15 days Exploring America's Great Parks (Tour AR)
Tour: AR - 15 Day Tour from Las Vegas to Las Vegas
Is your bucket list packed with dreams of exploring America’s great national parks? Then get packing for an adventure in natural wonder across six western U.S. states where national parks, monuments, and memorials are yours to discover in grand fashion. From the Grand Canyon to the Grand Tetons to Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore and more—prepare to be amazed at the spectacular wild places of the American West. Discover a feast for the eyes in the canyons of Arches, Bryce Canyon, and Zion as part of this expedition across Arizona, Utah, Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming In between the canyons, peaks, arches, waterfalls, forests, and geysers, you’ll be wowed by star-studded night skies, 4-wheel drive tours, backcountry cookouts, and even a buffalo safari. VIP experiences go beyond the presidential sculptures of the Black Hills to a two-night stay at the historic Game Lodge at Custer State Park, which served as the “Summer White House” to President Calvin Coolidge. This tour of America’s national parks also includes visits to the capital cities of Denver and Salt Lake City – and the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Las Vegas, NV | Welcome to the “Entertainment Capital of the World!” At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and fellow travel companions for a welcome drink. |
| 2 | Las Vegas - Grand Canyon National Park, AZ | Depart the glittering lights and glamour of Las Vegas for one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Grand Canyon National Park. Carved through the rocks of the Colorado Plateau over millions of years, the canyon is more than a mile deep and 10 miles wide, revealing billions of years of geological history. Tonight, savor a sunset in one of the most beautiful places in the world. |
| 3 | Grand Canyon National Park - Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park | This morning, you may want to join an exciting helicopter flight over the canyon or enjoy a hike on one of the trails. Then travel north through Arizona and into the Navajo Nation to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park for a Globus Local Favorite 4-wheel-drive backcountry adventure. Your local Navajo guide will show you some of the valley’s most incredible scenery. Tonight, stay at the historic Goulding’s Lodge, where you will be treated to a private Globus Local Favorite Navajo cookout. |
| 4 | Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park - Arches National Park - Grand Junction, CO | Today, travel north to Moab for a bit of free time before continuing to the incredible landscape of Arches National Park. Later, cross into Colorado to Grand Junction for a free evening. |
| 5 | Grand Junction - Colorado National Monument - Denver | This morning, visit a hidden gem, the Colorado National Monument, for sweeping views of sheer-walled canyons and the desert land of the high Colorado Plateau below. Then journey east across the Rocky Mountains to the “Mile High City” of Denver. This evening is free to explore the vibrant city and take advantage of the shopping, dining, paved walking trails, and entertainment. |
| 6 | Denver - Custer State Park, SD | Travel across the windswept landscape of Wyoming and into the Black Hills of South Dakota. Spend the next two nights in beautiful Custer State Park. Formed in 1897, the park is the second-largest state park in America. Its 73,000 breathtaking acres are home to a variety of wildlife, including bison, pronghorn antelope, mountain goats, whitetail deer, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, wild burros, and elk. |
| 7 | Custer State Park - Excursion to Mount Rushmore & Crazy Horse Memorial | This morning, visit a shrine to democracy, Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The epic sculpture depicts the faces of four legendary American presidents who symbolize this nation’s rich history, rugged determination, and lasting achievement. Then, visit the Crazy Horse Memorial, built in honor of the fearless Lakota Chief, Tasunke Witco, known as Crazy Horse, who ensured Custer’s last stand at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Learn about the sculpture, his family, and the future of the project. Later, return to Custer State Park and be a part of an exciting Globus Local Favorite Buffalo Safari with a Local Expert. Have your camera ready for great photo opportunities! Then, enjoy a country Globus Local Favorite chuckwagon cookout, complete with Western entertainment. |
| 8 | Custer State Park - Deadwood - Sheridan, WY | Gunslingers & Goldminers. Start today by exploring the Wild West town of Deadwood. Next, enjoy a scenic drive through the Black Hills to the frontier town of Sheridan, located at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains. |
| 9 | Sheridan - Yellowstone National Park | Travel over the Big Horn Mountains to Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 as the world’s first national park. Spend the next two days exploring the beauty of this National treasure, spanning nearly 3,500 square miles atop a volcanic hot spot. |
| 10 | Yellowstone National Park | Spend the day exploring all the wonders of Yellowstone. |
| 11 | Yellowstone National Park - Grand Teton National Park - Jackson | Journey south today and visit Grand Teton National Park on your way to Jackson. |
| 12 | Jackson - Salt Lake City, UT | Continue your journey south today through Wyoming and into Utah. Arrive in Salt Lake City for an orientation tour before arriving at your hotel. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening. |
| 13 | Salt Lake City - Bryce Canyon National Park | Today’s highlight is a visit to unique Bryce Canyon National Park. Spend time in the park capturing the magnificent contrasts of bright red, yellow, and pink pillars called “hoodoos.” Years of erosion have carved colorful sandstone into thousands of spires, arches, and mazes for an unforgettable sight. Free time this evening. |
| 14 | Bryce Canyon National Park - ZIon National Park - Las Vegas, NV | Depart Bryce Canyon National Park for a memorable drive on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and Tunnel to Zion National Park. Enjoy scenic views of high desert landscape, soaring cliffs, narrow canyons and the Virgin River. Experience traveling through an engineering marvel, the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, built in the 1920s to connect Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce National Parks. Enjoy a boxed picnic lunch on the front lawn of Zion Lodge with free time to explore. Continue to Las Vegas where your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner. |
| 15 | Las Vegas | Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. |