14-Nights Exploring America's National Parks from $3,349

Exploring America's National Parks

Day 1: LAS VEGAS Welcome to exciting Las Vegas, the Entertainment Capital of the World! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.to answer any questions.

After settling in, perhaps head out to explore this desert oasis known for its themed resorts, casinos, shopping, dining, and world-class entertainment along the famous ‘Strip’.



Day 2: LAS VEGAS–WILLIAMS–GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK Depart the bright lights of Las Vegas for Grand Canyon National Park, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Travel across the historic Mohave gold-mining region, passing through Williams on historic Route 66 and the pine trees of Kaibab National Forest. Arrive at the Grand Canyon by mid-afternoon and take in the sweeping views of the mile-deep canyon carved by the Colorado River. Tonight's accommodations are inside the national park, giving you more time to experience this remarkable landscape.



Day 3: GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK–MONUMENT VALLEY–KAYENTA If you miss the sunset over the Grand Canyon, sunrise is just as memorable! You can also choose an optional helicopter flightseeing excursion for thrilling views of the canyon’s colorful rock layers and the Colorado River from above. Continue across northern Arizona into the Navajo Nation and Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Straddling the Arizona-Utah border, Monument Valley’s towering mesas and iconic buttes have provided the backdrop for countless classic Western films. Explore this remarkable landscape on a 4-wheel-drive tour led by a knowledgeable Navajo guide who will share the area's history, culture, and traditions. This evening, join an optional Navajo cookout dinner surrounded by Monument Valley's red rock formations.



Day 4: KAYENTA–MOAB–ARCHES NATIONAL PARK–GRAND JUNCTION Travel north to Moab and visit Arches National Park, home to more than 2,000 natural stone arches, towering balanced rocks, and soaring sandstone pinnacles. Discover a landscape shaped by millions of years of erosion, where red rock formations create one of the American Southwest's most distinctive national parks. Continue to Grand Junction, by the striking canyons, cliffs, and towering sandstone monoliths of Colorado National Monument.



Day 5: GRAND JUNCTION–COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT–DENVER AREA This morning, visit Colorado National Monument where towering sandstone monoliths rise above a landscape of deep canyons and high desert plateaus. Travel along Rim Rock Drive, winding past sheer red rock cliffs with opportunities to spot bighorn sheep, mule deer, and soaring eagles. Then journey east across the Rocky Mountains to Denver, the “Mile High City.” (B)



Day 6: DENVER AREA–CUSTER Today, travel across the wide-open plains of Wyoming and into the Black Hills of South Dakota. Spend the next two nights in Custer, nestled in the heart of the Black Hills National Forest. Covering more than 1.25 million acres, this scenic region is the gateway to Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, and Crazy Horse Memorial.



Day 7: CUSTER. EXCURSION TO CUSTER STATE PARK, MOUNT RUSHMORE & CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL Begin your day with a scenic drive through Custer State Park along Wildlife Loop Road, where you may spot pronghorn, burros, elk, and the herd of 1,300 bison that roam freely throughout the park. Continue to Mount Rushmore National Memorial to see the monumental granite carvings of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. Then visit Crazy Horse Memorial, the world’s largest mountain carving in progress, created to honor the Lakota leader. While there, explore the Indian Museum of North America, featuring Native American art, artifacts, and exhibits that share the history and cultures of over 300 Native Nations. (CB)



Day 8: CUSTER–DEVILS TOWER–CODY This morning, travel through Wyoming’s high country, where vast open ranges played a central role in the cattle ranching conflicts of the late 1800s. Stop to get a photo of Devils Tower National Monument, the nation’s first national monument, established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. Continue through the scenic Bighorn Mountains before arriving in Cody, the western town founded by Buffalo Bill Cody, for an overnight stay. (CB)



Day 9: CODY–YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK This morning, join an optional visit to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, home to five world-class museums dedicated to the history, art, Native American cultures, and wildlife of the American West. This afternoon, enter Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 as the world’s first national park. Discover a landscape of geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, forests, and abundant wildlife as you begin your exploration. Spend the next two nights inside the park.

NOTES:
Accommodations used by Cosmos in Yellowstone National Park are typically open from late May through mid-September. Departures before or after these opening dates will stay in West Yellowstone. Routing and areas visited in Yellowstone National Park are always subject to favorable weather, gate access, and road conditions; therefore, routings may be adjusted.



Day 10: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Spend the day exploring the remarkable landscapes of Yellowstone National Park. Home to more geysers and hot springs than anywhere else on Earth, Yellowstone showcases some of the world’s most impressive geothermal features. Visit Old Faithful Geyser, Mammoth Hot Springs, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and the colorful Fountain Paint Pots. Along the way, watch for the park’s diverse wildlife, including bison, elk, deer, moose, bighorn sheep, wolves, bears, foxes, and coyotes.




Day 11: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK–GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK–JACKSON–ALPINE Travel south into Grand Teton National Park, where rugged, snow-capped peaks rise above pristine lakes, winding rivers, and wildlife-rich valleys. Stop at beautiful Jenny Lake, a glacier-fed lake at the base of the Teton Range and enjoy time to stroll along its scenic shoreline. Continue to the Western town of Jackson, known for its wooden sidewalks, historic saloons, and famous antler arches. This afternoon, choose an optional scenic float trip on the Snake River, with opportunities to spot bald eagles and other wildlife along the shore. Overnight in Alpine, nestled along the Snake River.



Day 12: ALPINE–SALT LAKE CITY Travel to Salt Lake City, Utah’s vibrant capital, set between the Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountains near the Great Salt Lake. Founded by Mormon pioneers led by Brigham Young in 1847, Salt Lake remains the headquarters of the Mormon religion. An orientation tour offers views of Temple Square, the Utah State Capitol Building, and the downtown area. This evening, join your fellow travelers at an optional dinner at a local restaurant. (CB)



Day 13: SALT LAKE CITY–BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK-BRYCE CANYON CITY Today’s highlight is a visit to Bryce Canyon National Park, home to the world’s largest concentration of hoodoos – distinctive rock spires sculpted over millions of years by wind, water, and ice. Explore scenic viewpoints overlooking colorful amphitheaters filled with towering formations in shades of red, orange, and pink. This evening, stay just outside the park in Bryce Canyon City . (B)



Day 14: BRYCE CANYON CITY–ZION NATIONAL PARK–LAS VEGAS Spend time today exploring Zion National Park, where the Virgin River has carved a dramatic landscape of deep canyons and soaring sandstone cliffs over millions of years. Enjoy free time to explore on scenic hiking trails or ride the park's complimentary shuttle to take in its signature viewpoints. Depart this afternoon for a late-day arrival in Las Vegas. (B)



Day 15: LAS VEGAS Your vacation ends this morning. You may choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore Las Vegas further.