I've read several postings regarding similar trips, but nothing that answers my specific needs. Most driving routes are the Mt. Rushmore -> Yellowstone direction, or suggest forgetting Mt. Rushmore altogether, which isn't an option for us.
We are looking to get in as much as we can (and mix it up a bit, as well). The 1st 3/4 of our trip is solid, but need help/suggestions with the latter part of our trip, ie. getting from Yellowstone to Mt. Rushmore.
We begin our trip flying into Denver, CO and renting a minivan. Staying the night with friends, and then driving to Fort Collins to meet up with the rest of our group the next day. We will stay 2 nights in FC, where we will be doing brewery tours and Whitewater Rafting on the Estes River. The following morning we will drive to Thermopolis and spend 1 night there. From there, we will spend 4 nights in Yellowstone at Canyon Lodge. We plan on doing lots of hikes and the obligatory Old West Dinner Cookout.
We will then be on our own as a family of 4. My 12 year old son & 13 year old daughter have requested that we go to Mount Rushmore. We check out on Thursday from Yellowstone, and have a Saturday evening flight out of Denver. I'm looking for the best route from the NorthEast or East Entrances of Yellowstone to Mount Rushmore. Not looking to go much out of our way or add more miles to the route, but want an interesting/safe/reasonable route. We have all day Thursday for driving, would like to stop somewhere interesting for the night, and make it to Mount Rushmore by late afternoon/early evening on Friday. Where are good spots to stop along the way to stretch our legs/break up the drive/see something unique? Best place to stay the night? I would love to see Mount Rushmore in the evening on Friday, and then head out late morning to drive back to Denver.
Is Route 16 a safe/reasonable route as an alternative to a more northern route?
Road Trip from Yellowstone to Mount Rushmore in July
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Most people see Devils Tower National Monument between the two areas
It would be a shame to just be able to spend one day at Rushmore/Black Hills, IMOP. There is so much to do there.
Custer State Park, Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, Crazy Horse, Badlands, Mammoth Site, etc
Even with 4 days at Yellowstone your not going to be able to do that much hiking. IMOP, each area requires a day just to see, even without doing what I would call real hikes. I don't consider walking around the Geysers around Old Faithful hiking. We did exactly that for an entire day and it was great. I would for sure see Castle, Riverside, Old Faithful go. Canyon/Tower area needs the better part of a day. You will want to spend the bettter part of one day seeing Hayden and Lamar Valley's/wildlfe. You might want to spend part of one day at Lake hotel and then one of your days at Mammoth and/or your cookout. Are you not going to see/hike any at Grand Tetons. Very nice hikes there. I don't know that I would call Tetons more scenic, but it is different scenic. Certainly something that you would want to spend 1-2 days, I would think.
Then since you are going to/from Denver I would consider Rocky Mountain National Park, if you wanted something else(although for me Tetons and Yellowstone are far better).
You could also spend a day driving Beartooth Hwy. This is at the Northeast entrance of Yellowstone.
It is only 6.5 hours from Cody WY to Rapid City, SD (400 miles).
The best thing to see in between is Devil's Tower.
Personally, I would skip the night in Thermopolis and add that night in the Black Hills. There's so much to see/do in the Black Hills besides Mt. Rushmore. I would think at this point you might still have success with getting your dates switched for lodging.
On the way from Yellowstone to Black Hills, just take the most direct route. Really, you aren't allotting much time for that area so don't waste it by taking a slower route. Stop at Devils Tower on the way, then drive through Spearfish Canyon once you get into South Dakota on your way to Mt. Rushmore.
Question, are you booked at Canyon Lodge, if so great, if not you may have trouble getting a reservation.
I have done that drive Black Hills to Yellowstone in both directions. Leave via hwy 16 to Cody, then 120 to Thermopolis then Hwy 16 to Buffalo, it is perfectly safe, fabulous scenery, especially Ten sleep canyon, be sure to stop at the Powder River pass, to stretch your legs and look at the permanent snow fences up there.Then take I-90.
Get a copy of the Frommer's Guide to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, you will not have time to visit Grand Teton, but you could drive through it if you want, stay in Riverton instead of Thermopolis, then drive on Hwy 26/287 I think it is to Moran and enter Yellowstone from the south entrance. Also then you will not be retracing your route on the way back. The Frommer's book is a great source for planning your time in Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs is well worth the drive from Canyon Lodge and don't miss the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone it is possibly my favourite place in the park.
Devil's tower is a very popular choice,Maybe more popular with those of us who have seen Close Encounters! or you could check out the Mammoth site, also in the Black Hills, go directly there on the Friday http://www.mammothsite.com It takes about 2-3 hours to really see it, then go see Mt Rushmore.
If your kids just want to see Mount Rushmore, you can just drive past it, or pay the $10 I think it is to park and look at the rest of the attractions.
Not at all sure there is anywhere really interesting to stay overnight, we stayed in Buffalo, but it was just a place to sleep, Gilette might be better, I can't offer an opinon never been there. Have fun!
IMO exit the Northeast over Beartooth Pass into Red Lodge. Then US 212/I-90 to the Little Bighorn Battlefield then US 212 into Belle Fourche, SD and onto the Black Hills.
Thank you all for your input. We are already booked in Yellowstone & Thermopolis, and even doing so more than a month ago, we had to alter our dates and selection of lodging. Crazy how far in advance you have to book! We are joining 3 other families for that portion of our trip.
We had originally planned on driving down through the Tetons and back to Denver an alternate route, but for whatever reason, my kids are REALLY pushing for Mt. Rushmore, so we're going to do that. I figured that this will probably be the only family vacation in the NW, so might as well see what the kids are interested in and what we can see along the way.