Recently updated on April 24th, 2023 at 10:08 am
If you’re ready for a Northern USA tour like no other, then pack your bags for the powerful National Parks and Native Trails of the Dakotas. This roadtrip around northern USA takes you through unforgettable landscapes, and connects you with the rich history and incredible local stories that make this one of the most fascinating parts of the country.
You’ll be warmly welcomed into Native American villages, learn about Lakota and Sioux culture, join in MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences that contribute to local tribal tourism economies, and visit iconic landmarks that will leave a lasting impression. Here’s what else to expect from this incredible Northern USA vacation.
Browse the Northern USA Tour: National Parks and Native Trails of the Dakotas
We think you’ll be interested in: International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
Meet Indigenous locals
On this unique tour, you’ll have the incredible opportunity to meet and interact with members of Native American communities, from market traders to storytellers and village Elders. Get a firsthand account of Indigenous culture from locals such as Stephen Yellowhawk, a Lakota storyteller who will meet in Rapid City, South Dakota. He’ll share personal stories passed down through generations about important moments of Native American history.
We think you’ll like: Meet Stephen Yellowhawk: keeping his Native American heritage alive
Learn about culture through connection
The beauty of these encounters is that you’ll learn about culture through genuine human connection. Through Trafalgar’s extensive network, you’ll unlock doors to authentic communities, and make connections you wouldn’t otherwise have access to.
In Pine Ridge Reservation, you’ll meet with local artists and gain a deeper understanding of Native culture through their incredible artwork. You’ll take part in interactive workshops in Standing Rock Reservation and learn about the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation at Earth Lodge Village. And in Rosebud Indian Reservation, you’ll connect with a Local Specialist who’ll give you an insider’s view into the Sicangu Lakota Oyate Nation.
Meet with community leaders
The beauty of this Northern USA tour is that you can meet whole range of locals, from day-to-day villagers to tribe Elders – like Victor Douville, Elder of the Sicangu Oyate Lakota Tribe. In this unique encounter, he’ll give you a presentation on Star Knowledge and the importance of astronomy to the Lakota people, who call the stars Woniya of Wakan Tanka: the holy breath of the Great Spirit. You’ll meet other community leaders too, like Marla C. Bull Bear, Executive Director of Lakota Youth Development, where through storytelling and performance you’ll learn about the future of the Lakota Oyate (Lakota Nation). You’ll also meet Jennifer Martel, or Wahukaze Nunpa Win, board member of the Indigenous Peoples Movement. She’ll share with you what it was like to speak at the United Nations and her experience of the Standing Rock Movement.
Break bread with local Native families
Part of sharing culture with locals is through the universal symbol of connection – food. You’ll be looked after well by your Native hosts, like in Pine Ridge where you’ll get a lunch box meal lovingly prepared by a local Lakota family. At Rosebud Reservation, you’ll go to a Native American Supermarket at Turtle Creek Crossing, where you’ll lunch on delicious authentic Lakota food with locals. You’ll then learn about the reservation’s food sovereignty projects and economic initiatives from a member of the Rosebud community. Oh, and did we mention all the traditional dinners and festive evenings of song, dance and food?
Unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else
That’s right, as you meet these fascinating communities you’ll enjoy a range of unique, interactive experiences that put you in the best position to learn their culture. On this special Northern USA vacation you’ll enjoy festive evenings with your new Native friends like Stephen Yellowhawk, or the locals of Earth Lodge Village, who’ll teach you about culture of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation through song and dance. At Standing Rock, you’ll be able to take part in ancient tradition with a traditional plant medicine workshop, using Indigenous practices passed down across generations to make your own herbal tea.
We think you’ll like: The indigenous experiences that make our Southwest USA tour so memorable
Visit sacred sites of history and legend
On top of all the incredible experiences you’ll do and people you’ll meet, you’ll also visit important landmarks that hold a significant place in Native American legend. In the Black Hills you’ll trek to the Crazy Horse Memorial, a tribute to the Oglala Lakota warrior ‘Crazy Horse’ and a sacred site for the Lakota people.
At Wounded Knee Memorial, you’ll meet our new storyteller friend Warren Yellow Hair, who will spin great tales of battles and history, giving you a unique perspective not found in any history book.
Then at Little Bighorn Battlefield, you’ll learn all about the tragic battle in 1876 between the US Army and the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes. As you journey across the Native American Scenic Byway, past reservations and native communities, you’ll immerse yourself in Plains Indian history and the incredible legend of Sitting Bull, one of the greatest Native American leaders of all time.
Unlock the Beauty of the Great Plains
As you learn about this fascinating culture, you’re surrounded by the beautiful Great Plains, with its vast rolling hills and endless prairies. This Northern USA vacation takes you through some of the region’s most scenic routes, including Badlands National Park, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and the Missouri River. From towering rock formations to cascading waterfalls, you’ll be in awe of the beauty of the land, including its diverse range of wildlife, with bison, elk, pronghorns, and coyotes. When you’re not steeping yourself in Native American culture, you’ll get a chance to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
We think you’ll like: The best National Parks in the USA
Leave with Lasting Memorie
The National Parks and Native Trails of the Dakotas tour is not just a Northern USA vacation; it’s an unforgettable experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the natural world, a greater understanding of American history, and lasting memories of the people and places you encountered along the way. So, what are you waiting for?