New Tour Spotlight: The American West

The American frontier has captured the imagination for generations. From scenes of cowboys riding their trusty steeds into the sunset, to herds of buffalo grazing on the grassy plains, to adventurous prospectors heading out in search of fortune, tales of the Old West ring with rugged individualism and the pursuit of freedom – themes  as American as apple pie. And now, on The American West – our newest small group tour starting in Spring 2027 – you have the chance to experience the American frontier, small-group style.

Read on to discover the ins and outs of this exciting 10-day adventure, which improves upon a previous Odysseys itinerary last offered a few years ago.

Discover the Tour: The American West

It took 400 workers 14 years to carve Mount Rushmore

Rapid City, Badlands National Park, and Mount Rushmore: The Black Hills and Beyond

We begin our journey in Rapid City, South Dakota’s second-largest metropolis. Nicknamed the “Gateway to the Black Hills,” Rapid City is perfectly positioned between the rugged Black Hills – home of iconic Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial – and the wind-carved Badlands National Park, making it the perfect staging ground for our tour. Some highlights of our time here include:

• Touring in Badlands National Park, where we marvel at buttes, spires, pinnacles, and canyons formed over millions of years
• Iconic Mount Rushmore, where the faces of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt each stand 60 feet tall
• Crazy Horse Memorial, the unfinished monument dedicated to the leader of the Oglala Lakota Native American tribe
• Ample time at leisure to explore Rapid City as we wish

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West – Cody, Wyoming’s central attraction

Cody, Wyoming, and the Bighorn Mountains: Welcome to the “Cowboy State”

As we enter Wyoming and continue our journey west, it’s easy to see how the state got its nickname: Between its myriad ranches, rich rodeo heritage, and ties to Buffalo Bill, Wyoming’s cowboy identity runs deep. While in Wyoming, we enjoy:

• Morning visit and lunch at a working ranch outside Sheridan, WY
• Visit to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, where we learn all about one of Wyoming’s most legendary residents

Special Departures: Select summer departures will include an evening visit to the Cody Nite Rodeo, where we watch in awe as cowboys demonstrate the horsemanship and roping skills still used on working ranches today

Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park’s iconic geyser

Two Nights in Yellowstone National Park

Established in 1872, Yellowstone was the world’s first national park, encompassing nearly 3,500 square miles of jagged mountains, high plains, and an extensive volcanic region. New for this itinerary, we spend two nights at one of the only lodges inside the park, allowing us unparalleled access to this legendary swath of wilderness, with highlights including:

• Two unforgettable nights staying at Grant Village Lodge, one of the nine accommodations inside the park itself
• A stop at the 24-mile-long Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, a snaking, rock-walled channel ranking as the park’s most spectacular sight
• Extensive touring and sightseeing throughout the park, including Old Faithful and Yellowstone’s other geothermal wonders
• Potential sightings of some of Yellowstone's wildest residents, including bison, elk, moose, black bear, mountain lion, and lynx

The striking Tetons, rising high above the valley below

Grand Teton & Jackson Hole: Diverse, Dramatic Scenery 

We end our Western adventure with more spectacular visuals as we continue south to Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park. The soaring peaks of the Tetons dramatically contrast the tranquil setting of Jackson Hole, with this quintessential resort town serving as our home base for the final two nights of our journey. Some of the highlights here include:

• Scenic drive along the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway, the strip of protected land that connects Yellowstone with its neighbor, Grand Teton National Park
• Extensive touring inside Grand Teton National Park with more potential wildlife sightings, including fox, moose, and American bison – and if we’re lucky, a black or grizzly bear
• A gondola ride from downtown Jackson to the summit of Snow King Mountain, where we enjoy sweeping views of the Tetons, Snake River Valley, and the charming town below
• Plenty of time at leisure to explore Jackson Hole as we wish

As with all of our small group tours, guests on The American West will enjoy a group with no more than 24 guests, experience small group highlights unavailable to larger travel parties, stay in distinctive accommodations, and travel with an experienced Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director.

We’re thrilled to reintroduce this adventure through the Wild West, and can’t wait to welcome you on tour in 2027!