American Grandeurs Self Drive Tour
Denver, CO
Begin in Denver head to Rocky Mountain National Park to explore the mountains and local wildlife. Continue on to see the ancient fossils embedded in the rocks at Dinosaur National Monument. Pass through Flaming Gorge and Red Canyon en-route to the rustic Old West town of Jackson, Wyoming. Next visit Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone, America’s first National Park. Continuing to Salt Lake City, take in a concert by the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Return to exploring natural wonders in Bryce Canyon National Parks hoodoos, Zion National Park’s sheer cliff walls, the natural stone bridge over the deep blue waters of Lake Powell. Traveling through the Painted Desert, absorb the other-worldly rock landscapes of Monument Valley and explore the mystery of the abandoned cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park. Continue on to the charming old gold-mining town of Durango, the artist’s colony of Taos, and the oldest state capitol in America in Santa Fe. Return to Denver knowing you’ve witnessed the grandeurs of the American West.
Highlights
- Begin in Denver, explore the forests, mountains and alpine tundra of Rocky Mountain National Park before crossing the continental divide en-route to the quaint ski resort of Steamboat Springs.
- Next visit Dinosaur National Monument – that has produced more skeletons, skulls, and bones of dinosaurs than any other dig in the world. Continue on to explore the Flaming Gorge and Red Canyon.
- After spending the night in Rock Springs, Wyoming drive along the famous Wind River Gorge to rustic Jackson, Wyoming, gateway Yellowstone NP and Grand Teton. Take in the scenic mountains of Grand Tetons.
- Next, explore the geothermal features of Yellowstone, America’s First National Park. Be sure to see Old Faithful and keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife before heading back to civilization in Salt Lake City.
- Salt Lake City is the capitol of Utah and home to the famous Mormon Temple and the Tabernacle. Continue south through the Wasatch Mountain Range to southern Utah.
- Your first stop in southern Utah will the other worldly rock landscapes of Bryce Canyon. Spend a full day here or just the morning and continue on to nearby Zion National Park. Continue on to the crystal waters of Lake Powell.
- From Lake Powel, take in the Painted Desert, the world famous landscapes of Monument, the mysterious cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park before retiring to the charming old gold-mining town of Durango.
- From Durango head south into New Mexico to visit the artist colony in Taos and visit Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the United States before enjoying the scenic drive to Denver where you’ll end your tour.
- Day 1 - Denver Arrival
- Day 2 - Denver - Rocky Mountain national Park - Steamboat Springs
- Day 3 - Steamboat Springs - Dinosaur national monument - Flaming Gorge - Rock Springs
- Day 4 - Rock Springs - Jackson
- Day 5 - jackson -Grand Teton - Yellowstone
- Day 6 - Yellowstone - Salt Lake City
- Day 7 - Salt Lake City - Bryce Canyon
- Day 8 - Bryce Canyon
- Day 9 - Bryce Canyon - Lake Powell/Page
- Day 10 - Lake Powell/Page - Monument Valley - Cortez
- Day 11 - Cortez - Mesa Verde - Durango
- Day 12 - Durango - Taos
- Day 13 - Taos - Santa Fe - Taos
- Day 14 - Taos - Denver
- Day 15 - Denver Departure
Arrive at Denver’s International Airport and pick up your rental car. Then proceed to your hotel in downtown Denver.
Meals Included: RoHoliday Inn Denver-Cherry Creek
Property Location With a stay at Holiday Inn Denver-Cherry Creek, you'll be centrally located in Denver, convenient to Garland Park and Denver Botanic Gardens. This hotel is within close proximity of Washington Park and Congress Park.
Today, you have the day to explore Rocky Mountain National Park. After crossing the Continental Divide of the Rockies, continue to the quaint ski resort of Steamboat Springs.
Driving Distance: 160 MI / 260 KM
Meals Included: RoHoliday Inn Steamboat Springs
Property Location In the heart of Steamboat Springs, Holiday Inn Steamboat Springs is close to Steamboat Ski Resort and Gondola Square. This ski hotel is within close proximity of Haymaker Golf Course and Amaze'n Steamboat Family Fun Park.
Depart Steamboat Springs and enter Dinosaur National Monument at the Colorado/ Utah border and visit Dinosaur Quarry, which has produced more skeletons, skulls and bones of dinosaurs than any other dig in the world. Marvel at these remarkable fossil deposits, some as old as 140 million years. Continue on to explore the Flaming Gorge and Red Canyon. Overnight in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
Driving Distance: 280 MI / 440 KM
Meals Included: RoQuality Inn Rock Springs
Property Location With a stay at Quality Inn Rock Springs, you'll be centrally located in Rock Springs, convenient to Upper New Fork River and Rock Springs Historical Museum. This motel is within the region of White Mountain Golf Course and FMC Park.
Depart Rock Springs and travel along the Wind River Gorge. Continue north over the high chaparral of Wyoming and arrive in Jackson by early evening. Enjoy exploring the rustic Old West with a walk around the old-fashioned town square of Jackson.
Driving Distance: 190 MI / 310 KM
Meals Included: Ro49'er Inn & Suites
Property Location A stay at 49’er Inn & Suites places you in the heart of Jackson, walking distance from Jackson Hole Playhouse and Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum. This ski hotel is within close proximity of Center For The Arts and Jackson Town Square.
The short drive today gives you the chance to leisurely explore Grand Teton National Park. In Yellowstone, explore the diverse geothermal features of America’s first national park. Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs are the most famous sights of the park. Yellowstone’s wildlife roam the park freely, so prepare yourself for bison, deer, elk, moose and possibly a bear.
