Search for buffalo, pronghorns and other wildlife on a Jeep Safari in Custer State Park. Uncover the history of Mt. Click here to read more about Spearfish Canyon and to see more photos from the drive. Visiting Mount Rushmore A national treasure in the United States, Mount Rushmore National Memorial symbolizes the ideals of freedom and Democracy. You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. Answer 1 of 22: Hello, Have a family of 18 (with 2 campers and a motor home) that will be going to Yellowstone area in June 2019. The Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mt. Thank you! From Pinnacles Overlook, it is an hour drive to get back to Rapid City and an hour and a half drive to get back to the Black Hills. Things to do in Lead include visiting the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, the Black Hills Mining Museum, and the Historic Homestake Opera House. Rooms can accommodate up to four people and there is a gym and indoor pool onsite. You can also refer to our Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier itinerary for ideas on how to plan out these three parks. This is a cool town, filled with great restaurants, art galleries, and boutique shops. These hot springs are spread over a large area. The Door and Window Trails are very easy walks that take you up close to the rock formations. From here, you can save it and/or print it. It is a lot of pages since it is not optimized for printing. With a large number of accommodations and restaurants, this is a great place to base yourself for visiting the park. This itinerary is a one-way, point-to-point road trip. This salty inland sea is known as America's Dead Sea. Scenic Drive through the Bighorn Mountains. If you are traveling as a family and want to stay in one of the top rated hotels in town, this is one to consider. There is an onsite pool and hot tub and this is one of the highest rated properties in Cody. UNITED STATES: We have TONS of information about places to visit in the United States in our USA Travel Guide. 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 that was only a one-way trip home after picking up our new motorhome in California. If I turn my computer off I need internet access to load it again. If you cant get a hotel or campsite inside of the park, West Yellowstone is also a great place to stay for this itinerary. Trip - 1-2 weeks Offbeat, Fresh and Iconic: 4 Sides of California from North to South Trip - 5 days South Carolina to Alabama Road Trip: Beaches, History and Iconic Music Trip - 1-2 weeks Culture, History, and Tranquility: 3 Captivating Stops in Georgia Off the beaten path Trip - 1-2 weeks Southern Atlantic Coast Trip - 4 days The New England Coast Other great restaurants include Caf Genevieve, Bin22, Liberty Burger, and Blue Lion. Drive north and get back on I-15. Surrounding its multicolored waters is the Spiral Jetty, a famous sculpture made by the famous sculptor Robert Smithson. BUFFALO BILL CODY SCENIC BYWAY: This is the longer route (126 miles, 3 hours) and you will backtrack through Yellowstone. Along both of these routes, there are short hiking trails and scenic overlooks to visit along the way. Continue on to learn more about our recommended routes, where to stay, and what to see along the way. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Mount Rushmore in early October. New England: New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary: 10 Stunning Stops. Day 1: Jenny Lake. We stayed here on our most recent visit. Cowboy Village Resort. 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. If this sounds like something you would like to do, stay in Wall the night of day 8. Eruptions are unpredictable and you have to be very lucky to be here when it erupts. We plan to drive from Tucson, AZ. Click here to learn more about your options. Continue the drive on Badlands Loop Road, visiting the overlooks as you go. Idaho Falls Regional Airport is 94 miles away and is a 2-hour drive from Jackson. In May this year we drove from Minneapolis to San Francisco via the Badlands, Mt. Our favorite overlooks on the North Rim are Lookout Point, Red Rock Point, and Inspiration Point. The Most Beautiful County In Every State - msn.com Getting in/out of motor coach frequently. 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. 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. You can probably find these in South Dakota as well. 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 It is home to various animals such as wildebeest, elk, and moose. Ultimate Guide to Mount Rushmore (& Things To Do Nearby) But to explore a place like Yellowstone, you will have to leave your dogs in the hotel/apartment, because I think pets are only allowed in vehicles and parking lots, and not on trails and inside buildings. 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. . 