Road-trips Yellowstone, Mt. Required fields are marked *. After living it up in one of the world's party capitals, continue on I-15 until you reach UT-9. This small restaurant serves gourmet food that is outstanding. Below, we've included our picks for the best overnight stops so you can get the most out of your trip. Deadwood is a great place to have lunch, depending on how your timing works out. For recommended hotels and locations, both inside and outside of Yellowstone National Park, read our article Where to Stay in Yellowstone. Other great restaurants include Caf Genevieve, Bin22, Liberty Burger, and Blue Lion. Scenic Drive through the Bighorn Mountains. Custer State Park is not included with this pass since it is a state park. On the way, take your pick between two different scenic drives through the Bighorn Mountains. How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers (places to go and the driving route). Keystone is located north of Custer State Park, near Mount Rushmore. On our first visit to the area, we stayed in Rapid City at the Courtyard by Marriott. Continue on through the central valley and up into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. Grand Teton to Yellowstone to Glacier National Parks Road Trip 1 Week Itinerary. This is the first of two days in Grand Teton. Stay in a suite or a standard room, some of which can accommodate up to 7 people. BEARTOOTH HIGHWAY: The quicker route (94 miles, 2 hours) is to exit Yellowstone at the Northeast Entrance and drive through Cooke City-Silver Gate (if you need dinner this is the best place to get it until you reach Cody). The advantage to staying here is that you will do less driving on the day trip to Badlands National Park. You can also refer to our Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier itinerary for ideas on how to plan out these three parks. If you visit both basins, a visit here typically lasts about 2 hours. USA ROAD TRIPS: Planning your next big adventure in the USA? Stay in Yellowstone through day 5 of this itinerary and use one of these days to day trip to Grand Teton National Park. drive for about 2 hours. Try again, pressing CTRL+P (command + P on a mac) to bring up the printer dialog box. Explore the endless hiking trails of this one-of-a-kind natural area. Our suggested 7-10 day Ideal Western Road Trip Itinerary Day 1/2: Rapid City, South Dakota Plan your Yellowstone road trip with our helpful itinerary, from Denver to Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park. We had a great staythe room was clean, very quiet, and comfortable. Drive from Southern California to Indio/Palm Springs Fly from Indio/Palm Springs (PSP) to Rapid City (RAP) PSP - RAP $261 - $868 5 alternative options Bus to Las Vegas, fly 8h 21m Take the bus from Barstow Station to Las Vegas South Strip Transfer Terminal Fly from Las Vegas (LAS) to Rapid City (RAP) LAS - RAP $420 - $600 Most of this drive is on Interstate 90 which is a large divided highway. Zion & Bryce Canyon: Epic 3 Day Zion to Bryce Canyon Road Trip Itinerary. If you do one hike today, this is the one that I recommend. The Notch Trail is the most thrilling hike in the park and it is very short. At Colter Bay Village, there is a gas station and restaurants, a great place to refuel your car before continuing on to Yellowstone. This bed and breakfast ticks all of the boxes. Our favorite overlooks on the North Rim are Lookout Point, Red Rock Point, and Inspiration Point. 11-Day San Francisco to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Yosemite, Yellowstone National Park, Lower Antelope Canyon and Mount Rushmore Tour (Free Airport Pickup) Tour Code: GOL-SFO-412A. For more information about Badlands National Park, check out our article 15 Best Things to Do in Badlands National Park. Rooms are clean and tastefully decorated. It is faster and easier to day trip to Grand Teton from these locations. Continue the drive on Badlands Loop Road, visiting the overlooks as you go. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Back Basin is the larger of the two basins. If you want to take a cave tour, currently tours are booked in the morning on a first-come first-serve basis. Please consult with the operator directly for the recent price. You can simply view the monument from afar, from the terrace of the Welcome Center, or you can take a van ride to the monument for a closer view. If you're departing from Los Angeles getting to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore will take you 30 hours, and covering 1,840 miles if you don't make any detours. It starts in Spearfish and ends in Savoy. But not to worry, you will be choosing between two very scenic drives. These