A Mount Rushmore/Yellowstone/Glacier National Parks 7-Day Itinerary Created with Our Partners at Overseas Leisure Group

by Sandy Fisher

Day 1: Rapid City, South Dakota-Mount Rushmore

Experiences: Private Vehicle and Helicopter Tours: On this private tour you will visit Mount Rushmore, Iron Mountain Road, Sylvan Lake and The Needles Highway among others. Then take to the air and see Mount Rushmore from above.

Accommodations: The Under Canvas safari-inspired tents include amenities such as daily housekeeping and fresh towels, plush king-size beds, luxurious linens, en suite bathrooms, hot running water and even a wood burning stove for chilly nights.

Kids and adults alike delight over evening s’mores around the communal campfire as they share their stories of their day’s adventure. Happy, well-rested glampers wake to sounds of nature, perfectly positioned to explore America’s most iconic national parks and monuments.

Day 2: Pray, Montana – Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone

Meals-Dinner at Yellowstone Valley Grill: With a focus on farm-to-table fare, Yellowstone Valley Grill offers a menu as diverse as its breathtaking surroundings. The relaxing indoor and outdoor setting on the world-renowned Yellowstone River offers the ideal location for a memorable meal.

Accommodations: Sage Lodge, located on the banks of the Yellowstone River just 35 minutes from Yellowstone National Park, offers the ultimate Montana luxury resort getaway. It’s an idyllic headquarters from where you can launch a day of fly fishing, hiking, biking, hunting, cross-country skiing – or any other endeavor.

Day 3: Pray, Montana – Yellowstone

Experiences-Private Wildlife Safari Tour:This tour starts early to take advantage of the morning animal movement and activity.The park is home to large herds of bison, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and other ungulates. See bison rutting in the Hayden Valley, watch mountain goats scale the tall peaks of the northeast corner, or listen to elk bugle in the fall. Your guide will help interpret and explain the animal’s behavior, keeping you informed of the wildlife process taking place.

Meals-Dinner at Old Saloon: Established in 1902, the Old Saloon has served many Paradise Valley locals as well as visitors from every corner of the world. It has survived over an entire century by offering a comfortable Montana experience where the guests are greeted by genuine and kind staff willing to engage locals and outsiders alike. It is one of a kind and the last of a dying breed. Come experience Montana how it used to be and make your own story!

Accommodations: Sage Lodge

Day 4: Pray, Montana – Yellowstone

Experiences-Private Yellowstone Tour: Taking your Yellowstone exploration off the main roads takes you away from the congestion of traffic. Seeing your first traffic stop from buffalo is truly exciting, but staying on the main road limits how much of the thermal features and lakes you get to see. Here you can explore the more rare thermal features, summit mountains, trek alpine lakes, and explore waterfalls.

Dinner-Fireside Room at Sage Lodge: From sunrise to sunset, guests of Sage Lodge visit The Fireside Room to relax and enjoy food and drinks in a truly spectacular setting that is quintessentially Montana. A very comfortable combination of indoor and outdoor gathering spaces are situated against the stunning backdrop of the Paradise Valley and complemented by the comforting crackle of a wood-burning fire.

Accommodations: Sage Lodge

Day 5: Whitefish, Montana – Yellowstone to Glacier

Dinner-Cafe Kandahar: This restaurant is located inside the rustic Kandahar Lodge at Whitefish Mountain Resort. A dinner at Café Kandahar is an intimate evening in a quaint setting. An occasion to celebrate food, wine, and life with loved ones or friends.

Accommodations–The Firebrand Hotel: Urban sophistication and service combined with the atmosphere and adventurous style of Northwest Montana’s rugged landscapes. The Firebrand’s premier location in downtown Whitefish positions you steps away from world-class dining and nightlife options and within easy access to golfing, Whitefish Lake, trails, and skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort, and it’s a short drive to the West Glacier entrance to Glacier National Park.

Day 6: Whitefish, Montana – Glacier

Experiences-Private Full Day Whitewater Rafting: The trip starts off on a mellow section of the river, giving you plenty of time to learn to paddle and to adjust to being on the water. The rapids come towards the end of the trip, and photographs of each boat are taken in the rapid called Bone crusher. Float under Glacier National Park’s historic Belton Bridge towards the end of the trip. Your guide will take the raft out of the water in West Glacier.

Dinner-The Boat Club Restaurant: Duluth’s finest lakeside dining spot located in the Historic Fitger’s Complex. They bring you the area’s freshest fish, seafood, and steak entrees while celebrating the beauty of Lake Superior. Quality fine dining in a simple yet nautical atmosphere, complemented with handcrafted cocktails and craft beers.

Accommodations–The Firebrand Hotel

Day 7: Whitefish, Montana – Glacier

Experiences-Day Hike of West Glacier and Half-Day Fly Fishing: You’ll fish on either the Middle Fork or North Fork of the Flathead River, which form Glacier National Park’s southwestern border. These federally protected, Wild and Scenic waters support native Westslope Cutthroat, along with Rainbow and Brook trout. You’ll fly fish from a dory which can accommodate 2 people and your guide. Guides are very knowledgeable. If you don’t have much experience they are happy to teach you. Half day fly fishing trips last 3-4 hours. The North and Middle Forks of the Flathead River typically become fishable around the end of June and remain enjoyable into autumn. Bring your own gear or use your guide’s.

Dinner-Piggy Back BBQ: Experience an authentic Barbeque Pit at this Montana famous restaurant. Pair it with a cold draft beer and you will get a five star experience.

Accommodations–The Firebrand Hotel