Join Our State on a Wild West adventure that features Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore. Blaze a trail and experience the dramatic scenery of the Rocky Mountains while visiting some of the most iconic places in America.
May 15-23, 2024
Package Includes:
- Round-trip airfare from Raleigh-Durham International Airport
- Eight nights’ accommodations
- Seventeen meals: 8 breakfasts, two lunches, and seven dinners
- All sightseeing per itinerary
- All admissions per itinerary
- Airport transfers
- Hotel transfers
- Professional tour director
- Our State host
- Luxury motor coach transportation
- All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees, and local taxes
Itinerary Highlights:
- Yellowstone National Park
- Buffalo Bill Center of the West
- Mount Rushmore
- Crazy Horse Memorial
- Grand Teton National Park
- Snake River float trip
- Chuckwagon dinner
- Jackson Hole
Detailed Itinerary:
DAY 1: Arrive in Salt Lake City (one night)
Welcome to Salt Lake City. Upon arrival, you have a group transfer from the airport to your hotel. This afternoon, enjoy an orientation tour of the city. See the Mormon Tabernacle and visit Temple Square. This evening, meet your fellow adventurers for a Welcome Dinner.
Meal(s): Welcome Dinner
Hotel(s): Little America or similar
DAY 2: Salt Lake City – Montpelier – Jackson (two nights)
Put on your cowboy hats, pull up your boots, and get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime. Head north and enter Wyoming for your first encounter with the mighty Rocky Mountains. Follow trails blazed by rugged mountain men centuries ago. Stop at the Oregon Trail Center in Montpelier to get a glimpse into the thrills and challenges of the Old Trail. Enjoy lunch in a covered wagon before crossing the famous Oregon Trail to the authentic Old West town of Jackson. Passing through the town’s famous landmark arch of tangled elk antlers, take a walk back in time as you explore the Town Square with its Western boardwalks, craft boutiques, and ice cream shops—all surrounded by the majestic Rockies.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel(s): Lodge at Jackson or similar
DAY 3: Jackson
Today, head to dramatic Grand Teton National Park for ample time to admire the extraordinary wildlife, pristine lakes, and alpine terrain. This evening, take a wagon ride out to the river for a rib-stickin’ Chuckwagon Regional Meal.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4: Jackson – Grand Teton National Park – Big Sky (one night)
Rise early if you’d like to rollick down the Snake River on a scenic optional wilderness float trip (seasonal). Later, discover dramatic Grand Teton National Park. Travel onward to Montana’s Big Sky Country.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel(s): 320 Guest Lodge or similar
DAY 5: Big Sky – Yellowstone National Park (two nights)
This morning, take the Big Sky Lift for 360-degree views of three states, two national parks, and countless peaks and mountain ranges. Then depart Big Sky and head to the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone. Afterward, enter one of America’s most famous national parks, Yellowstone. Enjoy a two-night stay inside Yellowstone National Park, where each lodge has its own unique setting and atmosphere.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel(s): W. Yellowstone National Park Lodges or similar
DAY 6: Yellowstone National Park Sightseeing
Discover Yellowstone’s most amazing natural wonders, including the thundering Yellowstone Falls, a multitude of hot gushing geysers and countless brilliantly colored simmering thermal springs, bubbling mud pools and hissing steam vents, highlighted with a visit to Old Faithful, which has been spouting steam water regularly for thousands of years. Do you know how to locate a bear or tell what it’s been eating? Join your Local Specialist for a guided stroll around the boardwalks of Yellowstone and learn the answer, plus even more cool facts about the park’s abundance of wildlife.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7: Yellowstone National Park – Cody – Sheridan (one night)
Tip your Stetson to “Buffalo Bill” in his hometown of Cody and get a glimpse into the Spirit of the American West at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Delve into the culture of the cowboy, the role of the firearm in the early days, and the culture and art of the Plains Indians. Then it’s on to Sheridan for your overnight stay.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel(s): Hotel details coming soon
DAY 8: Sheridan – Keystone – Rapid City (one night)
After a hearty breakfast, your journey continues to South Dakota and the Crazy Horse Memorial. Gaze at the towering tribute to legendary Lakota leader Crazy Horse being carved into the mountain and learn how your visit “Makes a Difference” by preserving the culture of his people. Then continue on to Mount Rushmore, before ending your day in Rapid City. This evening, enjoy your Farewell Dinner.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Hotel(s): Alex Johnson or similar
DAY 9: Depart Rapid City
Your Wild West adventure comes to an end after breakfast. You have a group transfer to the Rapid City Regional Airport for your flight home.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Tour Rates:
Total cost: $4,899 per person based on double occupancy, all-inclusive.
Single rate: $6,199.
For reservations or more information:
AAA Vacations
Beth Rackham
(919) 832-0543 ext. 16012
barackham@acg.aaa.com
Additional Information:
What to expect on an Our State trip:
Traveling with a group of Our State readers is an enriching, enjoyable, and safe way to experience new cultures, people, and places. In addition to the informative narration from the tour director and local guides, an Our State host will be available to assist in making your trip successful.
We usually fly to our destination, then travel by a comfortable motor coach with anywhere from 35 to 50 people who appreciate learning about new regions. Your entire trip will be guided, planned, and arranged for your upmost enjoyment. Many activities are things you can only do because you are traveling with Our State. There is some free time built in for you to explore on your own.
You can also choose not to attend an activity if you prefer something different. Please let your tour director know if you are not coming on a scheduled day.
Many meals are included. Where you have meals on your own, suggestions will be provided.
Most of the motor coaches have restrooms but every effort will be made to make regular rest stops.
One of the best parts of traveling with Our State is that you will meet new people, many of whom you will already have much in common with since most travelers read the magazine. Many guests often develop friendships that go on long after the tour is finished. Our State trips are generally filled with dynamic and friendly people.
Physical requirements:
Our tours are physically active but not meant to be strenuous.
Please be aware you will be on your feet, walking and standing for much of the day, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions and terrains. There will also be extended time on the motor coach when we travel from place to place. If there are any mobility issues you will need to have an able-bodied traveling companion to accompany and assist you.
Most days are moderately paced with approximately two to three total miles of walking, possibly including some hills and stairs.
We regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Trip Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.
If you have additional questions, please call Our State’s Travel Director Amy Wood Pasquini at 336-286-0600, or email apasquini@ourstate.com.
COVID-19 Travel Precautions – Update:
Effective January 1, 2023, Our State highly encourages, but no longer requires COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters for travelers on our domestic tours. This policy goes into effect for international travelers on April 30, 2023. We will keep all participants updated of any changes to these requirements.
