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

Guided Yellowstone Tours from Salt Lake City

Travel with us and enjoy a Caravan Yellowstone National Park tour as part of our Mt Rushmore & Yellowstone fully guided travel tour.

Travel from Rapid City South Dakota to Salt Lake City Utah and enjoy amazing stops along the way. See Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument, Little Bighorn Battlefield, the Grand Teton Mountains, and of course, Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park.

To Enjoy a Yellowstone National Park Tour
Call 1-800-CARAVAN (227-2826)

Yellowstone Park - A World Heritage Site

The creation of Yellowstone National Park Park in 1872 is often cited as one of America’s greatest ideas.

National parks were created to protect and preserve America’s most unique wilderness areas. The goal was to keep the wilderness and its wildlife in their natural state for public enjoyment and for the enjoyment of future generations.

The large ecosystem of Greater Yellowstone is regarded as one of the world’s biggest remaining intact temperate-zone ecosystems. On October 26, 1976, Yellowstone National Park was designated an International Biosphere Reserve and a year later in 1978, a World Heritage Site.

How Big Is Yellowstone National Park?

Yellowstone Park is over 2.2 million acres in size. It is situated atop a huge volcanic basin (a crater or caldera) that was created over 630,000 years ago during the last major volcanic eruption.

The Yellowstone Supervolcano formed a crater that spans almost half of Yellowstone National Park. In fact, the caldera is larger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware combined!

Old Faithful Geyser & Other Geothermal Features

Come experience all that Yellowstone National Park has to offer.

On your Yellowstone National Park tour, you’ll visit the Park’s famous geyser, Old Faithful, which is only one of 250 active geysers in the Park. In fact, approximately 10,000 thermal features and almost two-thirds of all the world’s geysers can be found here.

Other geothermal features include mud pots, steam vents, and natural hot springs & pools like Mammoth Hot Springs. These geothermal wonders are evidence of one of the world’s largest active supervolcanoes.

Yellowstone Falls & Wildlife

Along with steaming geysers, panoramic views, and pristine untouched mountain lakes, this Caravan Yellowstone National Park tour also includes Yellowstone’s thundering waterfalls. Did you know that Yellowstone Falls is twice the height of the Niagara waterfalls?

Also, since 80% of Yellowstone Park is covered by forest, there is abundant wildlife including bighorn sheep, moose, grizzly bear, wolves, bison, elk, and the American bald eagle.

Mount Rushmore & Yellowstone National Park Tour

Your Mount Rushmore & Yellowstone tour ends in Salt Lake City. Along the way, you’ll also get to enjoy other unique US landmarks and historical attractions including:

About Caravan Tours

Since 1952, Caravan Tours has been offering fully escorted, Affordable Tours of the USA, Canada, and Central America. Celebrating our 70th anniversary in 2022, we are “still” a family-owned and operated tour company.

For more information about our Yellowstone National Park tour, please contact us.

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

• Visit our Mt Rushmore & Yellowstone Tour page
• Read Caravan’s Mt Rushmore & Yellowstone tour Reviews

Old Faithful
Grand Teton Raft Trip
Yellowstone Park

Caret DownCaret Up Red2024 Hotels

2024 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, 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 July 10 and August 15 will stay at the Holiday Inn Rapid City Downtown. The tours that start on June 20, August 29 and 31, and September 4, 6 and 12 will stay at the Courtyard 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.


Gray Wolf Inn
Kelly Inn
West Gate Hotel

Day 5 • West Yellowstone, Montana

Gray Wolf Inn

Gray Wolf Inn

Located two blocks from Yellowstone’s West Entrance, your hotel is centrally located for walking to restaurants, shops and attractions. Enjoy the indoor pool, hot tub and gym. Rooms include a mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, hair dryer, 49-inch flat-screen satellite TV, free Wi-Fi, telephone and alarm clock, heating and air conditioning. Special amenities include S’mores kits, use of hiking sticks and binoculars and lawn games.

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.

West Gate Hotel

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 with Direct TV satellite channels, 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.

Please note: All tours will stay at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center Hotel, except for the tours that start on May 29, May 31, June 18 and July 2. These four tours will stay at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City.

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.

Exception hotels: The tours beginning on July 10 and August 15 will stay at the Holiday Inn Rapid City Downtown. For these two tour dates at the Holiday Inn, 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.

The tours beginning on June 20, August 29 and 31, and September 4, 6 and 12 will stay at the Courtyard Rapid City. For these tour dates, 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 both the Hilton Salt Lake City Center Hotel and the Kimpton Hotel Monaco 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.

Please note: All tours will stay at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center Hotel, except for the tours that start on May 29, May 31, June 18 and July 2. These four tours will stay at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City.

Airfare is not included or sold by Caravan.

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.

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