Itinerary

Land in the mile-high cultural epicentre of the Rocky Mountain region, Denver and get settled in to your hotel. You’ll be situated right in downtown Denver within easy walking distance of all there is to see.

Start with a stroll along the nearby 16th Street Mall, a mile-long pedestrian zone in the heart of the city to get your bearings. Denver has plenty to do and see, so use your City Pass to see up to three attractions during your two days in the city. You’ll get access to an impressive number of places, including the renowned Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, History Colorado Centre and Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. If you’re a sports fan and fancy catching a professional baseball, basketball or hockey game while you’re in town, you’ll also be happy to know you’re just minutes away from both Coors Field and Mile High Stadium.

Spend the day making the most of your City Pass or pick and choose from what you’d like to explore. Storied with history, Denver has numerous landmarks that are worth passing by, from the impressive Capitol Building (whose 13th step sits at the same elevation as the city) to the iconic historic blocks of Larimer Square and the Lower Downton (LoDo) District. It’s the diversity of Denver’s neighbourhoods that makes the city so special. Visit the nearby River North (RiNo) District which specialises in art – both in galleries on along the streets – or head over to Five Points which offers the finest jazz outside of New York and New Orleans. Highland is hip with chic cafés, breweries and boutiques, and Cherry Creek offers the best shopping between California and the Midwest.

No matter what you choose, you’ll be in for a treat, and don’t forget to try one of Denver’s many farm-to-table restaurants or local breweries before you leave.

After breakfast pick up your rental car and drive 1.5 hours to the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park: Estes Park. This small town is the closest you can get to the American Rockies and boasts majestic mountain views in every direction. Arrive in this classic Colorado mountain town at the Alpine Trail Ridge Inn, just minutes from the entrance and get settled in to the hotel’s rustic comforts.

Start with a ride on the Estes Park Aerial Tramway, which connects the town to the summit of Prospect Mountain for incredible views over the valley or get your hiking boots on and head into Rocky Mountain National Park. Encompassing the classic beauty of this world-famous region, Rocky Mountain National Park features towering peaks of more than 14,000 feet, over 350 miles of hiking trails, terrains ranging from high alpine tundra to low grassy valleys and an abundance of untouched wildlife across its 415-square-mile expanse. A haven for nature lovers, this park is a great introduction to the entire range that stretches across the United States into Canada – not to mention a great opportunity to see the area’s amazing wildlife.

Come evening, ask staff at your Inn for dinner recommendations – they know the best places in town to have a good dinner.

Make the most of Rocky Mountain National Park’s ample outdoor opportunities – from hiking to wildlife spotting to nature photography, you can easily fill a whole day roaming this natural wonder.

The easy Bear Lake Trail is a must for its stunning views, as is the 4 mile trip to Lake Haiyaha. For breathtaking waterfalls and scenic overlooks, Alberta Falls and Ouzel are equally worth a look. The park is home to numerous big game and is also a prime birding territory with 300 species calling the park home, so you’ll be sure to spot plenty of wildlife. If you plan on driving through the park, the Trail Ridge Road takes visitors over the great Continental Divide – which separates east and west water systems – and offers awe-inspiring vistas as it reaches an elevation of 12,183 feet.

Leave first thing in the morning for the former Wild West outpost and mountain resort town of Glenwood Springs. The scenic drive is nearly 4 hours long, so you’ll want to start early. You’ll be arriving at the historic Hotel Colorado, whose beautiful property dates back to the late 1800s. Offering historic charm in the heart of the Rockies, Glenwood Springs gives a true taste of Colorado with its scenic setting, famous hot springs and boundless opportunities for outdoor adventure.

Start your stay with a visit to one of the towns famous thermal springs. There’s Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, the largest mineral pool in the world, as well as Iron Mountain Hot Springs, a collection of 16 smaller natural spring pools and the Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves which are naturally occurring mineral-steam baths – all offering a one-of-a-kind swimming and bathing experience.

Once the sun sets, enjoy the city’s dynamic dining scene. You’ll get to choose between farm-to-table eateries and award-winning local breweries.

