Best of the Great American West

Day 1 - Rapid City

Arrive in Rapid City – the ‘City of Presidents’ and transfer to your hotel. Tonight, settle in at your hotel, or venture out for dinner and explore the newly revamped downtown area where you can spot the life-sized bronze statues of USA presidents.

Suggested hotel: Hotel Alex Johnson, Rapid City 

Day 2 - Rapid City

Start your day with a visit to Crazy Horse Memorial – the enormous granite carving in production, honouring the Native American warrior, which will stand at four times the size of Mount Rushmore once completed.

Head next out into Custer State Park to admire the scenery which is home to over 1500 bison. Drive the 18 mile wildlife loop road to spot bison, elk, deer, coyotes and a variety of birds.

End your day with one of the most universally known attractions of South Dakota – Mount Rushmore National Memorial - a 60ft high mountain carving of U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

Suggested hotel: Hotel Alex Johnson, Rapid City 

Day 3 - Deadwood

Today, head to Badlands National Park - a maze of buttes, canyons and gullies formed by millions of years of erosion. Stop in at the small gateway town of Wall to visit Wall Drug and continue to the Old West town of Deadwood where the legends of Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane live on. 

Suggested hotel: Doubletree by Hilton Deadwood at Cadillac Jack’s, Deadwood

Day 4 - Medora

Today, journey along the Spearfish Canyon sScenic Byway to Spearfish Canyon, before heading north into North Dakota. In Medora visit the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Enjoy dinner at the Pitchfork Steak Fondue followed by a the rootin-tootin, boot-scootin outdoor Medora Musical with the dramatic landscape of the North Dakotan Badlands as your backdrop!

Suggested hotel: Rough Riders Hotel, Medora 

Day 5 - Theodore Roosevelt National Park (Medora)

Enjoy a leisurely day exploring the Theodore Roosevelt National Park – spotting its wildlife and walking along the meandering Missouri River.

Stop at the Maltese Cross cabin and visitor centre to look at Roosevelt’s first ranch stay and experience some beautiful hiking trails.

Take a drive through to the North Dakota Badlands to view the impressive natural erosion caused by wind, rain and fire.

Suggested hotel: Rough Riders Hotel, Medora 

Day 6 - Sheridan

An early start is required to drive from Medora to Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming where you can join a guided walk along the 1.3mile Tower Trail for the best view.

Picnic in the park before continuing your journey to the town of Sheridan – you may want to drive through Buffalo, an old western town.

Once you reach Sheridan stroll around town and settle in to experience modern hospitality with old west charm with a backdrop of the Bighorn Mountains!

Suggested hotel: Holiday Inn, Sheridan 

Day 7 - Billings

Take a drive through the Bighorn Mountains, with every twist and turn revealing a beautiful waterfall or photo opportunity.

Later head to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument – the memorial site of the final battle between Lt. Col. Custer, the U.S.  Army, and the native Indians where over 263 soldiers, including Col. Custer lost their lives.

The driving tour through the site is approx. 4.5miles. Continue to Billings for the night.

Suggested hotel: Northern Hotel, Billings

Day 8 - Helena

From Billings head West via Bozeman where you will discover the Museum of Rockies, taking you back to the dinosaur age where you will see one of the largest collections of fossils in the world.

On arrival in Helena you have a wide range of things to do from outdoor activities, to museums and heritage centres, to a tour of the Original Governor’s Mansion or the Last Chance Tour Train.

Suggested hotel: Delta Hotels by Marriott Helena Colonial

Day 9 - Whitefish

Start your day with a boat trip through the Gates of the Mountains, an enchanting experience meandering down a spectacular stretch of the Missouri River with towering rock cliffs along either side of you.

Continue to Glacier National Park entering from the North-East area to enjoy the magnificent 85km drive along the Going to the Sun Road to get your first glimpses of what the park has to offer.

Suggested hotel: The Firebrand, Whitefish

Day 10 - Glacier National Park

Start your day with a boat trip through the Gates of the Mountains, an enchanting experience meandering down a spectacular stretch of the Missouri River with towering rock cliffs along either side of you.

Continue to Glacier National Park entering from the North-East area to enjoy the magnificent 85km drive along the Going to the Sun Road to get your first glimpses of what the park has to offer.

Suggested hotel: The Firebrand, Whitefish

Day 11 - Butte

Head south from Whitefish, with a stop to admire Flathead Lake; the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi with crystal clear waters.

Any art fanatics really must stop in Missoula to visit the many exhibitions on display.

If you have time, detour via Philipsburg, in the heart of the Montana sapphire country to try your hand at mining and panning for your own gems!

Towards the end of the day head on to Butte for a night stop. 

Suggested hotel: Best Western Plus Butte Plaza Inn, Butte

Day 12 - Yellowstone

Spend the morning exploring the historical city of Butte, with its heritage including mining, the copper kings and the birth of the labour movement.

Time permitting visit the World Museum of Mining in Butte, definitely a worthwhile visit. 

