America's Magnificent National Parks - end Rapid City, Small Group

Tour Type: Discovery
Brochure Type USA Canada Small Group 2026 v1

Explore America's top national parks on this 15-Day guided tour. After an evening in Scottsdale, start your journey in bohemian Sedona, where spiritual seekers and nature lovers alike will revel in its red-hued mountainous landscape. Take a short jaunt to the Grand Canyon, where a Local Expert will show you the wonders of America's most famed natural beauty. In Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Make Travel Matter and board all-terrain vehicles and ride through the desert with your Navajo guide. Glide through Zion National Park on a private shuttle, before watching the red cliffs and valleys give way to the Rocky Mountains of Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Finally, scale the 563-foot-tall Crazy Horse Memorial and stand face-to-face with the stone carving of the Lakota warrior.

Additional Included Highlights
  • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
  • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
  • Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
  • Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
  • Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
Authentic Dining
  • Scottsdale Mingle over a delightful dinner at your resort's renowned Zuzu Restaurant, named for the beloved matriarch of the family that owns the property.
  • Salt Lake City At 1800, join your Travel Director for dinner where you'll have the chance to mingle with fellow guests.
  • Clearmont Start off your evening with cocktails in the historic Ranch House bar. After your All-American ranch style dinner, head to the fire pit for some s'mores and live music.
  • Custer Toast to the finale of your trip at a dinner served at your lodge in Custer State Park.
Choice Highlights
  • Ucross Live the American frontier dream with a scenic morning country horseback ride.
  • Zion National Park Explore the natural beauty of Zion National Park on a guided hike to the famed Emerald Pools. Or, for a more relaxed experience, take a self-guided walk along the Virgin River keeping an eye out for the sights and sounds of nature.
  • Choose between two carefully selected activities
  • Zion National Park Visit the Zion Nature Center at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center - The most well known of Zion's Earth friendly endeavor. Learn about how the Center was built on a previously disturbed site & utilized outdoor exhibits to take advantage o
  • Ucross Take a leisurely fishing outing and enjoy the serene surroundings.
Dining Summary
  • 1 Lunch (L)
  • 13 Breakfast (B)
  • 5 Dinner with Wine (DW)
  • 1 Dinner (D)
Insight Choice
  • Ucross Live the American frontier dream with a scenic morning country horseback ride.
  • Ucross Take a leisurely fishing outing and enjoy the serene surroundings.
  • Zion National Park Explore the natural beauty of Zion National Park on a guided hike to the famed Emerald Pools. Or, for a more relaxed experience, take a self-guided walk along the Virgin River keeping an eye out for the sights and sounds of nature.
  • Zion National Park Visit the Zion Nature Center at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center - The most well known of Zion's Earth friendly endeavor. Learn about how the Center was built on a previously disturbed site & utilized outdoor exhibits to take advantage o
  • Ucross Ucross Ranch Explore the ranch life and choose to head on a scenic country horseback ride accompanied by a Ranch Hand. Alternatively, try your hand at fishing.
Insight Experiences
  • Black Hills Visit Crazy Horse Memorial, which is dedicated to protecting and preserving the culture, tradition and living heritage of the Native American people. A special Insight Experience awaits as you are taken up to stand face-to-face with this impr
Make Travel Matter
  • Monument Valley Deepen your knowledge and connection with the first nations of this land as we travel to Monument Valley by way of off-road vehicles to the cookout site. Here you'll enjoy an authentically delicious barbecue dinner with members of the Nav
  • Grand Canyon Trace the scenic South Rim of the Grand Canyon along Desert View Drive. See the historic Watchtower built by Mary Colter in the Puebloan style and track the Colorado River that leads you to the aptly named Painted Desert which extends toward
Top Rated Highlights
  • Black Hills View the awe-inspiring Devils Tower National Monument, a butte that protrudes from the landscape and is considered sacred by the Lakota and other tribes.
  • Monument Valley Meet your Navajo Local Experts and board all-terrain vehicles with open sides for a private, off-the-beaten path exploration of this magical valley. Learn about Navajo history, culture and heritage from your expert as you travel deeper in
  • Zion National Park See the grandeur and natural features of the canyon in total comfort while traveling via private open-air tram with live on-board commentary.
  • Grand Canyon Early risers will take advantage of the lodge location, close to the Grand Canyon South Rim, to witness one of Mother Nature's grandest shows on earth a sunrise over the majestic Grand Canyon.
  • Yellowstone National Park Catch the renowned colorful bubbling mud pots and observe Old Faithful geyser shooting water over 120 feet (37 meters) into the air. The Upper Geyser Basin boasts the highest concentration of spouting geysers, hot springs and st
  • Travel through Bryce Canyon Country on a portion of the Scenic Highway 89, recognized by National Geographic as the number 1 Driver's Drive in the world.
  • Yellowstone National Park Travel out of Yellowstone NP through Shoshone Canyon and Absaroka Rocky Mountains to the Wild West Town of Cody.
  • Grand Canyon National Park Join your Local Expert, Canyon Tim, for an informative talk about the wonders of the Grand Canyon. With over seven years of experience in geology, you'll learn about the origins of the five-million-year-old canyon, its rock for
  • Badlands National Park Steep yourself in all that is the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Preserved here are 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires, blended with the largest protected mixed grass prairie in America. The uniqu
  • Sedona With its red stone formations that create a haunting skyline found nowhere else in the world. This is where Arizona keeps the Old West. And this is where a New West has evolved, as a haven for creatives, a center of spiritual health and enlightenm
  • Zion National Park Travel through more amazing scenery on your way to Zion National Park. Cut through the Checkerboard Mesa and meander down to Zion Canyon while taking in many of its famous landmarks.
  • Black Hills View iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial where carvings of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt overlook the landscape.
  • Jackson Historic Jackson, where the majestic peaks of the Teton Range act as your constant backdrop. Feel like you've stepped back in time as you walk through the town's famous landmark arch of tangled elk antlers. Spend the rest of the afternoon explori
  • Cody Explore the award-winning Buffalo Bill Center of the West, known for its excellent Western art collection and natural history.
  • Grand Teton National Park Travel through a mountainous landscape like no other. Witness the striking Grand Tetons thrust skyward 6,562 feet (2,000 meters) from the valley floor and keenly watch for exciting wildlife that call these mountains home. Includ
  • Sedona Experience the essence of the great American road trip, as you travel through the Red Rock Scenic Byway. Along your journey you will be immersed in the stunning, natural peaks and rock formations of the Red Country, that look as though they could
  • Bryce Canyon National Park Head to the sandstone cliffs of Bryce Canyon National Park in Southern Utah. Here you will be met by pine trees and red rock pillars. Take a leisurely walk along Sunset Point while you view the great amphitheatres of the odd-sh
  • Yellowstone National Park One of the major geyser basins in Yellowstone, the Mammoth Hot Springs Area is visually unique from the other thermal features in the park. Here, hot water rises through the limestone, dissolving large quantities of rock and lea
  • Custer State Park Continue venturing through the Black Hills to arrive at Custer State Park. Renowned for its beautiful landscape and abundance of wildlife. Home to a famous herd of 1,500 free roaming bison, accompanied by elk, mule deer, white tailed de
Well-being
  • Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19. All Travel Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
  • Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical
  • Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
  • We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.

