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Durango Silverton Railroad Part of Guided Mount Rushmore Tours
Relive part of our early American history on Colorado’s famous and scenic Durango Silverton narrow gauge railroad, in operation for over 125 years!
The Durango Silverton Railroad is part of Caravan Tours fully escorted Mount Rushmore & Yellowstone adventure sightseeing tour which also includes Grand Tetons National Park, Yellowstone National Park and Crazy Horse National Monument.
Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
The railroad arrived in Durango in 1881 and by the summer of 1882 the narrow gauge railway to Silverton had also been completed.
From the very beginning the Durango Silverton railway was promoted as a scenic route for passenger service even though it was initially constructed to haul gold, silver and other mine ores. By 1906, tourism potential had dramatically increased with the creation of nearby Mesa Verde National Park.
For over 125 years this historic, vintage coal-fired, steam powered train has been in continuous operation. This early American narrow gauge railroad from a bygone era are the same railway tracks taken by old west miners, cowboys and early settlers dating back to the 1800’s.
It is also estimated that over $300 million in precious metals have been transported over the Durango Silverton railway.
Durango Silverton railway winds through spectacular, virtually untouched wilderness canyons in the remote area of the two million acre San Juan National Forest.
Owned and operated by American Heritage Railways, the locomotives used to pull today’s train are 1923-25 vintage and remain 100% coal-fired and steam operated, providing year-round passenger rail service.
Mount Rushmore & Yellowstone Adventure Tour Highlights
The Durango Silverton narrow gauge railroad is just one of the many historical attractions included in Caravan’s Mount Rushmore & Yellowstone park adventure vacation tour. Other stops include Wild Bill Hickcock’s early frontier town of Deadwood plus Custer’s last stand at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center and a Snake River escorted float trip through Grand Tetons Park.
Caravan Tours has been a family owned and operated tour company since 1952, offering affordable, fully escorted, all-inclusive tours throughout North and Central America.
For more information about the Durango Silverton narrow gauge railroad or about our escorted Mount Rushmore & Yellowstone Park adventure vacation tour or to make Reservations, please call Caravan Tours Toll-Free at 1-800-227-2826 or 312-321-9800.
Visit our Mount Rushmore & Yellowstone National Park tour page to see full tour details.
Order a Free Caravan Tours Brochure
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.
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. B.
Day 3 – Little Big Horn, Montana - Enter the range lands and oil fields of Wyoming and head west across the high plains. Visit the old western cowboy town of Sheridan. Enjoy lunch. Next, enter Montana, “Big Sky Country.” Enjoy a brief visit to Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in the Crow Nation. Here, in 1876, in the Valley of Little Big Horn, 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. Visit a wild west museum. BL
Day 6 – Grand Tetons, Jackson - 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. Stop at pristine Jenny Lake. Then, enjoy a picnic lunch near the banks of the Snake River. Weather and river conditions permitting, an unforgettable float trip awaits you on the majestic Snake River. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound as you float through the park. Watch for waterfowl, beaver, osprey and eagles. Then, to Jackson. 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. Elevation in Jackson is approximately 6,300 feet. BL
Day 7 – Tetons, Oregon Trail, Idaho - Drive south through the Bridger-Teton National Forest this morning. Enter Idaho and travel along the route of the original “Oregon Trail.” Visit the National Oregon Trail Center. Drive by Soda Springs and visit the resort town of Lava Hot Springs. Continue to Salt Lake City, Utah, the state capital. Afternoon visit to 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. BD
Day 8 – Salt Lake City, Utah - Your tour ends after breakfast at your hotel in Salt Lake City. Thanks for vacationing with Caravan. B
2023 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.
Days 1, 2 • Rapid City, South Dakota
Rushmore Hotel
The Rushmore Hotel is an elegant and artistic hotel 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.
Day 3 • Billings, Montana
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.
Days 4, 5 • Yellowstone, Wyoming
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 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.
Day 6 • Pocatello, Idaho
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.
Day 7 • Salt Lake City, Utah
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.
Movies
Movies
Crazy Horse02:53- Yellowstone Park03:45
- American West02:36
- A Volcanic Land04:59
Airport 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 that start 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, upon arrival, request your shuttle by calling the Holiday Inn at 605-348-4000. 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. Please allow 20 minutes for the drive.
Airfare is not included or sold by Caravan.
Passports & Visas
Passports & Visas
Non U.S. citizens, please check your passport and visa requirements. See Travel Tips for more details.
