The Black Hills, Beartooth and The Rockies road trip starts from Denver, Colorado and explores the American wild west travelling through Wyoming, South Dakota and Montana.
Experience monumental works of man and nature in one place in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Here you’ll find scenic byways, historic Old West towns, Native American culture and a wealth of attractions including Mount Rushmore and Devils Tower. Take one of the most scenic drives in the United States as you drive the Beartooth Highway from Red Lodge, Montana, through Beartooth Pass to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
Then visit three of the most popular national parks in the USA. Hike into the Tetons, explore the geyser basins and hot springs in Yellowstone, and spot elk, bison and bear as you tour the parks. Round your trip off with a visit to the Rocky Mountain National Park in Northern Colorado where you’ll experience dramatic beauty, high rugged mountains, sparkling lakes and abundant wildlife.
All of our road trips are fully customisable and can be tailor-made to suit your own individual requirements. Please let your Discover North America travel specialist know if you would like to start in a different destination, use specific hotel accommodation or simply want to add an excursion or two. Do you have more or less than 16 days for your road trip? No problem, we can add extra nights to allow more time to explore or shorten the number of destinations as required.
As we can offer you such a extensive choice of flights & car rental and prices vary per departure date, we don’t include these elements as standard within the headline fare displayed on our website, unless stated otherwise in the `What’s Included’ section. When requesting your initial quote, your Discover North America Travel Specialist will take the time to understand your own individual requirements with regards to international flights and car rental and will tailor the quote specifically to your needs.
Find out more about the process we follow here.
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Spend your first two days discovering Denver, nicknamed the 'Mile High City' as it stands one mile above sea level. Denver is an outdoor city known for its world-class cultural attractions, thriving craft breweries, chef-driven dining and red-hot music scene, all within easy reach of the Rocky Mountains.
Use your time here to explore the city's art galleries or visit the Denver Botanic Gardens. Larimer Square, with its red-brick façades, is Denver's most historic block, dating back to the mid 1800s. Still a commercial hub, it's lined with independent shops, and cafés and bars. It's a great place to head in the evening to take in the bustling atmosphere and dine in one of a superb selection of restaurants.
Collect your hire car this morning and head to the iconic Fort Laramie National Historic Site. Here, you can learn about the first garrisoned post in Wyoming. At the confluence of the North Platte and Laramie Rivers, this was the most important outpost along the historic Oregon, Mormon and California trails. It was founded in 1834 and served the needs of thousands of emigrants traveling west to fulfill their dreams. Today, the site includes 22 new inal structures that have been restored and are available for visitors to enjoy.
Rapid City is known as the "Gateway to the Black Hills" and the "City of Presidents" because of the life-size bronze president statues downtown. Rapid City is home to such attractions as Art Alley, Dinosaur Park, the City of Presidents walking tour, Chapel in the Hills, Storybook Island, and Main Street Square. There is plenty to keep you occupied during your three days here. The historic "Old West" town of Deadwood is nearby. In the neighbouring Black Hills are the tourist attractions of Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, and the museum at the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research. To the city's east is Badlands National Park.
Welcome to Billings, Montana, your Gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Lewis & Clark, Custer, Sitting Bull and Calamity Jane may be long gone, but they are not forgotten in Billings. Museums, galleries and landmarks honoring these legendary characters from the Old West dot the city, making it a history buff’s dream destination. Surrounded by six breathtaking mountain ranges, Billings also offers plenty of opportunities for fresh air recreation, including hiking, biking, golf and viewing rare Montana wildlife.
Today, enjoy one of the most scenic drives in the USA. Connecting Red Lodge to the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, the 68-mile Beartooth Highway is a scenic route that passes through some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in North America. You will travel through several national forests, view the tallest peaks in Montana, see numerous alpine lakes, and have the option to add on short hikes to viewpoints and waterfalls.
Occupying parts of Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, Yellowstone is the USA’s oldest national park. Yellowstone National Park sits on top of a dormant volcano and is home to more geysers and hot springs than any other place on earth. Wonders abound at this truly unique national park, from sites like the Yellowstone Grand Canyon to wildlife like America’s largest buffalo herd, grizzly bears, and wolves. Approximately 50 percent of the world’s hydrothermal features are at Yellowstone National Park, creating an effect that makes the ground appear to be on fire. The most famous of all the geysers is Old Faithful, one of the most popular and recognised natural wonders in the United States. During your time here, you can explore the park by car, driving around its figure-of-eight Grand Loop Road, or join a 4x4 tour with a knowledgeable guide.
On Day 11, head to Jackson Hole, a welcoming, quaint mountain resort town and a bustling hub for travellers from across the globe. Jackson Hole sits in the shadow of the Tetons, and outdoor recreation is at the heart of the local ethos. Many call Grand Teton National Park Jackson's backyard, and the park and surrounding areas offer endless opportunities for hiking, climbing, skiing, biking, fishing, rafting, and other outdoor fun. Wildlife watchers come from around the world to see iconic wildlife, including grizzlies, wolves, and bison.
Located in Wyoming’s Railroad Country, Rawlins is home to Wyoming Frontier Prison – the supposedly haunted museum and former state penitentiary that has been relatively untouched since it closed a little over 30 years ago. Get a glimpse into Rawlins’ colourful past with a walking tour of downtown, a nationally designated historic district rich in 19th century architecture. Native American Indians, wagon trains, railroads and the Old West can all be found in Rawlins.
Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the United States, greeting visitors with rugged postcard-perfect peaks, glistening lakes and webs of trails through various ecosystems. Located approximately 55 miles northwest of Denver, it is the perfect destination to end a truly memorable road trip. With lofty mountain peaks, hiking trails that lead to alpine lakes and waterfalls, wildlife, and a scenic drive along one of the highest roads in the USA, Rocky Mountain National Park is a joy to explore.
Your tour ends when you return your rental car to the agreed drop-off point. Alternatively, speak with your Discover North America Travel Specialist about possible trip extensions.