Mt Rushmore Yellowstone & Arches National Parks 7-day Tour

Big scenery comes with long driving days. This seven-day trip links Denver, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Arches, Salt Lake City, and Red Rocks in one packed western loop. I like the wide range of sights and the fact that admission fees and six hotel nights are included. I also like the route’s variety: presidential faces, geysers, elk-antler arches, sandstone formations, and a famous concert venue all share the same trip.

The trade-off is simple: this is a value-focused bus tour, not a relaxed national park holiday. You may cover more than 3,000 miles, spend 10 to 12 hours on the road on some days, and get roughly 30 to 90 minutes at many stops. Guide Frank earned repeated praise for his helpful service, while drivers Lynn and Scott were singled out for safe, friendly work.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven days, seven major destinations: The route includes Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Devils Tower, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Arches, Great Salt Lake, and Red Rocks.
• Expect a long-distance coach trip: There are several three to four-hour stretches between stops, with a maximum group size of 55 people.
• The national parks are the main event: Yellowstone receives about two and a half days, while Arches gets only part of Day 6.
• Hotels are practical, not fancy: Six nights are included, with clean, comfortable value lodging reported, but limited extras.
• Food is mostly your responsibility: Three breakfasts are included. Lunches and dinners are not, and choices may lean toward Chinese restaurants and fast food.
• A single checked bag is allowed: Keep it to 28 inches or smaller, with a stated limit of 75 by 50 by 30 centimeters.

What the $1,325 price really buys you

At $1,325 per person, the tour offers a lot of ground for the money. Six hotel nights, a professional bilingual driver-guide, transportation, and attraction admission fees are included. You also receive airport pickup in Denver and a final airport drop-off, provided your return flight leaves after 5:00 p.m.

That price works best if you value coverage over comfort. Booking hotels, arranging transport between five states, paying park entry fees, and planning the route yourself would take time and could cost more. Here, the major work is done for you.

You do give up control. You cannot linger for an extra hour at Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon or wait for better light at Balanced Rock. The vehicle may be a coach, minibus, or another type of transport based on group size. With as many as 55 people, departures and restroom stops can take time.

The hotels are selected for location and price. You should expect a clean bed and a shower rather than a resort stay. Breakfast is included on three mornings, but quality can vary. Lunch and dinner are extra, and dining choices may be built around group logistics instead of local food discovery.

Day 1: Denver’s civic center and a quick start

Your tour begins at Denver International Airport. Meet the guide at Baggage Claim 6 inside the East Terminal by 1:30 p.m. That timing matters, since the first sightseeing stops follow soon after arrival.

The Colorado State Capitol receives about 30 minutes. That is enough for a quick look at the building and Civic Center, but not enough for an in-depth visit. You then get around 75 minutes at 16th Street Mall, a downtown promenade designed by I.M. Pei. Its red, white, and gray granite pattern resembles a diamondback rattlesnake from above.

This is your best chance to grab food, stretch your legs, and see a little of central Denver before the road trip begins. The mall has outdoor cafés and historic buildings, including the D&F Tower, a two-thirds replica of St. Mark’s Campanile in Venice.

You then drive to Cheyenne, Wyoming, for the night. It is an efficient opening, though not a slow introduction to Denver. If you arrive tired from a flight, keep your first afternoon simple and have water and a snack ready.

Day 2: Crazy Horse, Mount Rushmore, and Devils Tower

Day 2 is one of the most memorable and demanding days. After a restroom break at Lusk, you reach the Black Hills and Crazy Horse Memorial.

The monument has been under construction since 1948. It is planned as a huge carving of the Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse, pointing toward his tribal land. The site is culturally and politically significant, and the work remains unfinished. You get one hour here, enough to view the mountain carving and learn about the project, but not enough for a leisurely museum visit.

Mount Rushmore follows, with about 90 minutes. The 60-foot faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln are easy to recognize from photographs, yet the scale is still striking in person. Your time should cover the main viewing area and a few photographs, but the stop is too short for a relaxed walk through every part of the memorial grounds.

The final major stop is Devils Tower National Monument. This columned rock formation rises from the Bear Lodge Mountains and has long been important to Indigenous peoples. The tour gives you about an hour, which allows a close look and an easy walk, depending on the group schedule.

