Yellowstone & Rockies Loop
A breathtaking loop through Yellowstone, the Tetons, the Black Hills and the iconic national parks of the Rockies.
This spectacular 17-night loop from Denver sweeps you through some of America’s most dramatic and varied landscapes – from Yellowstone’s erupting geysers and technicolour Grand Prismatic Spring to the jagged skyline of the Tetons and the crimson canyons of Utah’s red-rock desert. You’ll weave between iconic national parks including Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Badlands, Arches and Canyonlands, where sharply eroded buttes, stone arches and river-carved gorges showcase millions of years of natural history. From Old Faithful’s clockwork eruptions to the surreal, painted formations of the Badlands, every day offers another “pinch me” moment in the wild American West.
But this journey is about more than epic scenery – it’s a deep dive into the soul of the frontier. You’ll trace cowboy trails through Sheridan and Cody, founded by Buffalo Bill and still proudly calling itself the “Rodeo Capital of the World”, with atmospheric saloons and world-class Western museums. In Glenwood Springs, soak in the world’s largest hot-springs pool, a Rocky Mountain retreat drawing travellers since the 1880s. Evenings are spent in characterful towns like Jackson and Moab, and vibrant cities like Salt Lake City and Denver, where craft breweries, historic districts and mountain views round off your days in style. This is the American West at its most unforgettable – wild, colourful, soulful and endlessly inspiring.
Remember: We’re UK-based, and every holiday we create is fully flexible – you can add nights, upgrade hotels, or enhance your itinerary. We love designing tailor-made self-drive adventures just for you!
17 night self drive holiday from £3,199pp including flights, accommodation & car rental
Highlights
Witness Old Faithful erupt and explore Yellowstone’s spectacular geysers, canyons and wildlife-rich valleys.
Marvel at Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial and the rugged landscapes of the Black Hills.
Explore Arches and Canyonlands National Parks from Moab, surrounded by Utah’s striking red-rock scenery.
Enjoy Wild West history in Cody, frontier charm in Sheridan and relaxing hot springs in Glenwood Springs.
Your itinerary
Day 1: Denver
Gateway to the Rockies and the start of your Western adventure
Arrive in Denver, the Mile High City, where leafy boulevards meet bold Rocky Mountain views. After collecting your car, settle into the city’s relaxed energy — browse LoDo’s historic warehouses, stroll around Union Station, or sample Denver’s world-renowned craft beer scene. With its mix of parks, museums and mountain-backed skyline, Denver provides the perfect launchpad for your road trip. Don’t worry about the brief stay, you’ll be coming back here for a couple of nights at the end of your tour!
1 Night in
Denver, CO
Arrival
Day
Optional Add-On: Estes Park & Rocky Mountain National Park
Gateway to soaring peaks, alpine lakes and Colorado’s most iconic wilderness.
For an unforgettable start to your adventure, add one or two nights in Estes Park, the charming mountain town that serves as the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Spend your days driving the breathtaking Trail Ridge Road, one of America’s highest continuous highways, where sweeping tundra views and snow-dusted peaks stretch endlessly toward the horizon. Wander to glassy alpine lakes, spot elk grazing in open meadows, and breathe the crisp mountain air beneath some of the tallest summits in Colorado. As evening falls, return to the warmth of Estes Park — a lively village filled with rustic lodges, craft breweries and boutique shops — before continuing north into Wyoming and cowboy country.
2 Nights in
Estes Park, CO
70 miles
Day 2: Denver to Cheyenne
Wyoming’s capital and a living celebration of cowboy culture
Drive north into wide-open Wyoming, arriving in Cheyenne — a frontier city steeped in Western heritage. Explore the Frontier Days Old West Museum, home to historic wagons and rodeo artefacts, or admire the golden-domed Wyoming State Capitol. Wander past leather shops, saloons and old rail depots as the spirit of the Old West blends seamlessly with modern charm. Cheyenne sets the tone for the landscapes and legends that lie ahead.
1 Night in
Cheyenne, WY
100 miles
Days 3–4: Keystone (for Mount Rushmore & Badlands NP)
Iconic monuments, scenic drives and the surreal landscapes of the Badlands
Your journey continues across Wyoming’s rolling plains into South Dakota’s Black Hills. Keystone is a charming mountain base just minutes from Mount Rushmore, where the granite faces of four U.S. presidents tower above pine forests. Spend your full day exploring the region — from the monumental Crazy Horse Memorial to the twisting tunnels and pigtail bridges of Iron Mountain Road. Venture east to Badlands National Park, where jagged formations, layered buttes and wildlife-rich prairies create one of America’s most otherworldly landscapes.
