Itinerary

Set against the backdrop of the Great Plains, Fargo combines prairie scenery with creative culture, outdoor adventure and welcoming Midwestern charm, making it an ideal location to start your journey through the American West. Once you arrive, you’ll be collecting your rental car and heading to the Jasper Hotel which is situated right in the heart of downtown Fargo.

If you want to stretch your legs after travelling, stroll around Broadway, the city’s main street, which is lined with boutiques, vintage stores and colourful murals, and is anchored by the restored 1920s Fargo Theatre – a landmark that hosts films, concerts and festivals year-round. If you’re looking for a bite to eat, Fargo boasts many farm-to-table restaurants and casual eateries offering hearty staples, while a growing number of craft breweries in the city means you can also sample everything from IPAs to seasonal ales.

Start the day with a coffee at one of the city’s excellent independent coffee roasters, before heading out to explore. Fargo’s location in the Great Plains offers a multitude of opportunities to go hiking, biking or kayaking across the city’s riverside trails or in the nearby Buffalo River State Park where you’ll be surrounded by wildflowers and tallgrass prairie. If you’re visiting in winter, you’ll find equally good opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

If you’re interested in the cultural side of the Great Plains region, the Plains Art Museum brings together contemporary exhibitions and regional works.

Make your way over to the former Wild West outpost of Medora first thing in the morning. The drive is around 4.5 hours across open prairie, but you’ll be arriving in one of the most unique places in the Rocky Mountain region. Check in to the historic Rough Riders Hotel, a preserved property from the late 1800s, where luxury meets Western charm. The hotel is named for the volunteer cavalry unit led by America’s 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, and you’ll find it a comfortable place to spend the next two nights.

Medora is known for its Wild West recreations and its incredible location in the Badlands of North Dakota right next to the beautiful scenery of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Start your stay with a walk through the historic downtown area, visit the Medora Cowboy Museum or take a guided horse ride through the Badlands. Come dinner, head downstairs in your hotel to Theodore’s Dining Room for some delicious dining – it’s one of the top restaurants in the area – and make sure to try their signature cocktail too.

Wake to the quiet beauty of the northern plains before setting off into North Dakota’s crown jewel: Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Spanning more than 70,000 acres, this wild and rugged land is a living tribute to the president who found inspiration in its solitude and untamed spirit. Painted canyons, rolling prairies and wind-sculpted badlands stretch as far as the eye can see, where bison, wild horses and prairie dogs roam freely.

Discover the park’s dramatic landscapes by car, bike or on foot. The 36-mile Scenic Loop Drive offers sweeping vistas and countless overlooks – Buck Hill, Wind Canyon and Oxbow Overlook are among the most rewarding. For those who prefer to lace up their boots, a network of trails ranges from gentle walks to challenging treks across the badlands, such as the Painted Canyon Nature Trail or the longer Petrified Forest Trail. Whether you’re pausing for a picnic or venturing deeper into its backcountry, Theodore Roosevelt National Park promises an authentic taste of America’s wild heart.

Take a leisurely 4-hour drive this morning to Rapid City in South Dakota. Considered the gateway to the famous Mount Rushmore, and ideally located for access to South Dakota’s astounding national parks and forests, Rapid City is a wonderful place to spend the next three days. On your drive over from Medora make a detour near the South Dakota/Wyoming border to stop at Spearfish Canyon. Its idyllic scenery and spectacular waterfalls are well worth a visit and can be seen on a drive along the 19-mile Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.

When you finally arrive in Rapid City, you’ll be staying at the historic Hotel Alex Johnson. Located right in Rapid City’s charming and walkable downtown district, Hotel Alex Johnson is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also conveniently located for grabbing a delicious bite to eat or drink after a long day of exploring.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then head out for a 45-minute drive to the crown jewel of South Dakota: Badlands National Park. Filled with 244,000 acres of chiselled spires, deep canyons and jagged buttes, eroded by wind and water over millions of years, Badlands National Park brilliantly reveals Earth’s history, one richly hued layer at a time.

Explore this striking, moon-like landscape rising out of the Dakota prairies on foot, by bike or by car. Drive the 31-mile Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway through the heart of the park to stop at one of 15 different overlooks – Big Badlands, Pinnacles or Yellow Mounds will be well worth your time – or roam by foot over one of the many hiking trails across the rough landscape. From the short and delightful Notch Trail to the 144-mile long Maah Daah Hey Trail, there’s a path and adventure for everyone.

A trip to South Dakota isn’t complete with meeting the famed local fauna on a Buffalo Roundup. Just a short drive from Rapid City lies Custer State Park where an experienced guide can take you off-road into the heart of the Park’s Wildlife Loop where the local herd of around 1,300 free-roaming bison and other native wildlife like the pronghorn antelope, elk burros, deer, coyotes, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs live.

Spend the rest of the day visiting nearby monuments like the famed Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial, dedicated to the country’s founding fathers and Indigenous peoples respectively. Also nearby is the active paleontological excavation site and museum, The Mammoth Site, offering a fascinating and educational look at the animals that once roamed this part of the USA.

Leave early for the 3.5 hour drive over to Sheridan as you’ll want to make a detour to see Devil’s Tower National Monument, a jaw-dropping geological formation that looms 1,200 feet above Wyoming’s rolling prairies.

A former Gold Rush and pioneer town, Sheridan was once home to outlaws and icons such as Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid and Buffalo Bill Cody. It was also the site of seven important Native American battles and remains steeped in history to this day.

Get checked into the Historic Sheridan Inn – a beautiful, restored property, and spend the rest of the day either learning about the Wild West with stops in the Mint Bar, the Brinton Museum and Museum at the Bighorns, or head into Bighorn National Forest for a hike through its breath-taking rugged terrain.

