This tour is now America's Parks & Monuments with Mt. Rushmore

This exciting 11-day escorted tour takes you through rugged frontier towns of the Old West, to beautiful National Parks, and along awe-inspiring vistas. Your tour to the Old West begins in Chicago, where you will board the California Zephyr to Salt Lake City. In Salt Lake City, take time to tour this historic capital city as well as the lovely Heber Valley before continuing on to Jackson, WY, and Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. The last leg of your trip will take you to the Black Hills of South Dakota and Badlands National Park, Crazy Horse, Mount Rushmore, and an excursion aboard the Black Hills Central Railroad.

Highlights and Tour Inclusions View Itinerary

• One-way transportation aboard Amtrak's California Zephyr from Chicago to Salt Lake City.
• Transportation aboard a deluxe motorcoach
• One night on board Amtrak's California Zephyr
• Hotel accommodations
• 16 meals
• Salt Lake City sightseeing
• Excursion aboard the Heber Valley Railroad
• Snake River float trip
• Jackson Rodeo*
• Guided tour of Yellowstone
• Visit to Buffalo Bill Historical Center
• Tour of Deadwood and Boot Hill
• Visit to Crazy Horse Memorial and Mt. Rushmore
• Excursion aboard the Black Hills Central Railroad
• Tour of Badlands National Park
• Services of a professional tour manager
• Airport transfer from Deadwood to Rapid City, SD
• Baggage handling
• Maps and destination information
• Taxes and service charges

• Moffat Tunnel
• Byers, Glenwood, and Ruby Canyons
• Temple Square
• Grand Teton National Park
• Snake River
• Yellowstone National Park
• Mammoth Hot Springs
• Old Faithful
• Upper and Lower Falls
• Hayden Valley
• Buffalo Bill Historical Center
• Devil's Tower
• Deadwood
• Boot Hill
• Badlands National Park
• Crazy Horse Memorial
• Mount Rushmore

Day 1 - Westward Ho on the California Zephyr
Your tour begins at 12:30 pm when you meet your tour manager at Chicago's historic Union Station for a 1:15 pm boarding. Once on board the California Zephyr, settle into your seat and prepare for your 2:00 pm departure. As the iconic train makes its way west, take time to explore the many features of the train, get to know your fellow travelers, or enjoy some quiet time with a good book. Be sure to visit the glass-walled Sightseer Lounge car with its swivel seats and expansive views. Overnight train. (D)

Day 2 - California Zephyr to Salt Lake City
Keep your camera handy today because you'll be traveling through some breathtaking scenery as the Zephyr climbs through the Colorado Rockies and travels through the Moffat Tunnel and along the Byers, Glenwood, and Ruby Canyons. As you travel from Denver to Grand Junction, visit the Lounge Car for a Trails and Rails presentation led by volunteer rangers from the area sharing stories and artifacts from the region. Your train is scheduled to arrive in Salt Lake City around 11:00 pm, where you'll be transferred to your hotel. Overnight DoubleTree by Hilton**. (B, L, D)

Day 3 - Explore Salt Lake City/Heber Valley Railroad
The day is yours to explore Utah's capital city at your leisure. Founded by Mormon pioneers and once considered the "crossroads of the West," the city boasts a rich 150+ year history. Visit the neo-gothic Salt Lake Temple, the Red Butte Gardens with over 100 acres of natural gardens and walking paths, and sites from the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. A highlight of today is an excursion on the historic Heber Valley Railroad. Vintage locomotives pull passenger cars from the 1920's as you travel through the breathtaking valley and Vivian Park. Meet your fellow travelers this evening for a group dinner. Overnight DoubleTree by Hilton**. (B, L, D)

Day 4 - Salt Lake City Sightseeing/Transfer to Jackson
After breakfast, embark on a guided tour of beautiful Salt Lake City including Temple Square and the Great Salt Lake. This afternoon travel by coach to Jackson, Wyoming, where you'll stroll wooden plank sidewalks and enjoy stunning views of the majestic Grand Tetons. Later, root for modern day cowboys at the Jackson Rodeo*. Overnight Parkway Inn and Spa. (B, D)

Day 5 - Discover Jackson
After breakfast at the Teton Steakhouse, hit the water for a float trip along the Snake River through Grand Teton National Park. Keep an eye out for elk and other wildlife of the area. Your route includes the National Elk Refuge with close to 5,000 wintering elk as well as the largest bison herd in the National Wildlife Refuge System. This evening is at your leisure to enjoy historic Jackson Hole. Overnight Parkway Inn and Spa. (B)