Three major landmarks in one day sounds generous, but the mileage is substantial. You will want comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and water. This is sightseeing by efficient snapshots, not a hiking holiday.

Day 3: Cody and Yellowstone’s geyser country

Day 3 uses several restroom stops, including Sheridan and Shell Creek, before a one-hour lunch stop in Cody. These breaks are useful because the route into Yellowstone is long.

At Fishing Bridge Visitor Center, you get a short introduction to the park. The schedule allows about 30 minutes, and the exact plan may change with traffic and weather. Yellowstone roads can be slow, so flexibility is part of the deal.

Old Faithful gets the most time on this day, about two hours. You can see the geyser, visit Old Faithful Lodge, and walk part of the Geyser Trail. The tour also includes Morning Glory Pool, with about 10 minutes for a quick look.

Old Faithful is a highlight, but two hours can disappear quickly if you want both the eruption and a trail walk. Ask the guide how much time is available for each before leaving the vehicle. Morning Glory Pool is a brief photo stop rather than a full basin walk.

This first Yellowstone day is rewarding but busy. You will see famous geothermal features without having to manage park roads yourself. The cost is a steady pace and limited time to sit quietly beside the geysers.

Day 4: Yellowstone’s most varied day

Day 4 is the fullest Yellowstone sightseeing day. Norris Geyser Basin receives about 40 minutes, followed by Mammoth Hot Springs and the Upper Terraces, with 30 minutes at each.

Norris is known for its intense geothermal activity and boardwalk views. Mammoth’s pale terraces have a different look, with mineral deposits shaped by hot water. The 30-minute visits allow easy walking and photographs, but you should not expect long trails or an unhurried geological study.

After lunch at Canyon Village, you visit Artist Point and the Brink of the Upper Falls. Artist Point is one of the park’s best viewpoints, with a broad view toward the Yellowstone River canyon and Lower Falls area. The Brink of the Upper Falls adds a closer, more dramatic look at the river.

The afternoon returns to geothermal country with Midway Geyser Basin and Fountain Paint Pot. Midway is home to some of Yellowstone’s most famous colorful features, while Fountain Paint Pot gives you a smaller view of mud and hot springs.

This day can feel repetitive if you prefer forests, wildlife, or long walks. It can also feel like a geology lesson delivered at high speed. I would bring a small park guidebook because cell service may be limited through much of the Yellowstone portion, and you may want extra context between stops.

Day 5: Yellowstone Lake, Grand Teton, and Jackson

The route continues through Yellowstone with a 45-minute stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin. Its hot springs sit along Yellowstone Lake, inside a smaller caldera formed within the larger Yellowstone volcanic system. The setting combines water, mountains, and geothermal pools in one compact area.

You then travel along the Snake River toward Grand Teton National Park. Jackson Lake Lodge receives about 45 minutes, followed by a stop at Teton Point Turnout. The mountain views are a welcome change after two days of geyser basins.

Jackson gives you about 90 minutes for lunch and sightseeing. The town square is famous for its four elk-antler arches, made from thousands of naturally shed antlers. This is a good place to stretch, eat, and take a short walk before the final drive to Salt Lake City.

Day 5 is another long one. The route combines two national parks and a famous western town, but the time at each place is carefully measured. If you want wildlife viewing or serious hiking, this schedule will feel too short. If you want a broad first look, it works well.

Day 6: Salt Lake City and a short visit to Arches

The morning begins with the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City. You get about 40 minutes to see the Neoclassical building, its interior, sculptures, and Capitol Hill setting. Temple Square follows for another 40 minutes, with the complex’s tabernacle, assembly hall, monuments, and visitor centers.

The tour then stops at the Great Salt Lake Marina for about 30 minutes. Calling it America’s Dead Sea gives you the basic idea: it is a large, highly saline lake with a distinctive setting. The stop is brief, so treat it as a viewpoint rather than a full lake excursion.

After lunch in Price, Utah, you reach Arches National Park. The visitor center, La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, Balanced Rock, and Windows are all included. Balanced Rock receives about 30 minutes, while Windows gets around 45 minutes for sightseeing and moderate walking.

