We stayed here on our most recent visit. On your drive, you'll have several incredible places to rest and explore. Before sightseeing, check out its award-winning Sunday Brunch served at their Laurel Brasserie and Bar. Explore the museums and the Great Salt Lake before hitting the road to Yellowstone. This is the best spot in Yellowstone to view wildlife. stay overnight and leave the next day around 9:00 am. From the fun-in-the-sun city of Los Angeles, get on I-15 towards Las Vegas. Many of our readers have written in, saying that they got cheaper flights into Bozeman than Jackson or Idaho Springs. Things to Do Between Yellowstone NP and Glacier NP. Tonight, stay either near Devils Tower or you can drive one hour east to Spearfish, South Dakota. Choose The Salt Lake City Route (via Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests), covering 1,500 miles over 23 hours of driving without overnight stopovers for a shorter, more direct route. Head back down 385 on the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. 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. Our favorite overlooks on the North Rim are Lookout Point, Red Rock Point, and Inspiration Point. 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. 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! Day 7: Whitefish. These shoulder months offer mild Travel Im sorry you are having trouble saving/printing this. About this Yellowstone, Devils Tower, Mount Rushmore Itinerary, 7 Day Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore Itinerary, Day 1: Arrive in Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park, Day 7: Spearfish Canyon, Deadwood, Lead & Mount Rushmore, Day 10: Wind Cave National Park & Fly Home. 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. Our website uses cookies. 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. Mountains rise against big blue skies, geysers and hot springs bubble up from the earth, and wildlife abounds. Mapbox . A visit to Old Faithful, combined with Upper Geyser Basin, typically lasts three hours. It is the northern route through the Bighorn Mountains. The Holiday Express & Suites Custer-Mount Rushmore also gets good reviews. From early November through mid-April, many of these park roads will be closed due to snow. You can probably find these in South Dakota as well. There are also a number of fishing lodges in the park. Most of this drive is on Interstate 90 which is a large divided highway. July 8, 2022 Tori Peglar Start in Chicago on this incredible road trip through some of the nation's most stunning prairies, wide-open skies and gorgeous rock formations on your way from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone. In May this year we drove from Minneapolis to San Francisco via the Badlands, Mt. The hand of cards he was holding (two pairs of black aces and eights) is now called the Dead Mans Hand. Get a free Yellowstone trip planner with inspiring itineraries and essential information. We are planning on reversing your 10 day itinerary from Rapid City to Grand Teton. Mammoth Hot Springs is a large complex of hot springs that is located in north Yellowstone. This road tops out at Granite Pass (elevation 9,033 feet) before winding down through the mountains on the way to Dayton. Rushmore, Devils Tower, the Bighorn Mountains (spectacular views but be sure to watch the road! Really great road trip! Wyoming: 7 Day Road Trip Itinerary Salt Lake City to Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Here is the link to our One Day Badlands Itinerary. Hello Jeff. Rooms are large, clean, and quiet and decorated with a western theme. But not to worry, you will be choosing between two very scenic drives. Day 1: Arrive in Bozeman, drive to Yellowstone Day 2: Yellowstone National Park Day 3: Grand Teton day trip Day 4: Yellowstone National Park Day 5: Yellowstone National Park Day 6 through 10: Same as the above itinerary. 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. Rushmore and ending in Cody, Wyoming. Tonight, sleep in Grand Teton National Park, Jackson, or Teton Village. A road trip to Yellowstone isnt just about the destination. Yellowstone will be about a day's driving west and would be my first choice of places to see. At Mount Rushmore, you drive through the main entrance and then will immediately park in a large lot/parking garage. Please note the tour price reflected on the brochure is subject to change. This is amazing! Experience the mystique of Devils Tower Monument, see Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park and take in the majesty of Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole. Ideally, stay in the park. 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. Sawin Logs in is one of the highest rated properties near Devils Tower. Here are a few suggestions for cool things . Share Map. Cowboy Village Resort. Note: This post contains affiliate links. The drive to Mount Rushmore from San Francisco taking The Yellowstone Route takes around 28 hours to cover 1,800 miles, not considering any food and gas breaks. Overview of a 4 week 2000 Cross Country Road Trip with Travel Itinerary, Travel Road Map, . You can do this itinerary with less time, but you will have to give up a few sights. Day 6: Glacier NP Going-to-the-Sun Road. There is a garden, library, and on-site bar. 