Keep this in mind when planning your trip. After seeing the beautiful Pyramid Lake, continue back on route and travel up I-80 and US-95 north into Boise, Idaho. On the Road: 305 miles, 5 hours from Cody to Devils Tower; if you choose to continue to Spearfish, add another 60 miles and 1 hour of driving. One of the most popular things to do in Grand Teton is to take the boat across Jenny Lake and hike up to Inspiration Point. By starting here first thing in the morning, you get to avoid the midday crowds. Recommended photo spots: The dam, obviously; the Pat Tillman memorial bridge. Thank you so much for your website! Its not ideal, since its not formatted to be printed, but it is your best option right now. There is an onsite pool and hot tub and this is one of the highest rated properties in Cody. 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 From West Thumb Geyser Basin, continue the counter-clockwise drive on Grand Loop Road until you get to Hayden Valley. Grand Teton to Yellowstone to Glacier National Parks Road Trip This salty inland sea is known as America's Dead Sea. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Below we give an overview of both routes, but for more information and many more photos, read our Guide on How to Drive from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone. We have 16 days, including driving time from Southeast. Things to Do Between Yellowstone NP and Glacier NP. Just past Ten Sleep, US-16 enters a canyon and you will drive past towering limestone peaks. The Only Southwest Road Trip Itinerary You Need - Eternal Arrival Explore the museums and the Great Salt Lake before hitting the road to Yellowstone. Search for buffalo, pronghorns and other wildlife on a Jeep Safari in Custer State Park. Day 1: Arrive in Jackson, spend some time in Grand Teton NP if you have time in the afternoon Day 2: Grand Teton in the morning, drive to Yellowstone in the afternoon Day 3: Yellowstone National Park, sleep in Cody Day 4: Drive from Cody to Devils Tower to the Black Hills of South Dakota Day 5: Custer State Park & Mount Rushmore Day 6: Badlands National Park Day 7: Wind Cave National Park in the morning, fly home in the evening, Grand Teton: $35 Yellowstone: $35 Devils Tower: $25 Mount Rushmore: No entrance fee but there is a $10 parking fee Custer State Park: $20 Badlands: $30 Wind Cave: Free (cave tours have an extra fee). On your drive, you'll have several incredible places to rest and explore. Road-trips Yellowstone, Mt. That's 24 hours of driving just to get to your destinations. If you have any problems let me know. However, reservations for the park lodges need to be made months in advance (as much as 6 to 12 months in advance!). Answer 1 of 4: Coming south from Deadwood, can a person do all three of these in one day? . Ate the roads and parking at Mount Rushmore able to accommodate the RV.? Plan Your Visit - Mount Rushmore National - National Park Service Rent a canoe and spend an hour or two paddling around Jenny Lake. Day 1 : Bismarck, North Dakota Do: Driving will take a big chunk of your day. From Buffalo, it takes 2 hours to drive to Devils Tower (130 miles). The distance between California and Mount Rushmore is 950 miles. Caravan's Rapid City, South Dakota hotel, the Rushmore Hotel provides a courtesy shuttle from the Rapid City Airport (RAP). Cloud Peak Skyway is 47 miles long, running from Ten Sleep to Buffalo, Wyoming, on US Highway 16. Upon arrival, request your shuttle by calling the Rushmore Hotel at 605-348-8300. Thank you, Julie. 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). For more information about how to visit Devils Tower, check out our Guide to Devils Tower. ), Cody, Yellowstone, Reno/Carson City and Lake Tahoe. You'll pass strikingly beautiful mountain scenery and desert landscapes that will make any professional or amateur photographer fall in love. For suggestions on how to plan your time today, read our post One Perfect Day in Grand Teton National Park. 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). Idaho Road Trip: Off the Beaten Path to Yellowstone. Julie, We are planning on driving an RV. Deadwood sits right next to Lead. Tonight, sleep in Grand Teton National Park, Jackson, or Teton Village. Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer Park and Keystone - Keystone Forum Uncover the history of Mt. Mountains rise against big blue skies, geysers and hot springs bubble up from the earth, and wildlife abounds. Immediately past the entrance station is the Big Badlands Overlook. Within one square mile, there are over 150 geothermal features here, making this one of the best spots in the park to see geysers, hot springs, and thermal pools. 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. Where to stay depends on whether or not you want to do an extra hour of driving today or save it for tomorrow morning. Grand Teton to Yellowstone to Glacier National Parks Road Trip 1 Week Itinerary. These shoulder months offer mild Travel Mount Rushmore Tours - Yellowstone, Little Big Horn, Grand Teton - Caravan Our suggested 7-10 day Ideal Western Road Trip Itinerary Day 1/2: Rapid City, South Dakota Here are the links to each national park website. South Dakota Road Trip - 7 Stops You Don't Want To Miss When booking hotels in locations all across the country, we frequently see properties that allow pets. I also found a doggy daycare place that might help you out too. Jewel Cave is located 30 minutes from the end of the Needles Highway in the Black Hills. Rushmore Tour from San Francisco/Salt Lake City Log in / Register Support +1-617-500-7002 Toggle navigation Log In or Register My Account The quickest way to get answers to your questions is to ask them in a comment section at the end of a post, like this one (I try to answer everything within 12 hours). 