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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands, & Yellowstone

Eleven-day rail and coach tour from Chicago through the American West

Illustration of Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands, & Yellowstone

Vacations By Rail operates this 11-day escorted tour of America's Western frontier, starting with an overnight journey on Amtrak's California Zephyr from Chicago to Provo, Utah. From there, the group travels by coach through the Rocky Mountain and high-desert landscapes of Wyoming and South Dakota, staying in Jackson, Yellowstone, a working ranch near the Big Horn Mountains, and Rapid City. A Tour Manager guides the entire itinerary. The days blend national-park exploration with heritage experiences: a float down the Snake River in Grand Teton, guided tours of Yellowstone and the Badlands, a ride on the historic 1880 Train steam locomotive, and visits to Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial. A Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour and chuckwagon dinners add Old West flavor. Hotel accommodation is mid-range three and four-star properties. The pace is relaxed, with two-night stays in several locations, making it well-suited to travellers seeking guided comfort and a full roster of included experiences and meals.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of USD 5,499 covers the package and rail fare; flights and airport transfers to Chicago or from Rapid City are not included.
  • The trip includes one night in a Coach Seat aboard the California Zephyr; the remaining nine nights are in standard 3 and 4-star hotels.
  • Meals are partially included: breakfast each day, one lunch, and three dinners; other meals are your own cost.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Train (California Zephyr)

    Depart Chicago aboard the California Zephyr

    Meet the Tour Manager at Chicago Union Station and board Amtrak's California Zephyr for an overnight route across the Rocky Mountains to Provo, Utah.

  2. Day 2overnight: Provo, UT

    California Zephyr through the Rocky Mountains

    Continue aboard the Zephyr across the Colorado Rockies, the Moffat Tunnel, and the Byers, Glenwood and Ruby Canyons, arriving in Provo, Utah in the evening.

  3. Day 3overnight: Jackson, WY

    A warm welcome in Jackson, Wyoming

    Coach through Star Valley to Jackson, Wyoming, with free time to explore the Town Plaza and Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Jackson, WY

    A relaxed float trip down the Snake River

    Guided inflatable-boat float trip down the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park, watching for wildlife.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: Yellowstone, WY

    Discovering Grand Teton National Park

    Visit Jenny Lake Overlook and Jackson Lake Lodge, then a scenic coach journey into Yellowstone National Park via Lewis Falls.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Yellowstone, WY

    Seeing the sights in Yellowstone National Park

    Guided tour of Hayden Valley, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Artist Point, the Fountain Paint Pots and Old Faithful.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Clearmont, WY

    A visit to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West

    Explore the five museums of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, then transfer to a ranch near the Big Horn Mountains for a dinner buffet and campfire.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Rapid City, SD

    Marveling at Mt. Rushmore

    Free morning at the ranch, then coach through the Black Hills of South Dakota to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, continuing to Rapid City.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  9. Day 9railovernight: Rapid City, SD

    Boarding the 1880 Train and a Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour

    Ride the historic steam-hauled 1880 Train to Keystone, visit the Crazy Horse Memorial, take a Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour in Custer State Park with a chuckwagon cookout, then the Mount Rushmore evening lighting ceremony.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Rapid City, SD

    Exploring Badlands National Park

    Guided tour of Badlands National Park, a stop at Wall Drug, free time in Rapid City, and a chuckwagon dinner with cowboy entertainment at Fort Hays.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  11. Day 11

    Traveling home

    Transfer to Rapid City Airport for onward flights home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Amtrak's California Zephyr at Chicago Union Station for an overnight journey across the Rocky Mountains.
  • Day 2Ride the California Zephyr through the Moffat Tunnel and Ruby Canyon, arriving in Provo in the evening.
  • Day 4Float down the Snake River in an inflatable boat in Grand Teton National Park, watching for wildlife.
  • Day 6Tour Yellowstone's Hayden Valley, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Artist Point, and Old Faithful.
  • Day 9Ride the historic steam-hauled 1880 Train to Keystone, then take a Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour in Custer State Park and watch the Mount Rushmore evening lighting ceremony.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 9 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • 1 night in a Coach Seat aboard Amtrak's California Zephyr
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, boat and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes one night aboard Amtrak's California Zephyr from Chicago to Provo in a Coach Seat, and a ride on the 1880 Train steam locomotive. All other rail, boat, and coach travel is included.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager from start to finish.
What are the hotels?
Provo Marriott Hotel & Conference Center (1 night), Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa in Jackson (2 nights), Canyon Lodge & Cabins in Yellowstone (2 nights), The Ranch at UCross in Clearmont (1 night), and Hotel Alex Johnson Rapid City (3 nights).
How much walking and activity is involved?
The trip has a Mobility Rating of 4, including guided park tours, a float trip, a Jeep safari, and visits to various sites. Moderate walking is expected.
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day, one lunch, and three dinners are included. Other meals are not included.
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers, cancellation and travel insurance, and meals not listed in the included meals are not included.

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