9:00 am leave from Mount Rushmore. PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you want to go farther on Beartooth Highway, you will have to skip something in Yellowstone today. From the East Entrance, it is a one hour drive on Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway, another beautiful drive through the mountains. There are some fishing options in the lake. This is the first of two days in Grand Teton. From Buffalo, it takes 2 hours to drive to Devils Tower (130 miles). Sawin Logs in is one of the highest rated properties near Devils Tower. Day 6: Glacier NP Going-to-the-Sun Road. On the way, take your pick between two different scenic drives through the Bighorn Mountains. The actual road trip itself from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone is great. This is our favorite of the two routes through the Bighorn Mountains. Thats four national parks in one road trip, not to mention two national monuments, one incredible state park, and several very scenic drives. If you plan to do this road trip in the opposite direction, here is the itinerary in reverse order, with a few modifications. From the fun-in-the-sun city of Los Angeles, get on I-15 towards Las Vegas. 7:55 pm Mount Rushmore. Yellowstone will be about a day's driving west and would be my first choice of places to see. If you prefer the southern route, scroll down to the Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone route. Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands, & Yellowstone - Pavlus Travel Skip the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and go right to Norris Geyser Basin. On the Road (from Keystone): 240 miles, 5 hours. 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. If you stayed near Devils Tower, it is a one hour drive to get to Spearfish. We dont have those specific PDFs done yet but thanks for asking, and Ill them to our to-do list. Here are several ideas on how to spend the morning in Grand Teton: Midday, start the drive to Yellowstone. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. To get to Cody, you will then drive the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. 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. The longer Bay Area Route will take you from San Francisco to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. Start / End. California to Mount Rushmore - 8 ways to travel via plane - Rome2rio Road Trip from San Francisco to Mount Rushmore - LazyTrips How to Drive between Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone California: 23 Unmissable Stops on the Legendary Pacific Coast Highway. This hotel was wonderful but we did A LOT of driving to get back and forth to the Black Hills. Cheers, Julie. Of course, it depends on the traffic on the days of your travel. Best Times to Visit Yellowstone | U.S. News Travel Cloud Peak Skyway (US Route 16) crosses the highest pass in the mountains. For updated pricing and hours, visit the official website. Robins Nest Bed & Breakfast. For the drive through the Bighorn Mountains, taking the Cloud Peak Skyway is your better option, since this road has fewer tight turns/switchbacks. Want to avoid the crowds? Continue on US-89 north until you get to Dixie National Forest. Road Trips To Yellowstone National Park The Best Road Trips for Baby Boomers - Topretirements The Cloud Peak Skyway tends to be more popular, since it lacks the switchbacks and tight turns that the Bighorn Scenic Byway has. It was so good that we ate here two nights in a row. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. South Dakota Road Trip - 7 Stops You Don't Want To Miss You will drive a portion of the spectacular Beartooth Highway and then take the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway to Cody. 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. Best of all, you'll Salt Lake City International Airport is 280 miles away and it is almost a 5-hour drive to get to Jackson. Road trip from LA to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore Really great road trip! 3. Here are the links to each national park website. 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). It was closed in January 2002. Porcelain Basin is our favorite of the two basins. You should be able to print itI save off a PDF of new articles, which is about 4 times a week. Visit Mormon Row at sunrise and then spend the morning driving the 42-mile scenic loop drive. WY. Is this. Tours typically start at 9 am and the tour schedule varies based on the season. Cheers, Julie. Rooms are clean and tastefully decorated. Each room comes with a flat-screen TV, organic silk linens, and fresh flowers. 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. On your drive, you'll have several incredible places to rest and explore. Julie Last updated: February 4, 2023 United States 17 Comments. RELATED: Old Faithful: 10 Tips to Have the Best Experience, The view of Old Faithful from Observation Point. drive for about 3.5 hours. Below are two different ways to spend your time in Custer State Park. There are two routes to drive to Cody, which adds another 2 to 3 hours of driving. If you'd like to unwind and relax in luxury, there is no better place to stay than the Grand America Hotel. Back Basin is the larger of the two basins. You'll get to explore some of the most stunning places in America on your way from California to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. 