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. Upon arrival, request your shuttle by calling the Rushmore Hotel at 605-348-8300. The Freedom Ridge Cabins and the Black Elk Resort are two of the highest rated properties in this town. We have 16 days, including driving time from Southeast. 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. Any suggested itineraries? It is faster and easier to day trip to Grand Teton from these locations. Its a 30 minute drive from Mount Rushmore and a visit here can be very quick. 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. This was the real thing -- 3 weeks and over 6,000 miles of adventure ahead of us. You should be able to print itI save off a PDF of new articles, which is about 4 times a week. We are doing this trip this summer. Route #1: Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone on Bighorn Scenic Byway Distance: 441 miles Driving Time (without stops): 7.5 hours This driving route starts at Mount Rushmore and ends in Cody, Wyoming. From Gardiner or Mammoth, it will be a very long drive to Grand Teton National Park (plus, they are closed due to the flood). Drive through the wild Mojave Desert until you reach Sin City, Las Vegas. Get back on the route and head into Reno, Nevada. Read our one day Grand Teton itinerary for full details on how to do this. Where to stay depends on whether or not you want to do an extra hour of driving today or save it for tomorrow morning. For each property, if you scroll down to the bottom of the screen, they will list their pet policy. Black Elk Peak, Cathedral Spires, and/or Little Devils Tower. How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers (points of interest and the walking route). If you have any questions about this Yellowstone, Devils Tower and Mount Rushmore itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. California: 23 Unmissable Stops on the Legendary Pacific Coast Highway. After your cave tour (or instead of a cave tour), explore the above ground world of Wind Cave National Park. This park is named for its enormous cave but there are also hiking trails on the surface that lead to viewpoints and wildlife viewing opportunities. 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. Option #2 is for avid hikers. Deadwood sits right next to Lead. Back Basin is the larger of the two basins. We can I purchase the itineraries for Yellowstone to Rushmore and the Washington Road Trip? Elk, bison, pronghorn deer, bear, coyotes, and wolves can all make appearances. PRO TRAVEL TIP: Sunrise is a magical time to visit Badlands National Park. The town of Custer is located just outside of Custer State park, on the west side. drive for about 2 hours. 7:55 pm Mount Rushmore. If you prefer the southern route, scroll down to the Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone route. But we loved the spacious room, excellent Wi-Fi, and comfy beds. Depending on what you're interested in experiencing, you can experience a wintery wonderland or a summer outdoor paradise. . But I would love to see something different on our way back to Ohio. There are three main airports near Jackson, Wyoming. You would need to make reservations to stay in the park as. On the Road (from Keystone): 240 miles, 5 hours. Mount Rushmore is nothing short of amazing. Here are several ideas on how to spend the morning in Grand Teton: Midday, start the drive to Yellowstone. With the recent flooding in Yellowstone, some park roads are closed. This itinerary is a one-way, point-to-point road trip. That's 24 hours of driving just to get to your destinations. RELATED: Old Faithful: 10 Tips to Have the Best Experience, The view of Old Faithful from Observation Point. Along the way to Yellowstone, weve included fun attractions, great places to eat and other national park sites that offer different experiences than Yellowstone. You'll get to explore some of the most stunning places in America on your way from California to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. For full details on things to do on this drive, read our Guide to Beartooth Highway. You will stay here for two nights. Continue on US-89 north until you get to Dixie National Forest. If you cant get a hotel or campsite inside of the park, West Yellowstone is also a great place to stay for this itinerary. Please consult with the operator directly for the recent price. Immediately past the entrance station is the Big Badlands Overlook. To get to Cody, you will then drive the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. From . Day 1: Arrive in Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park Day 2: Grand Teton National Park Day 3: Yellowstone National Park Day 4: Yellowstone National Park Day 5: Yellowstone National Park Day 6: Bighorn Mountains & Devils Tower Day 7: Spearfish Canyon, Deadwood, Lead & Mount Rushmore Day 8: Custer State Park Day 9: Badlands National Park Day 10: Wind Cave National Park & Fly Home How to Modify this Itinerary Important Planning Information, On the Road: 15 to 280 miles (30 minutes to 5 hours) depending upon the airport. Be aware, as the lows can drop as far as -15 Fahrenheit. From Dayton, it takes 3 hours to drive to Devils Tower (185 miles). You can also refer to our Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier itinerary for ideas on how to plan out these three parks. Best Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park. In fact, Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport located within a national park. The path could cover 1,500 miles and take two days of driving, depending on your California starting point. Persephones Bakery is an awesome breakfast/brunch spot in town. May, September and October are less busy and popular months to visit as well. You can visit Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore year-round but keep in mind that some roads will be closed to driving in Yellowstone during winter. 