Yellowstone in September is dramatic and alive. It is elk rutting season, when bull elk bugle across misty valleys and the light turns golden. Wildlife is active. The air is crisp. The landscapes feel powerful and unforgettable.

We will explore Yellowstone’s geothermal wonders, witness Old Faithful erupt, stand before the vivid colors of Grand Prismatic Spring, and experience the scale of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. We will also visit Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore, layering wildlife, history, and iconic scenery into one incredible week.

Come solo. Leave connected! This is the trip you take when you are done waiting.

This is a fully guided journey with thoughtfully planned logistics and a supportive community of women who value exploration, connection, and meaningful experiences.

This journey may be perfect for you if:

• Yellowstone has been on your list for years
• You want to experience the American West without planning every detail yourself
• You are comfortable walking at a relaxed pace with light activity
• You appreciate wildlife, big landscapes, and iconic national parks
• You value meaningful connection over rushed sightseeing
• You are open to meeting new women and sharing the experience

You do not need to bring a travel partner.

Many women join Wanderbug trips solo and quickly find themselves surrounded by supportive, like minded travelers who understand the joy of saying yes to something new.

If you are craving wide open skies, powerful scenery, and a week that feels both adventurous and grounding, this may be exactly what you have been waiting for.

This Trip May Not Be Right for You If:

• You prefer luxury resorts over natural landscapes
• You are looking for a fast paced, high intensity adventure
• You are uncomfortable spending extended time on a motorcoach between destinations
• You prefer nightlife and city exploration over national parks
• You are not open to group travel dynamics

Yellowstone and the Black Hills are about wide open spaces, wildlife, scenic drives, and shared experiences. The beauty here is powerful and grounding, not flashy.

This is a guided group journey, which means flexibility, patience, and a positive attitude go a long way. If you value connection, curiosity, and being part of something bigger than yourself, you will thrive.

If you are unsure whether this trip fits your travel style, reach out. I am always happy to talk it through with you.

 You land in Denver knowing you did something brave. Maybe this is your first big trip without a spouse. Maybe your friends are not the travel type. Maybe you are simply done waiting.

Tonight we gather for our Welcome Dinner. Conversations start gently. Laughter builds. You realize very quickly that you are surrounded by women who understand exactly why you are here.

Included: Welcome Dinner with one beverage

Today we travel across sweeping plains and into the Black Hills of South Dakota, where wide open skies slowly give way to granite peaks and pine forests.

For the next two nights we stay in beautiful Custer State Park. Established in 1897, it is the second largest state park in America, spanning an incredible 73,000 acres of protected wilderness.

This is where the West feels real.

Free roaming bison, pronghorn antelope, elk, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and wild burros call this park home. Scenic drives wind through dramatic rock formations and peaceful valleys, offering constant opportunities for wildlife sightings.

When you see your first massive herd of bison, you will not be fumbling for your phone alone. You will be nudging the woman next to you and whispering, “Can you believe this?”

Included Meals today:  Breakfast and Dinner

Excursion to Mount Rushmore & Crazy Horse Memorial

This morning we visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial, a powerful tribute to democracy and leadership. The massive granite sculpture depicts four legendary American presidents and stands as a symbol of this nation’s history, resilience, and determination.

From there, we continue to the Crazy Horse Memorial, created to honor the Lakota Chief Tasunke Witco, known as Crazy Horse. Learn about his legacy, his role in the Battle of Little Bighorn, and the ongoing story behind this monumental sculpture, including the vision for its future completion.

Later, return to Custer State Park for an exciting Buffalo Safari with a local expert. Keep your camera ready. This is your chance to see wildlife up close in one of America’s most breathtaking landscapes.

This evening, enjoy a country chuckwagon cookout complete with Western entertainment. It is the kind of night that feels joyful, relaxed, and uniquely rooted in the spirit of the American West.

Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Wild West Charm & Scenic Black Hills

This morning we explore the legendary town of Deadwood, where the spirit of the Wild West still lingers. Boardwalks, historic buildings, and frontier stories bring this colorful chapter of American history to life.

Then we continue our journey west with a scenic drive through the Black Hills and into Wyoming. Rolling hills gradually give way to expansive skies and mountain views as we approach Sheridan, nestled at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains.

By now, the motorcoach feels different. Conversations are easier. Laughter comes quicker. The landscape stretches wide, and so does your perspective.

Included: Breakfast

Today we travel over the breathtaking Bighorn Mountains and make our way to Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 as the world’s first national park.

There is a shift when you enter Yellowstone. The landscape feels bigger. Wilder. Ancient.

Spanning nearly 3,500 square miles and resting atop a powerful volcanic hot spot, this National treasure is unlike anywhere else on earth. Geysers steam. Rivers carve through canyons. Wildlife moves freely across vast valleys.

We will spend the next two days immersed in this extraordinary place, exploring its geothermal wonders, dramatic scenery, and unforgettable wildlife.

This is where the adventure deepens.

Included: Breakfast

Today we explore even more of the untamed beauty of Yellowstone National Park.

Stand before the world famous Old Faithful as it erupts skyward. Take in the dramatic scale of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Witness the bubbling colors of Fountain Paint Pot, where the earth feels alive beneath your feet.

Keep your eyes open for wildlife throughout the day. Yellowstone is home to moose, bison, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, wolves, bear, fox, coyote, and beaver. Every turn holds the possibility of something unforgettable.

This is the kind of day that reminds you how vast and wild the world still is.

Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Today we journey south into Grand Teton National Park, where jagged peaks rise dramatically above glacier carved valleys and pristine alpine lakes.

Pause along the shores of Jenny Lake, fed by glacial waters and framed by the towering Teton Range. It is the kind of place that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and simply take it in before continuing on to Jackson.

Jackson blends frontier spirit with mountain charm. Locally known as the Town Hill, Snow King Mountain has been part of Jackson’s story since 1939. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with views of the Town Hill, complete with one glass of beer, wine, or a non alcoholic beverage per person.

By now, the week has unfolded into something more than a trip. It feels like shared history.

Included: Breakfast and Dinner

After breakfast, our Parks Adventure comes to a close.

Say your goodbyes, exchange contact information, and begin your journey home carrying incredible photos, unforgettable wildlife sightings, and the kind of memories that feel bigger than a week.

What started as a trip often ends as something much more.

Included: Breakfast