DAY 1: Arrival at Spokane International Airport (GEG)
DAY 2: Idaho (Coeur d’Alene)
DAY 3: Idaho (Nez Perce National Historic Park)
DAY 4: Idaho (Hells Canyon National Recreation Area)
DAY 5: Idaho (Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve)
DAY 6: Idaho (City of Rocks National Reserve)
DAY 7: Wyoming (Grand Teton National Park)
DAY 8-9: Wyoming (Yellowstone National Park)
DAY 10: Wyoming (Cody)
DAY 11: Wyoming (Sheridan / Devils Tower National Monument)
DAY 12: South Dakota (Deadwood / Spearfish)
DAY 13: South Dakota (Mount Rushmore / Custer State Park)
DAY 14: South Dakota (Badlands National Park / Rapid City)
DAY 15: North Dakota (Medora)
DAY 16: North Dakota (Theodore Roosevelt National Park)
DAY 17: North Dakota (Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit / MHA Nation / Minot)
DAY 18: North Dakota (Bismarck-Mandan)
DAY 19: North Dakota (Fargo)
DAY 20: South Dakota (De Smet / Mitchell)
DAY 21: South Dakota (Sioux Falls)
DAY 22: Departure from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
DAY 1: Arrival (Spokane International Airport / GEG)
Fly into Spokane, Washington, where downtown charm meets outdoor adventure. Discover renowned urban and state parks, indulge in delicious cuisine, and embrace the best of the Pacific Northwest while you gear up for your Great American West Iconic Destinations adventure!
Overnight: Spokane
DAY 2: Idaho (Coeur d’Alene)
Lake Coeur d’Alene CREDIT Visit Idaho
Known for its stunning natural beauty, the city of Coeur d’Alene sits on the north edge of Lake Coeur d’Alene. The lake was formed as the glaciers of the last ice age retreated, and it is surrounded by pine forests providing bald eagles, osprey and moose a place to call home. Enjoy a cruise on the lake or a bike ride around it on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, a scenic rail-to-trails ride that takes you 117 km/73 miles across Idaho’s panhandle.
Distance: 56 km/35 miles, 40 minutes driving time
Overnight: Coeur d’Alene
DAY 3: Idaho (Nez Perce National Historic Park)
Nez Perce National Historic Park CREDIT Visit Idaho
Nez Perce National Historic Park consists of 38 sites in four states important to the history and culture of the Nimiipuu. Explore the park’s history through exhibits on the Nez Perce Flight of 1877 and their forced relocation from their original reservation. Discover archaeological sites, interpretive trails and museum exhibits showcasing 10,000 years of Nez Perce history. In Moscow, delve into the Appaloosa Museum & Heritage Center to learn about Idaho’s iconic horse breed, exploring its cultural and historical significance through exhibits and hands-on activities.
Distance: 190 km/116 miles, 2 hours driving time
Overnight: Lewiston
DAY 4: Idaho (Hells Canyon National Recreation Area)
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area CREDIT Visit Idaho
Carved by the Snake River and acting as the border between Idaho and Oregon for 160km/100 miles, Hells Canyon is North America’s deepest river gorge at over 2,100 meters. From Lewiston, embark on guided jet boating for a comfortable water adventure. Explore Hells Canyon National Recreation Area for hiking, mountain biking and dramatic landscapes. Discover Nez Perce pictographs and diverse wildlife like bighorn sheep, black bears and eagles. Whichever path you take, stunning canyon views await amidst this rugged wilderness.
Distance: 8 km/5 miles, 15 minutes driving time
Overnight: Lewiston
DAY 5: Idaho (Craters of the Moon)
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve CREDIT Visit Idaho
Traverse the unique landscape at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve to experience a true natural curiosity. Navigate through the volcanic remains via a loop drive or by hiking the network of trails, caves and craters. Come nightfall, look up to the sky for another astronomical wonder. The Preserve is a designated International Dark Sky Park, where limited light pollution preserves the night sky for pristine stargazing.
Distance: 710 km/440 miles, 8.5 hours driving time
Overnight: Ketchum, Twin Falls or Idaho Falls
Important note: Travelers will be switching time zones between Day 4 (Pacific Time Zone) and Day 5 (Mountain Time Zone). Plan to either lose an hour traveling into the Mountain Time Zone or gain an hour traveling into the Pacific Time Zone.
DAY 6: Idaho (City of Rocks National Reserve)
City of Rocks National Reserve CREDIT Visit Idaho
City of Rocks National Reserve is a 14,407-acre paradise of pure Idaho wilderness perfect for world-class rock climbing and backcountry adventure. Views of sage meadows and aspen groves amidst the reserve’s defining granite sculptures provide non-stop exploration and scenery for hiking, biking, climbing, bird watching and photography. A variety of trails for hikers of all skill levels intersect through the central area of the granite formations known as the Inner City.
