America’s Majestic National Parks

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Over the past 10 years as we have traveled coast to coast and border to border in our wonderful country, there are those trips that have become very special to us and this trip is one of those. Our National Parks are all treasures and we do our best to help you experience the real beauty of these very special parks. From the “Mountains to the Prairies…” you will be awed by this beautiful part of our country and feel the pride of being an American as we stop at Mt Rushmore for the special evening lighting ceremony. If you have never experienced these Majestic National Parks or if it has been a while since you have been to see them, we invite you to join us on this journey as only R&J can do it!  Perry & Donna Wieland

Day 1 – Home to Medora, ND

We’ll board our luxury motorcoach for a ride through some beautiful country on our way to Medora, North Dakota for our first night. After checking into the Rough Rider Hotel we will make our way to a plateau overlooking Medora and the area valley for their famous Pitchfork Fondue. The Burning Hills Amphitheatre is where we will enjoy the Medora Musical where the history of Teddy Roosevelt comes to life and great singing and dancing will warm your heart!

Included Meals: Dinner

Hotel: Rough Rider Hotel 

Day 2 – Medora to Helena, MT

As we drive out of Medora we get a glimpse of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and we turn west and travel into Montana, “Big Sky Country.” Sit back and enjoy the trip today as we make our way towards Helena. We’ll travel along the Yellowstone River and close to the beginning of the Missouri River! Tonight after checking into our hotel, dinner is served at a favorite R&J Restaurant!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express 

Day 3 – Helena to St. Mary (Glacier National Park)

Today we begin our journey with a cruise on the Missouri River through what Lewis and Clark called the “Gates of the Mountains.” They described their finding this way: “Suddenly, there loomed before them towering rock formations unlike any they had ever seen. From both sides of the river, limestone cliffs rose to a spectacular height of 1200 feet. ‘In many places,’ wrote Meriwether Lewis, ‘the rocks seem ready to tumble on us.’” The scenery is fantastic as we cruise through this beautiful part of the Missouri River. Following our cruise we travel to Great Falls for lunch and then on to the eastern edge of Glacier National Park and stay in the rustic St. Mary Lodge with a stream running next to it that will soothe you as you fall asleep tonight.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: St. Mary Lodge 

Day 4 – St. Mary to Kalispell, MT

This morning we board a vintage Red Bus for our trip over the Going-To-The-Sun Road. This amazing drive will keep you in awe of magnificent Glacier National Park. A beautiful view of Wild Goose Island, a stop at Logan Pass, crossing the Continental Divide at 6600 feet, and many majestic vistas will make this ride one you will not forget. Lunch will be served at historic Lake McDonald Lodge, then a short shopping stop in West Glacier before we travel to Kalispell for the night.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express

Day 5 – Kalispell to 320 Guest Ranch

We travel around Flathead Lake on our way south today. Mountains rise around us and the sites are awesome. Our destination is the 320 Guest Ranch, a unique working ranch, on the banks of the Gallatin River just north of Yellowstone National park. We’ll settle into our cabins and then enjoy a great meal together along the banks of the river. Spend the evening watching the stars come out as we sit around the campfire with our traveling friends.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: 320 Guest Ranch

Day 6 – 320 Ranch to Jackson Lake (Yellowstone and Grand Teton NP)

This morning after a delightful breakfast and a walk taking in the scenery around the ranch, we journey into America’s Oldest National Park, Yellowstone. We’ll travel along the Madison River, enjoying the beauty of the park and the wildlife along the way. Some stops to enjoy the thermal features of this park will prepare us for the most famous of all, Old Faithful. We’ll enjoy lunch and some time exploring the area including an opportunity to view the historic Old Faithful Lodge. You won’t want to miss a look at the spectacular fireplace of this landmark. Then we continue south out of Yellowstone and into Grand Teton National Park. Keep an eye just over the treetops as the Magnificent Teton Mountain Range comes into view. Soon we will check into the Jackson Lake Lodge for a two night stay. Dinner is in the famous Mural Dining Room with its spectacular views of the Teton Mountain Range.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Jackson Lake Lodge 

Day 7 – Jackson Lake Lodge (Grand Teton NP)

This morning we have a special adventure for you – a float trip down the Snake River! We will watch for wildlife around every turn and rising to our west will be stunning vistas of the Teton Mountain Range. This will be a float trip you will remember for years and years. When our “soft” float is completed we will have a picnic lunch on the banks of the Snake River. Then we’ll board our coach for more sightseeing in Grand Teton National Park. Stops to enjoy the magnificent Teton Mountain Range will fill up your camera’s memory card….so make sure you have a spare along! A stop at the little Chapel of the Transfiguration will be an inspiration for you as we continue on our journey. Tonight you are free to enjoy the amenities of the Jackson Lake Lodge as we watch the sun set over the Tetons!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Day 8 – Jackson Lake Lodge to Cody, WY

We motor back into Yellowstone National Park today where we visit more of this spectacular park. We will travel along the Yellowstone River and enjoy views of the spectacular canyon. We’ll learn how the 1988 fire destroyed much of the park, but we will be witnesses to how the park is rising from the ashes! A stop at the historic Yellowstone Lodge with the crystal clear Lake Yellowstone as a backdrop makes for some great picture taking! We continue on to Yellowstone Falls, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in America. Ahead are more waterfalls and spectacular viewpoints. We’ll cross the Lamar Valley and make our way out of Yellowstone as we climb out of the park towards Cooke City where we turn onto the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway for a beautiful mountain drive towards Cody where we will spend the night. We’ll check into the hotel, and then it’s on to the Cody Rodeo for a night of Cowboy fun!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Holiday Inn 

Day 9 – Cody to Buffalo, WY

After a leisure morning we will begin our journey through the Big Horn Mountains. Today we will climb to our highest point on the trip…over 9,000 feet!! You will enjoy the gorgeous views and the beautiful mountain meadows. Lunch will be served at a “high altitude” restaurant. This afternoon a stop at Shell Falls will inspire you before we begin our descent to our evening lodging in Buffalo.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express 

Day 10 – Buffalo to Rapid City, SD

Our travels today will take us along mountain ranges, through beautiful valleys, and past ghost towns. We’ll stop at Devil’s Tower Monument, a monolithic igneous intrusion, or in other words, it is the core of a volcano exposed from erosion. It is located in northeastern Wyoming, above the Belle Fourche River. It rises dramatically 1,267 feet above the surrounding terrain and the summit is 5,112 feet above sea level. It is truly a spectacular sight. You’ll have the opportunity to take a hike around the Monument if you choose or just relax and enjoy the view! We’ll travel into Rapid City and check into our hotel before we visit the K Bar S Lodge for our farewell dinner this evening and then a short drive up the mountain side to watch the very inspirational lighting ceremony at Mt Rushmore!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Comfort Suites 

Day 11 – Rapid City to Home

Today is a travel day as we make our way across South Dakota and back to Minnesota. Soon after we leave Rapid City we’ll make a stop at “Wall Drug” for their iconic free Ice Water and you will want to try one of their famous donuts…ok maybe you’ll want two of them!! Our drive across South Dakota will give us views of the Badlands in the distance and as we near the Missouri River we will recall the Lewis and Clark expedition which passed through this area. Into Minnesota and on towards home we travel, remembering a fabulous trip to “America’s Majestic National Parks.”

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch