America's Cowboy Country: Self-Launched – Rapid City to Jackson
8 days · Rapid City to Jackson, USA
Collette charges £3,071
No-markup version: ~£905 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Skip the coach and do America's legendary Cowboy Country on your own terms. This self-launched road trip takes you from Rapid City, South Dakota through the Badlands, the Black Hills, Deadwood, the Bighorns, Cody, and Yellowstone before finishing in Jackson, Wyoming. You'll hit every major landmark — Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Yellowstone, Grand Teton — but swap the guided group bus for a rented car and budget-friendly motels and guesthouses. Estimated costs are approximate and based on one person sharing a twin/double room where applicable, using a rental car split between two travellers.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Rapid City
Rapid City, South Dakota
Fly into Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP). Pick up your rental car — budget around £40–55/day from Enterprise, Budget or Alamo, cheaper if booked well in advance. Check into your accommodation and explore downtown Rapid City's public art (life-size presidential statues on every corner). Grab dinner on your own at one of the many spots on Main Street — try Colonial House Restaurant or Murphy's Pub & Grill for a local feel.
🚌Fly into Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP). Rental car for the full trip (~£40–55/day, split between two people reduces cost significantly). Book in advance via Kayak or Rentalcars.com.
🛏Adoba Eco Hotel & Suites or Hotel Alex (budget alternative to Alex Johnson), ~£60–80/night for a twin room
- →Pick up rental car at Rapid City Regional Airport
- →Self-guided walk of downtown Rapid City's Presidential Statues on Main Street
- →Explore downtown restaurant and bar scene on Mount Rushmore Road
Badlands National Park & Wall Drug
Badlands National Park & Wall, South Dakota
Drive east ~75 miles from Rapid City to Badlands National Park (about 1.5 hours). The park entrance fee is ~£25/car, valid for 7 days — no guide needed. Drive the 39-mile Badlands Loop Road (Hwy 240) yourself, stopping at all the pullouts and viewpoints. Keep an eye out for bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs. Head to the Ben Reifel Visitor Center for free ranger talks and exhibits on Native American heritage of the White River Lakota. Then swing into Wall for the legendary Wall Drug — it's free to browse. Drive back to Rapid City for a welcome dinner at a local steakhouse or saloon.
🚌Drive own rental car ~75 miles east on I-90 to Badlands National Park, then back to Rapid City. No public transport serves this route.
🛏Adoba Eco Hotel & Suites or Hotel Alex (Rapid City), ~£60–80/night twin room
- →Self-drive the Badlands Loop Road (Hwy 240) with stops at all major viewpoints
- →Free ranger-led talks at Ben Reifel Visitor Center (included in park entry)
- →Wildlife spotting — bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs
- →Visit Wall Drug (free to enter, iconic roadside attraction)
- →Dinner at a local Rapid City restaurant
Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial & Mount Rushmore
Custer State Park, Crazy Horse & Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
Make an early start south towards Custer State Park (~45 mins). Drive the Wildlife Loop Road (free with park pass ~£16/car) for incredible bison herds, pronghorn and wild burros — genuinely one of the USA's best wildlife drives. Then head to Crazy Horse Memorial (~£14/person entry, includes the Indian Museum of North America and Native American Cultural Center — no guide needed, all self-led). Finish the day at Mount Rushmore National Memorial (~£12 parking, free entry). The Avenue of Flags and Presidential Trail are superb self-led walks. Evening return to Rapid City.
🚌Self-drive rental car from Rapid City south on US-16 (~45 mins to Custer State Park), then circuit back via Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore. Total ~100 miles round trip.
🛏Adoba Eco Hotel & Suites or Hotel Alex (Rapid City), ~£60–80/night twin room
- →Self-drive Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park for bison, pronghorn and burros
- →Self-led visit to Crazy Horse Memorial including Indian Museum of North America and sculptor's studio (open to all visitors)
- →Self-led visit to Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Presidential Trail walk
- →Optional: Needles Highway scenic drive through Custer State Park
Deadwood & Drive to Buffalo, Wyoming
Deadwood, South Dakota to Buffalo, Wyoming
Head north to Deadwood (~1 hour from Rapid City), one of America's most atmospheric historic towns. Walk the self-guided Historic Deadwood walking trail (free map from the visitor centre). Visit Mount Moriah Cemetery (entry ~£2) to see the graves of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. The Adams Museum on Sherman Street is free. Tatanka: Story of the Bison is a small paid attraction (~£8) worth visiting. Then continue west on I-90 across the state line into Wyoming, arriving in Buffalo (~2.5 hours). Buffalo is a charming cattle town with excellent budget food options.
🚌Self-drive rental car north from Rapid City to Deadwood (~35 miles, 45 mins), then west on I-90 to Buffalo, WY (~140 miles, ~2.5 hours).
🛏Z-Bar Motel or Occidental Hotel area B&B (Buffalo, WY), ~£55–75/night twin room
- →Self-guided historic walking tour of Deadwood using free visitor centre map
- →Visit Mount Moriah Cemetery — graves of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane (~£2)
- →Adams Museum, Deadwood (free entry)
- →Optional: Tatanka: Story of the Bison (~£8)
- →Drive west on I-90 across into Wyoming to Buffalo
Buffalo to Cody via Bighorn Mountains
Buffalo to Cody, Wyoming
Take the scenic US-16 west over the Bighorn Mountains — a spectacular mountain pass drive with no toll. Stop at Powder River Pass (elevation 9,666 ft) for panoramic views. Continue through Tensleep Canyon to Worland, then south on US-20 to Cody (~3.5–4 hours total). In Cody, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a world-class complex of five museums (~£20/person — book direct at centerofthewest.org for best price). The Cody Nite Rodeo runs every evening June–August (~£18 entry, book at codystampederodeo.com) — a brilliant, very local experience. Cody has great casual restaurants on Sheridan Avenue.
