[Jim Doran]

We're in the planning stages of a family trip this summer to Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park. Have done the beach vacation for the last several years and want to experience more of our country and national parks. My kids are 16 and 13, wife and I are in good shape physically for hikes, etc

Here's the rough plan:

fly from NYC to Rapid City, SD; get Rental car;

Stay in Custer, SD for 3 nights - see Mt Rushmore, Crazy horse, Custer State park, maybe wind cave or jewel cave

Drive to Cody, WY(close to east entrance to Yellowstone) stay for one night and check out Buffalo Bill Museum and a
rodeo/shoot out night in Cody

Stay 2 nights in Grant Village (south part of Yellowstone) see Old Faithful and Geysers

Stay 2 nights in Canyon Village (yellowstone central) see mud volcano, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, lake Yellowstone

Travel north to MT and stay in Bozeman 1 or 2 nights and maybe do zipline tour, whitewater rafting

Fly home via Bozeman, MT to NYC.

An open item is we'd like to experience a 'ranch' experience with perhaps a cattle drive, BBQ, bonfires,etc. Interested in ideas here for
the family.

I'm interested in feedback on suggestions for attractions, things to catch and things to avoid during the trip. We realize Sturgis is early August 8/5 - 8/11 so we'll plan around that as no desire to fight the crowds during the event.

Thanks !

[BOB VIDAN]

Get to Glacier NP if you can, unbelievable views.

[Old Goat 67]

Devils Tower at sunrise.

[mike nixon]

There's tons to do out there. Check out the Crazy Horse Sculpture, the Black Hills, Devils Tower, Mt Rushmore also.

Did a week in the area back in 92 and it wasn't enough. Been meaning to get back there ever since.

Mike

[Deadhead]

STAY AT THE CHICO HOT SPRINGS! Google it. Hike up into the canyon behind the place. Go as early as you possibly can. The park can get closed on you if too many people are there. Less chance of this happening if you go early. You will have a blast at this place.

[Racer81x]

Originally Posted by BOB VIDAN

Get to Glacier NP if you can, unbelievable views.

X2! Glacier park is beautiful

[The Boss]

Can I come?

[bryany]

Start looking for "Dude ranch" options around Cody, WY. You will need a couple of days to get any good out of that opportunity with some of what you want. 4 nights in Yellowstone is more than it needs, there are only so many roads to drive down and whatever you do, don't try to pet the wildlife. The Buffalo Bill museum will take at least one full day to walk through, more if you are particularly interested in one thing or another. I also recommend Old Trail Town in Cody. You can also see the sights outside of town. The South Fork road is a scenic ride, the hiway to Cooke City, MT (Sunlight Basin) is also pretty spectacular. If you are doing the trip in a big way, stay at the Irma Hotel in Cody (built by Buffalo Bill in about 1903) and stay in one of the historic rooms.

If you use a GPS to find your way around, remember, the folks who wrote the software don't know crap about passable roads and gas stations in this part of the world. Never leave town with less than a half tank of gas, some water and groceries and stay on paved roads.

Black Hills (and all it offers)
Devils Tower
Custer Battlefield
Sheridan or Buffalo
Lovell or Ten Sleep
Cody
Teton Natl Park and Jackson Hole, WY
Yellowstone Natl Park

I think some of the best vacation time I've had is with a picnic at a roadside table traveling from one place to another.

Bryan

[ta6point6]

If you like to gamble Deadwood, SD is a nice place to do that plus it is a nice little town. Of course that is where Wild Bill Hickok died so dont have your back pointed towards the door, just sayin. There is a casino that has a nice black and gold Trans Am, who wouldnt want to see that.
I hope you like wind, Wyoming has a lot of it plus a lot of open roads.

[mike nixon]

I will add if you drive thru the Black Hills area watch out for the Jackrabbits. THose things are HUGE and hard on bumpers!

[beemergary]

Most people don't spend enough time in Yellowstone. Drive in one side and out the other. There loss. I can spend hrs. just looking for critters with my binocolurs.

[beemergary]

They really ruined Mt. Rushmore. Used to walk out there and there it was. I was awesome and kinda humbling experience. They went and Commercialized the place. Don't get me wrong its still awesome.

[HaloMedic]

Best be on point about booking lodging early, park fills up quick in July

[David Jones]

Years ago I toured both Yellowstone and Mt Rushmore on a nearly 3 week driving vacation. We covered 7000+- miles and had a ball, lots to see and do in this country. We wandered into Mt Rushmore just before dark and figured we'd have to come back the next day. Nope. They ran a tour and a film strip about the mountain and the work after the sun went down and then LIT up the mountain with spotlights. OMG. That was an outstanding visit. Spent 4 days in Yellowstone and drove hundreds of miles inside that park. Seems like we walked about that many too.

[bird72]

I live by Glacier Park and consider the NW Montana, Flathead Valley area the most scenic part of this part of the northwest. If you decide to extend your trip to include this area, PM me and I can give you recomendations. If not, have fun!

[arbys]

Originally Posted by bird72

I live by Glacier Park and consider the NW Montana, Flathead Valley area the most scenic part of this part of the northwest. If you decide to extend your trip to include this area, PM me and I can give you recomendations. If not, have fun!

Specifically went to Glacier last year. Best time of my life.

[GTO68FXSTC98]

If you like to fish, you will be in the heart of Trout country. Some of the best rivers in the U.S. or in the Yellowstone area.

[mrrat1]

beware of those yellowstone cabins. I heard people have become really sick.


When I was a kid 1970 we did that same trip from Pittsburgh, PA. We drove to NV & back as a summer vaca. We were on the road for a month, took the high road west and came back on the southern route thru NM, TX this was during the cattle disease deal herds were lost in TX so we hit Ammarillo, OK and went north from there. It was the best time ever. Went to most of your hit list & many more. I suggest Bedrock AKA Flintstones in SD I think. I still have fond memories of the trip & have some home movies on tape!! My dad passed the next summer on the first day of our vacation in FL. Had a Rodeo weekend in Cody. We rode horses down the main drag in a parade b-4 the Rodeo. We stayed in a 2 story Tee Pee Motel along the way somewhere. We broke down in the middle of the Salt Flats. Ran into a snow peake and everyone had pulled over and snow ball fights were goin on.
Your kids will like it, a good bonding trip, have fun!!!

[69 DAYTONA]

...we stayed in Deadwood, hit Sturgis, Bad Lands, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Wall Drug...Deadwood is extremely interesting...a very nice trip and I would love to do it again

ps...the day I shot the pix in the Bad Lands, it was 106 degrees

[Bob Dillon]

Originally Posted by Jim Doran

I'm interested in feedback on suggestions for attractions, things to catch and things to avoid during the trip. We realize Sturgis is early August 8/5 - 8/11 so we'll plan around that as no desire to fight the crowds during the event. Thanks !

Things to avoid? DO NOT piss off the bison.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNvTHOrTf_Y