Wherever your travels take you during your visit, you have a real western adventure in store! The Wyoming state insignia, a cowboy waving his Stetson Hat while riding on the back of a bucking horse says it all. This is classic cowboy country, a land of wide open grasslands stretching for miles in every direction. There are fewer than a half million people that inhabit an area nearly 100,000 sq. miles. For visitors the main attractions of Wyoming are in the northwestern corner where the twin spectacles of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks attract some three million visitors annually.
We know what’s in store as you travel the state: great places, people and memories. Wyoming is home to some of the best national parks and monuments. Wyoming is home to the world’s first National Park, Yellowstone; the first National Monument, Devils Tower; the first National Forest, Shoshone; the picturesque, Teton Mountain Range; and deeply rooted Western Culture and spirit.
Wyoming is a place where you can roam free and experience what it’s like to be somewhere truly forever West. This spirit not only lives on in the wide open spaces and views, but also in Wyoming citizens. Wyoming is truly what America once was. It is said to be the wild, wholly west at its best! It has the largest intact ecosystem in the lower 48 states meaning that all of the species that have roamed this sweeping mountain plateau are still in residence. Yellowstone was signed into being by President Ulysses Grant in 1872, and covers 2.2 million acres. Lamar Valley is known as the “Little Serengeti” of North America, it’s magnificent in its wildness and uniquely American.
***SPECIAL FEATURE***
Each traveler will receive a Scenic & Wildlife Viewing Guide for each day and route of travel.
Day 1 – Home to Rapid City, SD
“Go west” they told us, so that’s exactly what we’ll spend our day doing. Make special note of the changing landscape out the motorcoach windows as we make our way through the forested rolling hillsides, into the rich open farmland of southern Minnesota, to the flat prairie of eastern South Dakota. The feel of “the west” really starts to emerge after we cross the Missouri River. Farms become ranches, cattle are dotting the rugged rangeland, and even the striking Badlands dominate the view. When we see the dark silhouette of the Black Hills we know we are close to our resting place for the evening, Rapid City. Lunch and dinner are on your own today.
Hotel: Fairfield Inn (Bring your swimming suit. They have a wonderful waterpark!)
Day 2 – Rapid City to Ucross, WY
Our adventure is soon underway following a great breakfast! The Wyoming Welcome Center provides helpful orientation materials before our first Wyoming “backroads” experience, the historic Aladdin General Store. Built in 1896, it’s still operating and not much has changed since then. Then we travel through the unknown, forgotten but scenic Bear Lodge Mountains to imposing Devils Tower. Rising 865 feet above the surrounding prairie, it can be seen up to 50 miles away on a clear day. Recognized as one of America’s most identifiable natural landmarks, the Tower was designated as the country’s first National Monument by President Teddy Roosevelt in 1906. A quick “picnic” lunch will be provided at the Tower before we head to Gillette, one of those free spirited western boom towns. To give us a little clearer understanding of the area, we’ll visit the Rock Pile Museum there. As we journey on to our truly authentic experience for the evening, note the “big sky” and awesome wide open landscape – you may see more antelope than trees! The Ranch at Ucross, one of America’s most unique and superb “dude ranches,” is western hospitality at its very best! Just relax and enjoy the setting, ranch meals, cowboy singer and comfortable accommodations.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Ranchhouse Dinner
Hotel: The Ranch at Ucross
Day 3 – Ucross to Sheridan, WY
Enjoy a real ranch breakfast and a leisurely morning before we depart. Our destination is Sheridan, a gem of a city nestled in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains. Trail End will provide us with an elegantly different aspect of Sheridan’s rich and colorful history. The Sheridan Inn, a Registered Historic Landmark, is our setting for an included lunch. You will absolutely love it! Sheridan’s main street is one of the most vibrant we’ve seen and authentically western. Here we find King’s Saddlery, a genuine western store for the American cowboy and rancher. This is also where you can witness the legendary King Ropes (cowboy lariats) being made. These aren’t toys or a hobby, these are the real thing! Don King’s Western Museum is where you can touch, smell, feel and learn about the western lifestyle. This afternoon we are invited to the Quarter Circle A Ranch and the Brinton Museum at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains. We tour the Ranch House & Gardens and view some of the finest American Indian and Western Art in the country before we share dinner together.
