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Discover the Great American Rocky Mountains
This splendid Rocky Mountains fly-drive holiday starts from Denver, Colorado and explores the American wild west driving through Wyoming, South Dakota and Montana. Your holiday will visit western museums, a rodeo in Cody and the impressive Mount Rushmore. You will have opportunities to see buffalo, elk and bighorn sheep, enjoy the cowboy history plus the majestic scenery of Yellowstone National Park. Experience Jackson Hole, Wyoming with its fine western bars and cuisine as well as exploring the majestic Grand Tetons. We have planned the holiday to finish in Salt Lake City but if you prefer to drive back to Denver, this can easily be arranged as all our holidays are tailor-made. The best time for this holiday is from early June through to end of September.
TIP: Buy an America the Beautiful Pass which will save you lots of money in pass entrance fees.
This itinerary is flexible and can be tailor-made to suit you; if you want to add extra days in one area, extend the holiday or maybe change the direction of travel. Talk to one of our experts about how to make this holiday the perfect one for you.
Rockies To The Red Rocks
Following the phenomenal success of the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada, the train has now landed in Colorado and can be added to any holiday starting or ending in Denver.
The Rocky Mountaineer is a luxury train service that offers passengers a unique way to experience the American Southwest. The train travels through some of the most stunning scenery in the region, including the Rocky Mountains, the Colorado River, and the red rock canyons of Utah.
The American Rocky Mountaineer travels between from Denver, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. The rail journey takes two days with an overnight in Glenwood Springs plus two in Moab where we have included a tour of the Arches, but if you want something more exciting, we can organise an excursion for you by air, mountain bike, 4×4, light aircraft or jetboat
SilverLeaf passengers sit in a single level dome car with panoramic windows where delicious meals and snacks will be delivered to your seat. You will be kept entertained and informed by three onboard hosts and you can access the Outdoor viewing area. For a small supplement, you can buy SilverLeaf Plus which will give you access to the lounge car, signature cocktails and premium alcoholic drinks, as well as an elevated dining experience with wine pairings and an additional host.
No matter which service level you choose, you are sure to enjoy the stunning scenery and the comfortable accommodations on the Rocky Mountaineer. The train hosts are friendly and attentive, and they are happy to answer any questions you may have about the journey.
NB: GoldLeaf is not available as the two-level carriages will not fit through the US tunnels.
This memorable journey can be added on to any itinerary starting or ending in Denver. There are also some escorted Rocky Mountaineer holidays linking the train with a bus excursions starting in Salt Lake City or Las Vegas.
Frontier’s Personal Experience
More About This Expert“I’m a huge fan of the Colorado Rockies, in particular Breckenridge. As an old mining town, it gives off an authentic look and feel. The beautiful mountain is just steps from the town and I highly recommend an Alpine hike – simply stunning!”
Jeremy Timms,
Frontier Canada
Itinerary (18 Nights)
Here’s a day-by-day guide to your itinerary. Feel free to ask us to add other days or ideas and excursions by contacting us directly, so we can give you the best price.
Days 1-2
Denver, the Mile-High City, is a great American city and a perfect gateway to many...
Days 1-2
Denver
Denver, the Mile-High City, is a great American city and a perfect gateway to many national parks in the USA especially as there are non-stop flights from Heathrow and good connections from many other UK airports. Denver is a young and active city with stunning architecture, award-winning dining with a special emphasis on locally produced food and unparalleled views. Be sure to visit LoDo , the historic 28-square-block area of restored Victorian buildings and renovated turn-of-the-century warehouses. By night, the restaurants, live music venues, sports bars and brewpubs that pack the area make LoDo the entertainment epicenter of Denver.
2 nights Denver
Days 3-4
Denver to Breckenridge
Collect your car today to drive the scenic I70 to Breckenridge. A quintessential Colorado mountain...
Days 3-4
Denver
to Breckenridge
Collect your car today to drive the scenic I70 to Breckenridge. A quintessential Colorado mountain get-away you can enjoy alfresco dining, art galleries, live music and partake in some of the many activities the town has to offer from craft breweries, mountain biking, wonderful hiking using the ski lifts, as well as riding, white rafting, golf and paddle boarding.
2 nights Breckenridge
Day 5
Breckenridge to Estes Park
Today is a glorious driving day as you take the back roads following the Blue...
Day 5
Breckenridge
to Estes Park
Today is a glorious driving day as you take the back roads following the Blue River through the mountains, past hot sulphur springs via Grand Lake and across the Continental Divide into Rocky Mountain National Park following the Trail Ridge Road for an overnight at Estes Park.
1 night Estes Park
Day 6
Estes Park to Cheyenne
The road north takes you via Fort Collins, where you might like to stop for...
Day 6
Estes Park
to Cheyenne
The road north takes you via Fort Collins, where you might like to stop for lunch to see its historic district and Museum of Discovery, to Cheyenne, a typical Western town with which you will soon become familiar. In the last part of July, it hosts the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and Western Celebration. The first Frontier Days was held as a cowboy roundup that featured bronco busting and steer roping contests as well as pony races. Now it is a 10-day festival of excitement, featuring rodeo action and Western entertainment. We would recommend a visit to Terry Bison Ranch, where you can see their vast herd of bison either on horseback or by train.
