National Parks & Lodges of the Old West

Celebrate the American West’s magnificent National Parks with alumni and friends from July 6 – 14, 2023, tracing legends and storied monuments along the way.

From Mount Rushmore, to Old Faithful, to the Snake River, experience a taste of the Old West, and traverse its beautiful vistas in style and comfort. Wonderfully historic hotels and lodges are a highlight of this program, including landmark lodging within the parks themselves. Indulge in the geological phenomena of hot springs in South Dakota, and journey through Badlands National Park, known as nature’s surreal masterpiece, where impressive herds of bison roam, and dazzling, dramatic pinnacles rise over the largest undisturbed mixed-grass prairie in the United States.

Shared with participants from cosponsoring associations, space is sure to fill quickly. Please contact the Georgetown Travel Society at GeorgetownTravelSociety@Georgetown.edu or 866-325-8664 for more details and to reserve your place today.

 

Dates & Rates

Trip Dates: July 6 – 14, 2023

Rates: $4,995 per person based upon double occupancy. A limited number of places are offered for single travelers at $6,795 per person. Please contact us regarding single space availability prior to sending in a reservation.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Rapid City, SD

Welcome to Rapid City—nicknamed “The City of Presidents” for the series of life-sized bronze statues of our nation’s past leaders situated throughout downtown. Rapid City’s location at the eastern slope of the Black Hills Mountain Range gives visitors easy access to all the surrounding attractions—from the beautiful state and national parks to the man-made wonders of Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial. Take a stroll around beautiful, patriotic downtown to spot some of the 43 presidential figures residing on nearly every street corner.  This evening, gather with fellow travel companions and your Orbridge Expedition Leader for a special welcome dinner and briefing to kick off the exciting week ahead.
Overnight: Hotel Alex Johnson (D)

Day 2: Rapid City / Badlands National Park / Rapid City  

This morning after breakfast, head to Badlands National Park, with more than 244,000 acres of mixed-grass prairie, featuring some of the most spectacular scenery and diverse wildlife in the region. Gaze in awe at the layered rock cliffs, towering spires, and narrow canyons that create this amazing landscape. Lunch is at leisure in Wall, South Dakota—a bustling community that exudes small-town charm.  Returning to Rapid City, you may elect to join the Expedition Leader for a “Presidential Walk” of the downtown area to admire the bronze statues before enjoying a relaxing dinner on your own in Rapid City. 
Overnight: Hotel Alex Johnson (B)

Day 3: Rapid City / Mount Rushmore / Jeep Safari / Custer State Park


Today visit one of the world’s largest iconic stone monuments—Mount Rushmore. Begun in 1927, this remarkable granite sculpture was originally designed to portray the four Presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt—from the waist up, but construction ended in 1941 due to budgetary constraints. The stone visages that remain, however, are inspiring in both their beauty and the enormous feat of engineering it took to create them. Carved under the direction of sculptor Gutzon Borglum, Mount Rushmore was a massive undertaking requiring 800 million pounds of stone to be removed by dynamite from the mountain face. Pass through the Avenue of Flags walkway and peer up to capture sight of four influential presidential faces, each about 60 feet tall with eyes and mouths 11 feet and 18 feet wide, respectively.  During free time, have lunch, perhaps explore the Visitor Center or Sculptor’s Studio, or hike the 422-stair Presidential Trail that loops around the base of the monument. Wandering through gorgeous scenery, experience an up-close perspective of the sculpture and a chance to spot local wildlife.
Later on, set out on a Jeep safari tour through Custer State Park. Embrace the magnificent vistas and spot for herds of bison, elk, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife that can be observed along the scenic roads. Beware of the “begging burros” that approach visitors looking for a handout!

For the following two evenings, retire to Custer State Game Lodge, which offers a tranquil, nature-filled experience combined with stunning views and outstanding service. Built in 1921, this impressive stone and wood lodge surrounded by stately trees is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The charming lodge served as the “Summer White House” in 1927 for President Calvin Coolidge, who saw it as a quiet retreat from the heat, bugs, and crowds of Washington, DC. President Dwight D. Eisenhower also visited the lodge in 1953, while on a visit to the Black Hills area. 
Overnight: Custer State Game Lodge (B,D)