Distance: 240 km/150 miles, 3 hours driving time
Overnight: Twin Falls, Idaho Falls or Pocatello
DAY 7: Wyoming (Grand Teton National Park)
Grand Teton National Park CREDIT Wyoming Office of Tourism
Grand Teton National Park spans 310,000 acres of stunning landscapes, from lush valleys and alpine lakes to the towering Teton Range. Iconic spots like Mormon Row and the Moulton Barns are popular photo destinations, while the park’s dramatic peaks attract nature lovers and adventurers. Enjoy activities such as hiking, camping, climbing, boating and wildlife viewing. Explore 370km/230 miles of trails, bike paths and scenic drives like Jenny Lake Scenic Drive and Signal Mountain Summit Road.
Distance: 340 km/210 miles, 5 hours driving time
Overnight: Grand Teton National Park or Jackson
DAY 8-9: Wyoming (Yellowstone National Park)
Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River CREDIT Wyoming Office of Tourism
Yellowstone National Park’s 2 million acres are home to an incomparable combination of natural beauty, rugged wilderness, majestic peaks and abundant wildlife, as well as the world’s largest concentration of geysers and thermal features. The iconic spots – Old Faithful, Lower Falls and Yellowstone Lake – may be familiar from paintings and photographs, but seeing them in person is a humbling, enthralling experience that visitors can enjoy year-round. The park offers a great diversity of activities including camping, hiking, boating, bicycling, fishing, wildlife viewing, guided tours and horseback riding.
Distance: 100 km/60 miles, 2 hours driving time
Overnight: Yellowstone National Park
DAY 10: Wyoming (Cody)
Old Trail Town CREDIT Wyoming Office of Tourism
Cody embodies the spirit of the Wild West with its rich history and breathtaking scenery. Founded by Buffalo Bill Cody, the town features the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, where visitors can explore diverse exhibits on Western art, history and culture. Experience the excitement of the Cody Nite Rodeo, a nightly event showcasing thrilling rodeo action. With its historic charm, outdoor adventures and vibrant events, Cody offers an authentic and memorable Western experience.
Distance: 130 km/80 miles, 1.5 hours driving time
Overnight: Cody
DAY 11: Wyoming (Sheridan / Devils Tower)
Devils Tower National Monument CREDIT Wyoming Office of Tourism
Sheridan is a charming town steeped in Western heritage and surrounded by natural beauty. Explore the historic Mint Bar, a local favorite with a classic Western atmosphere. Discover King’s Saddlery and Ropes, a notable stop for Western gear and craftsmanship. Sheridan offers a vibrant local culture and rich history. On your way to the Black Hills of South Dakota, don’t miss a visit to Devils Tower National Monument, a striking geological marvel with breathtaking views and cultural history.
Distance: 240 km/150 miles, 5.5 hours driving time
Overnight: Sheridan
DAY 12: South Dakota (Deadwood / Spearfish)
Deadwood CREDIT Travel South Dakota
Start your South Dakota journey in Spearfish, the northernmost entrance of the Black Hills National Forest. Continue through the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, where the towering limestone cliffs and rushing waters of Spearfish Creek will you keep you company along with the three waterfalls that call Spearfish Canyon home. Spearfish Canyon will lead you to Deadwood, where you can take a step back in time and walk the streets of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock. This 1870s Gold Rush town in present day includes concerts, casinos, museums, historic sites, spas and parades.
Distance: 340 km/210 miles, 3 hours driving time
Overnight: Deadwood
DAY 13: South Dakota (Mount Rushmore / Custer State Park)
Mount Rushmore National Memorial CREDIT Travel South Dakota
America’s Shrine of Democracy, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, features the 18-meter faces of four great American presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. These leaders represent the birth, growth, development and preservation of this country. Not far from Mount Rushmore is Crazy Horse Memorial; once complete, this tribute to the Lakota leader will be the largest mountain carving in the world. End your day with 71,000 acres of pristine wildlife and over 1,300 American bison roaming Custer State Park.
Distance: 80 km/50 miles, 1.5 hours driving time
Overnight: Custer
DAY 14: South Dakota (Badlands National Park / Rapid City)
Badlands National Park CREDIT Travel South Dakota
Badlands National Park is an otherworldly wonder meant for exploration as this striking South Dakota landscape boasts a maze of buttes, canyons, pinnacles and spires. Wildlife abounds in the park’s 244,000 acres and can often be seen while hiking, camping and traveling the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway. Continue to Rapid City, conveniently located within an hour’s drive of six national parks. This Black Hills town is close to outdoor adventure while offering plenty of big-city comforts and attractions like Art Alley, the Presidents Sculpture Walk and Reptile Gardens.
