NORTHWEST PARK LODGES PREMIUM

14 days departing SEATTLE from

Style: Active
Destination: USA West
Tour Code: PNW

Book now
Trip Overview

Explore the five mountain ranges that span the awe-inspiring "Great Northwest" in a trip loaded with grand vistas and pristine wildlife reserves. From an authentic western ranch stay to classic national park lodges, you'll enjoy the rustic comfort of the area's most characterful accommodation, as you immerse yourself in the great outdoors. Wake with nature at your doorstep and venture out for some wildlife viewing in Yellowstone, whitewater rafting on the Snake River or hiking in Glacier National Park - one of the US's best kept secrets!

Included Highlights
  • 8 nights in Historic National Park lodges
  • Glacier National Park's abundant wildlife
  • Western Montana Ranch stay with home cooked meals
  • 2 nights in Yellowstone National Park
  • Whitewater rafting on Snake River
  • Nightlife in Jackson, Wyoming
  • Follow the Oregon Trail
  • Hiking in Mount Rainier National Park
  • Olympic National Park wilderness area
  • Coastal Rainforests
  • Natural hot springs
  • Wildlife viewing opportunities
  • Scenic walks and hikes
Free Wi-Fi on the road
Wi-Fi Enabled

You can now check your email and keep in touch with family and friends while on the road with our wi-fi enabled vehicles. (Maximum 5 users at a time. Fair usage restrictions may apply. Only available in USA & Alaska).

Optional Activities (paid locally)
  • Canoeing US$35-US$75
  • Mountain biking US$45-$95
  • Horseback riding US$55-$115
  • Country Western saloons US$5-$20
  • Seattle Space Needle US$19
  • Scenic walks and hikes US$FREE
Tour Facts
Accommodation: 8 nights in Historic National Park lodges, 4 nights in premium hotels + 1 night ranch stay on a twin share basis. No forced single supplements.
Transport: All transportation by private adventure vehicle
Guided: Services of a professional tour leader
Group size: Maximum 13
Departure Month: Jun-Sep
Age range: 18+
Local payments: None


Mini Adventures

Our range of 3 - 4 day Mini Adventures are just the ticket for extending your tour and experiencing North America's most incredible 'must see' highlights. Check out the following adventures relevant to this trip.

New York to Niagara Falls

NEW YORK TO NIAGARA FALLS MINI - 3 DAYS

> Scenic Drive through the Delaware Water Gap/Poconos
> Finger Lakes hiking & swimming
> Niagara Falls and the Maid of the Mist scenic boat cruise
> College town of Ithaca, NY
> Woodbury Common Outlet Mall
> View tour

City Sightseeing Tours

If you are spending extra time in our gateway cities, you can now plan in advance by pre-booking unique city sightseeing day tours in addition to your trip.

Seattle Music Tour

SEATTLE

All city day tours are operated by local experts who are dedicated to take you behind the scenes so you know it like a local! When booking your trip, simply select your chosen city tours from the Tour Extras section on the online booking form.

> View City Sightseeing Tours

Private Departures

Why not arrange your own Grand American Adventures departure? For groups of 8 or more, we can offer private departures on any of our published itineraries enabling friends, families or organizations to enjoy our style of travel at special rates. Although tours will run as per our standard itinerary shown here, slight modifications may be considered and dates can be chosen to suit your needs. (Subject to seasonal/operational restrictions). So contact us today and start planning your own adventure.

Book now

Trip Itinerary

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, the following itinerary should be used as a guideline.

As this tour departs at 0730 we recommend that you book pre-tour accommodation. Please request hotel details at the time of booking.

Download Trip Dossier

Download the Northwest Park Lodges Premium trip dossier for tour-specific details including full itinerary, pre-departure information, packing tips and more about our style of travel.

(Adobe Acrobat is required to read this pdf)

Download Dossier

Day 1: Seattle to Coeur D'Alene

After leaving Seattle, we drive west over the Cascade Mountains into Idaho, where the shores of Lake Coeur D'Alene await. Early French speaking fur traders named this lake after the tough trading local Indians whose hearts were rumored to be sharp as an owl. This western town boasts one of the top 5 most beautiful mountain lakes in the world. Enjoy a hike along the shore, sit on the beach or explore the old western down town.
Accommodation: Lodging | Meals paid locally

Day 2-3: Glacier National Park

We continue northeast into Montana and Glacier National Park - the 'Crown of the Continent Ecosystem'. This park crosses two mountain ranges and one international border. It is spread over one million acres, contains 130 lakes and is home to abundant wildlife including the world renowned grizzly bear. With surrounding towering glacial peaks, this park is sure to leave most visitors speechless! In our time here we get to jump on board the free shuttle bus and enjoy the spectacular glacial scenery or partake in some wildlife viewing.

