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Wild West Cowboys and Buffalos End Denver - 25 May 2025 to 14 Sep 2025

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Operated by Trafalgar
Tripcode: DWWADZM20
Overview
Destination:
United States
United States Of America
Start:Salt Lake City, United States Of America
Finish:Denver, United States Of America
Duration:9 days
Type:Group tour (max 45)
Travel Period
June 2025 - September 2025
History comes alive on this family adventure into the Wild West. Admire the peaks of the Grand Tetons, travel and watch Old Faithful put on a show at Yellowstone and see the vastness of South Dakota's Badlands on this epic National Parks tour. Enjoy a picnic-style lunch and guided tour at the National Oregon/California Trail Center, before you meet local Indigenous tribes of Montana over a Be My Guest experience at the historic Billings Depot. From standing in awe at Mount Rushmore to saying ‘hi’ to Buffalo Bill in Cody, these experiences will have your family reminiscing for years.
Sightseeing highlights
  • Explore Crazy Horse Memorial with access to base of memorial
  • Discover Jackson Hole, Billings, Rapid City
  • Visit National Oregon/California Trail Center, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Oglala Lakota Living History Museum, Badlands National Park, the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore
Iconic Experience
  • Montpelier: Discover the epic saga of pioneers' westward expansion at the National Oregon/California Trail Center. You’ll take a simulated wagon ride, where actors in authentic period costumes guide you through the trials and triumphs of the journey. This immersive experience captivates visitors of all ages, vividly portraying a significant chapter in American history.
  • Grand Teton National Park: Head to Grand Teton National Park for sightseeing of its alpine landscapes featuring eight peaks towering 12,000 feet above. At the Craig Thomas Visitor Centre, gaze out at the Teton Range rising above. Inside the Centre, explore the themes of place, people, preservation, mountaineering and Native Americans as you contemplate the past and future of this park. With your Travel Director enhancing your visit through narrative, drive by Jenny Lake, a glacier-carved lake at the base of the Teton Mountains.
  • Yellowstone National Park: Yellowstone National Park. A bucket list destination and a must-see icon. Established as America's first National Park by President Grant in 1872, Yellowstone is famous for its hot springs, bubbling mud pots, vast canyons and lush forests and a variety of terrain including alpine mountains, prairies, valleys and waterfalls as well as a diversity of nature including the hydrothermal features. Explore the Southern Loop of Yellowstone with your Travel Director who shows you the must-sees and highlights, paired with background information of this huge, ever-changing national park. See the splendour of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, keep an eye out for bison in Hayden Valley, and witness Old Faithful blow off some steam.
  • Cody: Jump into the playground of the wild west. Glimpse into the "Spirit of the West" at the Buffalo Bill Center for the West Museum complex. Boasting five museums on its campus, this “Smithsonian of the West” will immerse you in the sounds and sights of the Wild West. You'll feel like you've been transported back to a time of cowboys and cowgirls, outlaws and Native American warriors.
  • Black Hills: Unlock the history of Crazy Horse Memorial. Learn how construction began in 1948 after Henry Standing Bear, a Lakota elder, commissioned Korczak Ziolkowski, who worked on construction of Mount Rushmore. While the original idea was to carve a face into rock like Mount Rushmore, the monument will ultimately have a full body and horse. There is no completion date yet, but the face of Crazy Horse was completed in 1998 at 87 feet 6 inches (26.7 m) high.
  • Badlands National Park: Enjoy the spectacular sights as you make your way through Badlands Loop Road.
  • Mount Rushmore: The grand faces of Mount Rushmore National Memorial await. View the faces of four of America’s most important presidents - George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt - dramatically etched into the granite rock. Mount Rushmore tells the story of the birth, growth, development and preservation of the United States. From the history of the first inhabitants to the diversity of America today, visitors will come face to face (literally) with the rich heritage we all share.
Standard inclusions
  • 4 Dinner (D)
  • 8 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Lunch (L)
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • All transport and transfers shown
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Optional Experiences and free time
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
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Itinerary
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Start Your Travels In Salt Lake City
Saddle up for a Wild West family adventure starting with a relaxing afternoon together in Salt Lake City before meeting your travel companions for a rootin’ tootin’ evening Kick-off Party with your Travel Director.
Journey to Jackson
Relive the adventures of an 1850s westbound wagon train with a visit to the National Oregon/California Trail Centre in Montpelier, Idaho. Accompanied by actors playing wagon masters and pioneers, you'll journey back in time, exploring historically accurate attractions, including a gun shop, mercantile, and a ride in a covered wagon. After a picnic-style lunch at the Centre, you're off to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where you can walk through the town's famous landmark arch of tangled elk antlers. Step back in time as you explore the Town Square with its Western boardwalks, craft boutiques and ice cream shops, all surrounded by the majestic Teton Range.
Visit Grand Teton National Park
Family fun awaits every day of this trip and today is no exception. If the season is right, today is your chance to get out on the water for some adventures. Rise early to float down the Snake River on an optional, scenic wilderness float trip. It’s the most relaxing way to experience the river as you learn about its history, geology, and wildlife from an expert guide. Travel onward to your hotel for the night.
Yellowstone Sightseeing
Today you’ll enjoy a full day’s exploration of the geothermal wonderland of Yellowstone. You’ll join your Travel Director, marvelling at Old Faithful, the thousand-year old geyser which has been shooting up water every 90 minutes for centuries. See the wonders of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone whose colours and shapes are a sight to behold. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy on your own terms.
Immerse Into The Culture Of The Old West
You’ll get a glimpse into “Spirit of the West” at the Buffalo Bill Center for the West museum complex. As you wander through this huge set of exhibits, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to a time of cowboys and cowgirls, lawmen and brave Native American warriors. The complex gives you the opportunity to explore the Buffalo Bill Museum, Plains Indians Museum, Whitney Western Art Museum, or the Draper Natural History Museum. Round out the day with a Be My Guest experience at Billings Depot where you’ll meet the owners 406 Native Roots, an Indigenous arts and education centre, before dining in a historic train terminal. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about tipis and engage in a sweetgrass braiding activity led by a local Indigenous artist.
Venture Into Rapid City
Continue your discovery of the Wild West heading through the "Energy Capital of the US," Gillette, WY. Then, travel to South Dakota to spend the afternoon getting familiar with a famed Lakota warrior at Crazy Horse Memorial. You’ll gaze in awe of this colossal carved tribute to Crazy Horse, which you’ll learn is the largest mountain carving in the world.
Explore Badlands National Park Make Travel Matter
Today, participate in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a visit to the Oglala Lakota Living History Village, introducing you to the beautiful landscape of the past and present Lakota culture, and of indigenous knowledge of Pine Ridge Reservation. Your visit contributes to the sustainability and resiliency of the Lakota community. Walk with a local guide on the trails through displays of living quarters used through the 19th and 20th centuries. Meet local artists who, through crafts and storytelling, provide insight into their cultures and traditions. Later, visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, the perfect place to prepare for your visit of Badlands National Park. Learn about the local earth science, wildlife and history as you explore museum exhibits, visit a working Fossil Preparation Lab or learn about Indigenous communities who one inhabited the land.
Encounter The Traditions Of Black Hills Make Travel Matter
Today, head for the famous Black Hills of South Dakota to view the giant faces of former American presidents etched in the stone cliffs of Mount Rushmore. This evening, join your fellow adventurers at a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and Farewell Dinner featuring your Lakota Sioux Tribe Member Stephen Yellowhawk (or another tribe member).
Depart Denver
Your adventure through the Wild West has come to an end but the memories created will last forever.
Farewell Rapid City or Denver
Your journey through the Western Frontiers is not over yet. Travel south through the expansive, rolling prairies of Wyoming to Denver, the Mile High City at 1609 m (5,280 ft) known for its thriving coffeehouse and brewery scene. Along the way, trade tales with your travel companions of all the sights you’ve seen. On arrival check into your downtown hotel for your overnight stay and prepare for your exciting rail journey through the Rockies.
Denver to Glenwood Springs
Make your own way to Denver’s Union Station and board Canyon Spirit, your train for this journey. Settle into your reclining seat and enjoy sweeping views through glass-dome windows. As you journey west, cross the Continental Divide and follow the Colorado River past canyons, tunnels and mountain towns. Enjoy engaging commentary from the onboard team and soak up the relaxed atmosphere with your fellow travellers. With meals served at your seat and a chance to step onto the outdoor viewing platform for a fresh perspective, this scenic rail journey is a memorable way to travel. Disembark in the resort town of Glenwood Springs, where your overnight stay awaits.
Glenwood Springs to Moab
Board the Canyon Spirit and wave goodbye to Glenwood Springs as you continue your journey west. Today’s route brings even more showstopping scenery, from alpine vistas to deep sandstone canyons, with the chance to spot pronghorn grazing the open plains. Cross into Utah and take in the shift in landscape as red rock formations begin to dominate the view. As you near Moab, the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, take in the final views from your glass-dome seat. On arrival, you’ll disembark and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore or relax at your leisure.
Moab Your Way
Leave Moab by motorcoach and make your way to Thompson Springs to board the Canyon Spirit for the final stretch of your rail adventure. Enjoy a late lunch and dinner onboard as you travel through Castle Gate, the cliffs of Price River Canyon, Soldier Summit and the Thistle tunnels. After passing Provo, your rail journey concludes in Salt Lake City, where you’ll enjoy an overnight stay in Utah’s welcoming capital.
Depart Salt Lake City
Make your way to Salt Lake City International Airport at your leisure. Bid farewell to your fellow travellers and reflect on unforgettable journey through the landscapes of the American West.
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Travellers

