The Awe-Inspiring National Parks

Modern and vibrant, set against a stunning Rocky Mountain backdrop, Denver makes a grand introduction to the American West. A brief tour takes us to the gold-domed State Capitol building, one of the steps of which is exactly a mile above sea level, earning Denver its ‘Mile High City’ moniker. We leave Denver behind in pursuit of our first American national park. North of Denver, the summer resort of Estes Park is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, with its towering, snow-streaked peaks and still blue alpine lakes. Take a moment to absorb the magnificent scenery and peaceful atmosphere, before we continue to the capital of Wyoming, Cheyenne. The city is named for the Native American people who once lived in the region.

Excursions & visits:

Orientation tour of Denver (morning)
Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park (afternoon)

Today we visit the historical Fort Laramie, a site of exceptional historical significance - a 19th-century fur-trading station which was acquired by the US Army in 1849 to protect and supply western emigrants. It took on an increasingly important role in settling violent disputes between whites (often gold prospectors) and Native Americans, giving its name to two treaties, in 1851 and 1868. Following a visit, we leave Wyoming for South Dakota and Rapid City, the historic freight centre of the gold rush attractively situated at the foot of the Black Hills.

Excursions & visits:

Visit to Fort Laramie (morning)

The Crazy Horse Memorial towers over the Black Hills of South Dakota. In fact, this Native American sacred ground carved into the side of a mountain is even larger than the great pyramid. We’ll have some time to take it in and learn about the history of the Sioux tribes and the non-traditional ways of their leader. Later this afternoon, we visit one of the great icons of the American West; Mount Rushmore. Carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore, the 18m-tall faces of former presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln look serenely on.

Excursions & visits:

Entrance to Crazy Horse Memorial (morning)
Entrance to Mount Rushmore National Memorial (afternoon)

Our journey continues into Wyoming and Devils Tower, a bizarre igneous rock formation that protrudes dramatically out of the prairies that surround the Black Hills. You might recognise it as the site of the landing spaceship in Steven Spielberg’s ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’. We'll continue on to Buffalo, where we'll stay overnight.

Excursions & visits:

Entrance to Devils Tower National Monument (morning)

We continue westward to the town of Cody, named after William F Cody, better known as the pioneering ‘wild west’ showman Buffalo Bill. You’ll have some time to explore the museums at your own pace.

This morning we journey to Yellowstone National Park - known as the first US national park. Our hotel for the next two nights is perched on the west entrance to the park - perfect for exploring this remarkable region.

Yellowstone National Park’s high plateau straddles the border of three states and is packed with natural wonders. In fact, half of the world’s geothermal features (including the iconic ‘Old Faithful’ geyser) may be found here, along with hundreds of documented species of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles. With our expert local guide, we’ll learn about the enchanting waterfalls and mountains, marvel at the volcanic ‘sideshows’ and try to shoot the perfect picture of the park’s ‘megafauna’ on an incredible Yellowstone tour. The characterful wildlife to look out for here includes grizzly bears, wolves and herds of mighty bison.

Excursions & visits:

Entrance to Yellowstone National Park with local guide (all day)

Another memorable day of sightseeing awaits today, as we travel south through Grand Teton National Park, a 1,300km reserve renowned for the tranquil majesty of the snow-capped Teton Range, rising abruptly without foothills. We stay in Jackson tonight, a small city in Jackson Hole valley notable for its elk-antler arches at each corner of the park.

Excursions & visits:

Entrance to Grand Teton National Park (all day)

Today we travel south, crossing the state line between Wyoming and Utah as we journey to Salt Lake City, perhaps best known as the headquarters of the Mormon Church. Mormon pioneers, fleeing persecution in Illinois, settled here more than 150 years ago and helped build an attractive city with much to offer the modern-day traveller. On arrival, we take a short tour to get our bearings before checking in at our hotel.

Excursions & visits:

Orientation tour in Salt Lake City (afternoon)

Sit back and enjoy the scenery as we follow the mountains, passing beautiful canyons as we make our way to Arches National Park. Famed for its preservation of over 2,000 natural red sandstone arches spanning 73,000 acres of wilderness, it includes the beautiful Delicate Arch. We check into our hotel in Moab, a town with a great collection of restaurants lining the main street, offering a diverse culinary scene.

Excursions & visits:

Entrance to Arches National Park (all day)

Today is free to relax and experience the small-town hospitality of Moab. Maybe take a stroll around the shops for a great selection of southwestern arts, jewellery and souvenirs. Or you could spend the afternoon at one of the microbreweries or galleries. If you want to explore more of the national parks, there’ll be an optional excursion to Canyonlands National Park. Crowded with towering rock pinnacles, skyward-jutting buttes and canyons carved by the Colorado and Green rivers - it feels like a vision of ancient earth in front of your very eyes. In fact, some canyon walls are adorned with pictographs and petroglyphs dating back some 10,000 years.

We wend our way to Bryce Canyon National Park today, absorbing the scenery as we relax en route. The park is a series of magnificent horseshoe-shaped natural amphitheatres with distinctive red rock pillars of stone carved into the pink cliffs of the majestic Paunsaugunt Plateau. The combination of mountain and desert climes create unique weather patterns, causing erosion that has creating thousands of subtly and beautifully coloured limestone spires, fins, arches and mazes - a sight to behold. We spend the night in Bryce.

Excursions & visits:

Entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park (afternoon)

Today we visit Zion National Park, renowned for its soaring monoliths and echoing canyons, its enchanting waterfalls and rock colours, and its prolific wildlife and Native American heritage. We spend some time in contemplation of its quiet grandeur and natural marvels including the ‘hanging gardens’ (rock walls bedecked in summer months with flowers).

Excursions & visits:

Entrance to Zion National Park (all day)

We leave Utah for Arizona today as we make our journey to our overnight stop in Flagstaff.

For our final stop today, we’ve saved one of the best sights for last. Today is dedicated to an undoubted wonder of the natural world. The Grand Canyon, a colossal, steep-sided gorge carved by the Colorado River, now a tiny silver ribbon a mile below, truly inspires with panoramic views of outstanding beauty from the south rim. We visit the Grand Canyon visitor centre where there’ll be the option to watch a film in the incredible IMAX theatre, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can choose to take to the skies in an unforgettable helicopter ride to see the canyon from a completely different perspective.

Excursions & visits:

Entrance to Grand Canyon National Park (all day)

Our incredible USA national park tour comes to an end, as we transfer to the airport for our return flight to the UK.

Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.