Day 4: Custer / Mammoth Site / Crazy Horse / Custer


This morning, travel to Hot Springs to visit The Mammoth Site—where history of the late Ice Age comes to life. This paleontological site, research center, and museum contains the largest concentration of mammoth remains in the world and earns recognition worldwide for its interpretation and exhibits. Walk the edges of a sinkhole where Columbian and woolly mammoths, camels, wolves, and giant short-faced bears became trapped more than 26,000 years ago, leaving a treasure of fossils. For centuries the bones lay buried until discovered in 1974 during excavation for a housing development. After a short tour, stroll the boardwalk over the dig area and see the paleontology laboratory. Travel to the base to see the world’s largest monument carving in progress—The Crazy Horse Memorial. Then, enjoy free time and lunch on your own at the Crazy Horse Museum.  Under construction since 1948, crews are drilling, sculpting, and removing rock more than 70 years later. The work honors Crazy Horse, a member of the Oglala Lakota, and the values of Native Americans. Crazy Horse led his warriors to victory against Custer’s battalion at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. If completed as designed, the sculpture will be 563 feet high and 641 feet long.   Afterwards, enjoy lunch and free time to explore on your own. Time permitting, enjoy the daily cultural performance or hike in the park before joining the group for an evening meal in the main lodge—where the ambiance harkens back to the 1927 summer White House dinners. 
Overnight: Custer State Game Lodge (B,D)

Day 5: Custer / Cody, WY

Enjoy wide-open spaces and western hospitality with a scenic travel day today. Relaxing aboard the motor coach en route to Cody, encounter vistas of historic and geologic significance among the rolling plains of the Old West, the towering peaks of the Bighorn Mountains, and refreshing opportunities to stop and stretch your legs.  Delight in lunch and the beautiful scenery at The Ranch at UCross—an authentic Western ranch. The Ranch at UCross and the surrounding Buffalo, Wyoming landscape are rich in the history of the American West. Many western writers, sculptors, artists, and craftsmen make this area home for exactly that reason. American scout, bison hunter, and showman William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody founded Cody in 1896. He was drawn to the area’s rich soil, abundant fish and game, grand scenery, and proximity to Yellowstone National Park. The town now boasts a population of more than 10,000 residents who live and work in the surrounding area.  With a late afternoon arrival in Cody, enjoy the evening and dinner on your own or maybe venture out for some real western entertainment at the nation’s longest running successful professional rodeo.
Overnight: Holiday Inn Cody-At Buffalo Bill Village (B,L)

Day 6: Cody / Yellowstone National Park


Visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West for a journey into the region’s rich past with five museums, a research library, and special exhibitions. Learn about Western and Native American history, the life of “Buffalo Bill” Cody, Yellowstone, old firearms, and more. Experience the spirit of the American West through art by surveying the Whitney Museum’s collection of paintings, prints, and sculpture.  Continuing on, pass through Shoshone National Forest to Yellowstone National Park. The Shoshone National Forest was set aside in 1891 as part of the Yellowstone Timberland Reserve, making it the first national forest in the United States. It consists of some 2.4 million acres of varied terrain ranging from sagebrush flats to rugged mountains. With Yellowstone National Park on its western border, the Shoshone encompasses the area from the Montana state line south to Lander, Wyoming, and includes portions of the Absaroka, Wind River, and Beartooth Mountains.  As the world’s first national park, Yellowstone has delighted visitors since 1872. Few places on the planet offer such scenic and scientific wonder in one area as this. Staggeringly beautiful and home to dramatic canyons, alpine rivers, lush forests, hot springs, gushing geysers, and hundreds of animal species, experiencing Yellowstone in person is a humbling, enthralling adventure. Sitting atop a slumbering super volcano, Yellowstone has half of the world’s known geysers, including iconic Old Faithful. Watch with excited anticipation to witness the power of 3,700 gallons to 8,400 gallons of hot water (depending on the duration of the eruption) shooting high into the air at extreme force.
 
Additional geological spectacles include the Park’s Upper and Lower Falls. Hear the roar of the Yellowstone River dumping as many as 60,000 gallons of water per second over the Lower Falls. Magnificent to behold, the Lower Falls towers over 300 feet, making it nearly twice as tall as Niagara Falls.  Take time to spot for wildlife in Hayden Valley. In many ways—geographically, historically, and biologically—it is the heart of Yellowstone. Grizzly bears, bison, wolves, coyotes, elk, moose, and dozens of bird species live here. 
Overnight: Yellowstone Lodging (B,L,D)

