Mt Rushmore & Yellowstone8 Day Tour from USD $1695#1 In Value

Dear Traveler, Welcome to a great vacation at an affordable price. Mt.Rushmore, Yellowstone tour is fully guided with all hotels, activities, and some meals. Happy Travels! Caravan
Mount Rushmore
Jenny Lake
Tour Map

Tour Year:

20232024

Caret DownCaret Up Red2023 Daily Tour Itinerary

2023 Daily Tour Itinerary

Day 1 • Rapid City, South Dakota

See some of America’s grandest sights! Your western adventure begins in Rapid City, South Dakota. Transfer from the Rapid City Airport by hotel courtesy shuttle to your centrally located hotel for a two night stay. Rooms are available for check-in after 3:00 p.m. Join Caravan for a 7:00 p.m. welcome briefing.

Please note: All tours will stay at The Rushmore Hotel, except for the tours that start on September 19 and September 20. These two tour dates will stay at the Holiday Inn Rapid City Downtown.

Crazy Horse

Day 2 • Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse

Enjoy a morning visit to Mt. Rushmore National Monument and the sculpted faces of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Lincoln. Next, drive to Crazy Horse Memorial. Started over 50 years ago, and still under construction, the memorial is the world’s largest sculpture in progress. Chief Standing Bear told the sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski, “My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know the red man has great heroes, too.” The monument is a tribute to the Sioux Lakota Indian leader known as Crazy Horse. Here, Indian artisans showcase their arts and crafts and visit with guests. Visit the Indian Museum of North America. Return through the Black Hills to Rapid City. Free time to explore the historic district and stroll the Presidential Walk with life-size statues of American Presidents.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 • Little Bighorn, Billings, Montana

Enter the rangelands and oil fields of Wyoming and head west across the high plains. Visit the old western cowboy town of Sheridan. Enjoy a picnic lunch. Next, enter Montana, “Big Sky Country.” Brief visit to Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in the Crow Nation. Here, in 1876, in the Valley of Little Bighorn, combined Sioux and Northern Cheyenne forces led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse overwhelmed General Custer and his cavalry. Continue to Billings, nestled between the Yellowstone River and the Rimrocks. Explorers Lewis & Clark camped near here in 1806.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Old Faithful

Day 4 • Yellowstone National Park

Journey alongside the Yellowstone River in Montana this morning as you follow the Lewis and Clark Trail to Livingston, film location of "A River Runs Through It" and "The Horse Whisperer." Continue following the Yellowstone River south through Paradise Valley into Yellowstone National Park. Established in 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park in the world. Now over 90 countries have national parks. This two million acre park contains almost 300 geysers and over 10,000 hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots. Look for moose, elk, bison, bears, and wolves. You will visit the major attractions of both Yellowstone’s upper and lower loops on your leisurely visit to the park. Visit Mammoth Hot Springs, one of the best areas in the park for close-up viewing of elk. See the unique terraced pools at Mammoth. Enjoy a relaxing two night stay at your lodge at the Old Faithful basin. Old Faithful Geyser is within easy viewing and walking distance of Old Faithful Inn and Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Every 90 minutes, Old Faithful Geyser shoots thousands of gallons of steaming water into the air. Elevation at Old Faithful is approximately 7,300 feet.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 • Yellowstone National Park

Continue your exploration of Yellowstone Park today on the lower loop. Visit Norris Geyser Basin. Stop at Fishing Bridge Visitor Center alongside Yellowstone Lake. Visit Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon, where you can marvel at the rushing waters of Yellowstone Falls, twice the height of Niagara Falls. Return to your hotel by mid-afternoon. Leisure time to enjoy your lodge and the nearby geysers.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 • Grand Tetons, Jackson to Pocatello, Idaho

This morning enter Grand Teton National Park. See the jagged, soaring Teton Range with peaks over 12,000 feet. Scenes from the movie “Shane” were filmed here. See pristine Jenny Lake. Continue to Jackson, Wyoming. Free time to explore the charming downtown. Stroll the art galleries and western shops. See the Antler Arch at the entrance to historic Jackson town square. You may wish to visit the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, with bar stools made from horse saddles. After a leisurely visit in Jackson, continue to Pocatello, Idaho. Unwind in your all-suites hotel. Elevation in Pocatello is approximately 4,462 feet.

