DAY 1 Salt Lake City, Utah – Arrival
Welcome to Salt Lake City, an oasis for adventure lovers that is surrounded by some of the most picturesque mountains in the USA. The group will meet at the hotel for a quick orientation and introductions before heading out for our first meal together, compliments of EagleRider and your Tour Guides.
DAY 2 Salt Lake City to Moab National Park
An early start today as we have some miles to cover. Like most metropolitan areas, we must run a few miles of interstate to lose the city in our side mirrors, but it doesn’t take long for us to start feeling what riding in Utah is all about once we pick up the local motorcycle favourites, Hwy 189, and Hwy 6, heading south towards Moab. We’ve got a great lunch stop planned, then we’ll make the final scenic push into Moab. Depending on our arrival time, we’ll plan a short hike to one of our favourite viewpoints tonight, early in the morning, or both. Moab is a special place with stunning views, and we are looking forward to sharing our favourite spots with the group.
DAY 3 Moab to Vernal, Colorado
Early risers will want to take in the sunrise over Moab with a cup of coffee on the patio or a hike to one of the many monuments inside the park. Once we hit the road today, it’s straight on to Scenic Byway 128, which meanders for miles through red rock canyons along the banks of the Colorado River. Lunch today is in the oddly named town of Dinosaur. Well, oddly named until you realise it sits just outside Dinosaur National Monument, home to the Fossil Quarry, where you’ll stand in front of an actual dig site a view more than 1,500 fossilized dinosaur bones from the late Jurassic Period. Our overnight is in the small town of Vernal.
DAY 4 Vernal to Jackson, Wyoming
Off we go from dinosaurs to Flaming Gorges! Ok, the gorge isn’t literally on fire, but it takes its name from the vibrant red colours that make up the walls of this deep gorge that has been cut by the Colorado River. The rest of the day is spent making our way to Jackson via the jaw-dropping scenery of the Grand Tetons. Jackson, also known as Jackson Hole, is a wild mix of ritz, cowboys and ski bums, and is also home to one of the coolest bars in the USA. And to answer your question, of course we are going there tonight!
DAY 5 Jackson to Yellowstone National Park
The ride from Jackson, through Grand Teton National Park and into Yellowstone is something that should be on every bucket list. We will spend two nights in Yellowstone, giving us plenty of time to explore on our own, or with the planned group excursions. We even set up a river rafting trip for those looking for some adventure on the water.
DAY 6 Yellowstone National Park Free Day
Join us for the optional river rafting trip, adventure out on your own to enjoy Yellowstone, or join one of the man local escorted, hiking or photography tours. It’s your day, and you’re in Yellowstone National Park so go wild!
DAY 7 Yellowstone to Billings, Montana
Routes today vary depending on weather and road construction that always happens in Montana during the short summer season. Whichever route we end up on will be spectacular, as we run along rivers, through lush, wild valleys, and almost within arm’s reach of spectacular mountain peaks. There are ski towns like Big Sky, old railroad towns like Livingston, logging camps like Big Timber, and everything in between. The scenery is spectacular, the people are warm and inviting, and the food is about as western as it gets.
DAY 8 Billings to Deadwood, South Dakota
This is one of our longest riding days, but the stretch between Billings and Deadwood is wide open and forgiving. This is Little House on the Prairie meets Wild Hogs, with our group of riders from around world rumbling along vast stretches of open land, through small, inviting towns, and headed towards a few days in one of the most famous cities from the Old West; Deadwood, South Dakota. Deadwood looks a little different than it did during the mining boom of the 1800s and early 1900s, but it still feels very “old west,” and there is a deep connection to the history that made this town famous just around every corner. Deadwood will be our home for a few days while we take in some truly incredible day rides, and even make the short ride over to Sturgis to see what that town looks like when it’s not hosting a million bikes every August.
DAY 9 Deadwood, South Dakota
You’ve got the option of exploring on your own or with the group today. Our group ride will be an awesome trip to Mt. Rushmore, Custer, and Crazy Horse. It won’t take long to realize why this area is so popular with riders. Tonight, we’ve got a bit of a pub crawl planned to have some fun together.
DAY 10 Deadwood, South Dakota
Once again, you’ve got the option to explore on your own, relax, or join the group for a short, but fun ride through Spearfish Canyon and Bridal Veil Falls. From there, it’s a quick ride to Downtown Sturgis for lunch and a walk around town, before rolling back to Deadwood for the night.
DAY 11 Deadwood Adventure Day
Our final day in Deadwood is filled with options. As always, you can do your own thing. You’ve also got the option of joining one of our Guides on a ride to Badlands National Park, which is the closest most of us will ever come to riding on Mars. There is also an opportunity to enjoy and off-road adventure, do some shooting at a nearby range, or just kick back and enjoy the incredible scenery of South Dakota before we head for Cheyenne tomorrow. Tonight, it’s more of the same. We are pretty much Deadwood locals by now, so…you know where you can find everybody for happy hour!
DAY 12 Deadwood to Cheyenne, Wyoming
One of our last riding days happens to be our second longest, but much like the ride from Billings to Deadwood, it’s wide open and a very easy cruise. We hit a few stops along the way, but the real attraction today is the famous western town of Cheyenne, topic of many a country song, and a mecca for rodeo-lovers from around the world. We try to time our tours to ensure the rodeo is running, but even if we miss it, there’s plenty to see, do, eat, and drink in what has become one of our favourite stops on any tour.
DAY 13 Cheyenne to Denver, Colorado
A bit of a side-trip today as we ride along one of the most spectacular motorcycle roads in the country. Our riding altitude will peak at just over 11,000 ft. today, and if we don’t see at least ten deer, elk, or other wildlife today, the first drink is on the Tour Guides tonight! We sincerely can’t think of a better finish to this epic journey together than with some high-fives and group photos near the top of the Rockies, and it makes the final push through Denver to return our bikes a much easier pill to swallow.
DAY 14 Denver – Departure
Depending on your flight time there may be some free time to explore Denver before transferring independently to the airport for your onward or return flight.
