Ultimate USA Trip Overview

North America is truly one of the most beautiful continents in the world. In 1872, Yellowstone became the first established National Park which started a trend of preserving the unique and incredible wonders of North America. Yellowstone is just one of the eight parks we’ll see on this action-packed 21-day adventure as we journey through the western USA on this ultimate teen adventure.

Our goal will be to experience each destination beyond the traditional sightseeing and hiking, so we will be including plenty of fun adventure activities to help you get the most out of each destination! Get your adrenaline pumping as you whitewater raft in Glacier, horseback ride in West Yellowstone, Zipline across the red rock desert of Utah, trek the famous Narrows in Zion, and take an off-roading adventure in super fashionable pink jeeps in Sedona.

All of this and more on the American road trip of a lifetime!

Price

$7595 + Airfare

Departures
  • Jun 29 - Jul 19 Full
Days

21 Days

Finishing Grades

9, 10, 11, 12

Who Can Go On This Trip?

Students from around the world!

Where We Go

Glacier National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Missoula, Yellowstone National Park, Jackson, Bear Lake, Salt Lake City, Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Sedona

Arrival Airport

Kalispell (FCA)

Departure Airport

Phoenix (PHX)

Countries

United States

During this program, you will…

  • Visit 8 of North America’s most incredible National Parks
  • Go ziplining in Moab, Utah
  • Watch Old Faithful erupt in Yellowstone
  • Get your adrenaline pumping while whitewater rafting
  • Take a fly-fishing course in Montana
  • Explore the eclectic mountain town of Jackson, Wyoming
  • Drive the famous Going To The Sun Road in Glacier
  • Go for a bumpy ride on a Pink Jeep tour of Sedona’s red rocks

 

 

Trip Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN KALISPELL (FCA)

After meeting your TFT staff at the airport we will take the short 30 minute drive to our cozy accommodations at the “Crown of the Continent”, Glacier National Park. Have dinner with your new friends as we talk about all of the excitement that lies ahead.

DAYS 2-3: GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

A showcase of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes, Glacier is a paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness steeped in human history. We will start off our time in this surreal place with an optional fly fishing lesson and a trip up Going-to-the-Sun Road to check out the Highline Trail. You’ll walk across the incredible glacially carved valley without putting in hours of elevation gain! You will be sure to never forget the otherworldly nature of Glacier as we depart for our next stop.

DAY 4: GLACIER NATIONAL PARK > MISSOULA

Head out on the road for the first leg of our scenic road trip. Stop along the way for a swim in gorgeous Flathead lake and hike along the Berkley pit. Take a step back in time as we stay in Missoula, Montana and explore this charming western town.

DAY 5: MISSOULA > WEST YELLOWSTONE

The road headed south brings us to Wyoming, where Yellowstone National Park awaits. Continue our cultural dive into the old American west with with a horseback ride in the high mountains and a classic Rodeo night. Settle in to our cozy accommodation in West Yellowstone which will serve as the perfect jumping off point to explore this incredible park.

DAY 6: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

A place so incredible that it was named Americas first national park, Yellowstone is a wildly unique place plentiful with hydrothermal and geologic features. Within Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres, visitors have unparalleled opportunities to observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem, explore geothermal areas that contain about half the world’s active geysers, and view geologic wonders like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.

We will be sure to encounter all sorts of wild life including moose, bison, elk, pronghorn, and even bear! Bring your binoculars and be ready to have some up close experiences with some of the largest mammals in our country.

DAY 7: YELLOWSTONE > JACKSON

After breakfast depart Wyoming for our next stop Grand Teton National Park and Jackson, Wyoming! Spend the day making your way through Grand Teton and explore a lot of what this park has to offer.

Rising above a scene rich with extraordinary wildlife, pristine lakes, and alpine terrain, the Teton Range stands as a monument to the people who fought to protect it

 

DAYS 8-9: JACKSON

Welcome to the eclectic mountain town of Jackson, Wyoming! Test your high ropes skills at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort ropes course and ride the famous tram to the top of the resort while you’re there! Explore all that Grand Teton National Park has to offer – go for a hike and paddle board in the crystal clear waters beneath the Tetons. Back in town, we’ll ride the alpine coaster at Snow King Mountain Park. When you’ve had your fill of action packed adventure, you can’t leave without snapping a photo under the iconic antler arch in downtown Jackson and spend time exploring one of the quaintest towns in America.

