Day 1 : Minneapolis

We travel to Minneapolis with overnight accommodations near the Mall of America. Arrival times permitting, take time to visit the largest shopping, dining, and entertainment complex in America.

Day 2 : North Dakota

Guests departing from Minneapolis/St. Paul join us this morning before we are off to discover America’s national parks. Watch for bison on our way into Jamestown, North Dakota for the night.

Day 3 : Roosevelt National Park

Our morning drive takes us past wheat fields, grazing land, and oil wells. This afternoon we visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This rugged wilderness of rocky cliffs and river valleys played a major role in shaping Theodore Roosevelt’s sense of environmental conservation that millions of Americans benefit from today. This evening we have a steak dinner at the Pitchfork Fondue and enjoy the Medora Musical, a rousing patriotic salute to Teddy Roosevelt and North Dakota.

Day 4 : Montana

We make a stop at the Fort Peck Lake Interpretive Center to learn about the largest earth-filled dam in Montana. Completed in 1940, the dam provided thousands of jobs during The Great Depression and helped support Montana’s economic growth. We overnight in Havre, Montana.

Day 5 : Glacier National Park

This morning depart for Glacier National Park. Ranches and grazing lands give way to mountains as we drive across Montana. Spend some time in East Glacier Park Village before following scenic Highway 2 around the southern edge of Glacier National Park to Whitefish.

Day 6 : Going-to-the-Sun Road

Today we explore Glacier National Park with local guides. Board vintage red touring buses and travel one of the most scenic routes in the world, the Going-to-the-Sun Road. This beautiful region is comprised of dense forests, alpine meadows, cascading waterfalls, sparkling lakes, and more than 20 glaciers. After the tour, we make our way to Great Falls for our overnight accommodations.

Day 7 : The Gates of the Mountains

Experience the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center, located near where the expedition spent nearly a month portaging around five waterfalls. Afterwards, the scenery envelopes us during a boat ride through a three-mile-long canyon known as the Gates of the Mountains. Forged by the Missouri River through 1,200-foot limestone cliffs, the gorge was named by Meriwether Lewis in 1805. Watch for wildlife along our route. This evening we stay in Helena, Montana’s capital city.

Day 8 : Mammoth Hot Springs

Our scenic drive takes us along the Gallatin River to the gateway town of Gardiner, Montana. Enter Yellowstone National Park through its original entrance and spend some time exploring Mammoth Hot Springs. Our accommodations for the next two nights are in West Yellowstone.

Day 9 : Yellowstone

An expert park guide joins us for a full-day tour of incredible Yellowstone National Park, best known for its geysers and hydrothermal activity. Watch for bison, moose, elk, mule deer, antelope, and bear! During the tour, visit Old Faithful and view the beautiful Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. This incredible gorge of spectacular coloring is 20 miles long and 1,200 feet deep.

Day 10 : Cody

Today we make our way to Cody, Wyoming, the rodeo capital of the world. After an included lunch, we stop at the Buffalo Bill Historic Center. Author James Mitchner called this world-class collection “The Smithsonian of the West.” We cowboy-up at a delicious dinner before retiring to our overnight accommodations.

Day 11 : Devils Tower

We continue through Wyoming with a stop at Devils Tower and then into South Dakota. Enjoy two nights in Deadwood, a historic gaming town where the Old West is alive and well.

Day 12 : Mount Rushmore

Start the day with a 4x4 Jeep adventure through Custer State Park. Bison, elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, pronghorns, prairie dogs, and more live in these wide-open plains and granite peaks. Our professional Jeep driver/guides will safely get us up-close with wildlife. Our next adventure includes a drive into the Black Hills to witness the majestic and monolithic Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse memorials.

Day 13 : The Badlands

Travel through Badlands National Park, one of the most interesting geological displays in the world. We finish our loop of Badlands National Park at the famous Wall Drug Store. Then celebrate our travels at a Holiday Vacations Farewell Dinner in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Day 14 : Corn Palace

We start the day with a visit to the World’s Only Corn Palace. Redecorated annually, the exterior of the building is covered with murals made from corn and other grains. Guests from Minnesota and Wisconsin return home today. The remainder of our group have overnight accommodations near the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.

Day 15 : Fly Home