Have you had a look in the review section to see if anybody has left information on there that might help you. This is not a tour I have been on but I have been on many USA tours with JY, if you have any questions please just ask.

Cindy

As Cindy says check out the review section. I know there is a good review of the holiday on the site from Bob Gray and some others.

I was booked to go on this holiday in October last year but because of the US government closedown and the shut down of the National Parks this holiday was cancelled - I have rebooked and am due to go next month. Really looking forward to it.

Katy

I'm new to Just You and have just booked my first holiday of October, it's the National Parks, Mount Rushmore & Little Big Horn. Any tips and advice would be really appreciated. Thanks

Hello Aileen

My first trip will be National Parks 8 September. Getting excited already!

Definately read the review by Bob Gray which is excellent and gives you lots of advice as well. I'm also doing this holiday in September and cant wait.

Make sure when you go to the airport that you put your 'Just You' label on your hand luggage, as that way other Just You members will be able to say hello and you will start making friends before you even get on the plane. There are also so excellent threads on packing etc

Kind Regards

Kezzer

I'm new to Just You and have just booked my first holiday of October, it's the National Parks, Mount Rushmore & Little Big Horn. Any tips and advice would be really appreciated. Thanks

Take lots of really warm clothes it will be freezing. Did this last year in September Yellowstone was getting snow then. Be prepared some of route might be changed. I felt I saw the real America. Badlands was mindblowing,with amazing stops on route for great pics, Place of Wall was totally America great lunch stop. Complete with Dinosaurs dotted along the highways. Little big horn guide on this was Native American and brought the whole thing to life. Just before Yellowstone we went to a bar the first one along from the hotel great live music complete with families and Cowboys dancing with their ladies! totally brilliant. Grand Teton was epic, thats what the entire tour is it keeps getting better. Keep your eyes peeled at all times for the wildlife in Yellowstone we were lucky enough to see brown bears and a grizzly, laughed out loud at a woman taking pics on her I pad, please don't do this! You have a bit of walking to do in Yellowstone but all of the walks are well worth it. Along the way try and get the official guide leaflets they are all the same size and make for great items for the scrapbook. Mount Rushmour again the presidents walk is worth it but you can't hang about too much before starting this as it takes at least 45 mins going at a fair pace. Worth it for the views under and behind the monument. I enjoyed M Rushmour but felt the Crazy Horse was better again get on the school bus and get a closer look I was the only one on our tour who did this and everyone was totally jealous. Getting to Tatanka, wow not a big fan of Kevin Costner but what he was created at the sight is amazing. The buffalos in bronze are a work of art. After this we went to Deadwood, please get the group to sing Deadwood stage, missed chance if you don't. Trip was on a school bus if this is the case the guy on this was very funny. You can watch poor old Bill get shot three times a day in Saloon number 10 if you get a seat early you have the chance to be part of the show! We had lunch in Bullock, lovely. Jackson hole was far from it great little town felt really safe walking around at night loads of bars but beware some do close on Sundays. Try some of the local brews Moose drool was just like brown ale. Salt lake city was very odd, but in a nice way, you start with a tour of the church given by Mormons you can't escape them. Take a lift ride to the roof terrace great views of the city. We visited a living museum the statue of the pony express was as you came in and was well worth a walk back from the car park. Great choice of food in Salt lake city, we went Chinese the first night, it was straight up from the hotel, only downside of Salt lake was lots of homeless people around the hotel. Make sure you stay in decent size groups. In fact our tour guide Wendy made sure she stayed with the older group members and took them to a restaurant near by. Park city outside of Salt lake was weird on the left hand side of the street half way down is a Banksy if you are interested in this sort of thing. Arches park was closed so we missed out. Pics I have seen look amazing so I might have to do this trip again. Instead we went to dead horse canyon had a lovely hike. It was starting to get warmer as you drop a few thousand feet. Another part of the trip not normally on the tour was slot canyon, if you get the chance please do this it was amazing. I was waiting for Indiana Jones to come run along at any time. Twin rocks trading post get lots of pics the old truck and the car across the road just scream America.The main event for me was Monument Valley it did not let me down. Bloody windy on the day we went and I was told by the guide it gets snow. You just become John Wayne. Hopefully the bus will stop on the Forest Gump road, look out for cars when you stand in the road to take your pic! Do it all helicopter, the four by four ride is a real bone shaker and you will need to wrap up warm if the weather is chilly. The wind just blows right across the site. I felt I was home when I was there! Lake Powell was also shut, but we did see some of it and from what we saw it looked amazing. Great stop at Denny's Wigwam in Utah's Little Hollywood, got to have a walk down the main street and the back of the shop is a lot of fun as well. Fake Old western sets.