 

DAY 10: JACKSON > BEAR LAKE, IDAHO

Time to head to your next state, Idaho! Make our way through the rockies as we explore this hidden gem of a state. Home to the most natural hot springs in the country and numerous alpine lakes we will stop at Bear Lake to take a dip in the pristine waters and rest up before heading on our way.

 

DAY 11: BEAR LAKE > SALT LAKE CITY

We’ll continue our journey in the beautiful city surrounded by the Wasatch mountain range, Salt Lake City. Being the closest metropolitan area to a designated wilderness area in the United States, Salt Lake is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts seeking easy access to the mountains. Explore the world renowned mountain town, Park City, go for a hike 12,500 feet above sea level on Guardsman’s pass, and eat well at one of our favorite local restaurants. You will surely be impressed by this underrated city.

DAY 12: SALT LAKE CITY > MOAB

Head on the road to one of the most unique towns in all of the US: Moab. Positioned right between Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, this is one of the premier outdoor adventure locations in the whole world.

 

DAYS 13-14: MOAB: ARCHES AND CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARKS

Tucked on the border of Utah and Colorado, Moab is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise! We’ll go ziplining and hike to a secret waterfall where you will be able to cool off and go for a swim! Of course, no trip to Moab would be complete without visiting both Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. The hike to Delicate Arch is the most recognizable of its kind and is a must do on our itinerary. In Canyonlands, we’ll check out the sunrise from the best viewpoint in the park at Grand View of Island in the Sky. From this (as the name suggests!) truly spectacular view, you can look out at what was formerly plains and contemplate how nature shaped the canyon into what it is today.

 

DAY 15: MOAB > BRYCE CANYON

We will continue on with with the Utah portion of our trip today by heading to another one of the incredible “Mighty 5” national parks of Utah: Bryce Canyon.

Bryce Canyon is famous for its thousands of red-orange hoodoos that make up its iconic landscape. The panoramic views of this park are mind-boggling. Spires and sweeping sandstone rock give way to winding trails begging to be explored. Hike through one of the park’s many trails and experience being surrounded by these unique formations as they tower over you.

 

DAY 16: BRYCE CANYON > ZION NATIONAL PARK

After a morning in Bryce, hop in the van to make our way to the last stop in Utah: the awe-inspiring Zion National Park.

DAYS 17-18: ZION NATIONAL PARK

Wake up in a truly otherworldly place and get excited for some amazing views. Spend your morning hiking one of the park’s world renowned trails, the narrows. Hiking through an ancient slot canyon, keep your eyes glued to the sky as we ponder the mesmerizing force of erosion right over millions of years. Admire the sweeping views as the sun goes down and watch as the cliffs start to glow a bright orange before a starry night sky starts to take over. This area is home to some of the best stargazing in the country! You have to see it to believe it.

DAY 19: ZION NATIONAL PARK > SEDONA

Heading on to our next great state, Arizona, we will make our way to Sedona. This town is nestled among breathtaking scenery, with striking desert landscapes, vibrant sunsets, and stunning red rock formations. We’ll experience this natural beauty for ourselves with a sunset hike.

DAY 20: SEDONA

Today is sure to be full of adventure! We’ll get off the beaten path to explore the studding red rock landscapes of Sedona with a thrilling Pink Jeep Tour. We will ride in an open-air Jeep with a local guide who will navigate rugged terrain, providing fascinating insights, and ensuring us an exhilarating and unforgettable experience.

DAY 21: RETURN HOME

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Frequently Asked Questions

See All FAQs

What is unique about the USA Ultimate Adventure trip?

From a boutique hotel in the center of Moab under the Utah desert sky to a cabin resort in Wyoming, our choice of accommodation trumps any chain hotel. USA Ultimate Adventure peppers in activities that highlight the culture of each state we’re visiting. From rock climbing in Moab to horseback riding in Montana, you’ll truly feel like you’ve gotten to know each destination beyond the surface level.

What kind of teen typically participates in a TFT program? What are the requirements to join?

Teens from all over the world join this program! Typically, our participants are culturally curious  individuals who are excited to make new friends, experience something unique, and interested in stepping out of their comfort zones and expanding their horizons.

