Mt Rushmore & Yellowstone

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
Grand Tetons
Tour Map

Tour Year:

20262027

Crazy Horse Monument Tour Part of Mt Rushmore Tour

Enjoy a guided Crazy Horse Monument tour with Caravan Tours and see the largest sculpture in the world, which has been a work in progress since 1947!

Join us on our Caravan Mount Rushmore Tour and visit the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota’s Black Hills, just 17 miles (27km) southwest of Mount Rushmore. The tour also includes a visit to Little Bighorn Montana and Yellowstone National Park!

Book your Crazy Horse Monument Tour Now!
Call 1-800-CARAVAN (227-2826)

History of the Crazy Horse Monument

On the invitation of Chief Henry Standing Bear and other Native American elders, sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski began carving the Crazy Horse monument in 1947 in the Black Hills, a place that remains sacred to the Lakota Indians.

“My lands are where my dead lie buried.”

Chief Crazy Horse, a Sioux Warrior, was chosen because of his values and the inspiration his story has left for people of all races.

When asked, “Where are your lands now?” Chief Crazy Horse replied, “My lands are where my dead lie buried.” Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski chose to symbolize this in the Crazy Horse Monument with the warrior’s outstretched left arm.

On the Crazy Horse Monument tour, you’ll learn how Chief Crazy Horse was instrumental in the victory over General Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn, another stop on Caravan’s guided Mount Rushmore tour.

Visit our blog article entitled Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument for more information.

The granite mountain carving that is Crazy Horse Monument tells the story of Chief Crazy Horse, a great and patriotic Native American hero who died in 1877 at the age of 35. While under a flag of truce at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, Chief Crazy Horse was stabbed in the back by an American soldier.

Crazy Horse Attractions

As part of the Crazy Horse monument tour, you’ll also have the opportunity to visit the following:

  • The Indian Museum of North America
  • The Native American Cultural Center
  • Korczak’s Studio
  • The Indian University & Medical Training Center
  • Plus, the 40,000 square foot Orientation Center

Crazy Horse Monument Facts

To make your Crazy Horse Monument tour more enjoyable, here are a few facts about the world’s largest sculpture:

  • 641 feet long by 563 feet high
  • His head is 87 feet 6 inches high
  • The horse’s head will be 219 feet or 22 stories high
  • Crazy Horse Monument is 6,740 ft above sea level
  • Korczak began carving the mountain with a gas-powered jackhammer
  • He labored on the mountain for 35 years until his death in 1982

The monument is an ambitious project that will take much longer than one man’s lifetime to complete. Korczak’s family and extended family have carried on the project.

The Crazy Horse Memorial is a non-profit cultural and educational humanitarian project dedicated to the Native Americans of North America.

Other Tour Highlights

Our guided Caravan Mount Rushmore tour begins in Rapid City and ends in Salt Lake City Utah. These other mini tours are also included:

About Caravan Tours

Caravan Tours is a family-owned and operated USA tour company based in Chicago celebrating 70 years of fully guided tours in 2022. Since 1952 we’ve offered affordable, fully Guided Tours throughout the United States, Canada, and Central America, delivering an unrivaled standard of excellence.

For more information about our Chief Crazy Horse Monument tour or to join Caravan on our Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone Park tour, please visit our Easy Booking page.

Or call us toll-free at 1-800-Caravan (227-2826)

Old Faithful
Grand Teton Raft Trip
Yellowstone Park

Caret DownCaret Up Red2026 Hotels

2026 Hotels

Accommodations in the hotels and lodges are usually 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, 3 • 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: The tours that start on June 5, July 17, September 6, 13, 16, 18 and 20 will stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Rapid City Downtown.

The tours that start on July 15, August 19, September 2, and September 11 will stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Rapid City.

Hilton Garden Inn

Day 4 • 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.

Kelly Inn
ClubHouse Inn
Best Western Desert Inn
Yellowstone West Gate Hotel

Day 5 • West Yellowstone, Montana

Kelly Inn

Kelly Inn

Your hotel is centrally located for walking to restaurants, shops and attractions. Enjoy the heated indoor pool and hot tub, large outdoor patio with gas fire pit, picnic tables with charcoal grill. Complimentary 24 hour coffee, tea and hot chocolate are available in the lobby. First and second floor guest laundry. Free high speed wireless internet throughout the hotel. Room amenities include Direct TV, free local calls, coffee maker, microwave, mini refrigerator, alarm clock, extra USB charge ports in every room, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, individual heat and AC units, 100% non-smoking rooms.

ClubHouse Inn

ClubHouse Inn

Your hotel is centrally located for walking to restaurants, shops and attractions. Enjoy the indoor pool and spa. Room amenities include free wi-fi, hair dryer, coffee maker, microwave, refrigerator, iron and ironing board, wake-up service, alarm clock, flat screen TV, telephone, radio, individually controlled AC and heat. 100% non-smoking rooms.

Best Western Desert Inn

Best Western Desert Inn

Your hotel is centrally located for walking to restaurants, shops and attractions. Enjoy the indoor pool and spa, guest laundry. All rooms include free wireless internet access. a microwave, refrigerator, 40-inch HDTV. 100% smoke-free hotel.

