Big Sky Country

Airport transfers are provided from Billings, to beautiful Rock Creek Resort in Red Lodge, MT where we will enjoy a get-acquainted Welcome Dinner and restful night’s sleep in the fresh mountain air. Overnight:  Red Lodge, MT (D)

America’s most scenic highway will bring us to the wondrous sights of America’s first national park as we visit serene mountain lakes, mud volcanoes, awesome waterfalls and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Keep an eye open for the buffalo, elk, deer, moose and hundreds of species of wild animals as we explore the park today and tomorrow. Overnight in West Yellowstone, MT. (B)

This morning we’ll resume our tour of Yellowstone with a drive along the Firehole River and a visit to Fountain Paint Pots (more geysers, bubbling mud pots and hot springs). We’ll catch an eruption of Old Faithful before making our way back to W. Yellowstone for another restful night. Optional activities here include the outstanding Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. (B)

Today’s highlight is a visit to Montana’s first capital, Virginia City and its sister city, Nevada City, located one mile downstream. Both sprang up in June 1863 to serve the miners and others rushing to Alder Gulch, the richest placer gold strike in the Rocky Mountains. Today the Gulch is authentically preserved and/or recreated as it was in its glory days. An authentic steam train connects the two gold rush towns. In addition to the optional train ride (week-ends only), activities include living history re-enactments, horse-back riding, stagecoach rides, walking tours, live musical entertainment, and browsing in the shops & restaurants. Overnight tonight is at the classic Gallatin Gateway Inn, a treasure of Montana’s railroad era. (B)

This morning we’ll travel north to the lovely college town of Bozeman. The world-class Museum of the Rockies has been part of Montana State University since 1957 and inspires visitors to explore the rich natural and cultural history of America’s Northern Rocky Mountains. We’ll tour the permanent and special exhibits plus enjoy the planetarium show at this outstanding facility. The beautiful vintage railroad building in nearby Livingston was constructed in 1902 by the Northern Pacific Railroad and now houses a museum reflecting the history of the Northern Pacific Railroad’s construction and its association with Yellowstone National Park. Overnight tonight is at the Hampton Inn in Billings. (B)

While William Clark was hardly the first to view the unusual geologic formation they dubbed Pompeys Pillar (after Sakakawea’s son, Pomp), he did lay claim to it by carving his name into the side of the rock. 170 years later, the 7th Cavalry headed by Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, stumbled into one of the largest gatherings of Cheyenne and Sioux Indians ever assembled at the nearby Greasy Grass (Little Big Horn National Historic Battlefield). We’ll learn about the two disparate events as we close our Big Sky Adventure. At tonight’s festive farewell dinner in Billings we will enjoy the company of new-found friends and revel in new adventures experienced in Big Sky Country. (B,D)

Airport transfers are provided to the Billings Airport. (B)