Featured Accommodation: Swiftcurrent Motor Inn
This historic motor Inn originated as a tent camp for the first 'auto tourists' to Glacier National Park. Cabins were first built on the site by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933. The motel was then constructed in the 1950s and the property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. Known for its casual atmosphere and rustic charm, Swiftcurrent is a popular stepping-off point for trekkers attempting to walk on the trail over Swiftcurrent Pass as well as other trails leading to Iceberg and Ptarmigan Lakes, going through the unique 183-foot Ptarmigan Tunnel.
Meals: Paid locally 

Day 4: Mountain Ranch

Our next stop is a hidden secret, nestled deep in the wilderness of the Tobacco Root Mountains. This is an authentic working guest ranch, complete with on-site taxidermy! After an optional horseback ride around the wide expanses where we get a chance to absorb the tranquility of the great outdoors, we fill our bellies with an old-fashioned home-cooked cowboy meal and enjoy a camp fire under Montana's 'big sky country'!
Accommodation: Lodging | Meals: Dinner & breakfast at ranch included

Day 5-6: Yellowstone National Park

Our next destination, Yellowstone National Park, is the world's first national park and home to a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bear, wolf, bison and elk. This park is so large that its boundaries cross into three states. Most of it is in Wyoming, but parts of the reserve extend into Idaho and Montana. Yellowstone has one of the highest concentrations of geothermal activity on the planet. Herds of bison roam amongst the erupting geysers and steam rises from the various rivers running through the park. A fire in the 1980s ravaged much of the park, but it has recovered to the extent that it is now a living monument to nature's power of regeneration.

Featured Accommodation: Lake Yellowstone Lodge (17 June, 29 July & 02 Sep 2013 departures)
Situated on a site long known as a meeting place for Native Americans, trappers and mountain men, Lake Yellowstone Lodge was completed in 1891 and restored to its 1920s grandeur in 1990. Complete with ionic columns, extend gables and 15 false balconies, this majestic hotel sits on the shores of Yellowstone Lake and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The casually elegant restaurant features a delightfully extravagant menu. We usually stay in the comfortable twin-share cabins situated in the hotel grounds for a real authentic "frontier" feel, although we may also be put in the cabins which we have no control over.
Meals: Paid locally 

Featured Accommodation: Yellowstone Inn (01 July & 19 Aug 2013 departures)
The Yellowstone Inn offers seasonal lodging located in the heart of western Yellowstone country, outside of Yellowstone National Park. The Inn is family owned and each of their 10 units are unique with a character and charm of their own featuring knotty pine interiors with unique cabin furniture, cable TV, coffee makers, microwaves, small refrigerators and air conditioning.
Meals: Paid locally 

Day 7-8: Jackson, Wyoming

We continue our journey into Wyoming and onto Grand Teton National Park to spend the day hitting the trails before heading to Jackson to enjoy a truly friendly and authentic western town experience. Once home to trappers and a hideout for outlaws and rustlers, Jackson is now a 4-season getaway and. the base for hikers to take on the local hiking trails as well as a town renowned for its cafes and western style saloons!

With a permanent population of around 8,600 people and a far greater transient tourist population, it attracts many of the rich and famous and is a great base for exploring the Teton Mountains. Surrounded by beautiful scenery you can spend your days hiking, mountain biking, rafting and more! It is also in close proximity to many ski resorts. The most famous is Jackson Hole, which has a lot of steep ski runs and one of the world's most famous vertical drops, at 1262 metres (4139 feet)! After a potentially active day, we can steady our nerves with a relaxing drink at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.

On day 8 we hit the water for our included rafting trip down the infamous Snake River, this allows you to take in the incredible scenery as well as get the blood pumping. The remainder of the day is free and you may wish to head back to Grand Teton National Park to explore.
Accommodation: Lodging | Meals paid locally

Day 9: Baker City

Following in the footsteps of the famous explorers Lewis and Clark, we re-trace the route of the Oregon Trail west across the beautiful expanse of southern Idaho to Baker City. With a population of less than 10,000, this historic gold rush town offers a peek into life at the turn of the last century. Enjoy a stroll through the historic downtown shopping district and relax with a nightcap in our historic hotel.