Driving Distance: 80 MI / 130 KM
Meals Included: RoBrandin Iron Inn
The entrance of Yellowstone National Park is just 2 blocks from this West Yellowstone, Montana hotel. Brandin' Iron Inn features a coffee bar, 2 hot tubs and rooms with free Wi-Fi. Situated in West Yellowstone, this motel is within a 5-minute walk of Playmill Theatre and Yellowstone Big Gun Fun. Yellowstone Historic Center and Yellowstone IMAX Theatre are also within 10 minutes.
You will cross a small portion of the Gem State of Idaho en route to the Mormon State of Utah and its capital, Salt Lake City. Visit the famed Temple and the Tabernacle.
Driving Distance: 350 MI / 560 KM
Meals Included: RoCrystal Inn Hotel & Suites Salt Lake City - Down Town
Property Location With a stay at Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites Salt Lake City - Down Town in Salt Lake City (Downtown Salt Lake City), you'll be convenient to Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center and Clark Planetarium. This hotel is within close proximity of Pioneer Park and Eagle Gate College.
Cross the Wasatch Mountain Range to reach the natural wonders in southern Utah. Visit Bryce Canyon National Park to view its fanciful spires and rock formations.
Driving Distance: 250 MI / 400 KM
Meals Included: RoBryce View Lodge
The Bryce View Lodge offers the finest in Bryce Canyon lodging. Located next to Bryce Canyon National Park on Highway U-63 in Southern Utah, this perfect Bryce Canyon lodging is nestled at the edge of a pine forest on a high plateau that overlooks the beautiful Bryce Canyon National Park.
A full day to further explore Bryce Canyon National Park. Alternatively, it is just a short drive to Zion National Park and some of the world’s most incredible sandstone formations formed millions of years ago by the powerful hand of nature.
Meals Included: RoBryce View Lodge
The Bryce View Lodge offers the finest in Bryce Canyon lodging. Located next to Bryce Canyon National Park on Highway U-63 in Southern Utah, this perfect Bryce Canyon lodging is nestled at the edge of a pine forest on a high plateau that overlooks the beautiful Bryce Canyon National Park.
After having discovered the natural wonders of Bryce Canyon National Park, drive east via Kanab to Page where the red desert meets deep blue Lake Powell.
Driving Distance: 120 MI / 190 KM
Meals Included: RoTravelodge Page AZ
Property Location With a stay at Travelodge Page AZ in Page, you'll be minutes from Powell Museum and Page Hospital. This motel is within close proximity of Lake Powell National Golf Course and Golliard Park.
Leave early to explore the Navajo Indian Reservation, the Trading Post of Cameron, and drive through the Painted Desert to beautiful Monument Valley’s red sandstone spires and monoliths. Continue to Cortez.
Driving Distance: 280 MI / 450 KM
Meals Included: RoBest Western Turquoise Inn & Suites
Property Location With a stay at Best Western Turquoise Inn & Suites in Cortez, you'll be near the airport and minutes from Colorado Welcome Center at Cortez, and close to Cortez Cultural Center. This hotel is within the vicinity of Crow Canyon Archaeological Center and Guy Drew Winery.
Depart Cortez for the ruins of Mesa Verde, established to “preserve the works of man,” the first national park of its kind. Continue to the charming old gold-mining town of Durango.
Driving Distance: 80 MI / 128 KM
Meals Included: Ro
Durango Downtown Inn
Property Location Durango Downtown Inn is in the heart of Durango, walking distance from Durango Area Tourism Office and Sorrel Sky Gallery. This hotel is within close proximity of Henry Strater Theater and Durango Arts Center.
Enjoy magnificent scenery this morning while strolling along Durango’s Main Street lined with southwestern boutiques. Depart Durango and pass Pagosa Springs en route to the state of New Mexico, The Land of Enchantment. Your destination for this evening, the artists’ colony of Taos.
Driving Distance: 200 MI / 320 KM
Meals Included: RoSagebrush Inn & Suites
Property Location With a stay at Sagebrush Inn & Suites in Taos, you'll be close to San Francisco de Asis Mission Church and La Hacienda del los Martinez. This hotel is within close proximity of Blumenschein Home and Museum and Harwood Museum of Art.
This morning, explore the remarkable Taos Indian Pueblo, a virtually unchanged village inhabited for over 800 years by as many as 1,400 Taos Indians. In the afternoon, drive south to Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the United States. Explore Santa Fe’s historic center on a short walking tour. Enjoy the unique atmosphere which has made Santa Fe a mecca for artists. Return to Taos for the night.
Driving Distance: 140 MI / 220 KM
Meals Included: RoSagebrush Inn & Suites
Property Location With a stay at Sagebrush Inn & Suites in Taos, you'll be close to San Francisco de Asis Mission Church and La Hacienda del los Martinez. This hotel is within close proximity of Blumenschein Home and Museum and Harwood Museum of Art.
Today, head north through New Mexico into the state of Colorado. The mountainous terrain of Colorado will surround you, providing panoramic scenery en route to Denver. Visit historic Larimer Square in downtown Denver before proceeding to your hotel.
Driving Distance: 310 MI / 500 KM
Meals Included: RoHoliday Inn Denver-Cherry Creek
Property Location With a stay at Holiday Inn Denver-Cherry Creek, you'll be centrally located in Denver, convenient to Garland Park and Denver Botanic Gardens. This hotel is within close proximity of Washington Park and Congress Park.
Return your car at airport before your departure flight.
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