7-Days Tour of Denver, Crazy Horse, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and Salt Lake City

This morning we visit the Crazy Horse Memorial, a mountain carving still in progress that honours the Lakota leader Crazy Horse. We then visit Mount Rushmore, where the faces of George Washington, the first president; Thomas Jefferson, principal author of the Declaration of Independence; Theodore Roosevelt; and Abraham Lincoln, who preserved the Union and ended slavery, are carved into the granite. We then drive to Devils Tower, which in 1906 became the first national monument in the United States. Many Plains tribes know it as Bear Lodge; the tower rises about 386 metres (1,267 feet) above the Belle Fourche River and draws visitors and rock climbers from around the world.

Itinerary:

Cheyenne → Crazy Horse Monument (Mandatory, 60 mins) → Mount Rushmore National Memorial (Mandatory, 90 mins) → Devil's Tower (Mandatory, 45 mins) → Gillette

Crazy Horse Monument

The Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota honours Crazy Horse, the Oglala Lakota leader, and the cultural heritage of North American Indians. Lakota elder Henry Standing Bear invited the sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski to carve it, and work began in 1948. Crazy Horse's face, about 27 metres (87 feet) tall, was completed in 1998; the rest of the carving is still in progress, carried on by the Ziolkowski family and the memorial foundation without federal funding.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Between 1927 and 1941 the sculptor Gutzon Borglum and about 400 workers carved the 18-metre (60-foot) faces of four US presidents — George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln — into the granite. A trail below the sculpture lets you see the faces from different angles.

Devil's Tower 

Devil's Tower is considered a sacred place by the local Native Americans. It is awe inspiring when viewed from afar, and amazing when viewed up close! The huge volcanic rock columns have puzzled geologists from  ancient times to the present, and the specific reasons for their formation have not yet been determined. We will follow the trail around the tower to appreciate the strange huge stone columns standing in the canyon from a close distance. On the way, you will have the opportunity to see rock climbers from all over the world challenging Devil's Tower here.

🍽 Breakfast Included

Drive through the Rockies this morning, enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way! Endless stretch of mountains decorated by glaciers and snow, blooming flowers and lush forests, rivers and waterfalls, outline the picturesque view! Try to spot wild animals from your deluxe coach! Arrive in Yellowstone National Park – World’s First National Park at noon. Yellowstone is home to world’s largest super volcano and over 10,000 geothermal features. Here you can find almost everything you expect to see in a national park! Snow covered mountains, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, canyons, meadows, herds of buffalos, elks… and the most amazing geothermal features in the world! Geysers, hot springs, fumaroles and mud pots are the wonders that make YS truly unique. Stay overnight in West Yellowstone.

Itinerary:

Gillette → Pass by Rocky Mountains → Yellowstone National Park (Mandatory, 3 hours, we will head to Upper Yellowstone Falls, Artist's Point Spring, Hayden Valley, Yellowstone Valley, Mud Volcano, Fishing Bridge and other attractions, The tour guide will be adjusted according to the actual situation of the day, please refer to the actual arrangement.)

Yellowstone National Park

Located in the Rocky Mountains, known as the "backbone of America", it is located on the lava plateau between the Northern Rockies and the Central Rockies in the western United States. The geothermal wonders are its hallmark, a primitive landscape of the earth forged by water and fire. The natural landscape in the park is divided into five major areas, namely the Mammoth Area, the Roosevelt Area, the Canyon Area, the Geyser Area and the Lake Area, each with its own characteristics. It exceeds the limits of human art and is the most wonderful and spectacular scenery on the surface of the earth.

Upper Yellowstone Falls

The Upper Falls is located 400 meters upstream of the larger Yellowstone Falls. The waterfall falls vertically along the volcanic cliff with a drop of 33 meters. The originally uneven volcanic rocks below the waterfall have been eroded by the waterfall for hundreds of years and have become very smooth.

Artist Point

The scenery here is particularly spectacular. The canyon is more than 300 feet deep. The canyon walls are mainly yellow, mixed with black, red and pink, and clusters of green pine trees. These colors are mixed but not chaotic, looking like a peacock's tail, and also like the pointillism of a romantic painter who applied several layers of color in the same place.

Mud Volcano Area

Located in the eastern part of Yellowstone National Park, not far from the northern part of Yellowstone Lake. Most of the fountains here do not spray water, but mud, and every time they erupt, the ground shakes. Next to the mud volcano, there are colorful grasses that look extremely tender and gorgeous.