Day 6 - Yellowstone National Park
Your journey today takes you to Yellowstone, the country's first National Park. As you travel to your lodge, located right inside the park, you may catch a glimpse of majestic herds of buffalo and awe-inspiring rock formations. Afer you check into your room, there will be time to explore this remarkable natural landmark. Overnight Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park. (D)

Day 7 - Explore Yellowstone National Park
Start your morning with breakfast followed by a guided tour of Yellowstone National Park. Established in 1872, Yellowstone has the world's most extensive region of geothermal activity with thousands of hot springs that dot the landscape. Scenic highlights include Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Falls, Old Faithful, the Hayden Valley, and the Upper and Lower Falls. Keep an eye out for the Park's wildlife, including wolves, grizzly bears, bison and elk. Overnight Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park. (B)

Day 8 - Buffalo Bill Historical Center
Wyoming is steeped in Old West history. Today visit the Buffalo Bill Historical Center where you'll learn about Buffalo Bill Cody's early days riding for the Pony Express as well as his exploits as an expert tracker, sharpshooter, and showman. In addition to this Western hero, you'll learn about Annie Oakley. Sitting Bull, and Texas Jack. The Historical Center has been preserving and celebrating the history of the Old West since 1917. Overnight Holiday Inn. (B, D)

Day 9 - Deadwood / Crazy Horse Memorial / Mt. Rushmore
This morning travel to Deadwood, South Dakota, keeping an eye out for Devil's Tower National Monument, towering 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River, along the way. Deadwood was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1967. It has preserved the history and legends of the Wild West from it's beginnings as a mining town to its status as a haven for outlaws, gamblers, and gunslingers. Your tour of the town takes you along the same streets walked by Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, past stately Victorian homes, and restored gambling palaces. You'll also visit Boot Hill, the final resting place of Deadwood's famous and citizens.

Later today, visit the Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills. The memorial is a tribute to the Native Americans who lived in these beautiful hills and consists of the mountain monument, the Indian Museum of North America, and the Native American Cultural Center Your tour closes with one of the most inspiring sites in our nation's landscape, Mount Rushmore. The towering visage of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt stands as a stirring memorial to the country's greatest leaders. Overnight Holiday Inn Express.

Day 10 - Black Hills Central Railroad / Badlands National Park
After breakfast, embark on an excursion through South Dakota's Black Hills aboard the Black Hills Central Railroad. Refurbished early 20th-century train cars take travelers along the same route once used by miners and the carvers of Mount Rushmore. Scenic highlights include the Black Hills National Forest and breathtaking views from Harney Peak. Your travels continue with a visit to Badlands National Park for a guided tour. Keep an eye out for bison and bighorn sheep. This evening join your group for a farewell dinner. Overnight Holiday Inn Express. (B, D)

Day 11 - Memories of Western Adventure
Your tour ends after breakfast this morning but you will have memories of your Wild West adventure to last a lifetime. Group transfer to the Rapid City airport today. Please arrange your flight home for anytime after 12:00 pm. (B)

DoubleTree by Hilton: Guests will enjoy two-room suites that include high-speed wireless Internet access as well as hotel amenities that include a pool, whirlpool, and fitness center.

Parkway Inn : Located 3 blocks from Jackson Hole's historic Town Square and near restsaurants, shops and entertainment, hotel amenities include an indoor pool, spa, sauna and exercise room.

Grant Village: Located on the southwestern shore of Yellowstone Lake—about 20 minutes from Old Faithful— the complex includes six 2-story buildings, each containing 50 rooms. There are two restaurants with lake views, a lounge, and a small gift store.

Holiday Inn, Sheridan: Guest rooms include high-speed Internet access and hotel amenities include business services, fitness center, indoor pool, spa facilities, sauna, whirlpool, putting green, game room, guest laundry, two restaurants and one lounge.

Holiday Inn Express, Deadwood: Located in downtown Deadwood, adjacent to the Gold Dust Casino, hotel amenites include a fitness center, indoor pool, whirlpool and business center.

Best Western Plus Cotton Tree Inn: Located near Antelope Island and historic Temple Square, this hotel features spaciously-appointed guest rooms, free wireless high-speed Internet, a heated indoor pool, and a hot tub.