Travel Secrets USA

Overview

Starting in Rapid City South Dakota and ending in Salt Lake City, UT, this 9 Day 8 Night Adventure will cover some of the most historic and stunning National Parks and Monuments in the United States. Experience the vast horizons and landscape that drove the explorers and settlers west with the promise of new adventures and a new life. Immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Native Americans and Settlers who called this land home for hundreds of years.  Explore and learn about the wildlife, unique ecology, and stunning geological formations that exists in different sections of the Mid-West.  Most importantly be ready for an adventure that will create memories and relationships that will last a lifetime!

Southwest Adventure Tours, in partnership with Travel Secrets, will provide you with an excellent experience traveling through these areas.  With an experienced local professional tour guide ready to help create the best experience possible, we are excited to have you join us for this tour. Your adventure awaits!

To inquire about the tour please call:
Travel Secrets USA
Patty Gern, Travel Consultant
Phone:   814-688-5797
Email:  pattygern@gmail.com


Highlights

  • Yellowstone National Park
  • Grand Teton National Park
  • Mt Rushmore National Monument
  • Badlands National Park
  • Devils Tower National Monument
  • Jewell Cave National Monument
  • Battle of Little Bighorn National Monument
  • Custer State Park
  • Oregon Trail Historical Areas
  • Wildlife Viewing Opportunities
  • Exciting Activities
  • Beautiful Vistas and Scenery

Location

Rapid City

Itinerary Day 1

June 12, 2020    Today you arrive in Rapid City and meet your Southwest Adventure Tours tour director.  After checking into your hotel, enjoy some free time to relax and freshen up.  This evening, join the group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.  After dinner, join the group for a wonderfully patriotic and inspiring event as you attend the Mt. Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony!    
Lodging at the Baymont by Wyndham Keystone, SD
Meals (Dinner)


Itinerary Day 2

June 13, 2020    This morning return to Mount Rushmore National Memorial for a daytime view. Morning is the best time to view and take pictures of the monument, you will have plenty of time for both. Your next stop is world famous Wall Drug.  This block-long store from 1936 came up with an ingenious marketing campaign.  Realizing travelers going through the hot, dusty prairie would be thirsty, they put up signs along the highway offering free ice water.  Tours have been stopping here ever since.  Enjoy free time to explore the store and have lunch on your own.  Then arrive Badlands National Park for sightseeing.  Its dramatic landscapes span layered rock formations, steep canyons and towering spires while Bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs inhabit its sprawling grasslands.  After a scenic drive through the park, return to Keystone with the rest of the day free to explore and have dinner on your own.    
Lodging at Baymont by WyndhamKeystone, SD
Meals (Breakfast)


Itinerary Day 3

June 14, 2020    This morning, depart Keystone for a short drive to Custer State Park and the State Game Lodge.  Here you will board jeeps for a spectacular Buffalo Jeep Safari through the park with a chance to view the free roaming bison, antelope, deer, elk and more.  Next explore Jewell Cave National Monument, the third longest cave in the world. With over 200 miles of mapped and surveyed passages.  The Scenic Tour route provides an opportunity to visit various cave chambers and passages decorated with calcite crystals and other speleothems. This tour is considered moderately strenuous and lasts 1 hour and 20 minutes.  Then continue west into Wyoming and sight-see Devil’s Tower National Monument.  Enjoy a scenic walk around this amazing monolith that became the nation’s very first National Monument. In the late afternoon, arrive in Gillette for overnight.  Dinner included at a local restaurant.    
Lodging at Best Western Tower West Gillette, WY
Meals (Breakfast, Dinner)


Itinerary Day 4

June 15, 2020    After breakfast, depart Gillette and travel north crossing into Montana on your way to Battle of Little Bighorn National Monument.  Located on the Crow Nation, the area memorializes the US Army's 7th Cavalry and the Lakotas and Cheyennes in one of the Indian's last armed efforts to preserve their way of life. Here on June 25 and 26 of 1876, 263 soldiers, including Lt. Col. George A. Custer and attached personnel of the US Army, died fighting several thousand Lakota and Cheyenne warriors.  After a wonderful historic experience, continue to Billings for lunch on own.  In the afternoon, enjoy one of the most scenic drives in the west as you take the Beartooth Highway to the Silver Gate entrance into Yellowstone National Park.  Begin your Yellowstone experience as you explore the Lamar Valley, know for abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.  Experience an Old West Dinner Cookout & Wagon Ride in the Roosevelt area of the park, then transfer to your hotel for a two night stay.  What a fantastic way to kick off your time in Yellowstone!    
Lodging at Kelly Inn West Yellowstone, MT
Meals (Breakfast, Dinner)