road trips to Yellowstone are complete resources with itineraries, maps and unexpected stops on the way including authentic small Western towns and undiscovered natural wonders that will make your trip unique. Ate the roads and parking at Mount Rushmore able to accommodate the RV.? Really great road trip! You can expect the clearest skies during this season and temperatures between 38 degrees and 76 degrees Fahrenheit lasting between mid-June and mid-September. You'll wind your way through the Californian Sierra Nevada Mountains and discover the largest alpine lake in North America, Lake Tahoe. Trip - 1-2 weeks A Pacific Pride Road Trip . These shoulder months offer mild Travel A visit to Old Faithful, combined with Upper Geyser Basin, typically lasts three hours. For the quickest visit, simply walk the Tower Trail, a 1.3 mile trail that loops around the base of Devils Tower. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Cody Cowboy Village. As far as accommodations, I dont think that will be an issue. During this time, you'll get to enjoy this natural wonder covered in snow which is one of the most prized sights for nature photographers. Make your reservation in advance. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. Day 1: Start Your Arizona Road Trip By Driving From Las Vegas to Flagstaff Day 2: Drive The Loop From Flagstaff To The Grand Canyon Phoenix 5 days itinerary: The Ultimate 5 Day Arizona Road Trip Itinerary Most popular city on this route 2 minutes off the main route, 28% of way to Yellowstone National Park 7 Zion National Park Save Rather than joining the crowds, I recommend leaving the park for a few hours. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. Here is the link to our One Day Badlands Itinerary, a more detailed version of what is listed below. We stayed here on our most recent visit. We took the Natural Entrance Cave Tour, which lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes. On the South Rim, visit Artist Point (one of the most photographed spots in Yellowstone National Park), Canyon Overlook, and Uncle Toms Trail (if it is open). On the Road: varies depending on what you do and your route through Custer State Park, this can range from 100 to 150 miles with 3 to 4 hours of driving. We use Booking.com to book our hotels when we travel. My minimum recommendation for a first time trip just to see the main sights is 4 nights (3 full days) for Yellowstone, 2 nights (1 full day) for Grand Tetons. For more information about how to visit Devils Tower, check out our, To learn what to do and how to plan your time, read our post, For a full list of things to do and many more photos, read our, More Information about Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Devils Tower & South Dakota. If you stayed near Devils Tower, it is a one hour drive to get to Spearfish. Idaho Falls Regional Airport is 94 miles away and is a 2-hour drive from Jackson. On the way, stop at Craters of the Moon National Monument, a unique natural attraction that boasts an ocean of blackened lava and unique rock formations. Make sure to enjoy the free Wi-Fi and on-site bar as well as the on-site restaurant. Highlights: * Rail travel on Amtrak (1 night on train) * Scenic excursion on the 1880 Train. Temperatures during the winter season lie between 4 degrees and 30 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the best spot in Yellowstone to view wildlife. About halfway on the Bay Area Route is Boise, Idaho's capital and the largest city on this route before reaching Yellowstone. About; Roadtrippers Plus; Magazine; Contact; Help; Did you know: If you use the Roadtrippers . Thank you so much! If you dont have to travel during the summer months, the end of September into early October is an awesome time to visit Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore. Hello Jeff. To make the most of the day, I recommend getting an early start, ideally getting on the road at 7 am. You can begin at the southern end of the Shenandoah National Park, near Waynesboro, VA, and wind along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Eruptions are unpredictable and you have to be very lucky to be here when it erupts. Reservations for Scenic Tours and Wild Caving Tours are strongly recommended. Share Map. View more. To get to the northeast entrance of Badlands National Park, it is an hour and forty-five minute drive from the Black Hills and an hour and fifteen minute drive from Rapid City. Tonight, stay either near Devils Tower or you can drive one hour east to Spearfish, South Dakota. Best Western Premier Ivy Inn & Suites. For more information about cave tours, visit the National Park Service website. We had a great meal at Jacobs Brewhouse & Grocer but Cheyenne Crossing, El Jefes Fresh-Mex Cantina, Lewies Saloon & Eatery, and Deadwood Legends Steakhouse all get great reviews. The ultimate road trip planner to help you discover extraordinary places, book hotels, and share itineraries all from the map. drive for about 3.5 hours. After exploring the area, drive east into South Dakota to see the iconic Mount Rushmore. Parts of the park close during the winter! Tours typically start at 9 am and the tour schedule varies based on the season. From Buffalo, it takes 2 hours to drive to Devils Tower (130 miles). But we loved the spacious room, excellent Wi-Fi, and comfy beds. