I am going to be in the USA in early July and am looking at spending a week (8 days) exploring Colorado and Yellowstone. My wife and I plan to fly in to Denver and hire a car and pretty much do a loop that takes in the Rockies, Yellowstone National Park (Old Faithful and Hot Springs especially), and maybe even try to get over to Mount Rushmore before we fly out. Any suggested itineraries would be most welcome. Oh and by the way, Happy New Year!!
Road Trip Visit - Denver, Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore
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I think Mt. Rushmore might be the outlier here. That would be a lot of driving in 8 days.
On the way to Yellowstone you also have the Grand Tetons to take in--a little icing on the cake really.
Between the Rockies and Yellowstone, I think you'll fill that time.
On your way from CO to Yellowstone, I'd suggest taking a route that goes through Thermopolis (http://thermopolis.com/), perhaps overnighting in one of the 2 hotels (Days Inn, Best Western)that are within the park (no park fee, walk around at your leisure). You can enjoy the hot springs ("Star Plunge": fee) pool, and see some fascinating thermal structures up close (there's also a buffalo herd nearby). From there, it's a quick scenic drive to Yellowstone.
I agree that including South Dakota on your tour will be far more driving than you would want, given the time you have to enjoy other sights.
On your loop back to Colorado, you can go through Grant Teton National Park. (It's about an hour from Yellowstone, and the park fees for one will include the other.)
I agree with the others that it is too much driving to combine all 3 destinations in 8 days. The only way if you could get a one way car rental would be to fly to Minneapolis and take the car west to see the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore and Devils Tower on the way to Yellowstone.
Try to get to Glenwood Springs on the way back to Denver. Glenwood Springs has the world's largest hot spring fed swimming pool. It is right along the bank of the Colorado River.
The Glenwood Canyon east of town is very scenic.
Sovereign, to drive from Yellowstone to Mount Rushmore is an all day drive, and I mean all day. I would call Rushmore a 3 hour tour, unless you stay for the sundown show. Its like looking at a painting, how long can you stare at it?
Believe us, you will be sorry to be leaving Yellowstone and don't forget about the Grand Tetons, you don't want to drive through them without stopping. Mountainous driving is also not fast driving. I would save Rushmore for a trip to the Black Hills.
I agree completely to skip Rushmore this trip. I think you'll find you have more than enough to fill your 8 days and will be wishing for more.
Enjoy. It's a beautiful area of our country.
Do realize that July 4th weekend is a major holiday. Places are really crowded and likely hard to get reservations anywhere in the park at that time.