Embark on a journey through some of America’s most iconic landscapes, including the world’s first national park, Yellowstone, and the world’s first national monument, Devils Tower. Starting in Salt Lake City, this expedition takes you through the majestic Grand Teton Mountains, vibrant geothermal wonders of Yellowstone, and ends with the historic landmarks of Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial. This tour offers an immersive blend of natural beauty and historical significance, providing travelers with a captivating exploration of the American West.
Grand Teton National Park is in the glacier mountainous area of northwestern Wyoming, USA. It was built in 1929 and covers an area of 310,000 acres. It currently holds the title of "the most beautiful national park". Grand Teton National Park is in the Rocky Mountains. Grand Teton National Park is home to magnificent mountain scenery, sparkling mountain lakes and wildlife. The snowy Teton Mountains stand majestically, and we will stay at the best photo spots, so you can savor the beauty of the Teton Mountains and Jackson Lake.
Located in the northwest corner of Wyoming in the Midwestern United States, extending northwest into Idaho and Montana. It is an astounding 8,956 square kilometers and is the world's first national park. Yellowstone Park is one of the largest active volcanoes in the world.
Highlights: Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island, Hot Springs, Jackson
Activities: Arrival in Salt Lake City, explore Antelope Island, relax in natural hot springs, transfer to Jackson, WY
Your tour begins when your guide picks you up at Salt Lake City International Airport or your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, your guide will adjust the day's stops.
If you arrive before 12:00 PM, you'll start with a quick tour of Salt Lake City including Temple Square, the Utah State Capitol, and the Beehive House. You'll then visit Antelope Island State Park, located in the heart of the Great Salt Lake. The island is home to free-ranging bison, pronghorn, mule deer, and many bird species, with sweeping views of the lake and the Wasatch Mountains beyond. Frary Peak offers the most dramatic vistas.
After Antelope Island, you'll have the chance to unwind in one of Utah's natural hot springs, where mineral-rich waters between 102°F and 113°F (39°C to 45°C) offer a soothing way to end the day.
In the evening, we'll transfer to your hotel in Jackson, Wyoming, where you'll rest before tomorrow's adventures.
If you arrive after 12:00 PM, you'll be taken directly to your hotel in Salt Lake City. Refunds are not provided if attractions cannot be visited due to a late arrival.
Accommodations: Snow King Resort, Hampton Inn Jackson Hole, SpringHill Suites Jackson Hole, or equivalent.
Meal Arrangements:
Highlights: National Elk Refuge, Sleigh Ride, Grand Teton National Park, Scenic Views, Wildlife Encounters
Activities: Elk Refuge sleigh ride, scenic drive through Grand Teton, wildlife viewing, dinner in West Yellowstone
Early in the morning, your guide will pick you up from your hotel. The day begins at the National Elk Refuge, where you'll board a horse-drawn sleigh for a one-hour ride through a herd of over 5,000 wild elk wintering on the refuge. The snow-covered landscape and thousands of elk make for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so bring your camera.
After the sleigh ride, you'll head into Grand Teton National Park, where winter transforms the Teton Range into a snow-covered wonderland. The range's tallest peak, Grand Teton itself, rises to 13,775 feet. Keep an eye out for moose, wolves, bison, and bighorn sheep. Stops at Jenny Lake and the Snake River Overlook offer striking views of the jagged peaks and pristine winter landscapes.
After lunch in Jackson Hole, the journey continues with a scenic drive through Idaho along the western slopes of the Tetons toward West Yellowstone.
The day ends with a festive dinner in West Yellowstone at a local restaurant.
Accommodations: Yellowstone Lodge, Gray Wolf Inn, Three Bear Lodge, Stagecoach Inn, Kelly Inn, or equivalent.
Meal Arrangements:
Highlights: Old Faithful, Fountain Paint Pots, Snow-Coach Tour, Geothermal Wonders
Activities: Snow-coach ride, wildlife viewing, geyser exploration, snowshoeing, shopping in West Yellowstone
Early in the morning, your guide will pick you up from your hotel for a full day in Yellowstone National Park. The day begins with a snow coach ride from West Yellowstone, offering breathtaking views of the park's winter scenery. Along the way, you'll stop at key landmarks including West Thumb Geyser Basin, the Continental Divide, and Shoshone Point Overlook.