Call 410-638-5822 for more information or to book today! Mention code 18824843

Tour Operator
Insight Vacations
Offer
Offer valid through 12/30/2024
Duration
14 Days
Escorted
Escorted - Yes
DayDestinationDescription
Day 1ScottsdaleArrive in Phoenix and Travel to Scottsdale: Welcome to Arizona, famous for its scenic road trips, towering Monument Valley, and of course the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. Head to Scottsdale at your leisure to explore Old Scottsdale, a vibrant and unique urban downtown area that introduces you the best of the state. Here, you'll be surrounded by retro wooden buildings, rodeo inspired artwork and a selection of local stores, all radiating a classic Southwestern flair. Savor a dinner accompanied by wine in the company of your fellow travelers.

Accommodations: Valley Ho, Scottsdale
Day 2Grand Canyon National ParkSedona and the Wonders of the Mighty Grand Canyon: Travel through world-renowned Red Country along the Red Rock Scenic Byway, one of only 20 designated All-American Roads nationwide. Explore bohemian Sedona with its shops and galleries, or simply take in the exceptional beauty of Red Rock Country before you make your way to the Grand Canyon. Follow Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Byway through Coconino National Forest, a breathtaking stretch of road recognized by Rand McNally as one of the Top Five Most Scenic Drives in America. On arrival, you can take an optional flightseeing tour over the Grand Canyon. Whether you prefer a helicopter or a fixed-wing plane, you'll enjoy magnificent scenery with aerial views from above. Meet your Local Expert, Tim at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to discover its wonders. You'll learn all about the origins of the five-million-year-old canyon, its rock formations and the human impact on this natural masterpiece. He'll also talk to you about the local flora and fauna, and where you might be able to spot them.

Accommodations: Grand Canyon National Park Lodge
Day 5Zion National ParkBryce Canyon National Park: Journey across a wide-open landscape punctuated by colorful sandstone cliffs, sagebrush-covered flats, and high ridges dotted with piƱon pine and juniper. Travel through Bryce Canyon Country on a portion of the Scenic Highway 89, recognized by National Geographic as the No. 1 Driver's Drive in the world. You will be struck by the beauty of Bryce Canyon National Park, an otherworldly landscape of red rock pillars known as hoodoos, pink cliffs, and endless vistas. Follow the Rim Trail from Surprise Point to Bryce Point. Stops will be made at the major viewpoints and there will be time for a leisurely walk along Sunset Point or a more physical hike down the canyon. Either way, you will be spellbound by the beauty and majesty of this dramatic natural landscape.

