 Bozeman Trail: Where Soldiers, Sioux, and Settlers Collided
July 12–19
Historian Guide Mike Koury
The Bozeman Trail, running through the heart of the last vast hunting grounds of the hostiles, quickly became the “Bloody Bozeman.” With a loosely formed coalition of Sioux, Arapaho, and Northern Cheyenne, Red Cloud refused passage to the newly discovered gold fields. He resisted all attempts to build the road and forts demanded by the white man. Caught in the middle of this power struggle were the Crows—the real owners of the land.
On this tour you will visit the sites of all five Bozeman Trail forts and many of the battles fought in this magnificent country. Through its scant four years of existence, the Bozeman Trail claimed hundreds of lives. From Virginia City in the north to Fort Laramie in the south, you will follow the Bozeman Trail and meet the many fascinating people involved in this exciting story: mountain men such as Jim Bridger and Mitch Boyer, soldiers such as George Armstrong Custer, Colonel Carrington, and Captain Fetterman, frontiersmen such as John Bozeman and Nelson Story, and Indians such as Red Cloud, Plenty Coups, and Crazy Horse—they were all here on the Bozeman Trail.
On this trip your historian guide is Mike Koury, who has had a lifelong fascination for the Indian Wars and is a recognized expert in that area. With his humor and storytelling ability he will offer you a memorable travel experience.
TOUR INCLUDES
8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS
- Historian Guide: Mike Koury
- Services of a professional tour director
- Deluxe motorcoach transportation
- All admissions to included features
- Seven nights hotel accommodations
- Seven breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners
- Welcome briefing
- All taxes, baggage handling, & gratuities on included features
- Suggested reading list
COST:
Per person double occupancy - $2,895
Per person single occupancy - $3,345
Click to request a 2009 printed Travel Guide.
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ITINERARY
Sunday, July 12
Gather at the Crowne Plaza in Billings, Montana, for a briefing and welcome dinner hosted by Mike Koury and HistoryAmerica TOURS.
Monday, July 13
Head for Virginia City, Montana, and discover what sparked the need for the Bozeman Trail—GOLD! Along the way you will meet our main characters, including John Bozeman, Nelson Story, Jim Bridger, and others. After visiting the Gallatin County Museum, spend the night in Bozeman, named for the trail’s namesake.
Tuesday, July 14
This day’s journey takes you to Ranchester, Wyoming, the site of General Conner’s fight with the Arapaho of Black Bear. After lunch, it’s on to the battlefields of the Wagon Box Fight and Fetterman Massacre. You will spend tonight in Sheridan.
Wednesday, July 15
First stop today is the Gatchell Museum in Buffalo, Wyoming. From there head to Casper to tour the magnificent National Trails Museum. Also on the agenda today is Fort Caspar. We spend the next two nights in Casper.
Thursday, July 16
The fabled Fort Laramie, important milepost on the trail and the site of treaty signings, is first on the agenda today. After that, visit Bridger’s Ferry and Fort Fetterman before you follow the actual Bozeman Trail to Deer Creek Station, the first point of departure on the trail, and the restored Reshaw Bridge, the second point of departure.
Friday, July 17
Cantonment Reno, General Crook’s supply depot for the Sioux War of 1876, is the first stop today. Also visit Fort Conner, the first fort on the trail, and Crazy Woman Crossing, which many called the most dangerous spot on the trail. We return to Billings for the last two nights.
Saturday, July 18
Today starts with a visit to Chief Plenty Coups Museum, a little-visited gem. Then travel on to the site of the Hayfield Fight and nearby Fort C.F. Smith, once the most isolated post in the country. The culmination is a tour of Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. Enjoy a farewell dinner at the Crowne Plaza in Billings.
Sunday, July 19
Depart at your leisure following breakfast.
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