Epic National Parks of Montana and Wyoming
14 Nights
United States
3
Fly Drive Holidays
Montana||
Wyoming
EPIC NATIONAL PARKS OF WYOMING & MONTANA
A 14 day adventure to the REAL America
Start Jackson, WY |Finish Kalispell, MT
Discover the REAL America
The diverse and intriguing American states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming epitomise the REAL America. Year-round adventure, awe-inspiring
scenery, majestical mountains, shimmering lakes, expansive prairies and tumbling waterfalls await. Not to mention legendary history and heritage, real-life cowboys,
rodeos and ranches, American Indians, iconic National Parks and monuments, plus more wildlife than people. The REAL America has it all.
No REAL America adventure is complete without a visit to the world’s first national park. Yellowstone boasts the world’s most extensive area of geothermal activity,
harbouring more than 10,000 geysers, hot springs and mud pots; the most famous being Old Faithful. A mountain wildland, home to grizzly bears, wolves, and herds of
bison and elk, the park is the core of one of the last, nearly intact, natural ecosystems in the Earth’s temperate zone.
The REAL America is blessed with an unspoiled, natural beauty that beckons visitors from around the world. Take time to discover it yourself.
DAY 1 – Fly to Ireland Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Arrive Jackson Hole and collect your rental car
Overnight: Jackson, Wyoming
DAY 2 – Grand Teton National Park and Jackson
Grand Teton National Park is dominated by the Tetons, a 40-mile mountain range that is part of the famed Rocky Mountains. Spend the day exploring the park – drive the 42-mile Scenic Loop, visit Grand Teton National Park Visitors Center, or take the Aerial Tram. Enjoy a hike or wildlife safari, take a boat trip on one of the lakes and visit the town of Jackson which features wooden sidewalks, elk antler arches and shops that range from the chic to the traditional; saddle up at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar or visit the world-famous Silver Dollar Bar.
Overnight: Jackson, Wyoming
DAY 3 – Jackson to Thermopolis
Head east for Dubois (pronounced Dew-boyz) where rustic log buildings line the main street look much as they did when the town was first settled in the late 1800's. Then make your way through Riverton and stunning Wind River Canyon to Thermopolis. Greek for ‘Hot City’, Thermopolis has two large hot spring complexes, the Star Plunge and Teepee, as well as a free public bathhouse. Temperatures range from cool to 41° C (106° F), and visitors have a choice of a soak or the water slides.
Overnight: Thermopolis, Wyoming
DAY 4 – Thermopolis to Cody
Make your way north to Buffalo Bill’s Cody, a town built by the legendary Old West showman Buffalo Bill Cody. Lose yourself in the expansive Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a complex of five thematic museums. Don’t miss the nighty live shootout performance in front of the Irma Hotel, which was built by Buffalo Bill Cody himself, or the Cody Nite Rodeo, held daily during the summer.
Overnight: Cody, Wyoming
DAY 5 – Yellowstone National Park
Get an early start for the nation’s first national park, Yellowstone - best known for the geysers, hot springs and mud pots that make the park one of the most active geothermal areas on the planet. Thee awe-inspiring landscape covers 2,000,000 acres with over 10,000 thermal features and hundreds of animal species. Popular sites include Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone Lake, Old Faithful, Lamar and Hayden Valleys and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with its inspirational view of Lower Falls.
Overnight: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
DAY 6 – Yellowstone National Park
Continue your exploration of Yellowstone National Park.
Overnight: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
DAY 7 – Yellowstone to Big Sky
Make your way to Big Sky, affectionately known as the basecamp to Yellowstone and the perfect spot for mountain adventures. Options are endless; choose from mountain biking, zip lining, hiking, horseback riding, a gentle lift ride to the top of the mountain, fly fishing and much more.
Overnight: Big Sky, Montana
DAY 8 – Big Sky to Butte
Make your way to the Old West mining towns of Virginia City and Nevada City which have been restored to reflect the boom days when settlers and miners migrated to Montana in the late 1800s. Take time to explore the historic shops, theatres and houses. Then head for Butte. Located on the Continental Divide, Butte was once one of the most thriving cities in the west due to the highly prosperous deposits of copper that reside in the surrounding mountains. Explore the historical downtown area which includes the Copper King Mansion, the former residence of copper tycoon William Andrews Clark.
Overnight: Butte, Montana
DAY 9 –Butte to Missoula
Take a scenic drive to Philipsburg, one of the ‘Prettiest Painted Places in America’ to mine for authentic Montana sapphires! Then head north to the artsy town of Missoula to visit the Smoke Jumper Visitor Center which tells the story of how elite, highly trained firefighters fight forest fires in remote areas throughout the country.
Overnight: Missoula, Montana
DAY 10 – Missoula to Whitefish
Depart Missoula for northern Glacier Country. 90 miles north of Missoula are the crystal clear waters of Flathead Lake and the picturesque small town of Bigfork which has been honoured as one of the 50 Great Towns in the West and brims with art galleries, fine restaurants and high-end boutiques. The nearby communities of Kalispell and Whitefish serve as gateways to the West Entrances to Glacier National Park and feature a wide array of outdoor recreation opportunities as well as a number of unique restaurants, shops and art galleries to peruse.
Overnight: Whitefish, Montana
DAY 11 – Glacier National Park
Make your way to the spectacular Glacier National Park, to explore glacial-scoured valleys, towering peaks, tumbling waterfalls, verdant forests and wildflower-strewn meadows. Keep an eye out for grizzly bears, elk, mountain goats and bighorn sheep. Drive the magnificent 85km Going-To-The-Sun-Road and hike some of the 1,126km of trails.
Overnight: Whitefish, Montana
DAY 12 – Glacier National Park
Continue your exploration of Glacier National Park.
Overnight: Whitefish, Montana
DAY 13
Return flight from Kalispell to Ireland
DAY 14
Arrive Ireland
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