Accommodations: Zion National Park Lodge
Day 6Zion National ParkZion National Park Relaxed Start: After a leisurely breakfast and a Relaxed Start, we will tour Zion National Park aboard a privately chartered tram, with live commentary from a Local Expert to show you the many scenic highlights of the canyon such as the weeping rock, the hanging garden and the fauna and flora of the park. Then choose between a Travel Director guided hike to the Emerald Pools for beautiful scenery of the canyon, waterfalls and green pools surrounded by red sandstone or take a self-guided leisurely stroll along the Virgin River Walk and keep your eye out for wildlife.

Accommodations: Zion National Park Lodge
Day 7Salt Lake CitySalt Lake City: This morning you make your way out of Zion National Park and travel to Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah. In the evening join your fellow travelers for a dinner with wine at the hotel.

Accommodations:
Day 8JacksonJackson and the Tetons: Before leaving Salt Lake City, take in the State Capitol building. Drive along the scenic Logan Canyon, over the Wasatch Mountain Range, and up to the Bear Lake Summit. Stop for lunch on your own near Bear Lake offering views of beautiful turquoise waters. You will then head north across the Oregon Trail to historic Jackson. Have your cameras ready for the famous elk antlers at the central square, while eager shoppers will find a number of charming traditional boutique galleries to browse. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure, with your hotel located only a short walk away from Jackson's Town Square.

Accommodations: Elk Country Inn, Jackson Hole
Day 9Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National Park: Wake up to a mountainous view like no other and witness the striking Grand Tetons thrust skyward 13,775 feet (4,199 m) from the valley floor. This morning, you have the opportunity to partake in an optional scenic float down the Snake River (signed waiver required) inside Grand Teton National Park. In keeping with today's rustic country charm, you'll enter Yellowstone, the world's first National Park. Known for its unique geothermal activity, spectacular landscapes and abundant wildlife, you'll experience Wyoming in all its glory. Keep an eye out for black bears or wolves. Tonight you'll stay in the National Park Lodges, allowing you to experience the park after hours, in its natural habitat.

Accommodations: Yellowstone National Park Lodges
Day 10Old Faithful Geyser of CaliforniaGeysers and Colorful Hot Springs: Savor the surreal surroundings of Yellowstone with a relaxed start. Walk among the rainbow tinted hot springs and watch the erupting geysers as you take in the history of the park on an informative stroll with your Travel Director. Catch the renowned colorful bubbling mud pots and observe Old Faithful geyser shooting water over 120 feet (37 meters) into the air. In the afternoon, enjoy the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone as you take in stunning natural wonders. While driving through Hayden Valley, famous for its wildlife, keep an eye out for wolves, bears, elk and hundreds of bison. The rest of the evening is at leisure for you to relax.

Accommodations: Yellowstone National Park Lodges
Day 11UcrossThe Ranch at Ucross: Set off on your travels through the stark Shoshone Canyon and Absaroka Rocky Mountains, leading you to the Wild West Town of Cody. Channel your inner showman and learn more about America's great Western legends at the Buffalo Bill Center, known for its Western art collection, firearms, and natural history. Travel through the Bighorn National Forest to the Ranch at UCross. Take in the rustic charm as you're hosted at a traditional Wyoming Family ranch. Start off the evening with a cocktail hour in the historic Ranch House bar. After a home-cooked dinner, enjoy a fire pit with live entertainment, including country, folk and bluegrass music.

Accommodations: Ranch at UCross, Clearmont
Day 12Spearfish CanyonDevils Tower into the Black Hills: Live the American frontier dream and begin your day with a scenic country horseback ride (waiver required) accompanied by a Ranch Hand. If playing cowboy isn't your thing, perhaps go fishing or merely relax and take in your beautiful surroundings, the choice is yours. Make your way to Devils Tower, an astounding geological feature that protrudes out of the surrounding Black Hills. This symbolic landmark is considered sacred to the Lakota and other tribes. Experience Spearfish Canyon, a favored spot among wildlife enthusiasts and one famous for its elvish woodland beauty. The limestone palisades of this creek-carved gorge are more ancient than the Grand Canyon itself.

Accommodations: Spearfish Canyon Lodge
Day 13Custer State ParkCuster and the Wild, Wild West: A day for those looking to explore the Wild West, try to spot the fastest mammal in North America, the pronghorn antelope as you cross the great high plains to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Our first stop this morning is the Oglala Lakota Living History Museum for a one-of-a-kind MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience. Visit Badlands National Park in South Dakota, 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest protected mixed grass prairie in America. A hidden gem in the national park system, the unique beauty of the Badlands landscape is unlike any other.

Accommodations: State Game Lodge, Custer State Park
Day 14Custer State ParkMountain Monuments of the Black Hills Relaxed Start: This morning, see the granite faces of Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Later, you'll experience the Crazy Horse Memorial - the world's largest mountain carving in honor of the Lakota warrior. With exclusive access not available to the general public, guests ascend 563 feet (172 meters) and have the opportunity to face the monument up close. Tonight, celebrate your travels over dinner with your Travel Director and new found friends.

Accommodations: State Game Lodge, Custer State Park
Disclaimer
Twin prices are per person.

- These prices are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
- All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, please confirm all details at time of booking.
- For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Conditions page.
- Hotel Class Key: D: Deluxe SF: Superior First Class F: First Class

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