Chicago to San Francisco Road Trip

Remember the country they sing about in “America the Beautiful”? The one with the spacious skies, gleaming alabaster cities and majestic purple mountains? It’s still out there. Come see it with us. Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts and outdoorsy folk who want to see the country by day and revel downtown by night, this trip takes you across the Great West, from the City of Big Shoulders through Yellowstone and Yosemite and past herds of grazing bison to the City by the Bay. In a word: Perfect.

What's Included

This adventure boasts vans fitted with wi-fi for up to five users at a time. Check your email, upload a photo to Facebook, or send a tweet to your friends.

• Entrance fees to all National Parks, State Park and National Monuments with hiking and walking excursions. Guided city tours of Salt Lake City and San Francisco. Beer tasting in Milwaukee, Underground Adventure in Tonopah,
• 13 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 11 dinners. (Allow USD100-125 for meals not included.)
• Centrally located hotels (3 nts), participation camping (13 nts)
• Air conditioned private touring van
• Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout
• Small group experience; Max 13, avg 10.

Day 1 Chicago

Arrive at any time.

Day 2 Wisconsin/Winona (D)

Tour the Miller Brewing Company in Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin's state capitol, on the way to our campground on the riverbank of the Mississippi.

Day 3 Sioux Falls/Kennebec (B,L,D)

Cross Sioux territory and the great prairie. Take a break in Sioux Falls. Drive past Garretson, famous for the Devil's Gulch. Visit the Corn Palace before hitting camp.

Day 4 Badlands NP (B,L,D)

Discover moon-like landscapes on the trails of Badlands National Park. Spend the night at a cowboy ranch with the option to take a horseback ride.

Day 5 Custer (B,L,D)

Discover Wall Drug, a roadside wonder before reaching South Dakota's Black Hills. Continue on to Custer State Park, home to free-roaming bison herds, for some hiking.

Day 6 Custer (B,L)

Visit Mount Rushmore and Keystone, the "City of Gold". Witness a laser-light show at the Crazy Horse Memorial or, optionally, ride a hot air balloon.

Day 7 Devil's Tower (B,D)

Take a self-guided walking tour of historic Deadwood. Indulge in an optional visit to Kevin Costner's Tatanka "Story of the Bison". Continue on to Devils Tower via Spearfish Canyon.

Day 8 Cody (B,L,D)

On the way to Cody, "the rodeo capital of the world", drive through the Bighorn National Forest. Take an optional visit to Buffalo Bill Historical Center or an authentic rodeo.

Day 9 Yellowstone NP (B,L,D)

Admire the Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Geyser Basin and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone while exploring the world's first national park.

Day 10 Yellowstone NP (B,D)

Encounter Old Faithful, Lake Village and Grant Village on the South Loop of Yellowstone.

Day 11 Grand Teton NP/Jackson (B,L)

Drive to Grand Teton National Park via Jenny Lake and an optional boat ride to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Go wildlife-spotting at Jackson. Experience the Wild West at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.

Day 12 Salt Lake City (B,L,D)

Optional guided wildlife rafting down Snake River. See Olympic venues and the Mormon Temple on a guided tour of Salt Lake City.

Day 13 Tonopah (B)

Travel the "Loneliest Road in America" to a mine tour in Tonopah. Gaze up at one of the best night skies for some stargazing.

Day 14 Yosemite NP (L,D)

Drives scenic California to the Tioga Pass. Enjoy hikes revealing lakes, waterfalls and giant sequoias.

Day 15 Yosemite NP (B,L,D)

Enjoy a full day hiking the trails of Yosemite or rent a bicycle and explore on 2 wheels.

Day 16 San Francisco (B)

Take a guided tour of San Francisco. Enjoy an optional cable car ride or an evening sunset sailing.

Day 17 San Francisco

Depart at any time.