history of his tribe and how he came to learn the traditional dances.
Day 9: Farewell Rapid City
Location: Rapid City
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, bid farewell to your traveling companions and transfer to Rapid City Regional Airport at your leisure. Or, extend your stay in Rapid City at The Rushmore Hotel.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Stay at The Lodge at Jackson Hole, National Park Lodges Yellowstone, DoubleTree by Hilton Billings, and The Rushmore Hotel & Suites.
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Meals
Enjoy 4 dinners and 8 breakfasts during the tour.
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Guided Tours
Explore Yellowstone National Park with local naturalist guides and learn about its geysers, hot springs, and wildlife.
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Cultural Experiences
Meet Stephen Yellowhawk in Rapid City to learn about his tribe's history and culture during a festive evening of dance and song.
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Be My Guest Experience
Dine at the historic Billings Depot with a hyper-local pairing of food and mixed cocktails.
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National Park Access
Stay inside Yellowstone National Park for two nights, granting you all-day access to the park and hotel amenities.
What's Not Included
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences such as a float trip down Snake River and visits to Badlands National Park are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks outside of the included meals are not covered.
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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 starting and ending locations of the tour are not included.
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Airport Transfers
Transfers to and from Rapid City Regional Airport are not included unless specified.
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 8 Breakfast (B)
Dive Into Culture
- : In Yellowstone National Park’s Norris Geyser Basin, join local guides who bring the landscape to life over accounts of early travelers, anecdotes from the scientists who study the geology and wildlife of Norris Geyser, and their personal stories from living year-round in Greater Yellowstone. Explore history, geology and living traditions here at the home of Steamboat Geyser, the world's tallest active geyser. As you stroll among the boiling springs, hissing steam and spouting geysers of Norris, you'll walk in the footsteps of the Native people who first called this powerful place home. You can opt for one of two one-mile walks. Take a loop walk in the Upper Basin (Porcelain Basin) with a steep decline and mostly flat boardwalk. Or, join a Lower Basin (Steamboat Geyser) out-and-back walk along the boardwalk with mostly a decline toward Steamboat Geyser and a slight incline back to the main trailhead.
Mode of Transport
Travel through the breathtaking landscapes of the United States, from Jackson to Rapid City, with guided tours and optional experiences, ensuring a seamless and enriching journey through iconic national parks and cultural landmarks.
Accommodation
Experience the comfort of The Lodge at Jackson Hole, National Park Lodges Yellowstone, DoubleTree by Hilton Billings, and The Rushmore Hotel & Suites, offering convenient access to stunning natural attractions and local amenities.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique cultural experiences are included in the National Park Wonders tour?
The tour includes a unique cultural experience in Rapid City where you will meet Stephen Yellowhawk, who will share the history of his tribe through dance and song. This experience supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities. Additionally, in Yellowstone National Park, you will join local guides at Norris Geyser Basin to learn about the area's history, geology, and living traditions.
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What kind of dining experience can I expect during the tour?
In Billings, you will dine at the historic Billings Depot, where you will experience a hyper-local pairing of food and mixed cocktails. The evening is hosted by Allen Hodges, owner of Undammed Distilling Company, and features cocktails paired with dinner courses prepared by award-winning Chef Stephen Hindman.
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What is the accommodation like in Yellowstone National Park?
You will stay inside Yellowstone National Park for two nights, which allows you all-day access to the park and its amenities. This location provides the opportunity to enjoy the park's natural beauty, especially in the evenings when day-trippers have left.
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What activities are available in Grand Teton National Park during the tour?
In Grand Teton National Park, you can marvel at the Teton mountain range and Jenny Lake. You also have the option to take an aerial tram ride to the peak of Rendezvous Mountain for 360-degree views of the Tetons, Jackson Hole, the Snake River Valley, and Grand Teton National Park. In the evening, you can opt for a western hoedown with a Dutch-oven style dinner.
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What wildlife might I see during the tour?
During the tour, especially in Yellowstone National Park, you may see a variety of wildlife including bison, grizzlies, elk, beaver, cutthroat trout, cliff swallows, pelicans, osprey, and bald eagles. The tour includes a float trip down Snake River where you can relax and watch for wildlife.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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