Mormon Pioneer Trail Tour

Begin your journey along the Mormon Pioneer Trail as you arrive in Kansas City. (Please arrive in Kansas City by 12:00 PM) Meet your guide, board the transportation and depart the airport. This afternoon, immerse yourself in the rich history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Independence Visitors Center, where compelling exhibits trace the journey from early New York to the Saint's experiences in Missouri. Next, take a short drive to Liberty and step inside the historic Liberty Jail, where visitors can reflect on a defining chapter of perseverance and faith in Latter-day Saint history. After checking into your hotel, join the group for a Kansas City style BBQ Dinner at a local restaurant.

Lodging: Hampton Inn Kansas City-Liberty, MO

Meals: D

This morning, depart Liberty, Missouri, with a stop at the Three Witnesses Monument, honoring Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, whose testimonies of the Book of Mormon played a foundational role in early Church history.

Continue to Far West, once the headquarters of the Church in Missouri and the county seat of Caldwell County. Enjoy time for touring the historic temple site, viewing the original cornerstones, and learning about the events of 1838 that shaped the Saints’ experience in the region. A visit to the Far West Country Store provides an opportunity for refreshments and local items.

Next, travel to Adam-ondi-Ahman, a peaceful and sacred valley along the Grand River. Here you will visit several interpretive stops and learn about the site’s significance in LDS theology as well as its role in the Missouri settlements prior to the Saints’ forced expulsion.

Proceed to Hamilton, Missouri, located within historic Caldwell County, for lunch on your own. While the town developed later as a railroad community, the surrounding farmland represents the refuge once promised to the Saints and serves as a reminder of their willingness to consecrate homes and livelihoods in obedience to the Lord.

In the afternoon, travel east to Hannibal, Missouri, Mark Twain’s boyhood home, for your overnight stay. After checking into your hotel, reconvene with the group for a memorable evening aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat Dinner Cruise, featuring dinner and dancing as you enjoy scenic views along the Mississippi River.

Lodging: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hannibal - Medical Center

Meals: B, D

This morning, depart Hannibal, Missouri, and travel to Quincy, Illinois, often remembered as a city of refuge to the Saints. Enjoy learning about Quincy’s role in offering compassion and aid to Latter-day Saint refugees following their expulsion from Missouri during the winter of 1838–1839. Lunch will be on your own in Quincy. In the afternoon, continue to Carthage, Illinois, for a visit to Carthage Jail, where the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum sealed their testimonies with their lives in June 1844. Later, travel to Nauvoo, Illinois, with a stop at the Nauvoo Visitors’ Center, which can provide a meaningful historical and spiritual overview of Nauvoo’s rise as a covenant community and its central role in Church history. Dinner is on your own this evening, allowing time for quiet reflection, temple grounds walks, or personal exploration of historic Nauvoo.

Lodging: Inn at Old Nauvoo

Meals: B

Today, enjoy a full day in Nauvoo! This morning, join the group for visits to several of Nauvoo’s most significant historic sites, including the Red Brick Store, Joseph Smith Homestead, and the Mansion House. From here you may continue on your own to have lunch and afterwards enjoy free time to visit additional sites of personal interest, such as the Brigham Young Home, Scovil Bakery, Cultural Hall, the pioneer cemetery, or to take a leisurely walk along the Mississippi Riverfront. This evening, reconvene as a group for dinner at a local restaurant, followed by a relaxed evening at your hotel or quiet reflection on the day’s experiences.

Lodging: Inn at Old Nauvoo

Meals: B, D

This morning, enjoy free time in Nauvoo to explore the historic town at your own pace or attend a session at the Nauvoo Temple (advanced reservations recommended). Take in the peaceful atmosphere and meaningful sites that make Nauvoo such an important stop along the Mormon Trail.

In the afternoon, continue your westward journey as you depart Nauvoo and travel to Iowa City, where you’ll visit the Mormon Handcart Park, commemorating the perseverance and faith of the early pioneers. Later in the day, arrive in Des Moines, Iowa, for overnight accommodations. Dinner is on your own, allowing you to explore local dining options at your leisure.

