National Parks Tour

Rustad Tours has designed a tour that visits eight National Parks and two National Monuments. Each park has a distinct personality. Today our travels take us across the Great Plains in South Dakota. Our noon meal is included at Al’s Oasis, nestled along the Missouri River near Chamberlain. It is known as a premier resting stop, offering an escape for weary travelers. This afternoon, we visit the first National Park on this tour, Badlands National Park. The Badlands protect fossil beds that are 37-38 million years old. Lakota Sioux called it “Mako Sika” – meaning land that is bad. However, it’s not bad, it’s awesome. Wind and water have carved amazing spires and pinnacles out of the landscape, creating purple and yellow mounds. Wall Drug, one of the world’s most well-known tourist attractions, got its start from the promise of free ice water! We’ll stop for a break to shop and eat an included evening meal before we continue to Rapid City, SD, as our final destination today and check into our hotel. (L) (D)

Mount Rushmore is known as the Shrine of Democracy. Before leaving Rapid City, we’ll pay tribute to four of our past Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt. It took Gutzon Borglum 14 years and a million dollars to carve the faces, but today it’s a priceless tribute. Our drive through the Black Hills National Forest takes us through old mining towns that have turned into tourist attractions and then past Thunderhead Mountain. This mountain holds the Crazy Horse Memorial carving. When finished, it’s said to be the largest carving in the world. Mount Rushmore would fit on Crazy Horse’s forearm. By mid-day, we enter Wyoming, known for its untamed spirit of the West and majestic beauty. Our included noon lunch will be in Lusk, a rural ranching community. Traveling south across prairie lands, we’re bound to see the striking and graceful Pronghorn Antelope that are abundant here and are known for being one of the fastest animals in the world. Tonight, we unpack for a two night stay in the Denver area. (B) (L)

A local guide will join us this morning for a circle tour of Rocky Mountain National Park. The park consists of 265,769 acres of breathtaking wilderness. This “Big Outdoor Classroom” includes the science, history, and geography of the area complete with plenty of scenic and natural wonders. The Continental Divide splits the park in two, the east and west sides. Early this evening we’ll return to our hotel. (B) (L)

Traveling south, we leave the busy interstate highway and take a scenic byway to Canon City and the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park. The Arkansas River carved out this narrow canyon gorge thousands of years ago. You may walk out on the bridge for a gorgeous view of the canyon, or if you’re feeling really brave, you can ride the Royal Rush Sky Coaster and swing through the air over the gorge. If these are too wild for you, the aerial tram gives you a chance to wave at the rafters below. On the other side of the bridge, you’ll find a park with shows, music, a petting zoo, and shopping. After an included noon lunch our coach will begin climbing over the Colorado Rockies. At Monarch Pass, we stop for afternoon coffee at an elevation of 11,312 feet above sea level. Tonight, you’ll stay in Montrose, CO. A deluxe box dinner is included for your evening meal. (B) (L) (D)

Traveling south to Durango, CO, we travel mountain roads on the Million Dollar Highway, one of the most scenic drives in America. Mesa Verde means green table. Mesa Verde National Park is located in the southwest corner of Colorado and contains one of the most unique archaeological sites in America. This is where the cliff dwellers of the Pueblo people, known as Anasazi, lived and farmed 700 to 1500 years ago. They worked the fields on top of Mesa Verde and lived in cliffs beneath their farmlands. Noon lunch is included in the park, and a guide joins our group for an afternoon of exploring the sites and sharing the story of their life 700 years ago. This evening our accommodations are in Cortez, CO. (B) (L)

This morning we stop for a group photo at the Four Corners Monument. This monument marks the spot where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet. Our coach crosses the border into northeastern Arizona. All of this area lies atop the Colorado Plateau, a dry arid desert area in Navajo County. Keep your eye out for sandstone rock formations for which this area is known for. Our included lunch is at the Cameron Trading Post Restaurant & Gift Shop. The Trading Post was established in the early 1900s where the Navajo & Hopi locals met to barter their wool, blankets, and livestock. Today, it is still a popular stop for locals and travelers alike. We’re allowing a longer time here for you to find one-of-a-kind items in their gift shop.

We continue to travel west for unbelievable views of one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon. We’ll take you to one of the most popular areas of the park along the South Rim. Perched on the edge of the Grand Canyon, you’ll be visiting a most amazing and surprising structure. The Desert View Watchtower provides you with unobstructed views of the vast landscape of the Grand Canyon. The Watchtower stands, in part, as a monument to its architect, Mary Colter, for her careful attention to detail, her enchantment with the Southwest, and her commitment to cultural preservation. From the tower, you’ll see many panoramic views of the Grand Canyon, including a view of the Colorado River as it makes its big bend to the west. Colter’s architectural projects are designed to become part of their surroundings. By maintaining a “weathered look,” the structure blends in more naturally with the canyon walls. The Grand Canyon is the basement of history formed millions of years ago from erosion, wind, rain, and the Colorado River carving its way through the canyon. Our visit to Grand Canyon Village includes time to shop and have a snack or drink at Bright Angel Lodge. This iconic and impressive lodge has been transformed several times over the years. Mary Colter was commissioned to give it a fresh look. There are several trails for you to enjoy unending views of the Grand Canyon. Later in the afternoon, we’ll take you on a short drive to Mather Point for more spectacular “World Wonder” views from the lookout. At an elevation of 7,120 feet, this viewpoint overlooks Pipe Creek and the Inner Gorge of the Colorado River. Our accommodations are at the Yavapai Lodge East, conveniently located in Grand Canyon Village, just a short walk to the South Rim. You are on your own this evening. Grab a bite to eat, relax, or try to capture a breathtaking sunset as the sky turns from blue, to orange, to deep red across the vast landscape of the Grand Canyon. (B) (L)

