DAY TWO.   CODY, WYOMING - RAFT, MUSEUM, AND RODEO. From Billings we drive to Cody, Wyoming, home of the famous Buffalo Bill Historical Museum. The museum has memorabilia of Bufflo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show, a gallery of western art, a Native American wing, a natural history wing, and contemporary art exhibit. The favorite for the kids are the Indian tee-pees and life-sized grizzly bear.

DAY THREE.   YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. Today we’ll venture into the unspoiled Yellowstone wilderness where wildlife abounds and nature remains untouched. Known for its geothermal activity, spectacular scenery, and variety of wildlife, Yellowstone truly is the ‘crown jewel of the American park system.’ From Cody, we drive up the Wapiti (Elk) Valley and through the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park. We’ll driver over a pass, along Yellowstone Lake, and through the Hayden Valley. Bisected by the lazy arcs of the Yellowstone River, the Hayden Valley is a vast expanse of fertile grassland that teems with life. This morning, we drive along the Hayden Valley in the hopes of seeing some of Yellowstone’s famous wildlife. If we are lucky, we will see bison, elk, deer, coyote, moose, and even grizzly bear. From the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone you can view the awe-inspiring Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. The walls of the 1,200 foot deep canyon are painted in shades of red, orange, yellow, and gold. We’ll hike to the brink of the falls and overlook the gushing water dropping over 300 feet. That evenings, we’ll gather around a campfire for a cookout. What is a trip to Yellowstone without a campfire and smores? For the next two evenings, we’ll be at Canyon Lodge which is within a short walk of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

DAY FOUR.   YELLOWSTONE GEYSERS AND HOT SPRINGS. Watch as the kids (and adults) marvel at the hot steaming water steams, bubbles, and blows out the ground. Yellowstone National Park contains over one third of the world’s geysers and hot springs. Today, you will see the most famous of those - Old Faithful and Norris Geyer Basin- as well as some lesser-known sites. On the way back to Canyon from Old Faithful, we’ll stop at the Yellowstone Lake Hotel. Tonight the adults will enjoy a ‘grown-up’ dinner while the trip leaders will take the kids on their own special cookout along the shores of the lake.

DAY FIVE.   THE BEARTOOTH HIGHWAY TO RED LODGE, MONTANA. The day begins with a morning hike up Mount Washburn where you’ll have panoramic view of Yellowstone. Then we’ll exit the park through the northeast and pass through Cooke City, Montana. Charles Kuralt called the Beartooth Highway “the most scenic road in America.” We’ll stop at the highway’s 10,800 foot summit to view the magnificent Beartooth Mountains. In the late afternoon, we’ll arrive in the western town of Red Lodge, Montana and check into Rock Creek Resort at the base of the Beartooth Mountains. The resort features a swimming pool, tennis courts, soccer field, and hiking trails.

DAY SIX.   SADDLE AND PADDLE. Grab your cowboy hats and boots and saddle up! In the morning we’ll horseback ride on a Montana ranch. In the afternoon, we’ll attack the rapids of the Stillwater River. With class II & III rapids, the Stillwater is a fun introduction to whitewater rafting. In the evening we’ll return to Red Lodge and a night on the town.

DAY SEVEN.   DEPARTURE. After the short drive to the Billings airport, we say our farewells. Happy Trails!