Meals: Breakfast

Grand Tetons

Day 7 • Pocatello, Salt Lake City

This morning, Caravan takes you back in time to the 1840s and the Oregon Trail. Pocatello is nestled in the high desert along the Old Oregon Trail, just south of the Fort Hall Trading Post where emigrants in their horse-drawn wagons replenished their supplies before continuing on their journey west. See a replica of the Fort Hall Trading Post. Continue south to Salt Lake City, Utah, the state capital. Enjoy a sightseeing drive of the capital. See the Utah State Capitol Building. Visit Temple Square with its spacious gardens and fountains. See the Mormon Tabernacle, home to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (unless closed to the public due to a religious ceremony). Enjoy a farewell dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 • Salt Lake City, Utah

Your tour ends after breakfast. Transfers are provided to the Salt Lake City Airport. Thank you for vacationing with Caravan.

Meals: Breakfast

Yellowstone Park
Old Faithful
Grand Tetons
Yellowstone Park

Caret DownCaret Up Red2023 Hotels

2023 Hotels

Accommodations in the hotels and lodges are rooms with two beds and private bath or shower. A limited number of single rooms are available. Triple rooms are usually two beds.


Rushmore Hotel

Days 1, 2 • Rapid City, South Dakota

Rushmore Hotel

Rushmore Hotel

The Rushmore Hotel is located in the heart of Rapid City. The lobby has a marble floor design intricately pieced together with 75 different exotic stones from all over the world. All guest rooms at the Rushmore Hotel have coffee makers and high speed internet. All rooms are non-smoking. In Rapid City, “The City of Presidents,” there are now 43 life size bronze statues of former U.S. presidents on city street corners. A statue of President John F. Kennedy and his son, John F. Kennedy, Jr. stands outside the hotel.

Please note: All tours will stay at The Rushmore Hotel, except for the tours that start on September 19 and September 20. These two tour dates will stay at the Holiday Inn Rapid City Downtown.


Hilton Garden Inn

Day 3 • Billings, Montana

Hilton Garden Inn

Hilton Garden Inn

Billings, Montana's largest city, is located in the south-central portion of the state. The Hilton Garden Inn is a modern mid-rise hotel located in the newer retail area of Billings, approximately 1/4 mile from Rimrock Mall. Each of the rooms has complimentary wired and wireless internet access, microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, iron & ironing board, and hairdryer. All rooms are non-smoking. The Hilton Garden Inn's fitness center includes a heated indoor pool and whirlpool. The hotel has a restaurant and lobby bar and is within easy walking distance of several restaurants.


Old Faithful Inn
Old Faithful Snow Lodge

Days 4, 5 • Yellowstone, Wyoming

Old Faithful Inn

Old Faithful Inn

Old Faithful Inn is a National Park Lodge located inside Yellowstone National Park and within easy viewing and walking distance of Old Faithful Geyser. Staying within Yellowstone enhances your wildlife viewing and sightseeing opportunities. Yellowstone National Park is a visual playground with bubbling hot springs, thunderous waterfalls, fascinating wildlife and steaming geysers. All rooms are non-smoking/ non-vaping. Elevation at Old Faithful is approximately 7,300 feet.

Old Faithful Snow Lodge

Old Faithful Snow Lodge

Old Faithful Snow Lodge is a National Park Lodge located inside Yellowstone National Park and within easy viewing and walking distance of Old Faithful Geyser. Completed in 1999, all rooms feature a full bathroom, coffee maker, hair dryer, heat, alarm clock, telephone and a fan. There is no air conditioning, TV or radio, or pool. All rooms are non-smoking/ non-vaping. Elevation at Old Faithful is approximately 7,300 feet.


Marriott TownePlace Suites Pocatello

Day 6 • Pocatello, Idaho

Marriott TownePlace Suites Pocatello

Marriott TownePlace Suites Pocatello

Your home away from home in Pocatello, the TownePlace Suites provides you with space to unwind. Your studio suite includes a kitchen, complimentary wired internet, writing desk, alarm clock, iron and ironing board, coffee maker, hair dryer, cable TV, premium movie channels, radio. The non-smoking hotel includes an indoor pool & hot tub, fitness center, and a business center. Next door to the popular local restaurants Jakers Bar & Grill (Dine In & Take Out) and Cafe Tuscano.


The Hilton

Day 7 • Salt Lake City, Utah

The Hilton

The Hilton

The Hilton Salt Lake City is located in the heart of Salt Lake City, two blocks from Temple Square and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The rooms have all the modern amenities, including television, hair dryer, iron & ironing board, phone, voice mail, data port. All rooms are non-smoking. Please note: Three departure dates will stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Salt Lake City Airport. These are the tours that start on: June 1, June 14 and July 13.