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each point of interest. Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Wind Cave. I will go into this in greater detail later in this itinerary. This itinerary is a one-way, point-to-point road trip. Activity Level On Your Feet Walking up to 2 miles a day. You can email us at info@earthtrekkers.com but we get so many emails every day that sometimes it takes us a week to get to them. Where to stay depends on whether or not you want to do an extra hour of driving today or save it for tomorrow morning. Read on to discover the best routes to travel, our favorite places to stay, and the many must-see stops along the way. Start New Trip. Today, you will visit a few more sights in Yellowstone. Get a free Yellowstone trip planner with inspiring itineraries and essential information. From West Thumb Geyser Basin, continue the counter-clockwise drive on Grand Loop Road until you get to Hayden Valley. Wyoming Inn at Jackson Hole. At Mount Rushmore, you drive through the main entrance and then will immediately park in a large lot/parking garage. This is one of our favorite views of Badlands National Park and one of the top spots to watch the sunrise, but its also great all morning long. Head back down 385 on the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. The challenge for us is that we want to bring our 2 dogs (German Shepherds). . Its a relatively short drive. The Lodge at Jackson Hole. Most of this drive is on Interstate 90 which is a large divided highway. This hotel was wonderful but we did A LOT of driving to get back and forth to the Black Hills. Entering the Bighorn Mountains near Shell, Wyoming. . Is this trip capable by RV? Along the drive, you can see Bridal Veil Falls, hike to Devils Bathtub (2 miles round trip, 1 to 1.5 hours), and visit Roughlock Falls. From the East Entrance, it is a one hour drive on Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway, another beautiful drive through the mountains. You will stay in Yellowstone or West Yellowstone for two nights. day 2 driving 8 hours. If you cant get a hotel or campsite inside of the park, West Yellowstone is also a great place to stay for this itinerary. Western-style cabins come equipped with a private bathroom and a kitchenette. However, you might also be OK on the Bighorn Scenic Byway, it just might take some research if there are any vehicle restrictions for this road. A trip to South Dakota wouldn't be complete without visiting Mount Rushmore. ), Cody, Yellowstone, Reno/Carson City and Lake Tahoe. It is here that you will see the Grand Prismatic Spring, the most colorful hot spring in the park. There is a lot more activity here, with noisy fumaroles, steaming hot springs, and blue pools of water. I do have a question, we will be traveling from Ohio by RV (I saw where you answered this question that it is RV friendly. This scenic USA road trip route begins in Red Lodge, Montana, and ends in Cooke City and the northeastern entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Salt Lake City International Airport is 280 miles away and it is almost a 5-hour drive to get to Jackson. Not only will you save money on park fees for this trip but you will also get free admission to any other national park or federal recreation sites that you visit within 365 days of purchasing this pass. But it is arguably the least scenic compass direction to approach Yellowstone, considering some of the stunning landscapes found in the US northwest: From the South and Salt Lake City, you have scenic roads and majestic Grand Teton National Park. Looking at going to Rushmore/Badlands, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, then. Mount Rushmore: SD: 47 : 1 : 19 : Wall Drug: SD: 80 : 1.5 . Trying to gather information how to see everything, where to fly into. Every year, tens of thousands of tourists come to the region's ski slopes to enjoy the world-famous snow and slopes. There are some fishing options in the lake. On top of that, there's plenty of