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. What would be the most optimal route? Below are two different ways to spend your time in Custer State Park. I dont seem to be able to print or save a copy from earthtrekkers.com/yellowstone-devils-tower-mount-rushmore-road-trip-itinerary. The Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mt. Take a detour to explore the coastline and mountain scenery of Lake Tahoe. Anything you can tell us regarding pet-friendly accommodations? Head north into Idaho and drive through the beautiful community of Idaho Falls. 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). There are a few national parks here that you could visit, and places like Aspen, Boulder, and Denver are nice to visit. Guide to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Mount Rushmore in early October. There are three different ways to view an eruption of Old Faithful: take a seat on the boardwalk that surrounds the geyser, hike to Observation Point for a birds eye view, or grab a seat at the viewing deck at the Old Faithful Inn. Im sorry you are having trouble saving/printing this. 14. For something quicker, hike the short but sweet Rankin Ridge Trail for panoramic views over the Black Hills. Entering the Bighorn Mountains near Shell, Wyoming. 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 California: 23 Unmissable Stops on the Legendary Pacific Coast Highway. This scenic drive is 20 miles long and it takes about 30 minutes to drive it, without stops. The advantage to staying here is that you will do less driving on the day trip to Badlands National Park. Finding this trip on your website is like a dream come true. This drive starts off with beautiful views of the Bighorn Mountains. Rushmore to Yellowstone - An Epic Road Trip 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. The Rocket Motel is a nice pick if you are looking for a budget property that gets good reviews. You will stay here for two nights. Answer 1 of 7: Looking a new road trip, starting in Vegas, heading to the Scenic Byway 12 and then Denver to Mount Rushmore then to Yellowstone (for a few nights). EO Bungalows is one of the highest rated properties and your room comes with a kitchenette. Julie Last updated: February 4, 2023 United States 17 Comments. Day 3. For dinner, the Gun Barrel Steak & Game House is a popular spot. From early November through mid-April, many of these park roads will be closed due to snow. On the Road: 42 miles on the scenic loop plus extra driving time and distance depending on where you are staying. Best of all, you'll Rushmore road trip is exactly what we are looking for. Hop onto Teton Park Road, headed south towards Jenny Lake Lodge. Indianapolis to Mt Rushmore drive - plan a road trip Cloud Peak Skyway is 47 miles long, running from Ten Sleep to Buffalo, Wyoming, on US Highway 16. Explore the endless hiking trails of this one-of-a-kind natural area. Highlights include Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Reno, Death Valley, Zion National Park, Dixie National Forest and Salt Lake City. 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. The path could cover 1,500 miles and take two days of driving, depending on your California starting point. You can still explore the national park on a snowmobile or a snowcoach. You would need to make reservations to stay in the park as. Try again, pressing CTRL+P (command + P on a mac) to bring up the printer dialog box. A visit here can be quick, with a short walk to one or two viewpoints. The Cody. 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 want to take a cave tour, currently tours are booked in the morning on a first-come first-serve basis. Custer State Park is not included with this pass since it is a state park. We took the Natural Entrance Cave Tour, which lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes. I recently published an extended guide to planning Redwoods road trips that includes this itinerary in greater detail. Thank you. by MARY July 16, 2014 This incredible hotel, voted #1 Best Hotel in Salt Lake City, is just minutes from the city's attractions including the Museum of Church, Salt Lake City Hall, and Washington Square Park. If you prefer the southern route, scroll down to the Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone route. 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. 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. Beartooth Highway is typically open from Memorial Day through very early October. Make sure to enjoy the free Wi-Fi and on-site bar as well as the on-site restaurant. 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. Cloud Peak Skyway (US Route 16) crosses the highest pass in the mountains. Things to Do and See on this Road Trip The Ultimate South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary: Where to Stop - Leisure Miazgas has a wide range of food. Yellowstone, Devils Tower and Mount Rushmore Itinerary, Yellowstone, Devils Tower & Mount Rushmore Itinerary. The Glacier National Park Route covers 1,380 miles with 23 hours and 10 . It will take a day to drive from Yellowstone to Glacier and then you would have 2 to 3 days in Glacier National Park, which is just enough time there. Really great road trip! 