🚌Self-drive rental car from Buffalo west over Bighorns on US-16, then south on US-20 to Cody (~130 miles, ~3.5–4 hours with stops).
🛏Cody Motor Lodge or Buffalo Bill Village Cabins (budget option near the Holiday Inn Village Resort), ~£60–85/night twin room
- →Scenic self-drive over Bighorn Mountains via US-16 (Powder River Pass, Tensleep Canyon)
- →Buffalo Bill Center of the West — five museums including Whitney Western Art Museum and Plains Indian Museum (~£20, book direct)
- →Optional: Cody Nite Rodeo (June–Aug, ~£18, book at codystampederodeo.com)
Yellowstone National Park & Jackson
Yellowstone National Park & Jackson, Wyoming
Rise early and drive the North Fork Highway (US-20) west into Yellowstone National Park through the East Entrance (park pass ~£25/car, 7-day entry — covers Grand Teton too). Follow the Grand Loop Road south past Yellowstone Lake, through Hayden Valley (outstanding bison and wildlife viewing), and on to Old Faithful — no booking needed, eruptions roughly every 90 minutes. The Old Faithful Visitor Education Center is free with your park pass. Continue south via the Lewis River Canyon and down US-89 to Jackson (~3 hours from Old Faithful). Check into your Jackson accommodation and explore the famous Town Square with its antler arches.
🚌Self-drive rental car from Cody west on US-20 into Yellowstone East Entrance (~80 miles), then south through the park to Jackson, WY (~75 miles further, ~3 hours from Old Faithful).
🛏Anvil Motel or Bunkhouse Hostel Jackson Hole (~£55–80/night budget option), ~£60–75/night twin or dorm
- →Enter Yellowstone via East Entrance — included in ~£25/car 7-day pass
- →Self-drive Grand Loop Road south through Hayden Valley for bison and wildlife
- →View Old Faithful geyser eruption (free with park pass, no booking needed)
- →Old Faithful Visitor Education Center (free with pass)
- →Scenic drive over Sylvan Pass and past Yellowstone Lake
- →Arrive Jackson — explore Town Square and Antler Arch (free)
Grand Teton National Park & Chuckwagon Evening
Grand Teton National Park & Jackson, Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park is one of the most dramatic landscapes in America and is covered by your existing Yellowstone/Grand Teton combined park pass. Drive the Teton Park Road north from Jackson, stopping at Oxbow Bend for the iconic Teton reflection, Jenny Lake (short ferry ride and hike to Hidden Falls ~£9 round trip), and Mormon Row Historic District. Return to Jackson for free time browsing the galleries and shops around Town Square. In the evening, book yourself onto the Bar-T-Five Covered Wagon Cookout and Campfire Show (~£75–85/person, book at bart5.com) — the self-launched equivalent of the commercial tour's chuckwagon dinner, riding covered wagons up Cache Creek Canyon with cowboy entertainment and BBQ dinner included.
🚌Self-drive rental car north on US-26/89 into Grand Teton National Park (~15 mins from Jackson). Bar-T-Five departs from Jackson town centre — own transport or short taxi.
🛏Anvil Motel or Bunkhouse Hostel Jackson Hole, ~£60–75/night twin or dorm
- →Self-drive Teton Park Road through Grand Teton National Park (free with existing park pass)
- →Stop at Oxbow Bend, Mormon Row and Snake River Overlook for iconic Teton views
- →Optional: Jenny Lake ferry + hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point (~£9 ferry return)
- →Free time in downtown Jackson — galleries, boutiques, Town Square
- →Bar-T-Five Covered Wagon Cookout and Campfire Show up Cache Creek Canyon (~£75–85, book at bart5.com)
Depart Jackson
Jackson, Wyoming
Final morning in Jackson. Return your rental car at Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) — it's only 9 miles north of town. Grab a last breakfast at Persephone Bakery or Cowboy Coffee Co on the Town Square before heading to the airport. Fly home via Salt Lake City or Denver. If you have time before your flight, the National Elk Refuge (free to drive through, bison and elk year-round) is right next to the airport.
🚌Self-drive rental car return to Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), ~9 miles north of town on US-89. Connecting flights via SLC or DEN.
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Optional morning visit to National Elk Refuge (free, adjacent to Jackson Hole Airport)
- →Final breakfast at Persephone Bakery or Cowboy Coffee Co on Town Square
- →Return rental car at Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)
- →Fly home via Salt Lake City (SLC) or Denver (DEN)
Self-launched vs. Collette
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Collette | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£905 | £3,071 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,166 per person (71%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Collette-style trips? Check them out here.~£905
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does America's Cowboy Country: Self-Launched – Rapid City to Jackson cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £905 per person for 8 days in Rapid City to Jackson, USA. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Collette?+
Yes — Collette charges around £3,071 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £905 — a saving of roughly £2,166 (71%) per person.
How long is the Rapid City to Jackson, USA trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Rapid City to Jackson, USA.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a road-trip, adventure, culture trip through Rapid City to Jackson, USA, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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