Arches contains more than 2,000 known natural arches across roughly 73,000 acres. That scale makes the limited schedule especially noticeable. You will see major formations, including Balanced Rock and the Windows area, but you will not have time for many longer trails.

This is the clearest weakness in the route. Salt Lake City receives meaningful stops, while Arches gets only part of an afternoon after another long drive. If Arches is your main reason for booking, you may prefer a tour with a full day there.

Day 7: Vail and Red Rocks before the airport

The final day starts with a stop at Grizzly Creek Rest Area, then continues to Vail for lunch and sightseeing. You receive about 90 minutes in Vail, enough to walk around and eat before the last major attraction.

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre gets about 40 minutes. At 6,450 feet, the site marks the meeting point of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. The red sandstone formations surround a natural amphitheater famous for its acoustics and concerts by artists such as The Beatles, Sting, and U2.

The tour ends with airport drop-off at Denver International Airport. Your return flight should be scheduled after 5:00 p.m. That buffer is important because traffic, weather, and the long drive from Red Rocks can affect arrival time.

Guides, group atmosphere, and language

Frank receives repeated praise for being helpful and keeping the group informed. Lynn and Scott are also praised as careful, friendly drivers. Those details matter on a route with long highway stretches and frequent schedule changes.

The tour is offered in English and uses a bilingual driver-guide. English is not always the guide’s first language, so narration may be easier to follow when the guide speaks slowly and directly. The group may include many Chinese-speaking participants, and some commentary or dining arrangements may reflect that audience.

That does not automatically make the trip a poor fit for English speakers, but it is worth knowing before you book. If you want long, polished talks at every stop, this may disappoint. If you are comfortable reading signs, asking clear questions, and carrying your own park guide, you will manage better.

Who should book this western parks tour?

I would recommend it to you if your priority is seeing many major sights in one trip, especially if you do not want to drive across several states yourself. It suits first-time visitors with limited vacation time, people who value included transportation, and anyone happy with simple hotels and fixed schedules.

I would hesitate if you want restful mornings, independent meals, serious hiking, or long stays inside one park. The schedule is physically tiring, and several stops are designed for a quick walk and photographs.

Before booking, budget for meals, drinks, personal expenses, and travel insurance. Bring comfortable shoes, sun protection, cash, and a refillable drink container. You are allowed one checked suitcase, limited to approximately a 28-inch bag, so pack lightly.

For non-US residents aged 16 and older, a new federal surcharge may apply beginning January 1, 2026, at designated national parks including Yellowstone and Grand Teton. The stated charge is $100 per person per park, or you may buy a $250 non-resident annual pass. Check the current rules before departure.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want maximum sightseeing for a fixed price and can accept long bus rides, short stops, and basic lodging. The route is unusually ambitious, and the combination of Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Arches, and Red Rocks is hard to match in seven days.

Skip it if Arches deserves a full day, if you dislike group travel, or if you need flexible meals and quiet time. At $1,325, it is a strong budget choice for a broad western sampler, but it asks you to trade comfort and depth for reach.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at Denver International Airport, 8500 Peña Boulevard, Denver. Meet at Baggage Claim 6 in the East Terminal by 1:30 p.m. on the first day.

What time should my return flight leave?

Your return flight from Denver should be scheduled after 5:00 p.m. on the final day.

How many nights of hotel accommodation are included?

The tour includes six hotel nights. Room arrangements may include one king or queen bed or two twin beds, depending on the hotel and room assignment.

Are meals included?

Three breakfasts are included. Food and drinks, including lunches and dinners, are not included.

What attractions are included in the admission fees?

Admission fees are included for the listed attractions, including Crazy Horse Memorial, Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Great Salt Lake, and Arches National Park.

How large can the group be?

The tour may have a maximum of 55 participants. The vehicle type depends on the number of people traveling that day.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 18 must travel with an adult. Children under six require a booster seat under applicable state law, although one is not needed for bus travel on the travel day.

What luggage can I bring?

Each person may bring one checked piece of luggage, limited to approximately 75 by 50 by 30 centimeters, or a 28-inch suitcase. Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, valet service, and alcoholic drinks are not included.