Step back in time for the afternoon by stopping at Virginia & Nevada Cities – frozen in time in the 1800’s where you will feel like you are on a movie set!

End your day in West Yellowstone in preparation for the next two days exploring Yellowstone National Park.

Suggested hotel: Holiday Inn, West Yellowstone

Day 13 - Yellowstone

Take your time to explore this magnificent national park – it will certainly take you a couple of days to even see a snippet of what the two million acres has to offer. Look out for the volcanoes, hot springs, mud pots and geysers which make this area one of the famous geothermal locations in the world. Keep your eyes peeled for the animals too!

Some popular places to go are Fishing Bridge, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Hayden Valley, Mount Washburn (hiking) West Thumb Geyser Basin, Gibbon Falls, Swim in Firehole Falls and Boiling River.

Suggested hotel: Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Yellowstone National Park

Suggested activities: Horse riding, helicopter tours, wildlife tours

Day 14 - Yellowstone

Take your time to explore this magnificent national park – it will certainly take you a couple of days to even see a snippet of what the two million acres has to offer. Look out for the volcanoes, hot springs, mud pots and geysers which make this area one of the famous geothermal locations in the world. Keep your eyes peeled for the animals too!

Some popular places to go are Fishing Bridge, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Hayden Valley, Mount Washburn (hiking) West Thumb Geyser Basin, Gibbon Falls, Swim in Firehole Falls and Boiling River.

Suggested hotel: Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Yellowstone National Park

Suggested activities: Horse riding, helicopter tours, wildlife tours

Day 15 - Cody

The direct route between Yellowstone and Cody is only a short drive away so take your time to detour and drive the stunning 68-mile Beartooth Scenic Highway through the Rockies joining Wyoming and Montana.

Continue briefly into Montana by visiting the mountainous resort of Red Lodge where you will find plenty to see and do, from shopping to outdoor activities and the Yellowstone Animal Sanctuary.

Once in Cody, make sure you visit the expansive Buffalo Bill Centre of the West with its five museums, visit the Old Trail Town, have a tipple in a saloon and watch the nightly street shoot out at Buffalo Bill’s Irma hotel. 

Suggested hotel: Buffalo Bill Village, Cody

Day 16 - Riverton

Today, head south to Thermopolis- Greek for ‘Hot City’, Thermopolis has the world’s largest mineral hot springs as well as a free public bathhouse. Temperatures range from cool to 41°C (106°F), and visitors have the choice of a soak or fun on the water slides.

Then make your way to Riverton through stunning Wind River Canyon to admire geology dating back to the Triassic (208-245 million years old) and Precambrian (570-2,900 million years old) periods.  

Suggested hotel: Holiday Inn, Riverton

Day 17 - Jackson MT

An early start as you drive south to Dubois, a wild west hidden gem nestled between mountain ranges.

Enter Grand Teton National Park and explore mother nature on foot, horseback, by bike or floating on the water.

Move on to Jackson Hole for a night where you will find a blend of Western tradition mixed with modern life. Tonight, visit the world renowned Million Dollar Cowboy Bar as your evening watering hole and enjoy the live entertainment… but be prepared to get your dancin’ boots on!

Suggested hotel: 

Day 18 - Ketchum

Head west out of Jackson, travelling along the Teton Pass which boasts incredible mountain scenery to Idaho Falls, where the Snake River flows through its downtown. Visit one of its many beautiful city parks and perhaps enjoy a picnic, before visiting the beautiful falls.

Continue west towards the Sawtooth Mountains, visiting the Craters of the Moon National Monument, formed during eight major eruptive periods between 15,000 and 2,000 years ago. It contains three major lava fields which are some of the best examples of rift cracks in the world.

Continue your scenic drive further into the mountains to the Sun Valley area which boasts nearly one million acres of surrounding wilderness.

Spend the night at Sun Valley resort, the birthplace of the ski chairlift and home to old Hollywood glamour.

Day 19 - McCall

Witness stunning mountain vistas today as you head along the Sawtooth Scenic Byway though the Sawtooth Mountains with every turn revealing a snow-topped mountain peak or shimmering lake.

Tonight, you will stay in the charming and rustic town of McCall, located on Payette Lake. Take a swim in the lake or enjoy the alpine views on a cruise. Or head into Ponderosa State Park for spectacular views across the lake from Osprey Cliffs Overlook. 

Suggested hotel: Rustic Inn, McCall

Day 20 - Boise

Travel two hours south today to the capital of Idaho, Boise, your drive will take you through the Boise National Forest. On arrival head into the bustling downtown area and enjoy a craft beer or two or explore the Basque Block, Boise is home to the largest Basque population in the USA.

Take one of the Boise Township Tours, stop by the Boise Art Museum, or visit the newly re-opened Idaho State Museum for a fascinating insight into the story of Idaho. Spare some time for the indoor/outdoor World Center for Birds of Prey to meet eagles, owls, vultures, hawks and falcons. 

Suggested hotel: The Modern Hotel, Boise

Day 21 - Boise

Enjoy your last day, enjoying some last minute shopping, before you travel to Boise airport for your departure flight.