Featured Accommodation: Geiser Grand Hotel
The warm and inviting Geiser Grand Hotel is your perfect getaway! This charming historic landmark features ornate mahogany,a beautiful stained glass ceiling, Northwest food at its best and crystal chandeliers in every room. Sunset Magazine says the Geiser Grand is "the finest hotel between Salt Lake and Seattle." For those who appreciate historic preservation and timeless luxury, nothing compares to the award winning Geiser Grand. Come explore this architectural jewel, and find out why the Geiser's spectacular restoration received The National Trust for Historic Preservation's coveted Honour Award for Excellence.
Meals: Paid locally

Day 10-11: Mount Rainier National Park

On to the stunning snow covered peak of Mount Rainier in the State of Washington. At over 14,000 feet this iconic volcano looms large in the Pacific Northwest. Draped in snow, Mount Rainer has the greatest single peak glacial system in the United States, covering 36 square miles of the mountain with sheer ice! With over 260 miles of well maintained trails winding through a varied terrain, from old growth forest to sub-alpine meadows, there are plenty of different hiking options available.

Featured Accommodation: Paradise Inn (to be confirmed Jan 2013)
We overnight at the very special and historic Paradise Inn which is located in the midst of meadows that look spectacular when in full bloom and is surrounded by trails that lead to adventures in all directions and offer opportunities to explore the outdoors the way it was meant to be. Designated as one of the 'Great Lodges of the West', the Paradise Inn was originally built in 1916 and offers original historic rooms that are located in the main lodge. Without the modern amenities of televisions or telephones, it is easy to imagine a time past when life was simple and without the distractions of today's modern world.
Meals: Paid locally

Day 12-13: Olympic National Park

From the crashing waves of the Pacific coast through coastal rainforests to glacier capped peaks, this is a primeval sanctuary for humans and wild creatures alike; over 95% of Olympic National Park is a designated wilderness area. Enjoy a stroll through the Hoh Rainforest, relax in Sol Duc Hot Springs, and enjoy a magnificent sunset over the spectacular Lake Crescent. A visit to this beautiful national park is the perfect way to finish our perfect journey.

Featured Accommodation: Lake Crescent Lodge
Built in 1916 Lake Crescent Lodge is one of the first buildings from the modern era in Olympic National Park. Nestled among the giant fir and hemlock trees, the lodge features comfortable and spacious rooms with wonderful views of the lake; an ideal base camp for the variety of recreational activities available in the park. Experience the charm of a turn-of-the-century resort with its antique furnished lobby conducive to relaxation as you unwind by the stone fireplace, and the wicker-cozy sun porch is the perfect spot for enjoying a spectacular lakeside sunset.
Meals: Paid locally

Day 14: Seattle

Making our way back to Seattle (the "Emerald City"), there's time to enjoy the lively Pike's Place Market and also the stunning views from the Space Needle observation tower, over 600 feet high!

This tour ends at our gateway hotel at approximately 17:00 hrs. We can book you post-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if required. If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 21:00 hrs.

The featured lodges shown in the itinerary above are subject to change

Please note that the featured hotels & lodges may change if there are any unforeseen issues outside of our control. On the rare occasion that accommodation is changed we will stay in a local property of a similar standard.

Book Online
COMODO Authentic Site - Secured by SSL

You can easily book your trip online using our secure booking engine. You only need to pay a 10% deposit or (whichever is greatest) with full payment due 8 weeks before departure. We are members of ABTA (Association of Britsh Travel Agents) and are fully financially bonded so your money is 100% safe & protected at all times whether you pay by debit, bank or credit card. If you prefer to book by telephone, please contact our sales office and speak to one our friendly travel consultants.

Prices below are land only . For customers departing from the United Kingdom please call us on 0844 576 1370 for a flight inclusive quote.


Status Key
ABTA member

Guaranteed: Tour is guaranteed to operate once you book.
Available: Seats are available. Book Online now!
Limited: Limited seats only. Book Online now!
Contact Us: Seats may be available. Please contact us.


How to Book Online

1. Pick your chosen available departure date.
2. Select the number of passengers to book
3. Click on the book button to be taken to our secure online booking engine
4. Complete all personal details and credit card information
5. Your tour will be confirmed immediately by e-mail


International flights are not included in the above prices. For customers departing from the United Kingdom please contact our reservations team for a quote. Read more.

Book now
Connect with Facebook

Connect with other travellers on this tour, leave a short trip review or comment or just "Like" us.

It's simple...

1). Log into your Facebook account and leave your message.
2). To connect with upcoming travellers please ensure you add your departure date!
3). If you leave a comment, please tick the box to share with your friends.
4). To contact a fellow traveller simply click on their name and contact via Facebook.