Caret DownCaret Up RedAirport Transfers

Airport Transfers

arrival Transfers

Caravan's Rapid City, South Dakota hotel, the Rushmore Hotel provides a courtesy shuttle from the Rapid City Airport (RAP). Upon arrival, request your shuttle by calling the Rushmore Hotel at 605-348-8300. The shuttle operates daily from 5:00 am to 10 pm. Taxis cost $25.00 to $30.00 and take 20 minutes. Please note: All tours will stay at The Rushmore Hotel, except for the tours beginning on September 19 and September 20. These two tour dates will stay at the Holiday Inn Rapid City Downtown. For these two tour dates only, please request your shuttle by calling the Holiday Inn at 605-348-4000 upon arrival. The shuttle for the Holiday Inn operates daily from 5:30 am to 11 pm.

departure Transfers

Caravan provides departure transfers from the Hilton in Salt Lake City, Utah to the Salt Lake City Airport (SLC). Taxis cost approximately $25.00 to $35.00. Please allow 20 minutes for the drive.

Airfare is not included or sold by Caravan.

Caret DownCaret Up RedPassports & Visas

Passports & Visas

Non U.S. citizens, please check your passport and visa requirements. At the time of this printing, all Non-U.S. citizens must show proof of being fully vaccinated with the primary series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine before boarding your flight to the United States.

Caret DownCaret Up RedWeather & Clothing

Weather & Clothing

Temperature °F (high/low) Rainfall (inches)

Rapid CityYellowstonePocatelloSalt Lake City
TempRainTempRainTempRainTempRain
Jan34/110.428/91.136/200.936/191.1
Feb38/150.534/130.7541/241.344/271.2
Mar46/221.039/171.152/311.352/311.9
Apr58/321.949/261.260/361.561/382.1
May68/422.770/342.070/441.172/461.8
Jun78/513.079/461.581/520.583/550.9
Jul86/582.078/451.592/600.992/630.8
Aug85/561.768/371.488/571.189/620.9
Sep74/461.255/291.380/491.379/511.3
Oct63/351.138/191.063/391.066/401.4
Nov47/230.630/121.049/300.951/311.3
Dec36/130.553/271.036/211.338/221.4

Temperature °F (high/low) Rainfall (inches)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Rapid City
temp34/1138/1546/2258/3268/4278/5186/5885/5674/4663/3547/2336/13
rainfall0.40.51.01.92.73.02.01.71.21.10.60.5
Yellowstone
temp28/934/1339/1749/2670/3479/4678/4568/3755/2938/1930/1253/27
rainfall1.10.751.11.22.01.51.51.41.31.01.01.0
Pocatello
temp36/2041/2452/3160/3670/4481/5292/6088/5780/4963/3949/3036/21
rainfall0.91.31.31.51.10.50.91.11.31.00.91.3
Salt Lake City
temp36/1944/2752/3161/3872/4683/5592/6389/6279/5166/4051/3138/22
rainfall1.11.21.92.11.80.90.80.91.31.41.31.4

Clothing Tips

This is a casual tour. Casual wear is suggested for sightseeing and daytime travelling. Dress code for evenings is casual. Suit jackets for men and dresses for women are never required. See Travel Tips for more details.

Caret DownCaret Up RedTravel Tips & FAQs

Travel Tips & FAQs

These are only the first 13 Travel Tips. Read all 50 Travel Tips

Are meals included?

Included meals for each tour are listed at the end of each day. Meals are shown by B (breakfast), L (lunch) and D (dinner). Full, buffet, or deluxe continental breakfasts are included everywhere. Free bottled water is provided on the motorcoach. Alcoholic beverages are not included unless specified.

Meals

Meals included in the land price are indicated at the beginning of each day by B (Breakfast), L (Lunch), D (Dinner). Dinner, when included, is served at your hotel except when, as indicated in the itinerary, it is at a special restaurant outside the hotel. Coffee or tea is provided at all included meals.

Children on Tour

Children age five (5) and older are welcome on tour when accompanied by an adult. Usually, children travel during the school vacation months of June, July and August, and also during spring and winter school breaks.

Family Trips

Families are always welcome on any of our tours, but we do not have any programs specifically for or limited to families. Families can make specific requests for connecting, adjacent, triple or quad rooms, when available. Children must be at least 5 years old.