Yellowstone West Gate Hotel

Yellowstone West Gate Hotel

Conveniently located for walking to downtown restaurants and shops. Indoor heated pool and spa, guest laundry, business center, heating and air conditioning. Rooms include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, hairdryer, fridge, microwave, coffee maker, air conditioning and heating, alarm clock, desk, iron and ironing board, radio, sitting area, telephone.

Jackson Lake Lodge

Days 6, 7 • Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Jackson Lake Lodge

Jackson Lake Lodge

Your National Park Service lodge, Jackson Lake Lodge, is a National Historic Landmark located in the heart of Grand Teton National Park. The lobby has huge panoramic windows with views overlooking the snow capped Grand Tetons. Enjoy the outdoor heated swimming pool and tennis court. There are no televisions or air conditioning in the rooms. The lodge offers recreational activities for purchase, including horseback riding, boat rides, golf and lake and river fishing. Dining facilities include the elegant Mural Room, the casual Pioneer Grill and the Blue Heron, a scenic cocktail lounge with outdoor seating overlooking the Tetons. The lodge has a gift shop and a medical clinic. Room amenities include WiFi Access. Your cottage room is separate from the Main Lodge and is nestled in the pine trees. Your cottage includes a private bathroom, coffee maker, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, mini refrigerator and telephone.

The Hilton

Day 8 • 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.

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. For tours staying at the DoubleTree by Hilton Rapid City Downtown (the tours beginning on June 5, July 17 and September 6, 13, 16, 18 and 20), please request your shuttle by calling the DoubleTree at 605-348-4000 upon arrival. The DoubleTree shuttle operates daily from 5:30 am to 11 pm. For tours staying at the Courtyard by Marriott Rapid City (the tours beginning on July 15, August 19, September 2, and September 11), please call the Airport Express Shuttle when you arrive at 605-399-9999 to advise that you are with Caravan Tours and that you just landed. After you have retrieved your luggage, walk outside to the transportation island and your driver will meet you there.

Departure Transfers

Caravan provides departure transfers from the Hilton Salt Lake City Center Hotel 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.

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Passports & Visas

Non U.S. citizens, please check your passport and visa requirements.

Caret DownCaret Up RedWeather & Clothing

Weather & Clothing

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

Rapid CityBillingsYellowstoneGrand Teton National ParkSalt Lake City
TempRainTempRainTempRainTempRainTempRain
Jan34/110.438/210.128/91.125/60.336/191.1
Feb38/150.543/240.134/130.7530/90.444/271.2
Mar46/221.052/310.439/171.139/180.652/311.9
Apr58/321.961/381.049/261.249/261.161/382.1
May68/422.770/471.970/342.060/341.872/461.8
Jun78/513.080/551.679/461.570/401.383/550.9
Jul86/582.089/620.878/451.579/440.892/630.8
Aug85/561.787/600.768/371.477/420.889/620.9
Sep74/461.276/510.955/291.368/351.179/511.3
Oct63/351.162/410.838/191.054/271.166/401.4
Nov47/230.647/300.230/121.037/180.851/311.3
Dec36/130.537/220.153/271.026/80.538/221.4

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
Billings
temp38/2143/2452/3161/3870/4780/5589/6287/6076/5162/4147/3037/22
rainfall0.10.10.41.01.91.60.80.70.90.80.20.1
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
Grand Teton National Park
temp25/630/939/1849/2660/3470/4079/4477/4268/3554/2737/1826/8
rainfall0.30.40.61.11.81.30.80.81.11.10.80.5
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.

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Travel Tips & FAQs

These are only the first 14 Travel Tips. Read all 49 Travel Tips

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Forms of Payment

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

Caravan’s Travel Protection Plan

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.

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.

REAL ID Required to Fly

Beginning May 7, 2025, if you plan to use your state-issued ID or license to fly within the U.S., make sure it is REAL ID compliant. If you are not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID, check with your state department of motor vehicles. If you do not have a REAL ID, a valid passport or passport card is also acceptable documentation for domestic flights. More information is available at www.TSA.gov or via your state’s department of motor vehicles.

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Customer Reviews

These are only the first 7 Customer Reviews. Read all 210 Customer Reviews

"All the hotels were great! Good location for where we were, with restaurants, and other attractions in the area."

R., Jody & Jo, Greenfield, Indiana

"I would tell people to GO ON THIS TOUR! It was all absolutely amazing."

J. B., Houston, Texas

"We loved the raft on the Snake River - it was a highlight of the trip!"

M. J., Glenview, Illinois

"We saw so much for a very reasonable price. I don't know how you could make the tour any better."

H. H., Hertford, North Carolina

"This tour is a great value!"

M. &. R. H., Boyston Beach, Florida

"The tour overall was FANTASTIC. It covered all the scenic locations we needed to see."

A. &. D. B., Saint Johns, Florida

"A ten-mile raft ride down the beautiful Snake River in Jackson Hole was an unforgettable experience."

S. H., Ardmore, Pennsylvania

Read All 210 ReviewsClick Here to Read All 210 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.

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. Most of our tours sell out quickly. Book early for the date you prefer and the best airfare.

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 NTA (National Tour Association), ABA (American Bus Association), CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), and ACMA (American Commerce Marketing Association).

NTA, ABA, CLIA, and ACMA