Guided Land Tour · American West
Exploring America's
Great Parks
Grand Canyon to Grand Teton — the iconic circuit of the American West, done properly over fifteen days.
Seven national parks. Six states. Fifteen days. The American West has been accumulating superlatives for geological time — more than a mile deep here, two thousand natural arches there, a volcanic hot spot covering nearly 3,500 square miles — and the honest truth is that no one sees any of it clearly by driving through in a rental car. This itinerary is built around the premise that the parks deserve the time they earn, with dedicated Tour Directors, VIP site access, and overnight stays at the classic park lodges that make the experience something more than a checklist.
The Parks
Seven of America's Greatest Natural Wonders
Also included: Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorials (South Dakota) · Custer State Park "Summer White House" · Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument · Backcountry chuck wagon cookout with a buffalo safari · Free time in Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Denver.
Why This Tour
What Makes It Worth Doing This Way
Day by Day
The Full Itinerary
What's Included
- Expert Tour Director for the full 15 days
- Local Guides at major sites
- All transportation by private motor coach
- 14 breakfasts, multiple included dinners
- Navajo backcountry cookout, Monument Valley
- VIP overnight at State Game Lodge, Custer
- Buffalo safari & chuck wagon cookout
- 4WD tour of Monument Valley
- Bar T-5 Chuckwagon Cookout & Wild West Show
- VIP access at iconic sites
- GlobusGO mobile app with maps & tips
- All hotel accommodations — first class
Not Included
- International & domestic airfare
- Airport transfers
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Optional excursions (helicopter, float trip, etc.)
- Meals not specified in itinerary
- Gratuities for Tour Director & driver
"I doubt we could have seen as much as we did in those ten days if we had gone on our own — and that is the reason we chose a guided tour with Globus."
Globus Traveler Review · 5.0 / 872 ReviewsPark Lodge Note: Some lodges within the national parks do not have televisions and other standard hotel amenities. Routes and areas visited in Yellowstone and Grand Teton are subject to weather and road conditions. This is part of the experience — and frankly, the parks are the reason you came.
From Your Travel Advisor
What We Tell Clients Before They Book
The first thing we tell clients considering this tour: if you've never done the western national parks circuit, this trip will almost certainly exceed your expectations. Americans routinely underestimate their own national parks. The Grand Canyon is larger than you are picturing. Yellowstone's scale doesn't register until you're standing in front of a geyser field the size of a small city. Arches looks like a computer rendering until you're standing under Delicate Arch watching it glow at sunset. The parks reward the traveler who arrives with time and context — which is exactly what this itinerary provides.
The second thing we tell clients: this is a fast-paced tour. You are covering a lot of ground — roughly 3,000 miles — and you will be on the coach early on most mornings. If you are looking for a leisurely week at one park, this is not that trip. If you want to see all of it, properly, with someone who knows the sites and handles the logistics, this is one of the best-designed tours of its kind.
Departure season matters. Summer departures are full and the parks are crowded. September and October fall foliage departures offer cooler temperatures, better light for photography, and noticeably fewer people at the major overlooks. We recommend the fall departures to most clients who have flexibility.
tidewatertravel.com
Ready to see America's parks?
We'll match you to the right departure, handle the booking, and make sure you're prepared for what's ahead.
Start Planning View All Globus Departures →