1 night in Cheyenne
Days 7-8
Cheyenne to Custer
The Western theme continues today as you drive to Custer State Park. A herd of...
Days 7-8
Cheyenne
to Custer
The Western theme continues today as you drive to Custer State Park. A herd of 1,300 bison roams freely throughout the park, often stopping traffic along the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road. The herd is one of the largest publicly owned herds in the world. Bison can weigh as much as 2,000 pounds. Historically, the animal played an essential role in the lives of the Lakota (Sakota (Sioux), who relied on the “tatanka” for food, clothing and shelter. Besides bison, the park is home to wildlife such as pronghorn antelope, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, wild turkeys, and a band of friendly burros.
Whilst staying at Custer, you can also visit Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial and the Badlands National Park, saddle up for a trail ride or sign up for a chuck wagon cook out. You could also add in an extra night in the gambling Western city of Deadwood.
2 nights in Custer
Day 9
Custer to Buffalo
Buffalo, Wyoming is nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Big Horn Mountains. Step back...
Day 9
Custer
to Buffalo
Buffalo, Wyoming is nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Big Horn Mountains. Step back in time and into the Old West where the famous passed through such as Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, Bill Cody, Teddy Roosevelt, Calamity Jane, Ernest Hemmingway and Owen Wister, author of The Virginian. The impressive Jim Gatchell Museum has over 15,000 artefacts from the American Old West. Also worth is a visit is Fort Phil Kearny and Interpretive Center in Banner, Fetterman’s Massacre Site, and the infamous “Hole in the Wall”- the hideout of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid along with the rest of the “Wild Bunch.”
1 night in Buffalo
Days 10-11
Buffalo to Cody
Part of your drive today will be on the Cloud Peak Scenic Byway through the...
Days 10-11
Buffalo
to Cody
Part of your drive today will be on the Cloud Peak Scenic Byway through the Bighorn National Forest. Cody is a quintessential western town epitomised by The Cody Nite Rodeo which provides two hours of real, wild, western, family-friendly action. Nightly performances June 1 through August 31. You should also allow half a day to visit Buffalo Bill Center museum of the West an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution where you can enjoy the story of the American West.
2 nights in Cody
Days 12-14
Cody to Yellowstone National Park
Explore the world’s largest collection of geysers including the renowned Old Faithful. However, Yellowstone has...
Days 12-14
Cody
to
Yellowstone National Park
Explore the world’s largest collection of geysers including the renowned Old Faithful. However, Yellowstone has far more to it than geysers, splendid as they are. America’s oldest national park, Yellowstone is a mountain wild land, home to grizzly bears, wolves, and herds of bison and elk; it also has stunning scenery. Lakes reflect the surrounding mountains interspersed with rivers and grassland as far as eye can see. We have included three nights in the park to allow you to explore as much as possible.
3 nights in Yellowstone National Park
Days 15-16
Yellowstone National Park to Jackson Hole
A glorious drive south today to Jackson Hole with the Teton Mountains on your right-hand...
Days 15-16
Yellowstone National Park
to Jackson Hole
A glorious drive south today to Jackson Hole with the Teton Mountains on your right-hand side. Enjoy Art Galleries, museums, shopping in this boardwalk town which also boasts fine dining and cowboy bars. As with many other places on this holiday, you can have the chance to fish, take a rafting trip or ride Western style. Accommodation can either be in the town or if you prefer there are some luxurious hotels in Teton Village at the base of the ski resort. You could also stay on a real working ranch: Goosewing Ranch takes guests for a minimum of three nights which would have to start on a Sunday or Thursday.
2 nights Jackson Hole
Days 17-18
Jackson Hole to Salt Lake City
As you continue south you will pass the great salt flats that gave Salt Lake...
Days 17-18
Jackson Hole
to
Salt Lake City
As you continue south you will pass the great salt flats that gave Salt Lake City its name. Be sure to visit the 35 acres of Temple Square to see, feel, taste, touch and experience Mormon culture and its pioneer heritage. Guided tours and presentations feature historic sites, interactive exhibits, art display. After all the outdoors that you will have had, now might be the time for some city life and retail therapy. The Outlet Mall at Traverse Mountain has an excellent range of shops as does downtown Salt Lake.
2 nights Salt Lake City
J Smith - Travelled New York to TorontoI have just returned from a tailor made holiday made possible by Jeannette Dembrey. This was the first time I had ever organised such a major holiday and as it was a gift for my children after my retirement it was really important to get things right. I went to quite a few agencies but Jeannette was way better than any of the people who I spoke to. She was so professional and wanted me to get the best from the money I could afford. The holiday was absolutely amazing and everything went like clockwork. Jeannette had thought of everything even the connections between places and the things we would do in each town. We stayed in 6 hotels altogether starting in New York and ending in Toronto. I am amazed at how smoothly it went. Even my son who has travelled all over the world was impressed with the way things had been organised. I cannot praise Jeannette enough for her professionalism. Thank you Jeannette. I would recommend you to anyone with the satisfaction of knowing that you did an amazing job. Thank you.
Frontier’s Personal Experience