One of the best times to visit Lamar Valley is in the late afternoon and early evening. In the afternoon/evening, fly home or continue on to your next destination. Press CTRL+P (or command+P on a mac) to bring up the printer dialog box. For a list of must-have experiences, read our article Best Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park. Bison roam the park and we saw a huge herd of bison while hiking the Lookout Trail and Centennial Trail Loop. At Colter Bay, you also have the option to walk the Lakeshore Trail. From Lamar Drive, drive past Canyon Village and Yellowstone Lake and exit the park at the East Entrance. The views of the Badlands arent quite as good as they are along Badlands Loop Drive, but on Sagecreek Rim Road you have a much better chance to spot wildlife like bison, bighorn sheep, coyote, and prairie dogs (we saw all of these animals here during our visit). Spend the afternoon in and around Jenny Lake. For more information about how to visit Devils Tower, check out our Guide to Devils Tower. Teton Village at Jackson Hole: Ski resort by winter, outdoor playground by summer, this resort offers hotels and restaurants, plus gondolas, chair lifts, and a cable car that will whisk you up to Rendezvous Peak for stunning views over the Tetons. After your cave tour (or instead of a cave tour), explore the above ground world of Wind Cave National Park. This is one of the best scenic drives in the US. Some rooms have patios and some room have balconies. From Hayden Valley, drive north. It is the northern route through the Bighorn Mountains. Back Basin is the larger of the two basins. Driving from California to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore will take you through almost endless sights and worthy destinations. For the quickest visit, simply walk the Tower Trail, a 1.3 mile trail that loops around the base of Devils Tower. Want to avoid the crowds? * Hotel accommodations for 9 nights, including 2 nights in Yellowstone National Park. Leads claim to fame is its history in gold mining. Read on to discover the best routes to travel, our favorite places to stay, and the many must-see stops along the way. Plan well and select from these suggestions the sites and attractions that will most please your family. Now we are looking at going to mt Rushmore to Yellowstone finishing up at Yosemite. The Freedom Ridge Cabins and the Black Elk Resort are two of the highest rated properties in this town. On the Road (from Keystone): 240 miles, 5 hours. BUFFALO BILL CODY SCENIC BYWAY: This is the longer route (126 miles, 3 hours) and you will backtrack through Yellowstone. Jewel Cave is located 30 minutes from the end of the Needles Highway in the Black Hills. From Wall, its just a 30 minute drive to get to this overlook. If you have plans to visit Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Badlands, and Wind Cave National Parks and Devils Tower, it is worth it to purchase the America the Beautiful Pass. 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. Rushmore and the Grand Tetons Details Itinerary Tour Vendor 11 days Midwest US, North America, Western US 3/5 Road Trips ATI offers the most extensive and creative array of independent tour itineraries across North America. And with the gardens and interior decor, this property is beautiful. Miazgas has a wide range of food. At Mount Rushmore, you drive through the main entrance and then will immediately park in a large lot/parking garage. Find all the transport options for your trip from California to Mount Rushmore right here. The ultimate road trip planner to help you discover extraordinary places, book hotels, and share itineraries all from the map. Each room comes with a flat-screen TV, organic silk linens, and fresh flowers. Road Trip Itinerary Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park: Day 1: Rapid City, South Dakota Day 2: Mount Rushmore (Custer State Park) Day 3: Badlands National Park Day 4: Buffalo, Wyoming Day 5: Billings, Montana (Optional) Day 6 & 7: Yellowstone National Park Day 8: Grand Teton National Park Day 1: Rapid City, South Dakota You get to see a little bit of everything on this tour, including boxwork and cave popcorn. Grand Prismatic Spring and the Fairy Falls Hike, Old Faithful: 10 Tips to Have the Best Experience. For recommended hotels and locations, both inside and outside of Yellowstone National Park, read our article Where to Stay in Yellowstone. Brink of the Lower Falls is a short but strenuous walk to a close-up view of Lower Falls (0.7 miles round trip and 600 feet of elevation gain). This shorter and more direct route will take you through two major cities: Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. From the parking lot, you walk to all of the sights (regardless if you got here by RV or car). If you cant get a hotel or campsite inside of the park, West Yellowstone is also a great place to stay for this itinerary. Instead, go right to Yellowstone. However, since we are making a return trip, do you have another similar itinerary where we would be seeing other sites on the way home? From Dayton, it takes 3 hours to drive to Devils Tower (185 miles). Both of these routes are roughly the same distance and take the same amount of time. By staying here, you will have a much shorter drive to get to Devils Tower on day 6. EO Bungalows is one of the highest rated properties and your room comes with a kitchenette. Porcelain Basin is our favorite of the two basins. Duration: 11 Day (s) / 10 Night (s) Tour Guide: Chinese, English. One Perfect Day in Grand Teton National Park. Get a free Yellowstone trip planner with inspiring itineraries and essential information. Start New Trip. Custer State Park is not included with this pass since it is a state park. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Drive through the wild Mojave Desert until you reach Sin City, Las Vegas. This salty inland sea is known as America's Dead Sea. Is this trip capable by RV? Just a few miles away is the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook. Reservations for Scenic Tours and Wild Caving Tours are strongly recommended. The Wort Hotel. In fact, Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport located within a national park. Robins Nest Bed & Breakfast. You can print a copy of the Yellowstone to Rushmore and Washington Road Trip from your browser by pushing CTRL+P. For a complete list of what to do in the park, take a look at our post Best Things to Do in Badlands National Park. Along the way, you can make a quick visit to Jackson Lake, since you will drive right past it before exiting Grand Teton National Park. There is a lot more activity here, with noisy fumaroles, steaming hot springs, and blue pools of water. Denver, Colorado. With the recent flooding in Yellowstone, some park roads are closed. There are free rental bikes, a fitness center, and an indoor pool as well so you can really make the most of your stay. The Cody. If you stay within the park, Old Faithful Village and Canyon Village are the two most convenient place to stay. After the first eruption, spend some time exploring the Upper Geyser Basin and Geyser Hill. 