If you are buying a cowboy hat I would get one at Denny's.

Vegas what can you say, hotel is right at the end of the strip, be careful around the hotel it is right beside a run down area. However taxis are cheap and a shuttle bus goes up and down the strip 24/7. Freemont street is a must loads of people watching and bars. Take your pic of casinos some amazing ones too many to get around. Tour in the night takes in the best ones. Get a pic of the welcome to Vegas sign best looking Elvis works this young version. Tip of a few bucks keeps him happy. If you dare have a go on the rides on the top of hotel but anyway you will want to go up the tower for the views. Both day and night!. Hotel guests don't pay. Lots to do in the hotel plenty of places to eat. Grand Canyon, what can you say, mind blowing, photos cant relay have huge the sights are. All of the hotels used were fab nothing to worry about there. Some real old styles but with the real America on your doorstep you will not be in them for long.

Overall I would go on this holiday again it is a long way don't underestimate how tired you will get. Enjoy it the sights are amazing.

Hi Aileen,

As Cindy says check out the review section. I know there is a good review of the holiday on the site from Bob Gray and some others.

I was booked to go on this holiday in October last year but because of the US government closedown and the shut down of the National Parks this holiday was cancelled - I have rebooked and am due to go next month. Really looking forward to it.

Katy

Hey I'm going on this trip in June looking forward to it but nevours too as I've not done anything like this before. I hope I'm not the youngest one on the trip at 34 years old! It's not really a holiday aimed at young people!

A great review with lots of useful information. I'm off on this Trip in September and cant wait.

Thanks again for sharing.

Kezzer

I've read loads about it before I booked - I also have some native american friends that have told me it's a great place to visit - and am so looking forward to it.

I'm new to Just You and have just booked my first holiday of October, it's the National Parks, Mount Rushmore & Little Big Horn. Any tips and advice would be really appreciated. Thanks

I'm new to Just You and have just booked my first holiday of October, it's the National Parks, Mount Rushmore & Little Big Horn. Any tips and advice would be really appreciated. Thanks

Take lots of really warm clothes it will be freezing. Did this last year in September Yellowstone was getting snow then. Be prepared some of route might be changed. I felt I saw the real America. Badlands was mindblowing,with amazing stops on route for great pics, Place of Wall was totally America great lunch stop. Complete with Dinosaurs dotted along the highways. Little big horn guide on this was Native American and brought the whole thing to life. Just before Yellowstone we went to a bar the first one along from the hotel great live music complete with families and Cowboys dancing with their ladies! totally brilliant. Grand Teton was epic, thats what the entire tour is it keeps getting better. Keep your eyes peeled at all times for the wildlife in Yellowstone we were lucky enough to see brown bears and a grizzly, laughed out loud at a woman taking pics on her I pad, please don't do this! You have a bit of walking to do in Yellowstone but all of the walks are well worth it. Along the way try and get the official guide leaflets they are all the same size and make for great items for the scrapbook. Mount Rushmour again the presidents walk is worth it but you can't hang about too much before starting this as it takes at least 45 mins going at a fair pace. Worth it for the views under and behind the monument. I enjoyed M Rushmour but felt the Crazy Horse was better again get on the school bus and get a closer look I was the only one on our tour who did this and everyone was totally jealous. Getting to Tatanka, wow not a big fan of Kevin Costner but what he was created at the sight is amazing. The buffalos in bronze are a work of art. After this we went to Deadwood, please get the group to sing Deadwood stage, missed chance if you don't. Trip was on a school bus if this is the case the guy on this was very funny. You can watch poor old Bill get shot three times a day in Saloon number 10 if you get a seat early you have the chance to be part of the show! We had lunch in Bullock, lovely. Jackson hole was far from it great little town felt really safe walking around at night loads of bars but beware some do close on Sundays. Try some of the local brews Moose drool was just like brown ale. Salt lake city was very odd, but in a nice way, you start with a tour of the church given by Mormons you can't escape them. Take a lift ride to the roof terrace great views of the city. We visited a living museum the statue of the pony express was as you came in and was well worth a walk back from the car park. Great choice of food in Salt lake city, we went Chinese the first night, it was straight up from the hotel, only downside of Salt lake was lots of homeless people around the hotel. Make sure you stay in decent size groups. In fact our tour guide Wendy made sure she stayed with the older group members and took them to a restaurant near by. Park city outside of Salt lake was weird on the left hand side of the street half way down is a Banksy if you are interested in this sort of thing. Arches park was closed so we missed out. Pics I have seen look amazing so I might have to do this trip again. Instead we went to dead horse canyon had a lovely hike. It was starting to get warmer as you drop a few thousand feet. Another part of the trip not normally on the tour was slot canyon, if you get the chance please do this it was amazing. I was waiting for Indiana Jones to come run along at any time. Twin rocks trading post get lots of pics the old truck and the car across the road just scream America.The main event for me was Monument Valley it did not let me down. Bloody windy on the day we went and I was told by the guide it gets snow. You just become John Wayne. Hopefully the bus will stop on the Forest Gump road, look out for cars when you stand in the road to take your pic! Do it all helicopter, the four by four ride is a real bone shaker and you will need to wrap up warm if the weather is chilly. The wind just blows right across the site. I felt I was home when I was there! Lake Powell was also shut, but we did see some of it and from what we saw it looked amazing. Great stop at Denny's Wigwam in Utah's Little Hollywood, got to have a walk down the main street and the back of the shop is a lot of fun as well. Fake Old western sets.

