Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands, & Yellowstone

Your journey begins at Chicago Union Station*, where you meet your Tour Manager. We board California Zephyr, an iconic Amtrak train known for scenic journeys through rugged western landscapes.

Today's Amtrak train is the descendant of the original California Zephyr, which first departed in 1949. Dubbed "the most talked-about train in America," the Zephyr's main draw was the incredible scenery on its route between Chicago and San Francisco.

As we settle into our seats, we can look forward to the spectacular journey ahead. Our overnight route will take us across the Rocky Mountains to Provo, Utah, where we will begin our exploration of the Old West's rugged frontier towns, majestic landscapes and renowned national historic sites. Overnight train.

*Please note: if you are traveling from the West Coast, you will meet the Tour Manager at the hotel in Provo on Day 2.

Waking onboard this morning, keep your camera handy as the Zephyr climbs across the Colorado Rockies, through the Moffat Tunnel, and along the Byers, Glenwood and Ruby Canyons.

Make time to visit the glass-walled Sightseer Lounge car for panoramic views of the passing scenery, as well as for an educational Trails and Rails presentation conducted by volunteer park rangers as we travel between Denver and Grand Junction. You can buy a variety of food from the Café Car, including meals, snacks and beverages, and enjoy comfortable seating with a view.

In the evening, we arrive in Provo, Utah, a thriving city nestled against the immense Wasatch Mountains. On arrival, we transfer to our modern hotel in the heart of the city for an overnight stay. Overnight Provo, UT.

After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we board a coach for a scenic journey through the beautiful Star Valley to Jackson, Wyoming. Enjoy dramatic views of snow-covered mountains from your seat as we drive along the valley.

Arriving in the afternoon, the rest of the day is yours to stroll the wooden plank sidewalks and enjoy stunning views of the Grand Teton mountain range. You might like to browse the shops and galleries of the Town Plaza, enjoy a bite to eat at one of the many local taverns, get a picture of yourself in front of the elk antler arches, or sit on one of the saddle bar seats at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.

In the evening, we check in to our four-star resort hotel in the scenic valley. Tonight, we dine independently, choosing from one of Jackson's many eateries. Overnight Jackson, WY.

• Breakfast

Heading out by coach after breakfast, we make our way to Snake River in Grand Teton National Park. Famous as an ideal route for scenic, unhurried float trips, Snake River is also a wildlife haven, home to moose, deer, elk, bison and bald eagles.

Floating on a large inflatable boat with an expert guide, we wind through the valley on the sparkling river, enjoying the stunning scenery and watching out for wildlife. Listen as our guide shares information on Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole's wildlife, history and geology.

Returning to Jackson in the afternoon, you're free to explore the city on your own or relax at the hotel. Jackson offers a variety of restaurants, from steakhouses to taverns and bars. Plenty feature outdoor seating, giving you the chance to enjoy your meal with a view of Jackson's stunning surroundings. Overnight Jackson, WY.

• Breakfast

After breakfast, we set off by coach on an exploration of Grand Teton National Park. We make our way to Jenny Lake Overlook, a popular viewpoint offering astounding views of Cascade Canyon, a stunning, U-shaped canyon and basin filled by a sparkling lake. Later, we stop at Jackson Lake Lodge, a grand, historic lodge now home to a luxury hotel and restaurant, where you have free time to explore or eat lunch.

In the afternoon, we take a scenic coach journey to America's first national park, Yellowstone. As we stop for a photo at the famed Lewis Falls, keep your eyes peeled for herds of buffalo and impressive rock formations.

We check in to our modern lodge in the park, and you have an evening at leisure to enjoy your surroundings and dine independently. Overnight Yellowstone, WY. 

• Breakfast

After breakfast at the lodge, we set out on a tour of the park's most spectacular sights. Yellowstone has the world's most extensive region of geothermal activity, with thousands of hot springs, geysers and fumaroles dotting the landscape. It's also home to abundant and diverse wildlife, including bison, elk, black bears, wolves and moose.

Today's sightseeing tour showcases some of the park's most renowned sights, including Hayden Valley, an excellent viewpoint for spotting wildlife. We stop at the spectacular Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and picturesque Artist Point, named for painter Thomas Moran's 1872 sketch of the falls.

Wandering among the colorful Fountain Paint Pots, we conclude the tour at the famous Old Faithful Inn and Geyser Basin. We have time to explore the Old Faithful area and see the famous geyser erupt before returning to our lodge. Overnight Yellowstone, WY.

• Breakfast

Today, we set out by coach for our trip to the famous Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a complex of five museums featuring more than 50,000 works of art and artifacts of the American West.

Here, we have the chance to explore the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Remington Firearms Museum, the Whitney Museum of Western Art, the Plains Indian Museum, and the new Draper Natural History Museum.

We have time to eat lunch independently before heading to our new accommodations at a picturesque ranch with breathtaking views of the Big Horn Mountain Range. Here, we check in to our rooms ahead of a delicious dinner buffet. In the evening, we enjoy a classic western campfire and s'mores under the stars. Overnight Clearmont, WY.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Set in the foothills of the Big Horn Mountain Range, our hotel is the perfect place to get in touch with nature. Nearby, you can find abundant hiking trails and opportunities for fishing and horseback riding, among other activities. Your morning is at leisure to soak in the wonders of natural Wyoming as you please.

This afternoon, we leave the ranch by coach, driving through protected grasslands and the picturesque Black Hills of South Dakota to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Come face-to-face with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln as you gaze up at the carved face of the mountain and discover the fascinating history of this colossal sculpture in the visitor and information centers.

In the evening, we head to our hotel in nearby Rapid City, where you are free to dine independently. Overnight Rapid City, SD.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Following breakfast at our hotel, we head to Hill City for a nostalgic rail experience. We board the vintage cars of the historic, steam-hauled 1880 Train for a journey through the beautiful Black Hills to Keystone.

From here, we make our way to the Crazy Horse Memorial, where we explore the museum and learn about the construction of this remarkable memorial to the revered Lakota warrior. Next, we take a coach to Custer State Park, where we enjoy a unique Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour. Trekking along private dirt roads, we come close to pronghorns, elk and buffalo as our guide shares historical and educational facts about the park and wildlife. Our time at Custer State Park ends with dinner.

In the evening, we return to Mount Rushmore for the evening lighting ceremony. See this incredible monument in a different light as you enjoy this patriotic celebration. Overnight Rapid City, SD.

• Breakfast, Dinner

In the morning, we travel through spectacular scenery on our way to Badlands National Park. Featuring 244,000 acres of protected prairie, this area is home to bison, bighorn sheep, and the endangered black-footed ferret. We embark on a guided tour, listening as our guide shares stories about the land and history of the park.

In the afternoon, we visit the famed Wall Drug, "America's Favorite Roadside Attraction," for lunch on your own. Discover a variety of Western souvenirs and classic pieces of Americana in this Old West Emporium, such as Black Hills Gold jewelry, Western gear and hats, leather boots and belts, and Native American jewelry.

Later, enjoy free time to explore Rapid City on your own before we head to Fort Hays, where we sit down for a delicious, family-style chuckwagon dinner with cowboy entertainment. Overnight Rapid City, SD.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This epic tour of the Old West has taken us through the Rocky Mountains and into a series of incredible national parks including Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Badlands. We discovered historic sites like Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and enjoyed a variety of special experiences, like a ride on the nostalgic 1880 Train, a Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour and a classic chuckwagon dinner and a show.

Your tour concludes this morning as we transfer to Rapid City Airport, where you can catch a flight home.