→ Road trip, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, travel, far west, rodeo, iconic travel, nature

Day 1: Arrival in Jackson Hole

• Morning: Arrival at Jackson Hole Aiport and pick-up of your rental car.

• Afternoon: Jackson Hole is a lively town, which has maintained its Wild West spirit. It is an ideal place for outdoor activities, such as hiking and wildlife observation and skiing in winter months. You can also visit the National Elk Refuge, a protected habitat that serves as a sanctuary for the largest herd of wild elk in the country.

• Evening: Overnight at The Lodge at Jackson Hole.

Day 2: Yellowstone National Park

• Morning: Discovered in 1807 by explorers Lewis and Clark, it was not until 1872 that Yellowstone became America’s first national park. Located in northwestern Wyoming, it extends over Idaho and Montana. Yellowstone's charms are infinite: multicolored natural springs, breathtaking canyons, immense waterfalls, intriguing geothermal phenomena, so many features that make it an extraordinary and unique place in the world.

• Afternoon: The main attractions of the National Park are its thousands of geysers, hot springs and bubbling mud ponds, which are the result of intense volcanic activity coming from 11 000 ft underground! Old Faithfull is the most famous geyser in the park. Its spectacular jet, expelled at a height of more than 165 ft, can be admired every couple hours.

• Evening: Overnight at the Grant Village.

Day 3 & 4: Yellowstone National Park

• Morning: The Mammoth Hot Springs are one of the park's great sights. Its limestone mountains were formed over thousands of years. During their underground journey, the hot waters become laden with limestone and once on the surface, the water evaporates and the limestone settles to form often spectacular figures.

• Afternoon: The Yellowstone River is bordered by steep walls of yellow rock that form the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. You can admire its spectacular colors and shapes from different vantage points. A number of trails and boardwalks wind along the edges and down into the canyon. The upper and lower falls of the Yellowstone River add grandeur to this unique natural treasure. As home to a wide variety of wildlife, Yellowstone is also an ideal place for animal watching.

• Evening: Overnight at the Grant Village.

Day 5: Cody

• Morning: During your time in Cody, you will be immersed in the heart of the Wild West traditions that still exist today. Start with the main attraction, the Cody Trolley Tour, will give you a mobile tour of the city and an overview of everything you may want to check out while in town. Next, visit the Irma Hotel where the Cody Wild Bunch reenact an infamous gunfight in front of the hotel (in summer).

• Afternoon: Nearby, discover the Old Trail Town, a charming reconstruction of western buildings. Don't miss the Buffalo Bill Center of the West for a bit more insight into the life of this American hero. Finally, stop by one or all of the city’s five museums, dedicated to the Plains Indians, western art and natural history. Cody is also known as the Rodeo World Capital. From the beginning of June to the end of August, the Cody Nite Rodeo offers amateur shows and the Cody Stampede Rodeo puts on one of the largest professional rodeos in the United States.

• Evening: Overnight at the Chamberlin Inn.

Day 6: Buffalo, WY

• Morning: Road to Buffalo. Take the Cloud Peak Scenic Byway, through the Big Horn National Forest, to get a first-hand view of Powder River Pass and the impressive Ten Sleep Canyon during a short drive to Buffalo.

• Afternoon: Buffalo offers a variety of outdoor activities, like skiing, water sports, hiking and fishing. Main Street, the city's main artery, is home to no less than 12 historic buildings. Just north of the city, you will find many historical, sites including Fort Phil Kearney, a former U.S. Army post and The Wagon Box Battle Monument.

• Evening: Overnight at the Hampton Inn & Suites Buffalo.

Day 7: Black Hills National Forest

• Morning: This morning, you head in the direction of your last stop in Wyoming: Devils Tower National Monument, a natural monolith overlooking the surrounding prairies. Then, take road to the Black Hills National Forest. Located in South Dakota and overlooking the landscape of the Black Hills, is the Mount Rushmore National Monument. This national monument is a tribute to the four great men of American history: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Make your way to the Grand View Terrace for the best view of these majestic faces.

• Afternoon: Take the Peter Norbeck scenic route to reach your next stop: The Crazy Horse Memorial. Then head to Custer State Park, a 28,000-hectare wilderness reserve. It is also the oldest and largest state park in the country. The main attraction of the park remains the observation of wildlife in their natural habitat. Head to the Wildlife Loop Road which will take you through beautiful meadows inhabited by these herds.

• Evening: Overnight in a glamping.

Day 8 & 9: Badlands National Park

• Morning: Located in southwestern South Dakota, the Badlands National Park covers nearly 100,000 hectares, where sloping knolls and grasslands alternate with extraordinary eroded landscapes and rugged rock formations. The Badlands is also a very rich paleontological site. As for its current wildlife, the park protects an expanse of terrain, where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets now live. In addition, the prairie's clay soil allows the observation of more than 400 plant species.

• Afternoon: The park offers many ways to explore its vast territory, including tons of hikes, scenic drives and family activities. The Don't miss the Door Trail and the Window Trail are two magnificent and relatively simple hiking trails that will take you through the heart of the striated hills. By car, the Badlands Loop Road, will offer you exceptional views and various observation points. As a family, take part in a Junior Ranger program and walk along the fossil exhibit trail, a great place for the little ones.

• Evening: Overnight in a cabin.

Day 10: Cheyenne

• Morning: Located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Cheyenne, capital of Wyoming, evokes the spirit of the Wild West with its images of cowboys, rodeos and railroad tracks. Explore The Capitol, before going to the Wyoming State Museum. You can also enjoy the Cheyenne Gunslingers performing re-enactments or visit the Terry Bison Ranch.

• Afternoon: Don't miss the Cheyenne Depot, one of the most beautiful train stations in the United States and the Depot Museum. At the museum, hop aboard the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley for a narrated tour of the city. Then head to Hollyday Park to admire the world's largest steam locomotive: Big Boy Steam Engine.

• Evening: Overnight at the Little America Hotel & Resort.

Day 11: Denver

• Morning: Start with RiNo (River North), the trendy neighborhood, then, pass through the bustling Denver Central Market before continuing on to LoDo (Lower Downtown), the historic neighborhood. Pass through Larimer Square before checking out the historic Union Station in Beaux-Arts style.

• Afternoon: Don't miss the iconic 40ft sculpture of a blue bear, peeking into the window of the Colorado Convention Center. Visit the Denver Museum of Nature & Science with its dinosaur exhibits or the Space Odyssey. Learn about Colorado's history at the History Colorado Center and admire the Native American and Western art collections at the Denver Art Museum.

• Evening: Overnight at the Hotel Born.