Wonders of America's National Parks

Seventeen nights from Denver to Las Vegas, self-guided, through the Black Hills, Yellowstone and Utah’s five national parks, with the price quoted on application.

One way rather than a loop, and the route is the strongest national park itinerary in this database: Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, Grand Teton and the Mighty Five in eighteen days, with no backtracking.

Denver opens it, then Cheyenne by the Peak to Peak byway and Estes Park, where the Stanley Hotel gave Stephen King the idea for The Shining after a night there in 1974. Custer follows for two nights, with Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, free-roaming bison in Custer State Park and Wind Cave. Sheridan comes next by Deadwood and Devils Tower, then two nights at West Yellowstone by way of Cody, with the Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful and the Hayden Valley. Jackson follows for two with Grand Teton, Jenny Lake and Mormon Row, then Salt Lake City, two nights at Moab for Arches and Canyonlands, Kanab for two by Capitol Reef and the Grand Staircase, Zion and Bryce, and the Grand Canyon at Tusayan.

The flights out to Denver and home from Las Vegas, the car hire with GPS and sixteen nights’ accommodation plus one on the flight are included, with meals depending on the room basis and the park fees extra. The price is given on application. June to September is the window, since the Yellowstone and Teton roads close in winter. No wildlife sighting can be promised, bison and bears included. Eighteen days and seven national parks means long driving days through the middle of the continent, which is the trade for a route that covers this much ground without doubling back.