Included Meals: Ranch Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Holiday Inn
Day 4 – Sheridan to Cody, WY
A great hot breakfast prepares us for our scenic journey this morning. The Bighorn Mountains are inviting, accessible and pleasant. We travel up, over and through this forested range on our way to Cody. This is picture-taking country, so we’ll be making stops for those important photo ops. Among the pine trees at the top in a classic mountain setting, we find Bear Lodge. They are ready for us with a great lunch. As we descend the western slopes, the Bighorn Basin stretches before us and on a clear day will reveal the mountain ranges of Yellowstone Park. Cody is a “western paradise.” We go directly to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. This is a world renowned Smithsonian destination for millions – No other place like it in the world! The Center comprises 5 incredible museums: Buffalo Bill Museum, Cody Firearms Museum, Draper Natural History Museum, Plains Indians Museum and the Whitney Western Art Museum. This is self-guided and you may explore them all. We are guests at the Dan Miller Music Revue Dinner Show right at the Center this evening. Dan is a Nashville artist and along with his Empty Saddles Band, plays smooth, easy listening music you will surely enjoy.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Comfort Inn (2 Nights)
Day 5 – Cody, WY
We spend the entire day exploring in and around Cody. Just outside of town we visit Heart Mountain, a National Historic Landmark site where more than 14,000 Japanese Americans were confined during World War II. A fascinating part of our history we know little about. Then back to town for lunch at Buffalo Bill’s Historic Irma Hotel. Entertainer Tim Lamb will share compelling tales of this storied hotel. You’ll have time following lunch to browse the many shops surrounding the Irma on Main Street. Old Trail Town is a collection of 26 authentic buildings from the mid to late 1800’s that have been relocated to the original town site of Cody. You’ll discover original cabins of well-known mountain men and outlaws such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. A rare “window” into life in the Old West. Next we visit the Buffalo Bill Dam and Visitors Center. The dam took seven years to build and was the tallest in the world when it was completed in 1910. Built on the Shoshone River, its reservoir provides life giving irrigation to the Bighorn Basin and hydroelectric power to the area. We are privileged to a guided tour of the Dam. This evening we enjoy a Chuckwagon Dinner in the Sarsaparilla Room complete with a Cowboy Sing-a-Long.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Cody to West Yellowstone, MT
Prepare yourself for a full and exciting day. Some of America’s most breathtaking scenery is before us! Departing Cody we soon find ourselves on the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. Climbing to the summit of Dead Indian Pass, we have a stunning view of the Absaroka Wilderness. We will stop for picture opportunities along the way. We soon will connect with the Beartooth Highway on our way to Cooke City. Elevation is around 9,000 ft. Imposing mountains, deep valleys, rushing rivers and streams, and even some pockets of snow are possible. Be on the lookout for wildlife: antelope, deer, elk, eagles and even moose and bighorn sheep could be sighted. Also cattle! On the road! You see, this is Open Range Country and they have a right to be there. We then arrive in Cooke City, a high mountain village unlike few you’ve ever experienced. Surrounded by sheer mountains and an elevation of around 8,000 ft, it boasts an annual snowfall of over 200 inches. You’ll have some time to check out the Cooke City General Store. This isn’t a tourist trap, it’s the real thing. Then a real treat is in store! We are having lunch in Silver Gate at the Log Cabin Café! This little mountain eatery is just big enough to accommodate our group and they are so excited we are coming. Well fed, we enter the Northeast Gate to Yellowstone Park, the least traveled of the five entrances to the Park. Traveling the pine tree lined highway we break out into the sprawling Lamar Valley. A mecca for wildlife, hundreds of bison dot the river banks and the valley floor. What a sight! As we exit the valley be on the lookout for bighorn sheep and even mountain goats on the sheer cliffs above. We stop at picturesque Tower Falls before ascending Mt. Washburn Pass takes us to incredible Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. The 300 ft Lower Falls from Artist Point is one of the most recognizable pictures in all of Yellowstone. We then make our way across the park to Madison Junction. Our last 16 miles we follow the Madison River where elk and moose are often sighted. No time for napping here! Our hotel this evening is just a block from downtown West Yellowstone. Many fabulous gift shops and great mountain restaurants are within easy walking for your evening meal.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Kelly Inn
Day 7 – West Yellowstone to Alpine, WY
An early start this morning enables us to navigate an amazingly scenic day. Sightings of elk, moose and bison are very possible in the morning mist. We follow the Firehole River, so named because it is fed by the mineral hot springs of the many geyser basins of this area of the Park. We visit Old Faithful, Yellowstone’s iconic landmark, staying long enough to witness one of its guaranteed eruptions. Crossing the Continental Divide 3 times, we make our way to the South entrance of the Park, driving through miles of blackened forestland recently devastated by a 2016 summer long wildfire. Entering Grand Teton National Park, our included lunch is served in the historic Mural Room at Jackson Lake Lodge with a stunning view overlooking the lake and the majestic Tetons beyond. Widely considered America’s most picturesque Park, the perspective of these soaring peaks changes with each passing mile. Breathtaking can hardly describe the experience! Making numerous stops, including pristine Jenny Lake, you’ll have ample opportunity to soak in the magic of this special place. Departing the Park, our stellar scenic journey continues as we enter the Grand Canyon of the Snake River. The golden color of the Aspens almost overwhelms us as we follow this gorgeous ribbon of blue & white through this imposing canyon. Emerging, we find ourselves welcomed at Flying Saddle Resort, tucked along the river, our tranquil resting place for the night. Dinner is included at the resort steakhouse.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Flying Saddle Resort