In the morning, we'll depart for Yellowstone National Park and enjoy a full day exploring the world's first national park. See the Grand Prismatic Springs, the eye of the Earth; the vibrant Palette; the world-renowned Old Faithful; the mysterious and tranquil Yellowstone Lake; the majestic and picturesque Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone; the galloping Upper Falls; the vibrant Morning Glory Pools; the misty Norris Springs; and get up close to wildlife. The excitement will continue one after another!

Itinerary:

West Yellowstone → Yellowstone National Park (8 hours)

Yellowstone National Park

Located in the Rocky Mountains, known as the "backbone of America", it is located on the lava plateau between the Northern Rockies and the Central Rockies in the western United States. The geothermal wonders are its hallmark, a primitive landscape of the earth forged by water and fire. The natural landscape in the park is divided into five major areas, namely the Mammoth Area, the Roosevelt Area, the Canyon Area, the Geyser Area and the Lake Area, each with its own characteristics. It exceeds the limits of human art and is the most wonderful and spectacular scenery on the surface of the earth.

Yellowstone Norris Geyser Basin

Norris Geyser Basin, named after an early Yellowstone Superintendent, may be the hottest geyser basin in Yellowstone. The stark, barren landscape of Porcelain Basin is the result of the acidic environment. Due to the hostile condition plants, algae and bacteria have difficulty in establishing themselves. Instead, the basin derives its colors from mineral oxides, in spectrums of pink, red, orange (iron oxides) and yellow (sulfur and iron sulfates). The largest geyser in the world is located here. Steamboat Geyser has long periods of dormancy, but when it does erupt it sends jets of water nearly 380 feet high in a spectacular display.

Old Faithful Geyser

Old Faithful geyser is named for its consistent and regular eruption. Currently, it erupts approximately every 60 to 110 minutes, and each eruption lasts four to five minutes. The water column is more than 40 meters high, which is spectacular and never stops. The Old Faithful Visitor Center will display the eruption schedule in advance, so you can check the eruption time in advance before visiting with confidence.

The Grand Prismatic Hot Spring

Also known as the Seven Color Pool, it is the largest hot spring in the United States and the third largest in the world. It is 75-91 meters wide and 49 meters deep, and it gushes out about 2,000 liters of 71-degree hot water every minute. The amazing thing about the Grand Prismatic Spring is that the color of the lake changes with the seasons. In spring, the lake changes from emerald green to golden orange-red, which is due to the algae and pigment-containing bacteria and other microorganisms living in the mineral-rich water. In midsummer, the chlorophyll content is relatively low, so the lake water appears brilliant orange, red or yellow. But in the cold winter, due to the lack of light, these microorganisms will produce more chlorophyll to suppress the color of carotenoids, so the water will appear deep dark green.

In the morning, we'll gather at the hotel and depart. While you're still reveling in the delights of yesterday's exciting trip, today we'll explore the stunning beauty of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. We'll then enter Grand Teton National Park. Millennia-old glaciers cap the majestic Teton Mountains, while the blue skies and forests of the mountains are reflected in the pristine Jackson Lake at the foot of the mountains. The Snake River meanders through the water, creating a picturesque scene. We'll then visit the authentic Western cowboy town of Jackson, a world[1]renowned resort destination. Don't miss Elkhorn Park in the city center. In the afternoon, we'll arrive in Salt Lake City, the largest city in the Midwest, and visit the Great Salt Lake, known as America's Dead Sea.

Itinerary:

West Yellowstone → Yellowstone National Park (40 mins, stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin) → Grand Teton National Park (Mandatory, 60 mins) → Jackson → Jackson Town Square with Elk Antler Arches (60 mins) → Great Salt Lake (Mandatory, 20 mins) → Salt Lake City

Kindly Reminder:

1. Yellowstone National Park is located in the Rocky Mountains at an altitude of approximately 7000 feet; In the hot summer of July and August, the temperature can sometimes only reach 4 ℃ in the morning. Please pay attention to keeping warm. 
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West Thumb Geyser Basin

The West Thumb Geyser Basin, located on the edge of Yellowstone Lake, was formed 150,000 years ago by the collapse of the earth's crust. The combination of hot springs and lake water has created a wonderful misty landscape: the misty area is the steam of hot springs, and the green waves are the water of Yellowstone Lake, which complements the blue sky and white clouds in the background, forming a landscape different from other hot spring areas in Yellowstone. This area is equivalent to the bay of Yellowstone Lake, where many geysers gather. The colors of the water outlets vary, some are transparent green, and some are dark black like cement. Many water outlets present a beautiful fantasy.

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park was established on February 26, 1929. There are 300 kilometers of trails in Grand Teton National Park. There are many lakes in the park, including Jackson Lake and Jenny Lake. Most of the area of Grand Teton National Park is located in the Rocky Mountains, and the natural scenery is very magnificent. In addition, Grand Teton National Park also has extremely rich biological resources, including American bison, grizzly bears, black bears, moose, etc.