Lodging: Drury Inn & Suites West Des Moines

Meals: B

After breakfast, depart Des Moines and travel to Omaha, Nebraska, for a visit to the Mormon Trail Center at Winter Quarters, where exhibits bring to life the faith, sacrifice, and perseverance of the early pioneers.

Continue south to Lincoln for lunch on your own, then journey west across Nebraska, following the historic Mormon Trail and learning about the experiences of those who traveled this route. Along the way, enjoy a rest stop at the impressive Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, offering panoramic views and insight into westward migration.

This evening, arrive in North Platte for overnight accommodations. Dinner is on your own, allowing time to relax after a full day of travel and exploration.

Lodging: Hampton Inn North Platte

Meals: B

Depart North Platte this morning and continue west along the historic Mormon Trail, traveling through the heart of pioneer country. Your first stop is Chimney Rock National Historic Site, one of the most iconic landmarks on the overland trails, where generations of emigrants marked their progress west.

A boxed lunch is included before continuing on to Scotts Bluff National Monument, a towering natural landmark that served as a key navigation point for westward travelers. Later, cross into Wyoming to explore Fort Laramie National Historic Site, an important military post and gathering place for pioneers, traders, and Native peoples.

As you continue the journey, see where thousands of iron-shod hooves and wagon wheels carved deep ruts into the landscape near Guernsey, including a stop at Last Crossing, one of the final Platte River crossings for westbound emigrants.

This evening, arrive in Casper, Wyoming, for overnight accommodations. Dinner is included, offering a relaxing close to a day rich in pioneer history and iconic trail landmarks.

Lodging: C'mon Inn - Casper

Meals: B, L, D

Savor one final, meaningful day along the Mormon Trail as you depart Casper, Wyoming, and step fully into the story of the pioneers. Begin at Independence Rock, one of the most iconic landmarks of westward migration, where countless emigrants carved their names, dates, and hopes into the granite as a testament to their journey.

Continue to the sacred ground of Martin’s Cove, a place of deep reflection marked by sacrifice, endurance, and unwavering faith. Walk the same paths taken by the handcart pioneers and gain a deeper understanding of the hardships they faced. Next, visit the Mormon Handcart Visitors Center, where powerful exhibits bring the courage and determination of the handcart companies vividly to life.

A boxed lunch is included today. In the afternoon, travel to Rock Creek Hollow, learning about the profound sacrifices made by those who followed their faith, and visit the historic Parting of the Ways, where pioneers made pivotal decisions along their journey west.

This evening, arrive in Rock Springs, Wyoming, for hotel check-in. Dinner is on your own, offering time to reflect on a powerful day and the legacy of faith and perseverance experienced along the trail.

Lodging: Rock Spring Hotel

Meals: B, L

Today marks the final stretch of your journey into the Salt Lake Valley, following the same paths that carried the pioneers west. Begin with a visit to Fort Bridger Historic Site, once a vital resupply stop known as the “Crossroads of the West,” where emigrants prepared for the last leg of their journey.

Continue through scenic Echo Canyon, then arrive in Park City, Utah, with time to enjoy lunch on your own in this historic mountain town. Afterward, travel along Emigration Canyon, stopping at the Last Camp Site Monument, a meaningful location where pioneer companies made their final camp before entering the valley.

Your journey culminates at This Is the Place Heritage Park, a living-history destination that brings the pioneer era to life through interactive exhibits, historic buildings, and powerful storytelling. Here, gain a deeper appreciation for the faith, perseverance, and vision of the early settlers who helped shape Utah.

After checking into your hotel, gather for a farewell dinner, sharing memories and reflecting on the experiences that defined your journey before bidding one another a warm goodbye.

Lodging: AC Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown

Meals: B, D

This morning, experience the inspiring sounds of the Tabernacle Choir during their weekly broadcast, a moving and memorable highlight of your time in Salt Lake City. Following the performance, enjoy free time to explore the newly renovated Temple Square Visitor Centers and museums, along with the Joseph Smith Memorial, offering meaningful insight into the history, faith, and legacy of the Church.

In the afternoon, a transfer to Salt Lake City International Airport will be provided for your departure flight home. Two scheduled transfer times will be available to accommodate varying flight schedules.

Meals: B