America's Greatest Treasures

Welcome to Denver, the “Mile High City,” capital of Colorado and gateway to the Rocky Mountains. This evening is free to explore on your own.

Depart Denver and travel north to Cheyenne, capital of Wyoming. Then, on through the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota to an overnight in Rapid City. (B)

Visit Crazy Horse Memorial, a monument carved out of a mountain that pays respect to the great Native American hero, Chief Crazy Horse. Drive deep into the Black Hills, through what was Sioux Indian territory, to see the stunning granite faces of Mount Rushmore, a giant monument to four great American presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.

On to Deadwood, a lawless frontier town during the 1876 Gold Rush, where Jack McCall murdered Wild Bill Hickok during a poker game. Overnight here and discover Deadwood's Wild West ways as you walk in the footsteps of legends like Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock. (CB)

This morning, head through high country, where open-range cattle kings made war on the homesteaders in the 1890s. Drive past Sheridan and then ascend into the alpine region of the Bighorn Mountains, and the site of the Battle of Tongue River. Overnight in Buffalo Bill's frontier town of Cody.

Proceed through Shoshone National Forest to beautiful Yellowstone National Park which features dramatic canyons, alpine rivers, lush forests, hot springs, and gushing geysers not to mention a wealth of wildlife. Travel along Grand Loop Road to Artist Point for views of the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. Be on the lookout for herds of bison that call the park home. Overnight in West Yellowstone.

Today, explore more of America's first national park by returning to visit the geyser basins with bubbling mud paint pots and the reliable “blow” of the most famous geyser of all, Old Faithful. In addition to superb mountain scenery, the park is one of the world's principal wildlife preserves and a photographer's paradise. (CB)

Head south into magnificent Grand Teton National Park, one of America's last preserves of wild solitude. Its 13,770-foot-high ridges are crested with snow most of the year. Stroll along the shores of beautiful glacier-fed Jenny Lake before ending the day in the Wild West town of Jackson. This evening, consider an optional barbecue cookout and rip-roaring Wild West show! You'll travel by horse-drawn covered wagon and immerse yourself in the old west atmosphere as you travel into Cache Creek Canyon for a BBQ dinner and toe-tapping musical entertainment. (CB)

Time to relax in Jackson or go with the flow on an optional 8-mile scenic float trip down the Snake River between Grand Teton National Park and Bridger Teton National Forest. This fun float trip passes nesting areas of bald eagles, ospreys and a plethora of other bird species and wildlife. The afternoon is free to explore historic downtown Jackson.

Today, travel to Salt Lake City, Utah's vibrant capital. Set on the edge of Great Salt Lake Desert, this center of the Mormon religion is where Brigham Young declared to his followers, “This is the place.” An included sightseeing tour features a glimpse of Temple Square, the Capitol Building, and the downtown area. This evening, celebrate your western adventure by joining an optional farewell dinner with your fellow traveling companions at a local restaurant.

Your vacation ends this morning. You may choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore Salt Lake City further. (B)