The Classic Lodges & Parks of the West

Welcome to Rapid City! At 6:00 p.m., meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure. Small groups lead to big experiences on this Small Group Discovery tour!

Legends of the West After breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Rapid City. Depart Rapid City to explore Badlands National Park with a local Lakota guide and gain a deeper understanding of the land through the stories, history, and traditions of the Lakota people. Journey beyond the scenery to learn how this landscape is connected to cultural heritage and sacred places. Then change gears and visit Wall Drug, an iconic roadside stop full of Western charm and nostalgia, known for its quirky roadside signs. Continue to Custer State Park for a backcountry adventure; a [LOCAL FAVORITE] Buffalo Safari with a local expert and traditional cookout. (B,D) LOCAL FAVORITE Awaken your adventurer’s spirit on a Buffalo Safari in Custer State Park. The U.S. national mammal and historic mainstay of indigenous people, the American Bison is a native species of North America, whose numbers were reduced from more than 60 million across the great bison belt grasslands from Alaska to the Atlantic to less than 600 by the late 1880s. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing up to 2,000 pounds, these formidable and majestic mammals have been restored in numbers due to conservation efforts of the 20th century. TOUR HIGHLIGHT Enjoy a two-night stay at the historic State Game Lodge in Custer State Park. This gracious stone and wood lodge is set in a beautiful mountain valley, surrounded by a ponderosa pine forest. Built in 1920 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the lodge served as the “Summer White House” for President Calvin Coolidge and was visited by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Wild & Wooly Discoveries Today’s journey showcases the rich history, dramatic landscapes, and frontier spirit of the Black Hills. Begin in Hot Springs with a visit to the fascinating [LOCAL FAVORITE] Mammoth Site and Museum, home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of Ice Age mammoth fossils. Discover the remarkable story of these prehistoric giants and the ancient sinkhole where their remains were preserved for thousands of years. Continue to the awe-inspiring Crazy Horse Memorial, a tribute to the legendary Lakota leader who fiercely defended his people and culture. During an exclusive Small Group Discovery experience, enjoy a special storyteller-guided visit to the base of the mountain carving (weather permitting) for an unforgettable close-up view and deeper insight into the history, vision, and craftsmanship behind this monumental work. This afternoon, travel the spectacular Needles Highway and view towering granite spires, winding mountain roads, and breathtaking overlooks. Stop at Sylvan Lake, one of the Black Hills’ most beloved scenic gems, before returning to Custer State Park. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace—whether relaxing at the lodge, exploring a nature trail, taking a guided horseback ride through the French Creek Nature Area, or enjoying the beauty of the park on two wheels. (B,D) LOCAL FAVORITE Dig deeper into prehistoric South Dakota with a visit to the Mammoth Site and Museum. Tour the world’s largest mammoth research facility and active dig site, where scientists are currently excavating remains of mammoths that were trapped and died in the pond more than 26,000 years ago. After a short tour, you’ll have time to stroll the sidewalks of the dig area and see the paleontology laboratory. Imagine this landscape when the more than 60 mammoths found to date roamed North America during the Pleistocene Epoch. TOUR HIGHLIGHT Explore the Crazy Horse Native American Cultural Center and artist’s studio at Crazy Horse Memorial. The world’s largest mountain carving is still in progress, honoring Native American heritage with the Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse on horseback pointing to his tribal land.

Statesmen, Sheriffs & Sharpshooters Visit one of the world’s largest stone monuments – Mount Rushmore National Memorial – to see the solid granite faces of four legendary American presidents majestically carved high into the mountainside. Continue to the historic Old West town of Deadwood for a tour with a Local Guide. Visit Mount Moriah Cemetery then drive to the scenic Spearfish Canyon for a hike, dinner and an overnight stay at the exclusive Spearfish Canyon Lodge. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT The legendary town of Deadwood is home to the ghosts of the Wild West, where bold frontiersmen and optimistic gold miners set stakes in this untamed mining town. Hear the rip-roaring stories of legends like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane while exploring the streets where shoot-outs and sheriffs ruled the day.