2 Nights in
Keystone, SD
270 miles
Day 5: Keystone to Sheridan
Devils Tower, frontier history and views of the Bighorn Mountains
Cross back into Wyoming and meet one of the West’s most striking natural wonders: Devils Tower, a sheer volcanic monolith rising dramatically from the plains. Sacred to Native American tribes and beloved by hikers and climbers, it’s a true geological icon. Continue into Sheridan, a charming cowboy town framed by the Bighorn Mountains. Explore historic saloons, the famous Sheridan Inn, Western boutiques and atmospheric streets that echo the days of the frontier.
1 Night in
Sheridan, WY
265 miles
Day 6: Sheridan to Cody
Buffalo Bill country and the authentic spirit of the Wild West
Enjoy a beautiful drive through wide basins and rugged mountain country en route to Cody. Founded by Buffalo Bill himself, the town is a showcase of frontier history and Western culture. Visit the outstanding Buffalo Bill Center of the West — five Smithsonian-affiliated museums under one roof — then wander through wooden-porched streets lined with galleries, outfitters and classic saloons. In summer, Cody’s nightly rodeo brings the Old West to life in unforgettable fashion.
1 Night in
Cody, WY
150 miles
Days 7–9: Yellowstone National Park
Geysers, canyons, wildlife and the world’s first national park
Follow the river-cut canyon west into Yellowstone, an extraordinary realm of steaming geysers, rainbow-coloured hot springs, deep forests and vast high-country meadows. Over three nights, explore both the southern and northern loops: watch Old Faithful erupt, admire the luminous Grand Prismatic Spring, walk the terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs, and marvel at the thunderous Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Lamar Valley offers superb wildlife spotting, from bison herds to wolves at dawn. Yellowstone is the beating heart of the American wilderness.
3 Nights at
Yellowstone NP, WY
120 miles
Days 10–11: Jackson (for Grand Teton National Park)
Jagged peaks, alpine lakes and the charm of Jackson Hole
Travel south into Grand Teton National Park, where the Teton Range rises in a dramatic wall of granite peaks. Wander scenic trails around Jenny Lake, look for moose along the Snake River, or take in the viewpoints along Teton Park Road. Your base is Jackson, a lively mountain town with wooden boardwalks, world-class art galleries, and cowboy bars including the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. With stunning scenery and Western character, Jackson is a highlight in its own right.
2 Nights in
Jackson Hole, WY
105 miles
Day 12: Jackson to Salt Lake City
From mountain wilderness to Utah’s historic and modern capital
Head south into Utah, passing high passes and big-sky scenery before arriving in Salt Lake City. Founded by Mormon pioneers, the city blends heritage and innovation — from Temple Square’s remarkable architecture to thriving neighbourhoods filled with dining, culture and craft breweries. Rest up, explore downtown streets or stroll around the foothill parks before tomorrow’s shift into red-rock country.
1 Night in
Salt Lake City, UT
235 miles
Days 13–14: Moab (for Arches & Canyonlands National Parks)
Epic red-rock landscapes shaped by wind, water and time
Arrive in Moab, the adventure hub of Utah’s canyon country and your base for exploring Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Wander beneath the graceful curve of Delicate Arch, explore the towering stone fins of the Windows Section, and admire Balanced Rock’s improbable poise. In Canyonlands, visit Island in the Sky for vast mesas carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers. Moab’s mix of cafés, galleries and outdoor energy makes it an unforgettable stop between mountains and desert.
2 Night in
Moab, UT
235 miles
Day 15: Moab to Glenwood Springs
Hot springs, mountain scenery and Wild West legends
Cross the state line into Colorado and unwind in Glenwood Springs, a town surrounded by rugged Rocky Mountain beauty. Relax in the world-famous mineral hot springs, ride the Glenwood Caverns tram for sweeping canyon views, or hike to the hillside grave of legendary gunslinger Doc Holliday. Nestled along the Colorado River, Glenwood Springs blends relaxation, adventure and Wild West history in equal measure.
1 Night in
Glenwood Springs, CO
200 miles
Days 16–17: glenwood springs to Denver
A vibrant finale surrounded by Rocky Mountain beauty
Return to Denver travelling through the dramatic Glenwood Canyon, one of the most scenic stretches of interstate in America. Back in the Mile High City, explore Red Rocks Amphitheatre, visit the Denver Art Museum or wander historic Union Station. Enjoy the city’s thriving brewery scene or take a final scenic drive into the foothills.
On your final afternoon, return your car and head to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK — ending your unforgettable adventure through the geysers, canyons, peaks and frontier towns of the wild American West.
2 Nights in
Denver, CO
160 miles
June - mid Sept: Many lodgings and transport links are only open during the Summer. Amazing wildlife including bears, bald eagles, whales, sea otters and seals can be spotted.
Daytime temperatures are usually cool but very comfortabl, generally in the 15-20°C range and even into the high 20s. Days are long during the with July being the peak month.
You’ll need a connecting flght from the UK, probably via Seattle or Vancouver, we highly recommend a couple of days to explore the connecting city. Alaska is 8 or 9 hours behind the UK.
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