Operator
Trafalgar

The best of the world unlocked for you. Imagine unmissable experiences you’ve always dreamed of, getting to know the locals and having everything taken care of every step of the way.   Here's what you'll experience: Must-sees to local secrets: Visiting bucket list sites are a highlight of travelling, however, travelling on your own can make them hard work. Don’t queue with other sightseers for hours, with Trafalgar our experts unlock doors –  think exclusive access to the Vatican out of hours or a tour of Versailles and its grounds with an expert. This, coupled with the intimate glimpses and hidden gems our local specialists show you, are the life-changing experiences that make you feel like an insider, not a tourist. One-of-a-kind experiences: Thanks to our global network you’ll unlock local access to communities and people around the world. Our 100+ Be My Guest experiences are a signature Trafalgar exclusive, where you will enjoy the hospitality of locals as you are welcomed into their homes to hear their stories and learn about their cultures. In every destination, you’ll also enjoy unique “Stays with stories” accommodation: more than just a place to rest your head, they are part of the heritage and fabric of the communities you visit.  Responsible travel at heart: When you choose Trafalgar, you are choosing to make your travels a force for good and support our goal to MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®. We recognise our responsibility to ensure we make a positive impact on the planet we call home, the people we visit, and the rich wildlife we find. We ensure that the impacts of our business and your travels are positive in two ways: through our TreadRight Foundation, and our 5-year sustainability strategy How We Tread Right.

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