Are you ready for more amazing sights? Zion National Park, here we come!! We depart Grand Canyon Village and return to the Cameron Trading Post for a mid-morning break on our way to the Navajo Bridge & Interpretive Center. Built in 1929, this historic bridge was the only place to cross the Colorado River for 600 miles replacing Lee’s Ferry. This bridge was so significant that nearly 7,000 people attended the dedication ceremony. At the time it was built, it was the highest Steele Arch Bridge in the world and considered quite an engineering marvel! As time went on, cars became too big and heavy for the bridge. A new bridge was built downstream a short distance and was dedicated on September 14, 1995. Now the historic bridge has been converted to a pedestrian crossing. During our stop here, be sure to look out for California Condors! These majestic beauties are one of the world’s largest and rarest birds in the world with a wingspan of 9-10 feet. By mid-afternoon, we enter the state of Utah and travel through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. Construction began in 1929 and was completed in 1930. At the time of its dedication, it was the longest tunnel of its kind in the U.S. The tunnel was constructed to create direct access to Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon from Zion National Park. Before reaching our hotel, we take a scenic drive through a portion of Zion National Park to Springdale. Our accommodations are at the Hampton Inn for a two-night stay. Your evening is free for you to enjoy. You may want to hop on a shuttle to take you to the many shopping and dining destinations this evening. (B) (L)

Zion National Park is characterized by massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that loom 2,000 to 3,000 feet above the canyon floor. Today is a free day to explore the park, taking in a unique array of plants and animals, along with absorbing the history of the past and going on hiking adventures. Our coach can take you to the visitor center; or if you choose to sleep in, you can take a shuttle. Once in the park, a shuttle will take you on a tour, making stops where you can hop off and on as you choose. The tour includes the Zion Loop where you will be mesmerized by its towering stone cliffs. The best way to experience the scenery is by walking the trails. (B)

We’re on our way to Bryce Canyon National Park, famous for having the largest collection of hoodoos (irregular columns of rock) in the world. You’ll note that Bryce Canyon is not a canyon, but rather a large, natural amphitheater created by erosion along the eastern side of a plateau. Bryce sits much higher in elevation than Zion. The rim varies from 8,000 to 9,000 feet. The crimson-colored hoodoos were formed by wind, water, and ice erosion, turning the landscape into “Otherworldly Magic.” After an amazing day of capturing the stunning vistas at Bryce Canyon, our coach turns toward beautiful Moab, UT, and to the hotel where you can unpack for two nights. An evening meal is included at Zax Restaurant in downtown Moab. (B) (L) (D)

A professional local guide will accompany our group today through Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park. Arches National Park lies on top of an evaporite layer, or salt bed, a thousand feet thick in places. They say that is the main cause of the natural red-hued sandstone arches, spires, and balanced rock, including the world-famous Delicate Arch. Today we enjoy the results of that time period as we drive the loops to marvel at the formations created by eroding sandstone. Canyonlands National Park is located a short distance from Arches National Park; however, they are very different parks. Two great rivers in the west meet in Canyonlands National Park, dividing it into three distinct regions. Island in the Sky is in the north, located between the Green River and Colorado Rivers. This is the district most visited because of its spectacular overlooks. The Needles are east of the Colorado River. The Maze district is located west of the Colorado and Green Rivers. The Maze is the wildest and most remote section of the park. We end our tour with a visit to Dead Horse Point State Park, which has just as many amazing views. The immense vertical cliffs meet the canyons, creating a beautiful and natural masterpiece! After a busy day of sightseeing in the parks, you’ll enjoy some free time in Moab’s downtown before returning to our hotel. (B) (L)

Leaving Moab, our coach turns north. Keep an eye out for big horn sheep and soaring eagles! Traveling east through the high desert farming town of Grand Junction, CO, we stop in Glenwood Springs, CO, where noon lunch is included at the Historic Hotel Colorado. The scenery between Grand Junction and Denver has to be one of the most beautiful drives on any interstate highway in the country. Tonight, we stay in Westminster, CO. (B) (L)

We’re homeward bound, but the fun isn’t over! Traveling north into Nebraska, we follow I-80 east, once called the Oregon Trail. After an included noon meal, we visit the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument spanning the interstate. Once inside the museum, an escalator brings you into the back of a covered wagon, and you step back in time. You walk with the early pioneers as they travel west to a (hopefully) better life. After picking up a postcard or cookbook in the gift shop, the driver continues on to our hotel accommodations in Kearney, NE, where we will have a pizza party. (B) (L) (D)

We are blessed with a phenomenal National Park System. The awe-inspiring national parks allow us to enjoy unspoiled wilderness and view red-rock towers, vast canyons, and snow-capped mountains. From the highest altitude parks to the lowest, driest, and hottest locations, the U.S. boasts some of the most amazing wonders of nature in the world! Rustad Tours hopes that you have enjoyed experiencing some of America’s National Treasures and her natural beauty! We’ll stop for lunch along the way before we arrive back at Rustad Tours by late afternoon. (B)