Day 2 ~ Raft down the Snake River and explore the Tetons
Marvel at the incredible scenery of Grand Teton National Park, including sparkling Jenny Lake, before setting off on a rafting adventure* down the Snake River. Along the way, your guide will help you spot the beavers, eagles, elks and other animals that live in the park. Spend some time in the historic town of Jackson and check out some of the fun things to do at Jackson Lake Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Jackson Lake Lodge, Grand Teton National Park, WY
Day 3 ~ A close-up look inside Yellowstone National Park
During your Cowboy Country journey today, you'll have a unique chance to work along with fellow guests and Grand Teton National Park experts on a special service project as part of Tauck's award-winning on-tour volunteer program in America's national parks. Then you'll travel from the Tetons to America's first and most famous national park, spectacular Yellowstone - where your "home away from home" for the next two nights is just steps away from the famous Old Faithful Geyser! Keep an eye out for Yellowstone's diverse wildlife as you explore some of the famous features of the park -- whose geologic wonders include two-thirds of all the geysers in the world - with your Tauck Director.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Old Faithful Inn or Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Yellowstone National Park, WY
Day 4 ~ Mud pots and more on a perfect day in Yellowstone
Start your day in remarkable Yellowstone with local experts who share information about the park's abundant wildlife; Yellowstone protects threatened or endangered species including the gray wolf, whooping crane, lynx, grizzly bear and bald eagle. Have a picnic lunch, and see some of the 10,000 hot springs within the park, as well as bubbling pools of mud and volcanic calderas with a local park guide; and, a short distance from your lodge, watch mighty Old Faithful shoot its plume of steam high into the air just about every hour - a highlight of any Wyoming vacation!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Old Faithful Inn or Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Yellowstone National Park, WY
Day 5 ~ Learn about Buffalo Bill's West and go to a rodeo
Say goodbye to Yellowstone and continue your Wyoming vacation to historic Cody, founded by the famous "Buffalo Bill" Cody, from whom the town got its name. Glimpse the history, culture and art of the heyday of the American West at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, where multiple museums each tell a different side of the story. Have a western dinner and then thrill to bucking broncos, steer wrestlers, calf ropers and barrel riders at a real western rodeo tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Holiday Inn Cody at Buffalo Bill Village, Cody, WY
Day 6 ~ Bighorn Mountains and The Ranch at Ucross
Journey through Wyoming's beautiful Bighorn Mountains today, past deep canyons, vast grasslands, and blankets of wildflowers to The Ranch at Ucross, a real working ranch, for a memorable overnight stay. Ranch experiences include an opportunity to go horseback riding*, fish for trout in Piney Creek or a stocked trout pond, swim in the pool, pitch some horseshoes or even hunt for frogs! Your time at the ranch is certain to be one of the highlights of your Grand Teton and Yellowstone vacation; top the night off with an old-fashioned campfire.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Ranch at Ucross, WY
Day 7 ~ A tale of two carvings - Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore
Depart the ranch and head for the Black Hills of South Dakota. Look up in wonder at the Crazy Horse Memorial, where you'll view the work in progress as artisans carve the likeness of the famous Lakota warrior out of the mountain; when completed, it will be the largest rock sculpture in the world. Then it's on to view the towering stone portraits of four American presidents at Mount Rushmore, one of the must-see landmark sights in the U.S. Join us for a farewell dinner this evening, and share delightful memories of your Cowboy Country Grand Teton and Yellowstone vacation.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: K Bar S Lodge, Keystone, SD**
Day 8 ~ Journey Home
Tour ends: Rapid City. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from K Bar S Lodge to Rapid City Regional Airport. Allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in.
Meals: Breakfast
*For activities marked with an asterisk (*), participation is at your own risk; a signed liability waiver will be required.
**Note: Tours of Jun 15, 22, 30, Jul 11 & 28 will stay at the Radisson Hotel Rapid City.
Make plans today to take this Yellowstone, Dakota and Wyoming vacation with your family and discover the magnificent American West together!