Day 8 – Alpine to Lander, WY
Breakfast surrounded by mountains along the Snake River! Wow! Retracing our route with a morning view of the Canyon, we’ll travel through Jackson and an alternate route through Teton Park once again. Today enables us to see Grand Teton, Mt Moran and the other craggy peaks with the sun behind us. They may look entirely different than what we observed yesterday. A fascinating historic landmark we’ll explore is the Cunningham Cabin on the Bar Flying U Ranch just before leaving Teton Park behind us. Crossing the Continental Divide once again at Togwotee Pass, mountains on either side, passing ranch after ranch with the valley between, we marvel at the incredible autumn scenery around us. Wildlife viewing changes as we search for antelope and bighorn sheep. Our featured lunch today is served at Wilderness Boundary Restaurant at Lava Mountain Lodge. Save room for dessert though as we have a special treat coming. Welty’s General Store in Dubois dates back to 1889, and once you enter, you’ll discover you’ve entered a time machine. Butch Cassidy is said to have been a regular customer. For one-of-a-kind, hard to find items, this is your place. Now for that special treat on us. Just down the street is the Cowboy Café. The real thing! Right here in the heart of cowboy country you’ll find the most incredible pie you’ve ever tasted and a zillion choices. Indulge! As we transition into the high plains, Gannett Peak, Wyoming’s highest mountain rises just to our south. Overnight is at the beautiful, new Holiday Inn Express in Lander. A pizza party at the hotel enables us to share the highlights of the day.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Special Treat, Dinner
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express
Day 9 – Lander to Laramie, WY
Soon after departing our hotel, we visit Sinks Canyon of the Wind River Range. The canyon is named for a unique geologic formation, The Sinks, where the river vanishes underground only to resurface a quarter mile downstream in a dark blue trout infested deep pool. We can clearly observe this phenomenon. Traveling now toward Rawlins, don’t let the absence of high mountain peaks and the wide open range fool you. Elevation is still well over a mile high. Be on constant lookout for hard to see herds of antelope. This is serious cowboy country, so many beautiful working horses can also be spotted and even an actual roundup in action. Lunch today is provided at the Whiskey Gap Restaurant in Rawlins. Then just when you think the mountains are behind us, we have one more to climb. On our way to Laramie, we avoid the interstate and take the backroads across the Medicine Bow Mountains and over Snowy Range Pass, an elevation of 10, 847 ft. The vistas from the top are unbelievable! What awaits us in Laramie is fascinating. The Wyoming Territorial Prison Historic Site. This 1872 prison is rich with tales of its “violent & desperate outlaws,” the most famous of which was Butch Cassidy. We will tour the prison and then enjoy dinner here, complete with great musical entertainment.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Hampton Inn, Laramie WY
Day 10 – Laramie to Ogallala, NE
Our last day in Wyoming takes us to its capital city, Cheyenne. A local step-on guide will give us a quick tour that includes the State Capitol Building, Governor’s Mansion, and Historic Union Pacific Train Depot. No trip to Cheyenne would be complete without visiting the Cheyenne Frontier Days and Old West Museum. Our last Wyoming experience is so appropriate: Welcome to The Terry Bison Ranch, the West the way you want it. Climb aboard their private train and ride into the middle of a bison herd. Lunch is included on the ranch at Senator’s Steakhouse. Now with great joy and fabulous memories, we exit Wyoming and begin our journey home.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express
Day 11 – Ogallala to West Des Moines, IA
Travel day taking I-80 across Nebraska, through Lincoln, Omaha & Western Iowa to West Des Moines. We’ll celebrate a wonderful Backroads of Wyoming venture over our Farewell Dinner this evening at the Machine Shed Restaurant.
Included Meals: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner
Hotel: Drury Inn
Day 12 – West Des Moines to Home
We conveniently arrive home early afternoon. The Wild & Wonderful West is now a Wonderful Memory!
Included Meals: Breakfast
Motorcoach Per Person Pricing Information
Motorcoach Travel Protection Per Person
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
28 Meals plus Treat, Hotels & Activities as stated in brochure, Luxury Motorcoach
Tour Highlights
* Autumn in Wyoming – The absolutely best time!
* Stunning Scenery
* Devils Tower National Monument
* The Ranch at Ucross
* Sheridan, Wyoming
* Kings Saddlery – King Ropes
* Circle A Ranch Brinton Museum
* Scenic Bighorn Mountains
* Cody, Wyoming
* Buffalo Bill Center of the West
* Dan Miller Music Revue
* Heart Mountain World War II Site
* Historic Irma Hotel
* Old Trail Town
* Buffalo Bill Dam
* Great Western Dining
* Chief Joseph Scenic Byway
* Cooke City, MT
* Amazing Wildlife Sightings
* Log Cabin Café – Silver Gate, MT
Yellowstone National Park
* Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
* West Yellowstone, MT
* Geyser Basins
* Old Faithful Geyser
* Jackson Lake Lodge
* Grand Teton National Park
* Jenny Lake
* Grand Canyon of the Snake River
* Flying Saddle Resort Ranch
* Welty General Store
* Cowboy Café – Dubois
* Sinks Canyon
* Snowy Range Scenic Byway
* Wyoming Territorial Prison
* Cheyenne, WY Tour
* Terry Bison Ranch Train Tour
* 28 Included Meals!