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. Explore the museums and the Great Salt Lake before hitting the road to Yellowstone. This Yellowstone road trip planner covers the northern route through North Dakota. The Ultimate Guide To BBQ Styles Across The United States And Around The World, The Complete Guide to California National Parks, there is no better place to stay than the Grand America Hotel, When you reach Boise after your long drive, rest in luxury at The Grove Hotel, we recommend staying at the highly rated and luxurious Bentwood Inn. It takes about 2 hours to thoroughly explore this area.Get full details on how to plan your visit in our Guide to the Geyser Basins. Anything you can tell us regarding pet-friendly accommodations? Your email address will not be published. Rather than joining the crowds, I recommend leaving the park for a few hours. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Western USA: Road Trip to 11 Stops on the Yellowstone Loop Highlights: * Rail travel on Amtrak (1 night on train) * Scenic excursion on the 1880 Train. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Below, we've chosen our favorites for you to choose from. The first thing to see in Salt Lake is, of course, the Great Salt Lake! Rent a canoe and spend an hour or two paddling around Jenny Lake. Purchase your pass at the first national park that you visit (in this case, at Grand Teton) or you can get it online. This town has a very touristy feel to it but it does have a nice, central location for exploring the Black Hills. Need some. This is a small geyser basin and it only takes about 30 minutes to walk through all of it. Black Elk Peak, Cathedral Spires, and/or Little 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. From Lamar Valley, it takes 2 to 3 hours to drive to Cody. The best route from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone is via US-16 West. Head north into Idaho and drive through the beautiful community of Idaho Falls. I also found a doggy daycare place that might help you out too. From Cody, it takes 2 hours to drive to Ten Sleep. Activity level Natural Explorer. Mapbox . 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 What would be the most optimal route? The ultimate road trip planner to help you discover extraordinary places, book hotels, and share itineraries all from the map. Many of our readers have written in, saying that they got cheaper flights into Bozeman than Jackson or Idaho Springs. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Although this will depend on exactly where in Yellowstone is your first destination, since Yellowstone is big! Leads claim to fame is its history in gold mining. Both of these routes are roughly the same distance and take the same amount of time. South Dakota Road Trip - 3 Day Itinerary - GETTING STAMPED If you're planning a road trip to see Mount Rushmore, it makes the most sense to divide the surrounding area into three main scenic driving routes: The Black Hills with Mount Rushmore Badlands National Park Spearfish Canyon The Black Hills and Mount Rushmore loop will take a full day. 7-Day Yellowstone, Arches, Mt. Rushmore Bus tour from Los - TakeTours Best Western Premier Ivy Inn & Suites. Start New Trip. . It is also good to keep in mind that while Mount Rushmore National Memorial is open all year, the Sculptor's Studio closed from October - April, so plan your visit accordingly. 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. We had a great staythe room was clean, very quiet, and comfortable. Starting from San Francisco in the Bay Area our suggested route will take you through Boise and Lake Tahoe, a somewhat more relaxed vibe but still jam-packed with unique attractions along the way. As you head south, towards Jenny Lake, consider taking the detour up Signal Mountain for stunning views over the park.The park gets extremely crowded midday. For something quicker, hike the short but sweet Rankin Ridge Trail for panoramic views over the Black Hills. 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 Devils Tower Lodge and the Best Western Devils Tower Inn also get excellent reviews. Find all the transport options for your trip from California to Mount Rushmore right here. Start on the North Rim. Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands, & Yellowstone - Vacations By Rail Spend the afternoon in and around Jenny Lake. We are planning on reversing your 10 day itinerary from Rapid City to Grand Teton. 3 Scenic Driving Routes | GyPSy Guide Driving Tour Apps Plan your Yellowstone road trip with our helpful itinerary, from Denver to Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park. You can save this post as a PDF and then print the whole thing or just what you need. Rome2rio displays up to date . Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone via Bighorn Scenic Byway Distance: 441 miles Time Required: 9 hours This route runs for 441 miles, starting at Mt. Summer is the busiest tourism season. Yellowstone, Devils Tower and Mount Rushmore Itinerary 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 Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone Road Trip | Town & Tourist If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Rushmore road trip is exactly what we are looking for. Below is our 9 days road trip plan for Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore; Day 1 - Leave home drive to Elko,Nevada or Wendover Day 2 - Wendover to Salt Lake City to Casper Day 3 - Casper to Mount Rushmore Day 4 - Mount Rushmore to Sherindan Day 5 - Sherindan to Yellowstone Day 6 - Yellowstone Day 7 - Yellowstone - Garnider This annual park pass costs $80 and is valid for one year. I love your itineraries. The Glacier National Park Route covers 1,380 miles with 23 hours and 10 . You can go