Itinerary Details
America's Greatest Treasures With Denver Start & Rocky Mountaineer Canyon Spirit Extension
Day 1DENVER AREA Welcome to Denver, the “Mile High City,” capital of Colorado and gateway to the Rocky Mountains. Your Tour Director is on hand from 3-6:00 p.m. to answer any questions. This evening is free to explore on your own.
Day 2DENVER AREA–CHEYENNE–BLACK HILLS–RAPID CITY Depart Denver and travel north to Cheyenne, capital of Wyoming. Then, on through the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota for an overnight stay in Rapid City. (B)
Day 3RAPID CITY–CRAZY HORSE–MOUNT RUSHMORE–DEADWOOD Visit Crazy Horse Memorial, a monument-in-progress carved into a mountain in homage to Native American hero, Chief Crazy Horse. Drive deep into the Black Hills through what was once Sioux Indian territory to gaze at the sculpted granite faces of Mount Rushmore, a giant monument to four iconic American presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. On to Deadwood, a once lawless frontier town during the 1876 Gold Rush, where a drunken Jack McCall murdered Wild Bill Hickok over a poker game! Stay overnight and discover Deadwood’s Wild West ways as you walk in the footsteps of legends like Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock. (CB)
Day 4DEADWOOD–CODY This morning, head through high country, where open-range cattle kings waged war on homesteaders in the 1890s. Drive past Sheridan and 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.
Day 5CODY–YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK–WEST YELLOWSTONE Continue through Shoshone National Forest to spectacular Yellowstone National Park to discover dramatic canyons, alpine rivers, lush forests, hot springs, gushing geysers, and a wealth of incredible wildlife. Travel along Grand Loop Road to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone for views of the Lower Falls. Be on the lookout for herds of bison that call the park home. Overnight in West Yellowstone.
NOTES:
Routing and areas visited in Yellowstone National Park are always subject to favorable weather, gate access, and road conditions; therefore, routings may be adjusted.
Day 6WEST YELLOWSTONE. DAY EXCURSION TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Today, explore more of America’s first national park by returning to visit the geyser basins with bubbling mud paint pots and the famed Old Faithful geyser to witness its predictable eruptions up to 185 feet in the air! In addition to superb mountain scenery, the park is one of the world’s principal wildlife preserves and home to 67 species of mammals including bison, wolf, and bear and 300 species of birds making it a photographer’s paradise. (B)
Day 7WEST YELLOWSTONE–GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK–JACKSON 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. View 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. (B)
Day 8JACKSON Enjoy time to relax in Jackson or go with the flow this morning 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 other bird species and wildlife. The afternoon is free to explore historic downtown Jackson with the Grand Tetons in the distance.
Day 9JACKSON–SALT LAKE CITY 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 travel companions at a local restaurant.
Day 10SALT LAKE CITY–CANYON SPIRIT RAIL–MOAB Depart Salt Lake City in the morning onboard the Canyon Spirit train, where you’ll indulge in breakfast and lunch, as well as a selection of included snacks and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. You'll travel past Provo, through the historic Thistle Tunnels, cross Soldier Summit, and descend the steep and scenic Price River Canyon. Take in sweeping views of majestic rock formations of the Book Cliffs as you make your way into Thompson Springs where you’ll be whisked away from the train to the adventurous town of Moab with ample time to enjoy a sunset or a meal in a local restaurant. (B,L)
Day 11MOAB-CANYON SPIRIT RAIL–GLENWOOD SPRINGS Depart Moab on the Canyon Spirit train and travel east across the Utah-Colorado border. Continue through the Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area with views of Parachute Creek and Mount Logan while following the picturesque Colorado River. Take in the beautiful red rock formations, desert cliffs of Ruby Canyon, and dramatic mountain vistas. Overnight in historic Glenwood Springs, Colorado. (D)
NOTE:
Glenwood Springs properties are considered moderate 3-star hotels or better. Your chosen hotel is determined by Canyon Spirit; however, you can rest assured that it satisfies our high standards of cleanliness and comfort.
Day 12GLENWOOD SPRINGS-CANYON SPIRIT RAIL–DENVER Depart Glenwood Springs and travel aboard the Canyon Spirit train. Enjoy an included breakfast and lunch while taking in sweeping views of rugged canyons and the Colorado River as you cross the Continental Divide en route to Denver. (B,L)
Day 13DENVER Your vacation ends this morning.