My Tour Price Does Not Include

Prices do not include air travel, country entry or departure fees, airport porters, visas, phone calls, valet, laundry, all items of a personal nature, extra food and beverages not on the regular menu, and tips to the Caravan Tour Director, driver, and local guides. General fees and taxes are additional and listed separately beneath each tour’s price.

My Tour Price Includes

Virtually everything! Hotels, many meals, all of the activities described in the itinerary pages, airport transfers in select cities, gratuities to hotel porters, restaurant staff and local guides. Caravan’s professional Tour Directors and local guides will be with you every step of the way, ensuring a worry free vacation.

Age of Travelers on a Caravan Tour

Usually, you find a mix of different age adult travelers on a Caravan Tour. Children age five (5) and older are welcome, and children usually join tours offered during Christmas holidays, summer vacation and spring break vacation.

Forms of Payment

Caravan accepts payment (in U.S. funds only) via MasterCard, Visa, or Discover.

Many Tours Sell Out Each Year

The farther in advance that you book, the more likely it is that your preferred tour will be open. Late bookings are welcome if the space is still available.

Fully Guided Tours Since 1952

Caravan has been offering fully guided tours worldwide under the same family ownership and management since 1952. Caravan understands and truly cares about your great expectations.

Size of Tour Group

Group sizes will vary depending on the reserved rooms at the hotels and the capacity of the boats and motorcoaches used. Usually, group sizes range from 30 to 44 passengers.

A Well-Paced Itinerary

A well-paced and unhurried itinerary is our goal, after all, you are on vacation! Touring days begin and end at reasonable hours and include frequent stops. While the occasional early morning departure is necessary, we do our best to ensure a leisurely vacation.

Caravan’s $129 Travel Protection

Caravan Travel Protection offers peace of mind if you cancel for any reason whatsoever prior to the departure of the tour. The travel protection plan also includes air, baggage, evacuation, medical, and quarantine coverage. The cost is $129.

Read All 50 Travel TipsClick Here for All 50 Travel Tips

Caret DownCaret Up RedCustomer Reviews

Customer Reviews

Please note: These reviews are from previous years. Hotels and activities may have changed.

These are only the first 7 Customer Reviews. Read all 147 Customer Reviews

"Beyond description, and I’m an English teacher! We chose Caravan for our 50th anniversary celebration and could not have been more pleased. Incredible offerings and accommodations made for personal needs at each stop. Loved the sights and photo ops, a totally comfortable amount. Loved that we could watch beautiful and informative films if we so chose. Never felt tired, and we loved the mini-hikes. Our TD was truly extraordinary, the ✭ director of the year, and all museum guides and assistants were inspirational. We may consider another tour in the future (this was our first), it was such a positive experience."

Mr. R.B., Englewood, New Jersey

"Looking for a carefree vacation? Caravan takes care of everything. Logistics, including airport and baggage transfers, hotels, sightseeing and activities, and reservations for all the events. Long coach rides can be quite boring, right? Not so if you were fortunate enough to have booked the Caravan Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore and Grand Tetons tour in August this year. Our awesome driver guided us as we traversed 1250 miles of spectacular scenery for six days. Mother nature treated us to thrilling views; geysers, hot springs, abundant lodgepole pine trees, lakes, rivers and wildlife. Bring your camera so you can capture the significant milestones and awesome sights along the way. We were on watch for waterfowl, beaver, osprey, eagles, and big game elk, bison, and deer. The Grand Tetons provide a fantastic backdrop as you take it all in. And don’t worry if you slept through geography and social studies class in high school. Enter our director, a great storyteller with colorful speech and quick wit. Never dull, the daily excursions traveling through the west all rolled up into one incredible trip."

Mr. C.R., Chattanooga, Tennessee

"When I’m ready for another guided tour, Caravan would be a top choice. I was totally impressed with how organized everything was. So many great activities and sights: the hikes around the hot springs. Our tour director made the trip so fun, and our driver was excellent, always smiling, helpful and welcoming us aboard. Lots of rest and photo stops made our vacation enjoyable."

Mr. & Mrs. A.N., East Syracuse, New York

"Outstanding. I cannot emphasize enough how pleased we were to go on our 2nd trip with Caravan. This was equally, if not better, than our last trip to Yosemite. We had a great time, felt safe, and couldn’t have seen as much or learned as much if we went at it alone. We cannot say enough good things about your staff and our experience. They aced it. Our TD was an excellent animator and director delivering on what was promised and more. We enjoyed all the sights and guided tours, very well chosen. Relaxing, scenic and very memorable, we’d recommend it to anyone."