The highlight of the day is the Old Faithful area, the world's most famous geothermal basin. You'll witness eruptions of Old Faithful itself along with other iconic geysers including Castle, Daisy, Riverside, and Grand. The tour also includes a stop at the mesmerizing Fountain Paint Pots, where bubbling mud creates a captivating display.
At Old Faithful Lodge, you can watch the geyser erupt, enjoy lunch, or relax inside the cozy lodge. For more adventure, you can choose to go snowmobiling or snowshoeing through the pristine winter landscape. Keep your camera ready for wildlife sightings, especially bison, which often gather near geothermal pools to warm up.
Yellowstone is home to one of the most diverse wildlife populations in the lower 48 states, including 67 species of mammals (with 7 native ungulate species and 2 bear species), nearly 300 species of birds, 16 species of fish, 5 species of amphibians, and 6 species of reptiles. Wild animals are often elusive and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
After a full day of exploration, you'll return to West Yellowstone for dinner and shopping before heading back to your hotel.
Please note: In winter, if certain attractions are closed due to snow, road maintenance, or other reasons, your guide will adjust the itinerary accordingly. We appreciate your understanding.
Accommodations: Yellowstone Lodge, Gray Wolf Inn, Three Bear Lodge, Stagecoach Inn, Kelly Inn, or similar hotels near Yellowstone (special hotel/villa upgrades available for an additional fee).
Meal Arrangements:
Highlights: Mammoth Hot Springs, Lamar Valley
Activities: Explore Mammoth Hot Springs, visit Lamar Valley for winter wildlife viewing
The day begins with a drive from West Yellowstone along the scenic Yellowstone River. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as bald eagles, mule deer, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep as you journey through picturesque valleys.
At Mammoth Hot Springs, you'll stroll along the stunning mineral-spring terraces, where steam, vibrant colors, and winter snow frame one of Yellowstone's most iconic geological formations. The terraces are formed by heat, water, limestone, and rock fractures combining over thousands of years.
After a box lunch, you'll head to Lamar Valley, often called the "Serengeti of North America" for its abundant wildlife. This vast U-shaped valley, carved by glaciers, is one of the best places in the park to observe winter wildlife. With a spotting scope, you can search for herds of elk and bison, while keeping an eye out for coyotes, eagles, and the elusive wolves.
Depending on weather and traffic, you'll head toward Gardiner, Livingston, or Billings, Montana for the evening.
Wildlife Watching: Yellowstone in winter offers opportunities to see grizzlies, black bears, wolves, mountain lions, elk, bison, pronghorn, moose, and bighorn sheep, along with bird species including bald eagles. Wild animals are often elusive and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Tip: Yellowstone's geothermal areas typically require about 30 minutes of walking to fully experience. Wear comfortable, warm clothing and waterproof boots with good traction.
Accommodations: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins, Fairfield Inn & Suites, or equivalent. Lodging will be in Gardiner, Livingston, or Billings, depending on weather and traffic.
Meal Arrangements:
Highlights: Scenic winter hike, cultural significance of Devils Tower
Activities: Hike around Devils Tower, learn about its importance to Native American tribes
This day offers a perfect mix of natural beauty, cultural learning, and a taste of Old West history.
Travel east today toward Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming. Along the way, you’ll pass through the stunning Bighorn Mountains, offering incredible winter vistas of snow-covered peaks and valleys.
Arrive at Devils Tower in the afternoon and take a short winter hike around the base of this unique geological structure. Known for its striking hexagonal columns, Devils Tower is the world’s first national monument and a premier rock-climbing destination. More than just a geological wonder, it holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for Native American tribes, who continue to honor the site to this day.
After your hike, continue on to Spearfish Canyon for more scenic beauty before reaching Deadwood Town, a historic Old West town famous for its rich history and lively atmosphere.
Notes: Dates and times are subject to change based on dates, weather, and trail conditions.
Accommodations
La Quinta Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, or equivalent accommodations.
Stay in the nearby towns of Gillette, Sundance, or Deadwood, depending on weather and traffic conditions.
Meal Arrangements
Highlights: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and scenic views
Activities: Visit Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial, explore Custer State Park. This day also offers a rich blend of American history, Native American culture, and outdoor adventure in one of the most scenic areas of the United States.
