etiennes

We are planning a driving trip to Yellowstone (with 2 kids, 13 & 16) in mid-June leaving from the Detroit area in Michigan. We had planned on taking 3 days to get out there, stay 4 nights and then take 4-5 days going home, hoping to stop at Mt. Rushmore, etc. Is this doable? I have been reading some of the responses and now I am thinking we need to do this in 2 vacations. Any help would be appreciated! We are staying at the Elephant Head Lodge 10 miles outside of the East entrance. If anyone has information about it, that would be great too. Thanks.

ellen_griswold

Hi etiennes! Yes, its absolutely doable. Others will tell you that you need more time, and certainly the more time the better. But as in everything, there's never enough time! And you do the best with what time you have.

Try to include a stop at Devils Tower Nat'l Mt. on the way home. You can see Mt. Rushmore and also spend time in Custer State Park. Again, it's possible to spend a week in the black hills area (although we wouldn't) but you will still have a great time within the time you have.

placeu2

I agree with ellen, go for it! Of course I have been known to jam as much as possible into vacation time...

We went when my kids were exactly the same age..do try and visit Devils Tower on the way to the Black Hills, we all loved it!

Connie

4 nights in the park is a great length of time to spend there.

On your way out, please, please take the Beartooth Highway. It will be one of the highlights of the trip.

You will go to Red Lodge, MT and then take 212 up to meet I-90 which takes you almost all the way home.

Another thing you will want to do is take a half day to drive down to Grand Tetons. Your entrance ticket from Yellowstone will get you in or you can just stay on the highway. I think the views are far better from there.

utahtea

Three days to get there should be enough time. I would suggest the northern route there thought N. Dakota. Plan on stopping at Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Medora, ND. Just before Billings, Montana is Pompeys Pillar National Monument and you can see the first recorded observation of Captain Clark's (of Lewis and Clark) signature on the rocks. Come into Yellowstone via the Red Lodge, Montana on the Beartooth Highway 212. Really spectacular views!

Four nights means 3 full days in Yellowstone. I'd wish for at least one more day to go down to see the Grand Tetons.

Four or 5 days should be plenty of time to get home with some siteseeing. I agree that Devils Tower National Monument in WY is worth the short detour. I would also drive though the Black Hills and stop at Deadwood City before going to Rapid City. Mt. Rushmore is really special but an hour or two is all that is needed. I would also recommend a drive though Custer State Park and Badlands National Park as you head home.

Utahtea

etiennes

Thank you to all for the great advice! We feel a lot better about our plans and are looking forward to seeing some beautiful country!

Carmen and Dave

johnthedorf

etiennes,
Had to reply since my late wife worked at Elephant Head. She loved it. Rode her horse Cricket up on the rims of the Shoshone Canyon and along the River. The River can be as dangerous as the Moose, and rattlesnakes so be advised to impress your children not to go anywhere alone and if walking near the water's rocks to throw stones ahead of them to let the fauna know you are coming.

Waukeenalake

We will be at Elephant Head, June 20-23, 2005. We have 2 boys (14 & 16). We, prior to kids, made the trip from Minneapolis and now want to share with kids. We agree with everyone else the Badlands and Black Hills (Deadwood City) drive, Devil's Tower, Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park, Buffalo Bill Museum and rodeo in Cody are all worth the time. Maybe we'll see you there at Elephant Head?