Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills & Badlands National Park

Day 1 – Albuquerque to Denver

Your western adventure begins as you depart Albuquerque and travel north through the scenic landscapes of New Mexico and Colorado. Relax aboard your comfortable motorcoach while enjoying expansive views of the High Plains as they gradually give way to the majestic Rocky Mountains.

Arriving in the Denver area this evening, check into your hotel before gathering for a welcome dinner. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet your fellow travelers and begin an exciting week exploring some of the American West’s most celebrated destinations.

Overnight: SpringHill Suites Denver Airport

Meals included: (D)

Day 2 – Wyoming's Frontier Heritage & The Black Hills

After breakfast, journey into Wyoming and visit the renowned Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, where exhibits celebrate the history of ranching, rodeos, Native American culture, and the legendary “Daddy of ‘Em All” rodeo. Discover authentic stagecoaches, horse-drawn vehicles, western art, and fascinating artifacts that tell the story of Wyoming’s frontier heritage.

Following lunch in historic downtown Cheyenne, continue across Wyoming’s wide-open prairies before entering South Dakota’s beautiful Black Hills. This evening, arrive in the charming community of Hill City, nestled among towering ponderosa pines, where you’ll enjoy dinner and settle in for the next several nights.

Overnight: AmericInn by Wyndham Hill City

Meals included: (B, L, D)

Day 3 – Mount Rushmore & Crazy Horse Memorial

Today’s journey showcases two of America’s most inspiring monuments. Begin at the Borglum Story Museum, where you’ll gain fascinating insight into sculptor Gutzon Borglum’s vision, artistry, and determination in creating Mount Rushmore.

Continue to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where the towering 60-foot granite faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln stand as enduring symbols of America’s history and ideals. Explore the Presidential Trail, visitor center, museum, and scenic overlooks while learning the remarkable story behind this engineering masterpiece.

Later, visit the monumental Crazy Horse Memorial, the world’s largest mountain carving in progress. Learn about Lakota leader Crazy Horse, tour the visitor center and Native American museums, and enjoy a guided trip closer to the mountain sculpture for an unforgettable perspective on this extraordinary undertaking.

This evening, weather permitting, return to Mount Rushmore for the moving Evening Lighting Ceremony, where patriotic music, inspiring narration, and the illumination of the monument create one of the Black Hills’ most memorable experiences.

Overnight: AmericInn by Wyndham Hill City

Meals included: (B, L, D)

Day 4 – Badlands National Park & Wildlife Adventure

Travel east this morning into the dramatic landscapes of Badlands National Park, one of America’s most striking natural wonders. Colorful layered rock formations, deep canyons, rugged buttes, and sweeping prairie vistas create an unforgettable panorama unlike anywhere else in the country. Along the scenic drive, enjoy several photo stops while watching for bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and other wildlife.

Following lunch at the famous Wall Drug Store, continue to Bear Country USA, where you’ll enjoy a drive-through wildlife park featuring black bears, wolves, elk, bison, mountain lions, reindeer, and many other native North American animals. A walk-through wildlife area offers additional opportunities to see smaller mammals and playful bear cubs before returning to Hill City for a relaxing evening.

Overnight: AmericInn by Wyndham Hill City

Meals included: (B, L)

Day 5 – Lead, Deadwood & the Legends of the Old West

After breakfast, journey to the historic mining town of Lead, once the heart of one of the richest gold discoveries in American history. Begin your day at the Black Hills Mining Museum, where fascinating exhibits and interactive displays reveal the story of the Homestake Gold Mine, which operated for more than 125 years and helped shape the economy and history of the Black Hills.

Continue to neighboring Deadwood, one of America’s most famous frontier towns. During a guided tour of the beautifully restored Historic Adams House, step back into the elegance of the late Victorian era as you learn about the influential Adams family and the town’s prosperous mining years. Enjoy free time to stroll Deadwood’s historic Main Street, browse its unique shops and museums, or visit the final resting places of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.

Later this afternoon, experience the city’s colorful past during the entertaining Boot Hill Tour, where lively storytelling brings to life the legends, outlaws, lawmen, and larger-than-life characters that made Deadwood famous during the Black Hills Gold Rush. This evening, settle into your hotel before attending the spirited reenactment of “The Trial of Jack McCall,” an engaging performance presented by Deadwood Alive that recreates one of the most infamous events in Old West history.

Overnight: Hampton Inn Deadwood

Meals included: (B)

Day 6 – Wyoming Plains & Colorado Gardens

Following breakfast, bid farewell to the Black Hills and begin your scenic journey south through the rolling prairies of eastern Wyoming. Wide-open landscapes, grazing cattle, and distant mountain views accompany your travels as you retrace portions of the historic routes followed by early settlers and pioneers.

Enjoy an included lunch in Wheatland before continuing into northern Colorado for a visit to The Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins. This beautifully designed botanical garden features colorful seasonal displays, themed gardens, peaceful walking paths, and water features that showcase the diverse beauty of Colorado’s landscape. Take time to wander the gardens and enjoy one final afternoon of relaxation before continuing to the Denver area.

Arrive at your hotel this evening, where the remainder of the night is yours to relax or enjoy dinner at one of the nearby restaurants.

Overnight: SpringHill Suites Denver Airport

Meals included: (B, L)

Day 7 - Return Home

After breakfast, transfer to Denver International Airport for departing travelers before beginning the return journey home by motorcoach. As you travel south through Colorado and New Mexico, reflect on an unforgettable adventure through the legendary Black Hills, where towering monuments, spectacular national parks, fascinating frontier towns, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking western scenery created memories that will last a lifetime.

Arrive home this evening with a deeper appreciation for the history, beauty, and enduring spirit of the American West.

Meals included: (B)