Distance: 130 km/80 miles, 1.5 hours driving time
Overnight: Rapid City
DAY 15: North Dakota (Medora)
Medora Pitchfork Fondue CREDIT North Dakota Tourism
Founded in 1883 by Marquis de Mores, Medora is an authentic Old West cow-town. Enjoy golfing, daily entertainment, mountain biking, hiking, museums, shops and great dining. Take in the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Medora Musical, the Pitchfork Steak Fondue, and the Medora Stables for horseback riding. Explore the Chateau de Mores and Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit. The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library will highlight his transformation in the Badlands (opening in 2026).
Distance: 410 km/250 miles, 4.5 hours driving time
Overnight: Medora
DAY 16: North Dakota (Theodore Roosevelt National Park)
Wind Canyon in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park CREDIT North Dakota Tourism
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, established to honor Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation legacy, is where he fell in love with the rugged badlands in 1883 and became interested in cattle ranching. The park road winds through scenic badlands with overlooks and trailheads. Bison, mule deer, prairie dogs and horses are common along the South Unit’s drive, along with coyotes, pronghorn, eagles and elk. Visit the South Unit Visitor Center in Medora and the Painted Canyon Visitor Center. (Note: The 58-km/36-mile loop tour will reopen in 2025.)
Distance: 70 km/45 miles, 3 hours driving time
Overnight: Medora
DAY 17: North Dakota (TRNP / MHA Nation / Minot)
MHA Interpretive Center CREDIT North Dakota Tourism
The North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park offers rugged beauty and solitude. Don’t miss the iconic River Bend Overlook! Experience modern Mandan-Hidatsa-Arikara culture through dancing, meals and tipi/earthlodge demonstrations at the MHA Interpretive Center and Crow Flies High Butte. In Minot, enjoy the ND State Fair, Norsk Høstfest, Scandinavian Heritage Park or the Dakota Territory Air Museum!
Distance: 350 km/210 miles, 3.5 hours driving time
Overnight: Minot
Important note: Travelers will be switching time zones between Day 16 (Mountain Time Zone) and Day 17 (Central Time Zone). Plan to either lose an hour traveling into the Central Time Zone or gain an hour traveling into the Mountain Time Zone.
DAY 18: North Dakota (Bismarck-Mandan)
Fort Abraham Lincoln earth lodges CREDIT North Dakota Tourism
Bismarck-Mandan, straddling the Missouri River, unites two unique cities into one extraordinary community. It boasts the North Dakota State Capitol, the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum, two distinct downtowns, and extensive parks and trails. History echoes from the Fort Abraham Lincoln blockhouses on the southwest bluffs of the Missouri River. In summer and fall, enjoy a cruise on the Lewis and Clark Riverboat for a memorable experience.
Distance: 180 km/110 miles, 2 hours driving time
Overnight: Bismarck
DAY 19: North Dakota (Fargo)
Downtown Fargo CREDIT North Dakota Tourism
The greater Fargo area is bustling with activities, including shopping, cultural events and major concerts. Famous from the 1996 film “Fargo” and the FX series of the same name, visit the original woodchipper at the Visitors Center! Explore downtown Fargo, see the iconic Fargo Theatre and enjoy local restaurants. Don’t miss Bonanzaville, Drekker Brewhalla, Hjemkomst Center, Broadway Square and the Fargo Air Museum for an unforgettable experience.
Distance: 315 km/200 miles, 3 hours driving time
Overnight: Fargo
DAY 20: South Dakota (De Smet / Mitchell)
Ingalls Homestead CREDIT Travel South Dakota
“Little House on the Prairie” is preserved in De Smet, South Dakota. This charming little town two hours north of Sioux Falls is famously where Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family settled toward the end of her childhood. On the quarter-section of land the family homesteaded, visitors can experience South Dakota pioneer heritage through hands-on activities. Continue south to Mitchell and experience the one-of-a-kind, often labeled “a-maize-ing,” World’s Only Corn Palace, where each wall is covered in intricate designs made up of grasses and 13 different colors and shades of corn.
Distance: 320 km/200 miles, 3 hours driving time
Overnight: Mitchell
DAY 21: South Dakota (Sioux Falls)
Sioux Falls CREDIT Travel South Dakota
Finish your South Dakota trek with a night in Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s largest city. Here, you will find a perfect blend of outdoor beauty with iconic Falls Park, home to the Falls of the Big Sioux River, and big-city life with nightly concerts, an ever-changing downtown art walk, and over 700 restaurants and 5,000 hotel rooms. For more adventure, do not forget to check out the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, a 25-mile reservoir of the Missouri River that is an outdoor paradise.