Today, head east into South Dakota toward the Black Hills, where you’ll spend the day exploring iconic American landmarks.
First, visit the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where the faces of four famous U.S. Presidents—Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln—are carved into the granite cliffs. Established in 1925, these 60-foot carvings have become a symbol of American freedom and democracy. Take in the majestic beauty of the Black Hills and learn about the history and preservation of this national treasure.
Next, consider an optional visit to the Crazy Horse Memorial, the largest statue in the world, still under construction since 1947. This impressive monument, nearly 600 feet tall, honors the Lakota warrior Crazy Horse. Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski envisioned the statue as a tribute to Native American pride and heritage. At the memorial, explore the Native American museum to learn more about the rich culture and history of the Lakota tribe.
Afterward, visit Custer State Park, a stunning natural area named after General George Custer. The park is known for its granite peaks, rolling plains, and diverse wildlife. Here, you can enjoy hiking, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor activities.
At the end of the day, guests have the option to stay overnight in Keystone, South Dakota, Rapid City, or Casper, Wyoming. The next morning, you can either depart from Rapid City International Airport or continue with the tour guide for an overnight stay in Casper.
Accommodations: Stay at Grand Stay Residential Suites Hotel in Rapid City, C'mon Inn in Casper, or equivalent accommodations.
Meal Arrangements
You have the option of driving back to SLC with your tour guide and departing from SLC International Airport. If you choose to drive back with the tour guide, please book your flight for 8 PM or later due to the 6-hour drive.
Today marks the final leg of your journey as you travel westward back to Salt Lake City. Along the way, stop at Independence Rock, a historic landmark along the Oregon Trail, where pioneers once carved their names into the rock as they journeyed westward. Take a moment to explore this significant site and reflect on the history that shaped the American frontier.
Continuing your drive along I-80, you’ll have opportunities to stop in Rock Springs or Evanston to break up the trip and enjoy some scenic views of Wyoming’s rugged landscapes.
Arrive back in Salt Lake City by late evening. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some time to explore more of the city before departing. We recommend booking your flight for 8:00 PM or later, or staying overnight for a next-day departure to fully enjoy the end of your adventure.
This itinerary has provided a rich blend of stunning natural landscapes, wildlife encounters, and historic landmarks, ensuring an enriching and unforgettable experience.
Accommodations:
Not included
Meal arrangement:
Information about Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) pick-up and drop-off:
Arrival
Departure
Notification: Due to the complicated road conditions, and in order to ensure quality of experience, we regret that we cannot bear all the losses of miss the light caused by the delay of the trip. To be conservative, we suggest you schedule departure flights on the next day.
- Airfare to and from the destination.
- Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance.
- Dinners and alcoholic beverages.
- Any additional activities, excursions, or entertainment at your own expense.
- All personal miscellaneous expenses, including laundry, telephone, drinks, tobacco, alcohol, pay TV, luggage handling fees, and other private expenses.
- Souvenirs.
- Guide gratuities (10% of the tour price recommended).
- Optional tours: Admissions and optional tours should be selected and paid for during booking. (Items and prices may vary due to the season and are subject to final confirmation by the tour guide during the tour.)
- Optional hotel upgrade: Special hotel/villa upgrade (Please contact us for a quotation.)
-Additional National Park Entrance Fee (Non-U.S. Residents Only, see notice below)
Notes: If you upgrade your accommodation and breakfast is not provided at the new location, refunds are not available for missed breakfasts.
- A minimum of 2 people is required to schedule a tour. If you are traveling alone, please consult with our customer service department, and they will assist you in joining another group. Booking early is highly recommended as availability will be limited.
- Please note that this itinerary is provided as a sample. The order and locations of activities are subject to change based on flight arrival times, road and weather conditions, and to cater to your abilities and interests. Your guide will provide daily updates to keep you informed. Our goal is to ensure that everyone enjoys a safe adventure, creates cherished memories, and has an unforgettable experience.
- All accommodations offer standard rooms with private bathrooms and two beds per room. The occupancy is limited to 2 people in the same room (or including children or infants, up to a total of 4 people).
- If you need to temporarily adjust or cancel the hotel reservation due to a flight delay or cancellation after the booking is confirmed, please note that the hotel reservation cannot be canceled, and the hotel fee cannot be refunded. If you need to re-book the hotel, the associated fee will be your responsibility.