Mr. & Mrs. A.M., Abington, Pennsylvania

"This is my third Caravan tour and by far the best. I have highly recommended you to many people and show them your brochure. I was very happy with the provided activities and sights and especially liked our director’s narration about what we were seeing as it greatly enhanced our experience. I never had and probably never will have a finer tour director."

Mr. J.B., Mount Vernon, Ohio

"I am very happy that I took this tour through history, and happy with all we were able to see and do. We have a beautiful country right here and to be able to finally visit things and learn about them was an amazing experience. So many breathtaking moments along with a narrative by a professional; again, amazing. Even during longer drives, our director kept us informed about where we were and any important history that tied our tour together. He was an excellent tour director. Entertaining, he held my attention and his time management was impeccable. I was impressed with his concern for us and his preparedness; he was a pleasure to travel with for the seven days. Thank you."

Mrs. P.P., Lavallette, New Jersey

"Excellent trip in all aspects and a great value! Caravan took good care of me from the airport arrival to the airport departure. Yellowstone and Grand Tetons were beautiful. Loved the geysers and thermal activity, canyons, waterfalls, mountains and wildlife. Will certainly consider booking another Caravan adventure in the future."

Mr. L.R., Lebanon, Ohio

Read All 147 ReviewsClick Here to Read All 147 Customer Reviews

Caret DownCaret Up RedWhy Travel with Caravan?

Why Travel with Caravan?

Excellence Since 1952

You can trust our years of experience with tours of superb quality and excellent value. Caravan has enjoyed the same family management and ownership since 1952.

PanAm Jet
In 1959, Pan Am invited Caravan to be the very first tour company to fly their clients on its new line of Clipper Jets.
Vintage Motorcoach
In 1964, Caravan introduced the very first fleet of air conditioned motorcoaches in all of Europe.
Leather Back Turtle Park
Caravan is a proud supporter of the Leatherback Turtle National Park and Costa Rica's efforts to protect this endangered giant.
Federal Reserve Bank Of Chicago

Caravan Care

For your safety, Caravan cancelled most 2020 and all 2021 tour departures and refunded 100% of all payments received. See Caravan’s Covid-19 Terms of Travel.

Caravan's Proud History

In 1965, Roger Mudd hosted a two-hour CBS TV special on Caravan Tours. This TV production took about one month to make and was so successful it inspired the 1968 romantic comedy movie “If it’s Tuesday this must be Belgium.” In the early 50’s the Mayor of Dublin presented Caravan with the Key to Dublin for bringing the first American tour to the city after WWII. Since then, Caravan has been recognized as a pioneer in travel. You can trust in our stability, experience and dedication to quality.

Great Hotels

Stay at park lodges, scenic resorts, and excellent hotels in great locations. See hotel descriptions on each tour page.

Meals

Most meals included within Latin America. For USA and Canada tours, included meals are listed on each itinerary page. Bottled water is provided on motorcoaches in Latin America.

Complete Sightseeing

Enjoy complete sightseeing with more visits, extra features, and local guides.

Fully Guided by Tour Directors

All tours conducted from start to finish by professional tour directors, who are fluent in English, experienced, and fun.

All-inclusive

Caravan includes all activities listed in the tour itinerary page. Caravan does not sell any optional activities which can add hundreds of dollars to your tour price. Your free time is scheduled in great settings where there is no need to buy additional expensive activities.

Shopping Freedom

Caravan will not bring you to overpriced shops in exchange for payments. Caravan gives you ample opportunity and time for great shopping, and the freedom to choose where and when to shop.

Great Value, Book Early

Caravan’s strong buying power gives you great vacations at prices much lower than you can find anywhere. In a typical year, most of our tours sell out quickly. Book early for the date you prefer and the best air fare.

How does Caravan Tours sell these tours for such a low cost?

Caravan delivers volume to our suppliers, who in turn reward us with their very best prices. We in turn pass these savings on to you, and you reward us by buying our tours. As volume continues to rise, we then receive even better prices from our suppliers, and we pass even greater savings on to you. This year our tours are better than ever.

Trade Association Memberships

Caravan is a member of ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors), NTA (National Tour Association), ABA (American Bus Association), CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), and ACMA (American Catalog Association).

ASTA, NTA, ABA, CLIA, and ACMA