for fishing at the beach, bait shop, or boat rental. We recommend the K Bar S Lodge and the Rockerville Lodge and Cabins. On our first visit to the area, we stayed in Rapid City at the Courtyard by Marriott. You can either ride the Aerial Tram to Rendezvous Peak at Teton Village or have lunch in Jackson. Perfect Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone drive as I - Road trip America From Gardiner or Mammoth, it will be a very long drive to Grand Teton National Park (plus, they are closed due to the flood). One of the best times to visit Lamar Valley is in the late afternoon and early evening. This hotel is located next door to the Wyoming Inn, mentioned above. Bighorn Scenic Byway (US Route 14) cuts through the northern section of Bighorn National Forest. Today, you will visit a few more sights in Yellowstone. And with the gardens and interior decor, this property is beautiful. 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? There is a garden, library, and on-site bar. For example, the Kelly Inn in West Yellowstone allows pets on request. Depending on what you're interested in experiencing, you can experience a wintery wonderland or a summer outdoor paradise. Top Brochure of On the Road: Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. You will stay in Yellowstone or West Yellowstone for two nights. A must-visit if dropping by Boise, this historic prison boasts daily tours that detail the lives of its famous inmates. Immediately past the entrance station is the Big Badlands Overlook. For recommended hotels and locations, both inside and outside of Yellowstone National Park, read our article Where to Stay in Yellowstone. Yellowstone to Mount Rushmore National Park Road Trip 5%. On our first visit to Grand Teton National Park, this is where Tim and I stayed. When you reach your destination of Yellowstone National Park, we recommend staying at the highly rated and luxurious Bentwood Inn. Its not ideal, since its not formatted to be printed, but it is your best option right now. This small restaurant serves gourmet food that is outstanding. If you have any questions about this Yellowstone, Devils Tower and Mount Rushmore itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. 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) You get to see a little bit of everything on this tour, including boxwork and cave popcorn. A visit here can last as little as 30 minutes, if you just want to walk up and snap a selfie with Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. The Chamberlin Inn. For full details on things to do on this drive, read our Guide to Beartooth Highway. 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. Thank you, Julie. 2000 Cross Country Road Trip | Lolo's Extreme Cross Country RV Trips Spend the afternoon in and around Jenny Lake. Day 1 : Bismarck, North Dakota Do: Driving will take a big chunk of your day. Rushmore and the Grand Tetons Yellowstone, Mt. This flat, easy trail is 2 miles long, takes about 45-minutes, and offers decent views of Jackson Lake. This shorter and more direct route will take you through two major cities: Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. Dont miss the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and the Mangelsen Images of Nature Gallery. 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. I hope this helps! This was the real thing -- 3 weeks and over 6,000 miles of adventure ahead of us. For each property, if you scroll down to the bottom of the screen, they will list their pet policy. If you stay within the park, Old Faithful Village and Canyon Village are the two most convenient place to stay. Recommended photo spots: The dam, obviously; the Pat Tillman memorial bridge. Most Direct Way to Drive From Yellowstone to Mount Rushmore Assuming you are starting from the southeast side of Yellowstone, which is close to Old Faithful and the West Thumb part of Yellowstone Lake, the most direct route to Mt Rushmore is Highway 14 from West Yellowstone towards Cody and then Highway 20 to Worland. Cheers, Julie. Check park conditions and road closures as you are planning your trip and again just before you go. This is one of the best scenic drives in the US. Nearby, the walk around Leigh Lake is an easy, very pretty stroll. By staying here, you will have a much shorter drive to get to Devils Tower on day 6. USA ROAD TRIPS: Planning your next big adventure in the USA? Unfortunately, I do not have another itinerary for the way back to Ohio. But we loved the spacious room, excellent Wi-Fi, and comfy beds. If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. First thing in the morning, traffic should still be light, so you will be able to drive to each overlook. Yellowstone - Road Trips Message Board - Tripadvisor I have been looking for a trip like this and so glad I found your site. Just past the Pinnacles Overlook, Highway 240 turns north and heads to Wall. These shoulder months offer mild Travel In the afternoon/evening, fly home or continue on to your next destination. 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! There are also a number of fishing lodges in the park. This road trip works best from May through October, when the roads in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are open. Today is a big driving day, but it saves you a lot of time tomorrow on the drive out to Devils Tower.