Itinerary Day 5

June 16, 2020    Today is dedicated to exploring the Upper Loop of Yellowstone National Park.  Your first stop will be Mammoth Hot Springs, some of the largest in the world, with a chance to walk through the colorful terraces.  Then drive over Dunrave Pass past Mt. Washburn on your way to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.  Here you will view both Upper Falls and the magnificent 309 foot Lower Falls.  After a stop for lunch at Canyon Diner (on own), take a drive through Hayden Valley with it’s large herds of bison.  Then visit Norris Geyser Basin for a walk through a variety of thermal features.  It will be a day to remember.  Evening free for dinner on own.  
Lodging at Kelly Inn West Yellowstone, MT
Meals (Breakfast)


Itinerary Day 6

June 17, 2020    Begin your day exploring more of Yellowstone National Park as you focus on the Geyser Basins starting with colorful Fountain Paint Pots, with one of the most complete collections of thermal features in the park.  Then visit Grand Prismatic Springs before arriving at Yellowstone's most famous landmark, Old Faithful.  There will be plenty of time to enjoy the geyser's regular display, explore the area and have lunch on own.  As you make your way south, stop in West Thumb for a view of Yellowstone Lake, then exit out of the South Gate on your way to Grand Teton National Park for an afternoon of unsurpassed scenic beauty.  Travel through the Tetons and see America's youngest and most rugged mountains piercing the clouds in majestic splendor.  Stop for pictures at scenic view points along the way including Oxbow Bend, the Snake River Overlook and more.  Arrive in the fun western town of Jackson for a two night stay.  Enjoy a free evening on the town!  
Lodging at 49er Inn & Suites Jackson, WY
Meals (Breakfast)


Itinerary Day 7

June 18, 2020    This morning, return to Grand Teton National Park for a day of exploration starting with a scenic boat ride across Jenny Lake with the option to hike to beautiful Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.  Then continue through the park at the guide’s discretion as you visit scenic points and historic places all with stunning views.  In the afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore Jackson on own.  This evening, return to Grand Teton NP for a Scenic Float Trip on the Snake River right through the heart of the park.  With this giant mountain range as a backdrop, see the wildlife, the flora, and the sheer magnitude of nature.  Your river guide will point out wildlife, explain the geology of the area and tell stories about local history and folklore. A gourmet dinner will be served riverside.  It will be an unforgettable evening!    
Lodging at 49er Inn & Suites Jackson, WY
Meals (Breakfast, Dinner)


Itinerary Day 8:

June 19, 2020    After breakfast, return to Grand Teton National Park at the best time of day for wildlife watching.  Then take a short drive to Jackson Hole Resort for a Gondola Ride up to Rendezvous Peak to enjoy some hiking above the tree line overlooking this beautiful valley.  There will also be free time for lunch on own.  In the afternoon, travel through the mountains of Wyoming, Idaho and Utah as you make your way to beautiful Salt Lake City for your final overnight stay.  This evening, join the group for a special farewell dinner at The Roof Restaurant overlooking Temple Square.  You can share your amazing experiences of the past week while dining on fine food and enjoying a spectacular view.    
Lodging in Salt Lake City, UT
Meals (Breakfast, Dinner)


Itinerary Day 9

June 20, 2020    This morning, depending on your fight time, enjoy some time to explore downtown Salt Lake City on your own.  Then transfer to the Salt Lake Airport for your departure flight home taking with you the memories of your wonderful western experience.    Departure
Meals (Breakfast)


Includes

  • 8 nights lodging
  • Motor coach Transportation
  • Services of a Professional Tour Director
  • Entrance fees to National Parks, Monuments and activities as listed in the itinerary
  • 8 Breakfasts, 6 Dinners
  • Customary gratuities for included meals

Excludes

  • Airfare (the group flights will be booked by Travel Secrets USA)
  • Meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Personal items such as room service, alcohol, etc.
  • Customary gratuities for the tour director, driver, local guides and outfitters.