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The rugged Grand Teton mountain range in Wyoming rises above a golden meadow and a line of pine trees under a partly cloudy sky.

Wyoming/Montana/Alberta

The Best of the Grand Tetons to Banff: Iconic National Parks

Program No. 20524RJ

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Prepare yourself for an adventure of monumental proportions — a journey through six national parks in Wyoming, Montana and Alberta Canada. The Rocky Mountain colossus must be seen to be appreciated, and your journey will take you to Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Glacier, Waterton, Banff and Jasper national parks. Experience famous waypoints like Jackson Hole, Old Faithful Geyser, Mammoth Hot Springs and Lake Louise as you learn about the geology, history, flora and fauna of the Rocky Mountains.

Best of all, you'll...

Visit the massive Columbia Icefield and venture by snowcoach onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier.
Experience the Crown of the Continent via the Going-to-the-Sun Road as we traverse Logan Pass aboard Red Jammers in magnificent Glacier National Park.
Discover Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, and witness an Aboriginal hunting practice that was used by Native people of the North American plains for almost 6,000 years.

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General Notes

Transit days include one six-hour and two three-hour drives. Field trips and transit days include stops along the way, and motorcoach is equipped with a lavatory.

Featured Expert

All Experts

Cynthia Blankenship

Cynthia Blankenship fell in love with Earth science in 9th grade and never looked back. She is a geologist, outdoor enthusiast, and award-winning speaker. After two degrees in geology from Duke and Rice Universities, and 30 years in the energy industry, she is pursuing her next career passion: to make the geology of Jackson Hole understandable and fascinating for all. Through innovative displays and clear explanations, Cynthia will delight with a heightened understanding of the powerful forces that created this magical place.

Please Note:

This expert may not be available for every date of the program

Please Note:

These experts may not be available for every date of the program

Tim Raben

Tim’s fascination with the Black Hills and Western South Dakota was forged through a lifetime of family adventures while growing up in Rapid City. After graduating in 1965 with a bachelor’s in history from the University of South Dakota, a career in insurance took him to Illinois, Nebraska, Indiana, New York, and Connecticut. In 2004, Tim and his wife, Karen, retired in Rapid City, where Tim enjoys running and golfing in the Black Hills, and sharing his enthusiasm for the area with visitors.

Jack Gladstone

Jack Gladstone is a storysmith and troubadour from the Blackfeet Nation of Montana. Regarded as a cultural bridge builder, he produces programs on indigenous history and tradition. Jack has released 15 critically-acclaimed CDs, and garnered the prestigious Best Historical Recording award from the Native American Music Association. A former college instructor and Smithsonian scholar, Jack has opened shows for Rita Coolidge, Garrison Keillor, and Bonnie Raitt.

Morag Mottram

Morag Mottram was born in Scotland and immigrated to Toronto in 1964; she moved to Canmore in 2004. While managing the Banff Springs Hotel fitness facility, she started leading hikes and running nature-based programs for visiting groups. As a certified Professional Interpretive Guide, she gives presentations and leads hikes and interpretive walks as a step-on bus guide and trip facilitator. Her interests include music—she plays the oboe and English horn in several Calgary ensembles—cycling, hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, sewing, cooking, and reading.

Cynthia Blankenship

Michael Snyder

Michael Snyder grew up in the Black Hills near Sturgis, South Dakota on a family-owned cattle ranch as part of the fourth generation along with his two brothers working cattle, riding horses, and driving tractors. Attending college at South Dakota State University led him to internships for the South Dakota State Legislature and United States Senate along with study abroad in Florence, Italy. After graduation, Michael got involved in the travel sector and began leading trips across the country and around the world.

Pat Van Eimeren

Pat Van Eimeren, originally a “cheesehead” from Wisconsin, has been in Montana for more than 30 years. He recently retired as a Fisheries Biologist for the Flathead National Forest. Pat has a passion for wild places and wild creatures. In the winter, he works atop Whitefish Mountain Resort as a Mountain Ambassador, and in the summer he will be deep in the solitude of the Bob Marshall Wilderness with a fly rod in hand. He enjoys all the recreational venues that Montana has to offer.

Nikki Heim

Nikki Heim has been working in the field of natural resource sciences for over 15 years throughout western Canada and the northwestern United States. She held roles in terrestrial wildlife ecology, focusing on understanding population dynamics of medium to large-sized carnivores and promoting wildlife co-existence, gaining a foundation in landscape ecology and wildlife management. In her free time, you can find her in the woods playing with her pup Koda, hiking, skiing, climbing, or enjoying improving her skills in nature photography.

Mike Pflaum

Mike Pflaum grew up in southeastern Minnesota and graduated with honors from Mankato State University with a B.S. in recreation and parks administration with minors in geology and earth science. He retired at the end of 2021 after a 41-year career with the National Park Service where he held a variety of positions, including naturalist, park ranger, and park superintendent. Mike enjoys photography and discussing the value and importance of parks and large landscape preservation. Mike has been a Road Scholar group leader since 2022.

Natallia Fodemski

Natallia Fodemski began her career as a group leader in 2009. She started a small business, and led private and group outings including hikes and adventures all over Colorado State, gradually adding other states. In 2019, she graduated from International Guide Academy in Denver with a Certificate of International Tour Director and Guide. She also has years of experience working as a program coordinator at the Center for Creative Leadership and at Colorado College Fine Art Museum.

Kathy Summers

Kathy Summers loves adventure and traveling around the world. She enjoys being active and meeting new people. A few years ago, she started leading group trips after her first adventure across Europe. Kathy wants to create special moments for the people she travels with, knowing that they will remember these experiences for a long time. When not traveling, Kathy enjoys fitness, food, coffee, and spending time with friends and family.

Genevieve Wooden

Genevieve Wooden, raised in Fort Collins, Colorado, traveled extensively before graduating high school. She earned a business degree from Colorado State University and now lives in Denver. In 2018, she walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain and later spent two years traveling the U.S. She enjoys walking, golfing, history, and visiting national parks, proudly calling herself a "museum nerd."

Activity Level

On Your Feet

Walking up to one mile daily. Standing for up to one hour with optional seating available. Elevations up to 8,041 feet.

Suggested Books and Resources

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You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?

We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!

Call 800-454-5768

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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

An illustration of a hand holding a globe with a small bird flying around it

Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.