Day 7: Yellowstone National Park

Enjoy a full day exploring Yellowstone, including its active caldera. Along Fountain Paint Pot Trail, see various hydrothermal features that are expressions of Yellowstone’s still active volcano. Within this geologic system, each type of thermal feature is represented. They can be grouped into two general categories—those with a great deal of water (hot springs and geysers) and those with limited water (mudpots and fumaroles). Despite their structural similarities, no two features are exactly alike. Learn interesting facts, such as the “recipe” for mudpots—a perfect mix of heat, gases, water, volcanic rock, minerals, acid, and even living microorganisms. Walk the half mile boardwalk nature trail to see it all. At Mammoth Hot Springs, admire how the steamy terraces and hot springs overlook the visitor facilities. Limestone, a naturally white rock, underlies this area. Hot water dissolves the mineral calcium carbonate from the limestone, which is deposited at the surface to form travertine. Colors in the hot springs come from thermophiles, organisms adapted to live at high temperatures. This unique thermal feature of beautiful formations has been described as looking like a cave turned inside out, creating a surreal landscape. Perhaps visit the Albright Visitor Center and Museum, with its interactive displays, great animal wildlife exhibits, orientation area, and educational ranger talks. Elk are often spotted close by. 
Overnight: Yellowstone Lodging (B,D)

Day 8: Yellowstone National Park / Grand Teton National Park / Jackson


With the remaining space on your camera’s memory cards, capture the “grand” of Grand Teton National Park. Head south through vast unspoiled wilderness to the park and take in its jagged mountain peaks that form postcard perfect backdrops behind lakes, such as Jenny and Jackson. The Tetons—the highest at more than 13,700 feet—are the youngest of the Rocky Mountains, but still inspire visitors from all over the world with their regal and imposing beauty. Standing nearly 7,000 feet above the valley floor, they make a bold and beautiful geological presence and are arguably North America’s most spectacular mountains. Savor this natural world as the wind blows through some 700 species of trees and higher plants, including cottonwoods, aspens, spruces, firs, and lodgepole pines. Here is a place where truly the buffalo roam and the deer play, along with bighorn sheep, black and grizzly bears, red-tailed hawks, moose, elk, pronghorn, bald eagles, wolves, mountain lions and other animals.   Today we also plan on stopping for lunch at leisure at the Pioneer Grill at Jackson Lake Lodge. This eatery is said to be one of the oldest and longest continual counters at 200 ft. One counter winds through the room, creating a welcoming atmosphere where guests interact with travelers and employees from around the globe. Those with a sweet-tooth will enjoy indulging in the famous huckleberry milkshake.  Later, celebrate the grand adventures of the past week at a farewell meal with the Orbridge Expedition Leaders and new found friends.
Overnight: Rustic Inn at Jackson Hole Creekside Resort and Spa (B,D)

Day 9: Jackson / Depart


After breakfast, guests departing during the suggested times take a complimentary transfer to Jackson Hole Airport for flights home. (B)

B =  Breakfast, L = Lunch, D =  Dinner

Activity Level: Moderate
The majority of the program’s activities will take place outdoors and a fair amount of walking on varying terrain is to be expected. Many of the parks have dirt trails, but they are usually fairly smooth for walking. Some do have paved pathways and boardwalks. It is our expectation that guests on this program are able to walk a mile at a moderate pace, get in and out of a motor coach, and walk up a flight of stairs without assistance. Also keep in mind that you will experience varying altitudes, rising up to 9,000 feet, to which you may not be accustomed.

What’s Included:

◦ 8 nights in unique accommodations and inspiring landmark lodges
◦ 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 6 dinners, including special welcome and farewell meals
◦ Full guiding services of an Orbridge Expedition Leader as well as expert local guides
◦ All activities as described in the 9-day itinerary
◦ Admission and park fees
◦ Private deluxe motor coach with air conditioning and comfortable seating
◦ Luggage porterage where available
◦ Gratuities to Orbridge Expedition Leader, local guides, drivers, porters, and wait staff for included meals
◦ Airport transfers for guests arriving and departing during the suggested times

What’s not included:
Taxes; passport, visas and associated fees; personal expenses such as laundry and telephone calls; accident/sickness, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance;  baggage charges on aircraft;  airfare, transfers and baggage handling to/from hotel on day of arrival and/or departure i if you are arriving earlier or later than and/or departing earlier or later than the scheduled group transfer(s); any overnight on land due to flight schedule(s); meals, alcoholic or other beverages and all other services not specifically mentioned in the “Included Features” section of the program brochure.