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 but that was only a one-way trip home after picking up our new motorhome in California. Drive north through Utah and into Salt Lake City. We liked the Wyoming Inn a little bit better but we wouldnt hesitate to stay here again, especially since prices are a little lower. On the Road: 100 miles, 2 hours if you stay at Old Faithful; 160 miles, 3 hours if you stay in West Yellowstone; 140 miles, 3.75 hours if you stay in Canyon Village. This Yellowstone road trip planner covers the northern route through North Dakota. Highlights include Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Reno, Death Valley, Zion National Park, Dixie National Forest and Salt Lake City. The state's largest city and likely the place where you'd fly into, Sioux Falls is the logical starting point for a South Dakota road trip. Continue on and head east into Montana and Wyoming and into your destination of Yellowstone. You'll drive for 33 hours and cover 1890 miles. So, for many people, it would even be doable to drive from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone in one day! Visit Yellowstone, Salt Lake City, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Lake Tahoe, Casper, Crazy Horse, Devils Tower, Grand Teton National Park, Rapid City, Twin Falls. But with all the amazing things to see on the way, we definitely recommend you take a few extra days and take in the sights! This will minimize how much driving you will do. Make your reservation in advance. Entering the Bighorn Mountains near Shell, Wyoming. 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. National parks. Dont miss our article Best Things to Do in Yellowstone for more great things to do in the park. After living it up in one of the world's party capitals, continue on I-15 until you reach UT-9. Hop onto Teton Park Road, headed south towards Jenny Lake Lodge. Enter the park through the northeast entrance. Then drive onwards to the iconic Mount Rushmore, just make sure to account for the additional 8 hours it takes to get there! Thank you! Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Wind Cave. Bighorn Scenic Byway (US Route 14) cuts through the northern section of Bighorn National Forest. However, reservations for the park lodges need to be made months in advance (as much as 6 to 12 months in advance!). A visit here can be quick, with a short walk to one or two viewpoints. Overview of a 4 week 2000 Cross Country Road Trip with Travel Itinerary, Travel Road Map, . Parts of the park close during the winter! 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. Our favorite overlooks on the North Rim are Lookout Point, Red Rock Point, and Inspiration Point. Start in Chicago on this incredible route through some of the nation's most. Check park conditions and road closures as you are planning your trip and again just before you go. You can also refer to our Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier itinerary for ideas on how to plan out these three parks. Top Brochure of On the Road: Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. To get to Cody, you will then drive the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. In Spearfish, Spearfish Canyon Lodge is the highest rated property. If you want to visit Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore, but have limited time or a different starting point, here are alternate versions of this itinerary. You will drive a portion of the spectacular Beartooth Highway and then take the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway to Cody. Option #1 is perfect for families and those who want to see the best of the park without doing a lot of hiking. Go canoeing, kayaking, or fishing during your stay. Head north into Idaho and drive through the beautiful community of Idaho Falls. Was hoping to do Mt, Rushmore, then Crazy Horse, then Needles Highway and Wildlife Loop, then Iron Mt Road and short visit to Keystone. Cloud Peak Skyway is 47 miles long, running from Ten Sleep to Buffalo, Wyoming, on US Highway 16. In Deadwood, walk through the historic town, Tour the Adams House, visit Mount Moriah Cemetery, and visit the Saloon #10 Bar. If you are doing well on time, hike the Red Beds Trail, a 2.8 mile trail that makes a bigger loop around Devils Tower. Things to Do and See on this Road Trip While in Boise, we recommend visiting the Idaho State Capitol Building and making a stop at the Old Idaho Penitentiary Site. Call to book 1-877-929-7245. Elevations of 3,400-7,731 feet. Cowboy Village Resort. Beartooth Highway (one of the greatest road trips in America) Charles Kuralt called the Beartooth Highway "the most beautiful drive in America.". PLACES TO GO IN SOUTH DAKOTA: Here are 15 great things to do near Rapid City, South Dakota. If you want an upscale experience in the city center of Jackson, the Wort Hotel gets rave reviews. Once you are finished at Old Faithful, drive east to West Thumb Geyser Basin (19 miles, 30 minutes). This saloon is where Wild Bill Hickok was shot and killed playing poker by Jack McCall. The Holiday Express & Suites Custer-Mount Rushmore also gets good reviews. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Last year myself and my wife took our first road trip driving the California coast from San Fransico to San Diego and fell in love love with road trips. You will stay in Yellowstone or West Yellowstone for two nights. Spend the remainder of the day in Jackson. Theres so much to see and do that we welcome you to pick and choose your stops to fit your vacation style whether thats family fun time, scenic cruises or adventure challenges. We have booked for end of May 2023 Old Faithful (three nights) and Canyon lodge (two nights) a total of five nights. Where to stay depends on whether or not you want to do an extra hour of driving today or save it for tomorrow morning. Get the reverse directions for a Mt Rushmore to Los Angeles drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. The highlight is Abyss Pool, a brilliantly blue hot spring, but it is also very cool to see the geothermal activity right along the edge of the lake. This gravel road is suitable for standard cars. We use Booking.com to book our hotels when we travel. Visit Badlands National Park, go hiking in Custer State Park, visit Wind Cave National Park, and learn how to visit Mount Rushmore. This is where we stay when we visit Grand Teton National Park. This is a cool town, filled with great restaurants, art galleries, and boutique shops. For recommended hotels and locations, both inside and outside of Yellowstone National Park, read our article, For more details on visiting the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, read our.