Distance: 120 km/75 miles, 1 hour driving time
Overnight: Sioux Falls
DAY 22: Departure (Bloomington-Minneapolis-St. Paul / MSP)
Gold Medal Park CREDIT Meet Minneapolis
The Great American West Gateway City of Bloomington-Minneapolis-Saint Paul is comprised of three cities, each with unique offerings and experiences. Bloomington’s Mall of America is the nation’s largest retail and entertainment complex, with 500+ stores, 50+ restaurants and more. In Minneapolis, visit historic theatres and the walkable downtown district, as well as Paisley Park, the former home, recording studio and performance space of music legend Prince. Saint Paul is home to the Minnesota State Capitol, along with many of the state’s most storied institutions – the Cathedral of Saint Paul, world-class museums and a long list of colleges and universities.
Distance: 385 km/240 miles, 4 hours driving time
Why You Can’t Miss It: Carved by glaciers over thousands of years, Lake Pend Oreille is Idaho’s deepest and largest lake. The lake is so deep, the U.S. used it as a submarine naval training base during World War II. Learn more about this unique history at Farragut State Park’s Museum of the Brig, a 30-minute drive from Coeur d’Alene.
Why You Can’t Miss It: Named by local Native tribes the “River of No Return,” the Salmon River is the longest undammed river in the U.S. outside of Alaska. It’s a great place to view Idaho’s vast wilderness while taking a rafting trip.
Why You Can’t Miss It: The first International Dark Sky Reserve in the U.S. covers over 3,667 square km of wilderness and Sawtooth National Forest. It is a pristine spot to enjoy all the wonders of the night sky. The towns of Stanley and Ketchum sit along the Reserve’s edges.
Why You Can’t Miss It: Bruneau is home to the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America, created from sands that flowed down the Snake River Canyon during the Bonneville Flood. View crisp, clear night skies at the public observatory in this International Dark Sky Park.
Why You Can’t Miss It: Known as the “Niagara of the West,” Shoshone Falls is over 64 meters tall and 274 meters wide. View it from above or kayak up to the base of the falls.
Why You Can’t Miss It: Experience stunning landscapes, wildlife and the rugged beauty that inspired Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation efforts.
Why You Can’t Miss It: Discover the rich cultural heritage of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nations through immersive exhibits and traditional earthlodges.
Why You Can’t Miss It: Explore authentic Scandinavian architecture, artifacts and culture in a picturesque park celebrating the region’s Nordic roots.
Why You Can’t Miss It: Delve into North Dakota’s history, from prehistoric times to the present, through engaging exhibits and state-of-the-art displays.
Why You Can’t Miss It: Enjoy a vibrant mix of art, culture, dining and shopping in this lively and historic downtown area.
Why You Can’t Miss It: American’s ultimate shrine to democracy, Mount Rushmore features the 60-feet faces of four great American Presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.
Why You Can’t Miss It: An otherworldly wonder meant for exploration, this striking landscape boasts a maze of buttes, canyons, pinnacles and spires. Wildlife abounds in the park’s 244,000 acres and can often be seen while hiking, camping or traveling the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway.
Why You Can’t Miss It: Few truly wild places remain in this country. Custer State Park is one of them. Nearly 1,300 bison wander the park’s 71,000 acers, which they share with pronghorn antelope, elk, mountain goats and even burros. Hiking trails, scenic drives, bike rides and buffalo safari tours are the perfect way to explore this impressive attraction.
Why You Can’t Miss It: South Dakota’s largest city and “The Heart of America,” Sioux Falls is perfectly located at the junction of Interstates 90 and 29 in the eastern part of the state and has all the offerings of a big city with 5,000 hotel rooms, the iconic Falls Park and a world-class culinary and arts scene.
Why You Can’t Miss It: This one-of-a-kind building has been “a-maize-ing” visitors for nearly 100 years. This sight to behold is covered in intricate designs made up of natural grasses and 13 different colors and shades of corn, bringing 500,000 visitors annually to Mitchell, South Dakota.
Why You Can’t Miss It: This historic area features the iconic Moulton Barns with the stunning Teton Range as a backdrop. It’s one of the most photographed spots in Grand Teton National Park and offers a glimpse into early pioneer life.
Why You Can’t Miss It: Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park offers breathtaking views, hiking trails and boat tours. The lake’s crystal-clear waters reflect the towering peaks of the Tetons, making it a perfect spot for photography, hiking or a peaceful boat ride.
Why You Can’t Miss It: Yellowstone National Park’s Old Faithful is one of the most famous geysers in the world, erupting with regularity and drawing crowds to witness its powerful display. The surrounding area includes the historic Old Faithful Inn and numerous geothermal features.
Why You Can’t Miss It: The Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in Yellowstone National Park is a majestic waterfall plunging 94 meters into the canyon below. The views from Artist Point or Uncle Tom’s Trail offer some of the most iconic scenes in the park.
Why You Can’t Miss It: This expansive museum complex in Cody offers a deep dive into the history, art and culture of the American West. It features exhibits on Buffalo Bill, Plains Indian artifacts, Western art and more, making it an essential stop to understand the region’s heritage.