Geothermal activities aside, there’s plenty more to get up to in this scenic town so spend the day exploring. Hike to Hanging Lake and see the turquoise waters of this otherworldly idyll – some of the most beautiful hikes in Colorado can be found here. Tour underground caves at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and try your hand at fly-fishing in pristine Gold Medal waters. You can even go whitewater-rafting on the Colorado River – just ask your hotel to help you book.

Excellent boutique shopping and scenic golf courses also await, and there are also multiple opportunities to immerse yourself in the town’s wild frontier past, should you be interested.

Enjoy a leisurely morning still in Glenwood Springs before spending the afternoon making the 4-hour drive up to the town of Rock Springs in Wyoming. You’ll be staying here overnight as you make your way up to the famed mountain resort of Jackson Hole and ultimately the world-famous national park of Yellowstone.

Leave first thing in the morning for the 3-hour drive up to Jackson Hole, a mountain resort town on the doorstep of the Grand Teton Mountain Range. Famed for its year-round outdoor recreation, beautiful ranches and fine dining, Jackson Hole is a vacation destination like no other, and you’ll be spending the next two nights here at the modern Western Virginian Lodge.

Get settled in and head outside. Jackson Hole has numerous hiking trails to choose from all with breathtaking views. World-class biking and fly fishing await, and you can visit one of town’s many hot springs or play a round of golf with the stunning Jackson scenery as your backdrop. Downtown Jackson is worth exploring too. The National Museum of Wildlife Art has works by Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keefe, and the Town Square features arches made of shed antlers from the nearby National Elk Refuge.

With the entrance to Grand Teton National Park just a 10 minute drive away, spend the day exploring this incredible part of the Rockies. Widely considered America’s equivalent to the European alps, the Tetons boast 310,000 acres of lush valley floors, mountain meadows, alpine lakes, diverse wildlife and jagged peaks offering something for both nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. Go hiking over more than 200 miles of trails, take a guided horse ride through the mountain landscapes or sign up for a full or half day wildlife adventure in Grand Teton National Park. The diverse wildlife found there is something truly special and you’ll get to safely see bison, elk, moose and bears.

After breakfast drive about 2 hours north to Yellowstone National Park – you’ll get more beautiful views of the Tetons on your way. When you arrive in Yellowstone, you’ll be staying right in the park at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, within walking distance of the famous geyser itself.

One of America’s most incredible natural wonders, Yellowstone offers visitors an opportunity to experience what the North American continent was like before recorded history across its 2.2 million acres of unspoiled wilderness. From the world’s most extraordinary collection of geysers and hot springs to geological wonders like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the echoes of wolves in the forests in the night, get started on discovering this amazing place because chances are you’ll find yourself wanting even more time to explore.

There are so many ways to explore this sublime natural wonder: by car, by foot, with or without a guided tour; on a hike or horse ride. Spend the day exploring this tremendous nature preserve however you wish – the options here are many and a look at a map before you go will really help you decide which features you want to see. Spend part of the day driving Yellowstone’s Grand Loop Road – there are plenty of points to pause at to follow walking trails, read about the park’s ecosystem or view spewing geysers. Take in the incredible wildlife – from the legendary grizzly and black bears to buffalo, elk, eagles, pronghorn antelope, grey wolves and more. Walk or hike through one of 92 trails, and make sure you see the majestic Lower Falls. The orange, yellow and turquoise hues of the Grand Prismatic and the soaring heights of Old Faithful are also not to be missed.

Make the 3-hour drive over to Billings after breakfast, and if you want, detour by the Beartooth Mountains on your way there. Beartooth Highway, a 68-mile stretch of US Highway 212 offers a scenic drive through Beartooth Mountain’s rugged peaks in Wyoming and Montana, and you’ll be treated to spectacular views of alpine plateaus, glacial lakes and dense forest.

When you arrive in Billings, you’ll be staying at the centrally-located Northern Hotel. The Smithsonian-sponsored Western Heritage Centre is right next door, and the renowned Yellowstone Art Museum, whose collections includes works by artists such as John Buck and Deborah Butterfield, is a short walk down the street. Billings is one of the most beautiful cities in Montana and is an ideal location for fun outdoor adventures and urban attractions.