If you are buying a cowboy hat I would get one at Denny's.

Vegas what can you say, hotel is right at the end of the strip, be careful around the hotel it is right beside a run down area. However taxis are cheap and a shuttle bus goes up and down the strip 24/7. Freemont street is a must loads of people watching and bars. Take your pic of casinos some amazing ones too many to get around. Tour in the night takes in the best ones. Get a pic of the welcome to Vegas sign best looking Elvis works this young version. Tip of a few bucks keeps him happy. If you dare have a go on the rides on the top of hotel but anyway you will want to go up the tower for the views. Both day and night!. Hotel guests don't pay. Lots to do in the hotel plenty of places to eat. Grand Canyon, what can you say, mind blowing, photos cant relay have huge the sights are. All of the hotels used were fab nothing to worry about there. Some real old styles but with the real America on your doorstep you will not be in them for long.

Overall I would go on this holiday again it is a long way don't underestimate how tired you will get. Enjoy it the sights are amazing.

Wow! Thanks so much for all that. Didn't know it c

ould be so cold in September... I suppose there could be some quite hot weather too. I was wondering if I'd need a swimsuit - hotel pools?

Mary

I did this tour in May/June last year and it's totally amazing.

To answer your question regarding hotel pools; the one in Rapid City has a pool in reception.....yes I know it sounds strange, but true all the same. There's also one at the hotel in Cortez if I remember correctly so you could have time for a quick dip!

Just a few further points to add to J Cook's review;

DO take the school bus ride in Deadwood, the driver is absolutely hilarious and you also get to visit the local cemetery to see Wild Bill Hickok's grave (sadly for him he was shot and killed in a poker game in Deadwood on Aug 2nd 1876; the actual saloon bar is still there although now closed). Next door to him lies Martha Jane Burke (Calamity Jane) so it's worth the few dollars cost.

Local bars in Jackson; DO try the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar where the bar stools are saddles, and when you've finished there you can stop off at the Silver Dollar Bar for a night cap!

DO the helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon; no words or pictures will ever truly convey the sheer scale and beauty of the canyon...you just have to go and see it to appreciate this remarkable sight.

DO the sunset cruise on Lake Powell; really lovely.

Monument Valley is just amazing; if you've ever watched a John Wayne western the scenery will be instantly recognisable; visit the cabin he used while filming 'She wore a Yellow Ribbon' and DO the 4x4 ride that takes you out to 'John Ford Point'

DO try to walk up to Sunrise Point in Bryce Canyon NP; the views are absolutely stunning. Next to the Grand Canyon Bryce was probably my favourite NP, but all the sights are amazing in their own way it's really difficult to put one above another.