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). If you plan to do this road trip in the opposite direction, here is the itinerary in reverse order, with a few modifications. Continue on to learn more about our recommended routes, where to stay, and what to see along the way. Spend the remainder of the day in Jackson. If you visit both basins, a visit here typically lasts about 2 hours. If this sounds like something you would like to do, stay in Wall the night of day 8. There is an onsite pool and hot tub and this is one of the highest rated properties in Cody. 5%. Find all the transport options for your trip from California to Mount Rushmore right here. 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). Flying into here will save you some driving today. Best Things to Do in Badlands National Park. Larsson's Crooked Creek Resort - Located 2 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota this campground has 84 RV sites, 15 cabins, a 14-room lodge, and12 Presidential Creek Side Sites. Consider visiting before 9:00 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m. Use the links below to plan your visit to Mount Rushmore and the surrounding . About halfway on the Bay Area Route is Boise, Idaho's capital and the largest city on this route before reaching Yellowstone. To get into the heart of Jackson, it is a short drive or a 20-minute walk. This is a jaw-dropping view of the hot spring and a must-do on a trip to Yellowstone. Visit Yellowstone, Salt Lake City, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Lake Tahoe, Casper, Crazy Horse, Devils Tower, Grand Teton National Park, Rapid City, Twin Falls. It was so good that we ate here two nights in a row. From Lamar Drive, drive past Canyon Village and Yellowstone Lake and exit the park at the East Entrance. About; Roadtrippers Plus; Magazine; Contact; Help; Did you know: If you use the Roadtrippers . And with the gardens and interior decor, this property is beautiful. You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. Beartooth Highway (one of the greatest road trips in America) Charles Kuralt called the Beartooth Highway "the most beautiful drive in America.". There are two routes to drive to Cody, which adds another 2 to 3 hours of driving. Now we are looking at going to mt Rushmore to Yellowstone finishing up at Yosemite. After that, drive through Wyoming and Bighorn National Forest before heading east into South Dakota and the famous American landmark Mount Rushmore. . Along both of these routes, there are short hiking trails and scenic overlooks to visit along the way. 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. Getting in/out of motor coach frequently. The Wort Hotel. To learn what to do and how to plan your time, read our post Mount Rushmore: 10 Things to Know Before You Go. Make sure to visit the museum below the viewing deck for some history & statistics. Just south of Rapid City is TKTK, where you can rent a two-bedroom house, a great option for families. Cheers, Julie. Continue on through Wyoming and see Bighorn National Forest. The shuttle operates daily from 5:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Taxis cost $25.00 to $30.00 and take 20 minutes. Its not ideal, since its not formatted to be printed, but it is your best option right now. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. From Deadwood, it takes about one hour to drive to Mount Rushmore. View details. On top of that, there's plenty of nightlife to enjoy after your long drive. View Dates & Pricing. This route is the shortest and will take you to the famous Yellowstone National Park on your way. National parks. BUFFALO BILL CODY SCENIC BYWAY: This is the longer route (126 miles, 3 hours) and you will backtrack through Yellowstone. Can I purchase a copy of the Yellowstone-Devils Tower-Mount Rushmore Trip Itinerary and other trip itineraries in hard copy, or if not, in PDF format that I can print out or load on my computer. I will go into this in greater detail later in this itinerary. 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. Later, make your way south, stopping at as many viewpoints as your heart desires. Located in Cody, this property gets some of the best reviews in town. 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. Caravan's Rapid City, South Dakota hotel, the Rushmore Hotel provides a courtesy shuttle from the Rapid City Airport (RAP). Yes, you can do this trip in an RV. The Notch Trail is the most thrilling hike in the park and it is very short. 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. In the evening, continue to Cody, Wyoming. Recommended accommodations: No need to stay overnight - this is best done as a quick stop off on the way to Flagstaff and/or the Grand Canyon.. Stop 4: Flagstaff, Arizona (the Grand Canyon & Sedona)