Billings has an enviable location surrounded by natural beauty, so take the day to explore it. Start with Riverfront Park, located along the banks of the Yellowstone River, it features a well-maintained network of walking and biking trails popular with both locals and tourists alike. You’ll get stunning views of the river and the nearby sandstone cliffs, known as the Rimrocks, as well as opportunities for birdwatching and fishing.

Next, visit picturesque Pictograph Cave State Park in the afternoon for a short but immersive trip where you can learn about the art and thousand-year-old artefacts that have been found just outside of Billings.

End the day with a pint in one of Billings’ local breweries or head downtown for one of the city’s abundant live music venues to cap off your night.

After breakfast make your way over to the former Wild West outpost of Medora – the drive is nearly 4 hours, but you’ll be arriving in one of the most unique places in the Rocky Mountain region. Check in to the historic Rough Riders Hotel, a preserved property from the late 1800s, where luxury meets Western charm. The hotel is named for the volunteer cavalry unit led by America’s 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, and you’ll find it a comfortable place to spend the next two nights.

Medora is known for its Wild West recreations and its incredible location in the Badlands of North Dakota right next to the beautiful scenery of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Start your stay with a glimpse of the park or take a guided horse ride through the Badlands. Come dinner, head downstairs in your hotel to Theodore’s Dining Room for some delicious dining – it’s one of the top restaurants in the area – and try their signature cocktail too while you’re there.

If you enjoy a round of golf, start the day on one of the most scenic golf courses in the country, Bully Pulpit Golf Course. But if you’re an outdoor enthusiast, head straight to Theodore Roosevelt National Park after breakfast. You’ll get to wander the amazing hiking and road biking trails, spotting wildlife such as bison, deer, prairie dogs, wild horses and eagles. A stop by Painted Canyon is a must, and a loop ride in the South Unit is also worthwhile.

End your stay with the West’s most famous Country Western Music Revue, the Medora Musical – or just enjoy another well deserved dinner.

Take a leisurely 4-hour drive this morning to Rapid City in South Dakota. Considered the gateway to the famous Mount Rushmore, and ideally located for access to South Dakota’s astounding national parks and forests, Rapid City is a wonderful place to spend your last three days. On your drive over from Medora make a detour near the South Dakota/Wyoming border to stop at Spearfish Canyon. Its idyllic scenery and spectacular waterfalls are well worth a visit and can be seen on a drive along the 19-mile Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.

When you finally arrive in Rapid City you’ll be staying at the historic Hotel Alex Johnson. Located right in Rapid City’s charming and walkable downtown district, Hotel Alex Johnson is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also conveniently located for grabbing a delicious bite to eat or drink after a long day of exploring.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then head out for a 45-minute drive to the crown jewel of South Dakota: Badlands National Park. Filled with 244,000 acres of chiselled spires, deep canyons and jagged buttes, eroded by wind and water over millions of years, Badlands National Park brilliantly reveals Earth’s history, one richly hued layer at a time. Explore this striking, moon-like landscape rising out of the Dakota prairies on foot, by bike or by car. Drive the 31-mile Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway through the heart of the park to stop at one of 15 different overlooks – Big Badlands, Pinnacles or Yellow Mounds will be well worth your time – or roam by foot over one of the many hiking trails across the rough landscape. From the short and delightful Notch Trail to the 144-mile long Maah Daah Hey Trail, there’s a path and adventure for everyone.

Start your day seeing some of the USA’s most impressive native wildlife roaming in their natural habitat on a 2-hour Jeep safari. Sunrise offers the most peaceful and picturesque hour to encounter these incredible beasts, but you can start later in the morning if you prefer and still have a wonderful time. Take a short drive from Rapid City to Custer State Park where an experienced guide will take you off-road onto the private, interior dirt roads of the Park, not even accessible on the Park’s Wildlife Loop. You will be taken straight to where the animals roam and weave through the local herd of around 1,300 free-roaming bison and other native wildlife like pronghorn antelope, elk burros, deer, coyotes, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs. Spend the rest of the day exploring the beautiful trails in Custer State Park before heading back for some last minute rest and relaxation in Rapid City.