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. PLACES TO GO IN SOUTH DAKOTA: Here are 15 great things to do near Rapid City, South Dakota. Its a relatively short drive. The 1,840-mile road trip from California to Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore will take about 30 hours to drive. I would love to help! 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. The longer Bay Area Route will take you from San Francisco to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. Cheers, Julie. For recommended hotels and locations, both inside and outside of Yellowstone National Park, read our article Where to Stay in Yellowstone. If I turn my computer off I need internet access to load it again. After that, drive through Wyoming and Bighorn National Forest before heading east into South Dakota and the famous American landmark Mount Rushmore. From Hayden Valley, drive north. Below, we've included our picks for the best overnight stops so you can get the most out of your trip. With the recent flooding in Yellowstone, some park roads are closed. (And the next one on this list about visiting the Giant Redwoods too). Here are a few suggestions for cool things . 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. Required fields are marked *. South Dakota Road Trip - 3 Day Itinerary - GETTING STAMPED 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. Wyoming Inn at Jackson Hole. Hot, steaming water spills out over travertine terraces, making this one of the most unique geothermal areas in the park. It is home to various animals such as wildebeest, elk, and moose. 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). From Lamar Valley, it takes 2 to 3 hours to drive to Cody. . Visit Badlands National Park, go hiking in Custer State Park, visit Wind Cave National Park, and learn how to visit Mount Rushmore. Visit Mormon Row at sunrise and then spend the morning driving the 42-mile scenic loop drive. Eruptions are unpredictable and you have to be very lucky to be here when it erupts. But not to worry, you will be choosing between two very scenic drives. In the afternoon/evening, fly home or continue on to your next destination. I highly recommend having dinner at Skogen Kitchen in Custer. This Yellowstone road trip planner covers the northern route through North Dakota. There are also a number of fishing lodges in the park. Road trip - Vegas, Byway 12, yellowstone, Mount Rushmore ?? - Road The Cloud Peak Skyway tends to be more popular, since it lacks the switchbacks and tight turns that the Bighorn Scenic Byway has. From the parking lot, you walk to all of the sights (regardless if you got here by RV or car). Coastal Redwoods Road Trip. Yes, you can do this trip in an RV. Spend the afternoon at the Midway Geyser Basin. 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. So it looks like at a minimum, you'd need 10 days to two weeks. Plan your Yellowstone road trip with our helpful itinerary, from Denver to Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park. To get into the heart of Jackson, it is a short drive or a 20-minute walk. Ultimate Guide to Mount Rushmore (& Things To Do Nearby) 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. 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. The shuttle operates daily from 5:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Taxis cost $25.00 to $30.00 and take 20 minutes. You can even go to the rodeo. If you cant get a hotel or campsite inside of the park, West Yellowstone is also a great place to stay for this itinerary. I recommend spending more time here, walking the Presidential Trail and learning more about the history of Mount Rushmore in the visitor center. Unmissable South Dakota Road Trip: 4 and 7 Days Itinerary If you have any questions about this Yellowstone, Devils Tower and Mount Rushmore itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. Coming from Florida is no easy feat. This is the first of two days in Grand Teton. 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. 7-Day Yellowstone, Arches, Mt. Rushmore Bus tour from Los - TakeTours Click here to read more about Spearfish Canyon and to see more photos from the drive. It is also known as Lake Yellowstone. With 10 days, you can visit Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore, but thats not all. 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. Rooms can accommodate up to four people and there is a gym and indoor pool onsite. Hill City is another small town to consider. Take advantage of the free breakfast before heading out to explore the nearby green spaces. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you want to go farther on Beartooth Highway, you will have to skip something in Yellowstone today. Stay in Yellowstone through day 5 of this itinerary and use one of these days to day trip to Grand Teton National Park. But you could come back through Colorado. Before sightseeing, check out its award-winning Sunday Brunch served at their Laurel Brasserie and Bar. May, September and October are less busy and popular months to visit as well. You have two routes to choose from. Press CTRL+P (or command+P on a mac) to bring up the printer dialog box. Skip the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and go right to Norris Geyser Basin. Enter the park through the northeast entrance. Mount Rushmore: SD: 47 : 1 : 19 : Wall Drug: SD: 80 : 1.5 . The best route from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone is via US-16 West. Check park conditions and road closures as you are planning your trip and again just before you go. On the roads you will use for visiting Yellowstone, such as the Beartooth Highway or beautiful 191, don't expect to be cruising along at 65mph. We dont have those specific PDFs done yet but thanks for asking, and Ill them to our to-do list. This beautiful city and its surrounding area offer endless activities and stunning natural landmarks including the Great Salt Lake. 