What do students like most about the USA Ultimate Adventure trip?

Students love that they are able to explore so many national parks and beautiful destinations!

During your USA Ultimate Adventure, you will be able to hit eleven National Parks in 30 days without feeling rushed!

This adrenaline-filled trip has a great mix of different activities for every place! Dare to fill your summer with new and enriching experiences?

Where do we stay?

Our hotels are specifically chosen to be in safe areas and well-suited to facilitating group supervision. We stay in centrally located accommodations, usually within walking distance of the main attractions. This means we do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities. We prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners. All accommodations on this trip have been selected to ensure quality while still maintaining character of the places we are visiting. All hotels or dorms are guaranteed to be clean, safe, and equipped with 24 hour security.

For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for a trip.

Can I bring a friend?

Absolutely! We ask that if you do come with a friend, you and your friend(s) maintain openness to meeting new people and sharing this special experience with the entire group.

What is included?

Tuition cost includes ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities (unless listed as an optional excursion) and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts and dinners.

Not included in cost (this not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program related or referenced in the itinerary; activities listed as “optional excursions”; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.

How do the optional group flights work?

Upon registration, you will be contacted by our International Logistics Team to discuss the program’s flight details. There is no requirement to take the group flight, but there are several advantages to doing so. The group flight is usually chaperoned by a TFT staff member, and it also offers an opportunity for the students to get to know one another prior to the start of the program. Parents are responsible for coordinating transport to the departure airport – however, the logistics team will send out instructions detailing the exact meeting spot and airport point person. For additional information about flights, visit our dedicated flight page.

Who leads the program?

Our staff is a cut above the rest! We seek out two main characteristics in our counselors – extensive knowledge of and experience in our destinations, and a passion for working with teens. Our staff’s backgrounds include living abroad and working in summer camps or other educational settings. Team members are proven leaders and role models, who connect easily with others and form genuine friendships with each student – all while bringing each destination to life.

We celebrate diversity! Our staff represents 49 different nationalities, speak a combined total of 21 languages, and visited 142 countries. Additionally, 80% of our staff lived or worked abroad in their lives. With so many unique experiences to share, you are sure to gain a global perspective.

Our average minimum ratios are one staff member to every seven participants. Each program has one Trip Director with several support staff, depending on the group size. Directors must be at least 25 years old within the calendar year and have prior experience working with TFT.

What are the safety qualifications for our staff?

Our staff members undergo a rigorous hiring process. They receive the same background check as school educators, an extensive training process to go over all safety precautions and protocols, and are required to be certified in CPR and First Aid.  We exclusively hire responsible, multi-talented individuals who are safety-minded and are as passionate about teen travel as we are.

What is the average group size?

We pride ourselves on small group sizes to create a more authentic and personalized experience. Our group sizes fall between 13 and 24 students – the perfect size to facilitate new friendships without feeling lost in a crowd! We believe smaller groups eliminate the likelihood of cliques, and allows for a well-rounded, healthy group dynamic.

How does this program connect to other programs?

Most of our North American programs are designed specifically so that participants can combine them with other trips. If you are connecting to another program, your counselor will escort you to the airport on the last day of the trip and help you get to your next destination where you will meet up with your new counselors and group.

What is the food like on this program?

In a word – Delicious! At TFT, we believe food should be an integral part of the travel experience and always make an effort to eat at authentic establishments when we can. What better way to immerse yourself in the culture of a place than by sampling the local delicacies, and we encourage students to do so whenever possible! Just as we stay away from hotel chains, we try to avoid restaurants with menus that cater only to tourists because every good traveler knows the best food is found wherever the locals are eating!

As always, we are willing and able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten allergies, and other dietary restrictions.

How much free time do we get?

Our counselors are with the group nearly always. Every day we will break up into smaller groups to give our participants some choices and flexibility in their itinerary. We do offer some free time to do some shopping, for example, in defined areas that we are very familiar with. If participants are ever shopping by themselves within these defined areas they go in groups and for no more than an hour. On this trip, for example, the group will have some free time to explore some of the safe pedestrian areas of Moab, Jackson, and Missoula. A counselor will always be nearby when participants have free time in each city.

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