- Please be aware that this experience requires a minimum number of travelers. In the event that the minimum requirement is not met and the experience is canceled, you will be offered an alternative date/experience or a full refund.
- Winter transforms Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks into a magical wonderland. December is peak season for holiday travel, so we highly recommend reserving your Yellowstone Snowcoach tour seats as early as possible.
- Please note that some activities may require detailed participant information for registration, including full names, genders, dates of birth, weights, and heights.
- To protect your trip and ensure peace of mind, we recommend securing travel insurance through our partners at https://my.travelinsure.com/nomadua/.
- Contact us for the ACH Payment Discount: Receive a $100 discount per person! (only available from nomadua.com)
-National Park Entrance Fees – Important Information
- Itineraries are subject to change due to unforeseen issues and/or delays.
- This tour operator company serves solely as an agent for suppliers, facilitating the sale of travel-related services or the acceptance of reservations for services not directly provided by this company, such as air and ground transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, tours, cruises, etc. This company shall not be held responsible for any breach of contract or intentional or negligent actions or omissions on the part of these suppliers, resulting in loss, damage, delay, or injury to you, your travel companions, or group members.
- Unless the term "guaranteed" is expressly stated in writing on your tickets, invoice, or reservation itinerary, we do not assure the rates, bookings, reservations, connections, scheduling, or handling of personal effects by such suppliers.
- The travel agent shall not be liable for any injuries, damages, or losses arising from terrorist activities, social or labor unrest, mechanical or construction failures or difficulties, diseases, local laws, climatic conditions, criminal acts, abnormal conditions, developments, or any other actions, omissions, or conditions beyond the control of the travel agent.
- The traveler assumes full responsibility for checking and verifying all passport, visa, vaccination, or other entry requirements for each destination, as well as safety or security conditions at those destinations, throughout the proposed travel duration. The traveler voluntarily accepts all risks associated with such travel, whether anticipated or unforeseen. The traveler is hereby advised of these risks and is encouraged to obtain suitable insurance coverage to address them.
- The traveler's retention of tickets, reservations, or bookings after issuance signifies consent to the above terms and indicates an agreement to communicate these contents to their travel companions or group members.
- Prices are per person based on double or single occupancy (unless otherwise noted) and do not include airfare to/from your destination. All prices and fares are quoted in US dollars and subject to change. See the terms and conditions for this trip for more information.
- Cancellation received 60 days or more before the departure of the first product or service in the relevant booking: The Lifetime Deposit will be held by the Tour Operator in accordance with these Terms. The remainder of the payments made to the Tour Operator for the cancelled product will be refunded.
- Cancellation received 59-30 days before the departure of the first product or service in the relevant booking: The Lifetime Deposit will be held by the Tour Operator in accordance with these Terms. An amount equal to 50% of the remaining payments made to the Tour Operator for the cancelled Tour will be refunded.
- Cancellation less than 30 days before the departure of the first product or service in the relevant booking: The Lifetime Deposit will be held by the Tour Operator in accordance with these Terms, and no further refund will be provided.
There’s a lot to do in Yellowstone, but here are three things you should definitely not do.
Every year, a handful of tourists in Yellowstone pull a series of stunts that endanger their lives and that of wildlife. Sometimes, their actions can lead to the death of animals. Find out what happened when tourists broke the rules and learn three things not to do when you are in the park.
1. Don’t Stray Off the Boardwalks
2. Don’t Stand Near or Try to Touch Wildlife
3. Don’t Jump in Hot Springs
The best tourist season for the park is from June to September. The majority of Yellowstone Park is located above an altitude of 1800 meters (without altitude sickness), and the climate is unstable. It can rain or snow in any month of the year, so visitors should bring rain gear and warm clothing regardless of when they come.
June/July/August: The daytime temperature is around 25°C, and it cools down at night, with some high-altitude areas dropping below 0°C. Most roads and facilities are open. Weather forecast: check here.
May and September/October: The daytime temperature ranges from 0°C to 20°C, and the night temperature ranges from -5°C to -20°C. Snow is common, and some roads may be temporarily closed while some facilities are still open.
Winter (November to April): The daytime temperature ranges from -20°C to -5°C, and the night temperature is below 0°C. The historical lowest temperature record is -54°C. Only the north gate of the park is open.