nightlife to enjoy after your long drive. There are two main driving routes through the Bighorn Mountains and Bighorn National Forest. Porcelain Basin is our favorite of the two basins. Things to Do Between Yellowstone NP and Glacier NP. Its still possible to visit Yellowstone in the winter, but you will get around by snowmobile or snow coach, which of course will be a much different experience than the summer months. By staying here, you will have a much shorter drive to get to Devils Tower on day 6. Be aware, as the lows can drop as far as -15 Fahrenheit. Yellowstone, Devils Tower and Mount Rushmore Itinerary, Yellowstone, Devils Tower & Mount Rushmore Itinerary. At the end of this article, I give the links to each national park so you can get updates on park conditions and road closures. 12:17 pm Buffalo (Wyoming) From Cody, you will drive east to Shell, Wyoming (a one hour drive) and then take US-14 (the Bighorn Scenic Byway) through the Bighorn Mountains. Grand Prismatic Spring and the Fairy Falls Hike, Old Faithful: 10 Tips to Have the Best Experience. Suggested Overnights: Crescent City, Eureka, Benbow, Mendocino, Santa Rosa. It is a lot of pages since it is not optimized for printing. GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK: Check out our Grand Teton National Park Travel Guide for important travel information, sample itineraries, and how to plan your visit. Bighorn Scenic Byway (US Route 14) cuts through the northern section of Bighorn National Forest. Spend the morning at Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. These hot springs are spread over a large area. Beartooth Highway (one of the greatest road trips in America) Charles Kuralt called the Beartooth Highway "the most beautiful drive in America.". So, for many people, it would even be doable to drive from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone in one day! Spend the remainder of the day in Jackson. The Yellowstone Loop: 11 Stops to Make on an Epic Western Road Trip By Michael Yessis Route distance: 1,561 km Suggested Time: 2 weeks + A vast, scenic landscape provides the timeless backdrop for the western United States. With 10 days, you can visit Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore, but thats not all. Option #1 is perfect for families and those who want to see the best of the park without doing a lot of hiking. Inside the Park: There are numerous lodges and campgrounds available inside of the park. Go canoeing, kayaking, or fishing during your stay. Ideally, stay in West Yellowstone, Canyon Village, or Old Faithful Village. This route is about 419 miles and will take you around 7.5 hours if you drive straight through with no stops. The 1,840-mile road trip from California to Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore will take about 30 hours to drive. Here is the link to our One Day Badlands Itinerary. The longer Bay Area Route will take you from San Francisco to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. From the parking lot, you walk to all of the sights (regardless if you got here by RV or car). Finding this trip on your website is like a dream come true. Then the road twists and turns through a canyon and climbs up higher into the mountains. Check park conditions and road closures as you are planning your trip and again just before you go. Located in Cody, this property gets some of the best reviews in town. The Glacier National Park Route covers 1,380 miles with 23 hours and 10 . Its best to fly home from Glacier, since it is located so far from Rapid City (it would take about a full day to backtrack to your starting point). By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Either route you choose, you will drive through Yellowstone National Park, one of the most celebrated parks in the US and a favorite for lovers of the outdoors. For suggestions on how to plan your time today, read our post One Perfect Day in Grand Teton National Park. Yellowstone Driving distance from Cooke City to Old Faithful: 100 miles / 2 hours 50 minutes You will come into Yellowstone via Lamar Valley, which is an amazing wildlife watching area in the park. You can go for fishing at the beach, bait shop, or boat rental. Day 1 : Bismarck, North Dakota Do: Driving will take a big chunk of your day. This is one of the highest rated hotels in Jackson. In our Guide to the US National Parks, get the full list of national parks with important travel planning information, such as things to do in the parks and sample itineraries. Visit Yellowstone, Salt Lake City, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Lake Tahoe, Casper, Crazy Horse, Devils Tower, Grand Teton National Park, Rapid City, Twin Falls.