This is a truly wonderful road trip, so much so that I could have got back on the coach at Vegas airport and done the whole thing again in reverse order!

Have a great time

Mike

I too have booked this trip in October from Manchester, my 13th holiday with JY (fortunately I am not supoerstitious) and the reviews are amazing. I have been to Grand Canyon and Las Vegas before and walked both rather than flight and coach as they are both even better seen up close.

See you in October!

Think I agree that a swimsuit might be an unnecessary luxury, especially if we might need woolly hats and gloves!! Not long now is it? Like you I'm a bit absorbed with the thought of what should be a wonderful holiday. Little nervous too as I haven't done long haul since 2007. Found some useful hints on line about what to take on the plane to make a long journey as comfortable as possible. Mustn't forget the spritzer! Looking forward to meeting you and all our fellow travellers.

Hi SCB,

I did this tour in May/June last year and it's totally amazing.

To answer your question regarding hotel pools; the one in Rapid City has a pool in reception.....yes I know it sounds strange, but true all the same. There's also one at the hotel in Cortez if I remember correctly so you could have time for a quick dip!

Just a few further points to add to J Cook's review;

DO take the school bus ride in Deadwood, the driver is absolutely hilarious and you also get to visit the local cemetery to see Wild Bill Hickok's grave (sadly for him he was shot and killed in a poker game in Deadwood on Aug 2nd 1876; the actual saloon bar is still there although now closed). Next door to him lies Martha Jane Burke (Calamity Jane) so it's worth the few dollars cost.

Local bars in Jackson; DO try the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar where the bar stools are saddles, and when you've finished there you can stop off at the Silver Dollar Bar for a night cap!

DO the helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon; no words or pictures will ever truly convey the sheer scale and beauty of the canyon...you just have to go and see it to appreciate this remarkable sight.

DO the sunset cruise on Lake Powell; really lovely.

Monument Valley is just amazing; if you've ever watched a John Wayne western the scenery will be instantly recognisable; visit the cabin he used while filming 'She wore a Yellow Ribbon' and DO the 4x4 ride that takes you out to 'John Ford Point'

DO try to walk up to Sunrise Point in Bryce Canyon NP; the views are absolutely stunning. Next to the Grand Canyon Bryce was probably my favourite NP, but all the sights are amazing in their own way it's really difficult to put one above another.

This is a truly wonderful road trip, so much so that I could have got back on the coach at Vegas airport and done the whole thing again in reverse order!

Have a great time

Mike

Hi Mike! Many thanks for your reply which I've only just seen - I don't find this forum all that easy to get around compared with some! Thanks for the tips which I've made a note of.

Now getting excited and nervous. A couple of questions for now: Can I use UK-Australia adapters in US? And I know the voltage is different but can I charge my iPad, camera batteries etc OK?

Anyone else reading this who'll be on the 9 Sept trip? (Hello suejj!) I'm actually flying first to an Francisco to stay with a friend for 4 nights, then meeting the rest in Denver (I HOPE!) on the 9th.

Sara

The American adaptor is a flat 2-pin plug with the pins spaced 10mm apart; mine forms part of an international adaptor kit and has 'American Adaptor Plug' stamped on it. So, just check your adaptor to confirm that it has that configuration.

Don't forget the new airport security rules which have been recently introduced for travel to the USA, whereby you need to have equipment such as laptops and iPads charged up when you arrive at the airport. If you haven't done that, and you can't charge up your equipment when asked, then you won't be able to take the item onto the aircraft.

Have a great time

Mike

Doing this trip leaving 9th Sept & wonder what weather might be like? Tshirts & shorts or woolly jumper:huh:

Hi Sue I went on this tour last Sept and the weather was generally very good - cool in Yellowstone and Bryce as they are so high up (up to 10,000ft in Yellowstone!) so you'd need long trousers and a jacket. It was up to 30C in Arches and some other places so you'll probably need t shirts and shorts as well. Some people on our tour did use the hotel pools, but as others have said there ain't much free time!!

Hope all of you have a fantastic tour and thanks to those who passed nice comments about my review!

Cheers,

Bob