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch... Continue across the grassy plains of Wyoming and soak in the expansive blue skies. Enjoy lunch at The Ranch at UCross. Next, cross the Bighorn Mountains via Shell Creek Canyon to Buffalo Bill’s Wild West town of Cody, Wyoming. (B,L) TOUR HIGHLIGHT Enjoy lunch at The Ranch at UCross, set in the heart of Wyoming’s historic Western landscape. Explore activities that capture the spirit of ranch life in a place that has long inspired writers, sculptors, and artists. With its wide-open scenery and trout-filled river, it’s an ideal setting to step away from everyday life and take in the surroundings.

Explore the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a comprehensive museum of historic weapons and art on a private guided Small Group Exclusive experience. Go behind-the-scenes with an expert to view artifacts and hear insider stories that bring the collections to life. In the town named for Bill Cody (Buffalo Bill), you’ll find a wealth of amazing insight to the historic American West and Native American culture in this complex founded in 1917. Depart for Yellowstone National Park, America’s first national park, where wild animals roam freely in vast meadows and forests. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT Cavalry scout, Pony Express rider, ranch hand, wagon train driver, city planner, railroad contractor, bison hunter, fur trapper, gold prospector, Native American advocate, feminist, and pioneer of modern entertainment spectacles, William Cody’s legend rides on as a symbol of the unbridled possibilities of the early American West. “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s horsemanship and sharpshooting skills gained notice by the U.S. Army, and his Wild West shows endeared him to the elite audiences of Europe.

America’s First National Park Spend an unforgettable day exploring the untamed beauty and extraordinary natural wonders of Yellowstone National Park. Journey through one of America’s most iconic landscapes as you visit Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, where powerful Upper and Lower Falls plunge into a dramatic canyon painted in vibrant shades of gold, red, and ochre. Be ready to snap photos as you travel through Hayden Valley, one of the park’s best wildlife-viewing areas, where roaming herds of bison, elk, and perhaps even wolves or grizzly bears may appear against the sweeping mountain scenery. Throughout the day, discover Yellowstone’s world-famous geothermal features—from bubbling mud pots and steaming fumaroles to colorful hot springs and the legendary Old Faithful Geyser, whose towering eruptions have captivated visitors for generations. With every stop, Yellowstone reveals another layer of its wild beauty, geological power, and timeless wonder. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT More than 150 years ago, Yellowstone became the world’s first national park, preserving an extraordinary landscape unlike anywhere else on Earth. Protected under President Ulysses S. Grant, this vast wilderness remains a sanctuary of dramatic canyons, erupting geysers, abundant wildlife, and pristine forests spread across 2.2 million acres. From the thunder of waterfalls to the sight of bison grazing beneath endless skies, Yellowstone offers memorable moments at every turn. As part of Globus family of brands Lighthouse Project, this historic site is one example of our commitment to supporting the people and places we share with you.

Glacial Giants This morning, depart Yellowstone National Park and tour Grand Teton National Park. While Yellowstone is expansive and geologically complex centered on a volcanic caldera, Grand Teton is composed of alpine lakes, open meadows, and continuous sightlines to the mountains. Visit Jenny Lake, framed by towering peaks, for cinematic views and clear, still water. Find serenity on the banks of the gorgeous glacier-fed lake and stroll along the shore before continuing to Jackson for a two-night stay at the Rustic Inn at Jackson Hole. Enjoy free time in Jackson this evening. Consider a visit to the Antler Arches, a drink at the iconic Million-Dollar Cowboy Bar, or shop for the perfect cowboy hat downtown. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa at Jackson Hole blends rugged beauty with easy urban access, close to Jackson’s downtown and near the National Elk Refuge. The Flat Creek Preserve and Wetlands Walk onsite is a highlight, offering quiet, immersive connections to the land without even leaving the property. Walking paths, fire pits, and a backdrop of stunning Teton scenery are a perfect finale for this Small Group Discovery tour.

Peak Experiences Enjoy a free day in Jackson to explore on your own, relax at the resort, or perhaps take an optional float trip down the Snake River. Join your Tour Director and travel companions for a farewell dinner tonight at a local restaurant. (B,D) ENHANCED FREE TIME Explore more in Jackson with an optional float trip on the Snake River, stroll along the downtown boardwalks to enjoy a drink at one of the local saloons, or explore one of the many galleries that call Jackson home.

Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Want more time to explore Jackson? Additional nights are available for purchase. (B)