Weather & Clothing
Weather & Clothing
Temperature °F (high/low) Rainfall (inches)
| Rapid City | Yellowstone | Pocatello | Salt Lake City | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp | Rain | Temp | Rain | Temp | Rain | Temp | Rain | |
| Jan | 34/11 | 0.4 | 28/9 | 1.1 | 36/20 | 0.9 | 36/19 | 1.1 |
| Feb | 38/15 | 0.5 | 34/13 | 0.75 | 41/24 | 1.3 | 44/27 | 1.2 |
| Mar | 46/22 | 1.0 | 39/17 | 1.1 | 52/31 | 1.3 | 52/31 | 1.9 |
| Apr | 58/32 | 1.9 | 49/26 | 1.2 | 60/36 | 1.5 | 61/38 | 2.1 |
| May | 68/42 | 2.7 | 70/34 | 2.0 | 70/44 | 1.1 | 72/46 | 1.8 |
| Jun | 78/51 | 3.0 | 79/46 | 1.5 | 81/52 | 0.5 | 83/55 | 0.9 |
| Jul | 86/58 | 2.0 | 78/45 | 1.5 | 92/60 | 0.9 | 92/63 | 0.8 |
| Aug | 85/56 | 1.7 | 68/37 | 1.4 | 88/57 | 1.1 | 89/62 | 0.9 |
| Sep | 74/46 | 1.2 | 55/29 | 1.3 | 80/49 | 1.3 | 79/51 | 1.3 |
| Oct | 63/35 | 1.1 | 38/19 | 1.0 | 63/39 | 1.0 | 66/40 | 1.4 |
| Nov | 47/23 | 0.6 | 30/12 | 1.0 | 49/30 | 0.9 | 51/31 | 1.3 |
| Dec | 36/13 | 0.5 | 53/27 | 1.0 | 36/21 | 1.3 | 38/22 | 1.4 |
Temperature °F (high/low) Rainfall (inches)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | ||||||||||||
| temp | 34/11 | 38/15 | 46/22 | 58/32 | 68/42 | 78/51 | 86/58 | 85/56 | 74/46 | 63/35 | 47/23 | 36/13 |
| rainfall | 0.4 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.5 |
| Yellowstone | ||||||||||||
| temp | 28/9 | 34/13 | 39/17 | 49/26 | 70/34 | 79/46 | 78/45 | 68/37 | 55/29 | 38/19 | 30/12 | 53/27 |
| rainfall | 1.1 | 0.75 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Pocatello | ||||||||||||
| temp | 36/20 | 41/24 | 52/31 | 60/36 | 70/44 | 81/52 | 92/60 | 88/57 | 80/49 | 63/39 | 49/30 | 36/21 |
| rainfall | 0.9 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 1.3 |
| Salt Lake City | ||||||||||||
| temp | 36/19 | 44/27 | 52/31 | 61/38 | 72/46 | 83/55 | 92/63 | 89/62 | 79/51 | 66/40 | 51/31 | 38/22 |
| rainfall | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.4 |
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.
Travel Tips & FAQs
Travel Tips & FAQs
These are only the first 14 Travel Tips. Read all 55 Travel Tips Virtually everything! Hotels, all meals listed in the itinerary, 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. They are fluent in English, experienced and fun, ensuring a worry-free vacation. 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. Bottled water is provided free on the motorcoach and purified water is provided at the meals. Alcoholic beverages are not included unless specified. Children age 5 and over 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. 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. 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 and Driver. General fees and taxes are additional and listed separately beneath each tour’s price. 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. Usually, you find a mix of different age adult travelers on a Caravan Tour. Children age five (5) and over are welcome, and children usually join tours offered during Christmas holidays, summer vacation and spring break vacation. Caravan accepts payment (in U.S. funds only) via MasterCard, Visa, or Discover. 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. 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. 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 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 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 and medical coverage. The cost is $129. 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 and medical coverage. The cost is $129.What is included in the tour price?
Are meals included?
Children on Tour
Family Trips
My Tour Price Does Not Include
My Tour Price Includes
Age of Travelers on a Caravan Tour
Forms of Payment
Many Tours Sell Out Each Year
Fully Guided Tours Since 1952
Size of Tour Group
A Well-Paced Itinerary
Caravan’s $129 Protection Plan Offers Peace of Mind
Caravan Travel Protection
Customer 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." "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." "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." "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." "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." "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." "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."
Read All 147 ReviewsClick Here to Read All 147 Customer Reviews
Why 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.
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
All 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).