The Rocky Mountain Region still holds the vestiges of frontier life despite encroaching modernity, and there’s no better example of this than in the town made famous by Buffalo Bill: Cody. Boasting the Old Trail Town which is a re-created frontier town with well-preserved log cabins and a saloon from the 1800s so visitors can experience what pioneer life was like, as well as the Buffalo Bill Western Heritage Centre for those who want to brush up on their history, other worthwhile ventures in Cody include hiking or fishing in Buffalo Bill State Park or going for a guided horse ride through Red Canyon.

This morning, you’ll take the stunning 2.5-hour drive along the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway from Cody to Yellowstone National Park. When you arrive, you’ll be staying right in the park at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, within walking distance of the famous geyser itself.

One of America’s most incredible natural wonders, Yellowstone offers visitors an opportunity to experience what the North American continent was like before recorded history across its 2.2 million acres of unspoiled wilderness. From the world’s most extraordinary collection of geysers and hot springs to geological wonders like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the echoes of wolves in the forests in the night, get started on discovering this amazing place because chances are, you’ll find yourself wanting even more time to explore.

There are so many ways to explore this sublime natural wonder: by car, by foot, with or without a guided tour; on a hike or horse ride. Spend the day exploring this tremendous nature preserve however you wish – the options here are many and a look at a map before you go will really help you decide which features you want to see. Spend part of the day driving Yellowstone’s Grand Loop Road – there are plenty of points to pause at to follow walking trails, read about the park’s ecosystem or view spewing geysers. Take in the incredible wildlife – from the legendary grizzly and black bears to buffalo, elk, eagles, pronghorn antelope, grey wolves and more. Walk or hike through one of 92 trails, and make sure you see the majestic Lower Falls. The orange, yellow and turquoise hues of the Grand Prismatic and the soaring heights of Old Faithful are also not to be missed.

Leave right after breakfast for the scenic 2-hour drive along the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Parkway down to Jackson Hole, a mountain resort town on the doorstep of the Grand Teton Mountain Range. Famed for its year-round outdoor recreation, beautiful ranches and fine dining, Jackson Hole is a vacation destination like no other, and you’ll be spending the next two nights here at the modern Western Virginian Lodge.

Get settled in and head outside. Jackson Hole has numerous hiking trails to choose from all with breath taking views. World-class biking and fly fishing await, and you can visit one of town’s many hot springs or play a round of golf with the stunning Jackson scenery as your backdrop. Downtown Jackson is worth exploring too. The National Museum of Wildlife Art has works by Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keefe, and the Town Square features arches made of shed antlers from the nearby National Elk Refuge.

With the entrance to Grand Teton National Park just a 10 minute drive away, spend the day exploring this incredible part of the Rockies. Widely considered America’s equivalent to the European alps, the Tetons boast 310,000 acres of lush valley floors, mountain meadows, alpine lakes, diverse wildlife and jagged peaks offering something for both nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. Go hiking over more than 200 miles of trails, take a guided horse ride through the mountain landscapes or sign up for a full or half day wildlife adventure in Grand Teton National Park. The diverse wildlife found there is something truly special and you’ll get to safely see bison, elk, moose and bears.

Leave early in the morning for the 5-hour drive to Sun Valley, a stunning small resort town situated between the majestic Sawtooth Mountains and the Craters of the Moon National Monument – which you’ll likely want to make a detour for and visit en route.

You’ll be staying at the Sun Valley Lodge, ideally located for access to both the town and the mountains, as well as offering a world-class spa and a heated outdoor pool. Get checked in and make the most of the hotel’s amenities or go take in the fresh air with a hike on one of Sun Valley’s excellent trails, like the popular five-mile Fox Creek Trail in Sawtooth National Forest. The town also offers 18 stunning holes at its Trail Creek Golf Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, and guided fly fishing excursions on Big Wood River to fill your afternoon.

After breakfast make the nearly 5-hour scenic drive to McCall. Nestled in Idaho’s picturesque mountains, McCall is a popular resort town and sanctuary-like destination for both outdoor and adventure enthusiasts. You’ll be arriving at Shore Lodge, right on Payette Lake, and be greeted by breath taking scenery, unrivalled resort amenities – try a treatment at The Cove Spa – and endless opportunities to explore the great outdoors. Get settled in and take your pick from all that’s on offer.

With Payette Lake, Ponderosa State Park and Brundage Mountain all located in McCall, the opportunities for outdoor recreation are innumerable. Spend the day renting a boat out on Payette Lake, or hire a paddle board, kayak or canoe for an hour or two of fun on its sparkling alpine waters. Head into Ponderosa State Park for some scenic hiking or ride the lift up Brundage Mountain for hikes with gorgeous views overlooking the town. There are biking trails all over McCall so go for a ride around town. If you fancy strolling the downtown, head to the McCall Farmers Market to taste some of the fresh local produce or tour the McCall Fish Hatchery. Cap off your time here with a fantastic dinner at The Narrows Steakhouse or have a homemade burger at local favourite, My Father’s Place.

Leave first thing in the morning to the blue skies, sparkling waters and forested mountains of Coeur d’Alene in northern Idaho. The drive is about 4 hours long and you’ll want to have at least half a day to enjoy this special location. You’ll be arriving at the beautiful lakeside Coeur d’Alene Resort. Take the day to enjoy their award-winning golf courses and world-class spa treatments, or head to the spectacular trails in the Canfield Mountain Natural Area and Coeur d’Alene National Forest for some picturesque hiking. If you are a water sports enthusiast, you’ll find plenty to enjoy on Lake Coeur d’Alene too.