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. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. Continue on and head east into Montana and Wyoming and into your destination of Yellowstone. Both of these routes are roughly the same distance and take the same amount of time. Bighorn Scenic Byway is 57 miles long, running from Shell to Dayton, Wyoming, on US Highway 14. Along the way, you get to see places like Mount Rushmore, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Devils Tower and, finally, Old Faithful. Later, make your way south, stopping at as many viewpoints as your heart desires. 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. As far as accommodations, I dont think that will be an issue. Denver, Colorado. The breakfast gets rave reviews. This route is the shortest and will take you to the famous Yellowstone National Park on your way. Surrounding its multicolored waters is the Spiral Jetty, a famous sculpture made by the famous sculptor Robert Smithson. I hope this helps! 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. Mount Rushmore is a days drive past Yellowstone, plus any time to see other things in the area. This hotel is located next door to the Wyoming Inn, mentioned above. 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. Yellowstone will be about a day's driving west and would be my first choice of places to see. Road trip from Orange County to Yellowstone! - Tripadvisor About halfway on the Bay Area Route is Boise, Idaho's capital and the largest city on this route before reaching Yellowstone. Wyatt Earp, Calamity Jane, and Wild Bill Hickok all walked these streets. If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. 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 Located downtown, the hotel is within easy access of the Idaho Black History Museum, Zoo Boise, the Morrison Center for Performing Arts, and the Old Idaho Penitentiary either on foot, or via a short drive. 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. Drive into beautiful Zion National Park and explore the wondrous natural rock formations and wilderness. We can I purchase the itineraries for Yellowstone to Rushmore and the Washington Road Trip? Road trip Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone and Yosemite - Road Trips Forum Driving from California to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore will take you through almost endless sights and worthy destinations. 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. Today, you will visit a few more sights in Yellowstone. 10 Days Dallas to Mount Rushmore Road Trip Itinerary You also have enough time to visit the highlights of Grand Teton, day trip out to Badlands National Park, spend some time at Wind Cave National Park, and cruise the scenic drives and spot wildlife at Custer State Park. To learn what to do and how to plan your time, read our post Mount Rushmore: 10 Things to Know Before You Go. On the Road (to Lamar Valley): 110 miles, 3 hours from Old Faithful Village, 66 miles, 2 hours from Canyon Village, 106 miles, 3 hours from West Yellowstone. The first thing to see in Salt Lake is, of course, the Great Salt Lake! The city boasts some stunning architecture and unique cultural attractions that give an interesting contrast to the natural attractions in Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. Top Brochure of On the Road: Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. Because of all the amazing destinations and things to see along the way, we recommend taking seven days to make this journey. You get to see a little bit of everything on this tour, including boxwork and cave popcorn. Below, we've chosen our favorites for you to choose from. * Hotel accommodations for 9 nights, including 2 nights in Yellowstone National Park. Old Faithful erupts roughly every ninety minutes, so it is possible that you can catch two eruptions while you are here. When translated to driving times, it will be around 16 hr 30 min to 16 hr 45 min. RELATED: Old Faithful: 10 Tips to Have the Best Experience, The view of Old Faithful from Observation Point. Road Trip from San Francisco to Mount Rushmore - LazyTrips The Holiday Express & Suites Custer-Mount Rushmore also gets good reviews. When you reach your destination of Yellowstone National Park, we recommend staying at the highly rated and luxurious Bentwood Inn. From here, you can save it and/or print it. 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. From Rocky Mountain National Park and Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado to Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakotas Black Hills, Glacier National Park in Montana and Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho, weve filled these park-connecting trips with tips to avoid the crowds without missing out on interesting activities, attractions and views.