Jackson Town Square with Elk Antler Arches

The park is not big, but there are giant arches made of deer antlers in the four directions of east, west, south and north. The antlers are all sharp, but they are not obtained by hunting. Every winter, a large number of elk come from the mountains to the "National Elk Refuge" in Jackson to spend the winter. In the spring, the antlers fall off naturally and are replaced. After the elk leave, countless treasures are left everywhere.

Great Salt Lake

Great Salt Lake, lake in northern Utah, U.S., the largest inland body of salt water in the Western Hemisphere and one of the most saline inland bodies of water in the world. The lake is fed by the Bear, Weber, and Jordan rivers and has no outlet. The lake has fluctuated greatly in size, depending on the rates of evaporation and the flow of the rivers that feed it. Like the Dead Sea, the Great Salt Lake exists within an arid environment and has chemical characteristics like that of the oceans. However, it has a much greater salinity than the oceans, since natural evaporation exceeds the supply of water from the rivers feeding the lake.

🍽 Breakfast Included

Drive to Capitol Hill this morning, and visit the most expensive and magnificent State House in America, Utah State Capitol! Take walk in the State Capitol building, and amazed by the architecture, sculptures and the rich history behind it. Temple Square is our next stop! Follow Mormon Missionary sisters’ lead and see the virtue kingdom for LDS church, the Temple Square, and learn the history and teachings of the LDS Church. Drive to Arches National Park in the afternoon, home to world’s highest concentration of natural sandstone arches. The park covers 73000 acres where over 2000 arches have been found. Over time, water, ice and erosion have shaped the region into the geological wonder it is today. Balanced Rock, Windows, Three Gossips…You may even discover an arch yourself! Stay overnight in Grand Junction.

Itinerary:

Utah State Capitol (30 mins) → Temple Square (40 mins) → Arches National Park (Mandatory, 3 hours) → Grand Junction

Utah State Capitol

The Utah State Capitol is the house of government for the U.S. state of Utah. The building houses the chambers and offices of the Utah State Legislature, the offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, the State Auditor and their staffs. The capital is the main building of the Utah State Capitol Complex, which is located on Capitol Hill, overlooking downtown Salt Lake City. The Neoclassical revival, Corinthian style building was designed by architect Richard K.A. Kletting and built between 1912 and 1916. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Temple Square

Temple Square is a 10-acre (4.0 ha) complex, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), in the center of Salt Lake City. Contained within Temple Square are the Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake Tabernacle, Salt Lake Assembly Hall, the Seagull Monument, and two visitors' centers. The square was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1964, recognizing the Mormon achievement in the settlement of Utah.

Arches National Park

Arches National Park is located near the town of Moab in Utah, USA. It covers an area of 309 square kilometers and preserves more than 2,000 natural rock arches. About 300 million years ago, this salt layer was an ocean. Millions of years after the sea disappeared, the salt layer was covered by air and water debris, and squeezed into rock with other debris. Later, after the crust uplifted and natural weathering, it became the arches of today. The park not only has arches, but also numerous large and small spires, pedestals, balancing stones and other unique geological features; all the stones have textures with very strong color contrasts.

In the morning, we'll drive through the Rocky Mountains, the roof of the North American continent. Interstate 70 climbs to 11,158 feet at the Eisenhower–Johnson Memorial Tunnel, the highest point on the US Interstate Highway System. We'll cross the Divide and experience breathtaking scenery along the way! At noon, we'll arrive in Vail, a world-renowned resort and outdoor paradise, nestled in the Golden Triangle of the Rockies. We'll then visit Red Rocks, a renowned open-air rock music venue nestled mid-mountain. The magnificent venue offers panoramic views of the greater Denver area. In the afternoon, we'll arrive at Denver International Airport for our flight home, concluding our unforgettable Yellowstone and Rushmore vacation.

Itinerary:

Grand Junction → Across the Rockies → Vail & Lunch (120 mins) → Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre (45 mins) → Denver International Airport(DEN)

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

Red Rocks Park, a Denver mountain park about 25 km (15 miles) west of downtown Denver, lies at about 6,450 feet and covers 868 acres (351 ha). It takes its name from its giant red sandstone monoliths, some taller than 300 feet. Its best-known feature is Red Rocks Amphitheatre, an open-air concert venue set into the natural rock between two of the monoliths. Thanks to its natural acoustics, it has been a favourite of musicians from around the world since it opened in 1941 and is one of the world's best-known outdoor venues.