road trip from california to yellowstone and mount rushmore

We are looking at 2023. Make a pitstop at the Shell Falls Interpretive Site to see Shell Canyon. Drive north and get back on I-15. You'll get to explore some of the most stunning places in America on your way from California to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. I would not make the 2 day drive just for a bit of time at the one spot. Day 3. There are two routes to drive to Cody, which adds another 2 to 3 hours of driving. Coastal Redwoods Road Trip. After seeing the beautiful Pyramid Lake, continue back on route and travel up I-80 and US-95 north into Boise, Idaho. This route is about 419 miles and will take you around 7.5 hours if you drive straight through with no stops. You will stay in Yellowstone or West Yellowstone for two nights. Click here to learn more about your options. View more. Completed in 1941, Mount Rushmore features the 60-foot high faces of four United States presidents intricately carved out of a granite mountainside. Plan well and select from these suggestions the sites and attractions that will most please your family. At Colter Bay Village, there is a gas station and restaurants, a great place to refuel your car before continuing on to Yellowstone. Cloud Peak Skyway is 47 miles long, running from Ten Sleep to Buffalo, Wyoming, on US Highway 16. Destinations; Itineraries; Travel Tips; English. Day 1: Arrive in Rapid City, drive to Wall, South Dakota Day 2: Badlands National Park from sunrise to sunset, drive to the Black Hills Day 3: Custer State Park Day 4: Wind Cave NP, Mount Rushmore Day 5: Deadwood, Lead, Spearfish Canyon & Devils Tower Day 6: Drive to Cody via Bighorn Scenic Byway or Cloud Peak Skyway Day 7: Yellowstone NP Day 8: Yellowstone NP Day 9: Yellowstone NP in the morning, Grand Teton NP in the afternoon Day 10: Grand Teton NP in the morning, fly home in the evening. This is the best spot in Yellowstone to view wildlife. Head to Badlands National Park (a 90-minute drive from Mount Rushmore) to see world-famous canyons and buttes, Wind Cave National Park (a 55-minute drive) to explore one of the largest and most. Cloud Peak Skyway is 47 miles long, running from Ten Sleep to Buffalo, Wyoming, on US Highway 16. Mount Rushmore: 10 Things to Know Before You Go. Enter the park through the northeast entrance. Just south of Rapid City is TKTK, where you can rent a two-bedroom house, a great option for families. You would need to make reservations to stay in the park as. Things to Do and See on this Road Trip This is the first of two days in Grand Teton. BEARTOOTH HIGHWAY: The quicker route (94 miles, 2 hours) is to exit Yellowstone at the Northeast Entrance and drive through Cooke City-Silver Gate (if you need dinner this is the best place to get it until you reach Cody). Its a relatively short drive. Very helpful! EO Bungalows is one of the highest rated properties and your room comes with a kitchenette. This saloon is where Wild Bill Hickok was shot and killed playing poker by Jack McCall. I have been looking for a trip like this and so glad I found your site. Is this trip capable by RV? This is one of our favorite views of Badlands National Park and one of the top spots to watch the sunrise, but its also great all morning long. Below are the details for both routes. 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. This is one of the highest rated hotels in Jackson. 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. 14. Save. Highlights include Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Reno, Death Valley, Zion National Park, Dixie National Forest and Salt Lake City. Hot, steaming water spills out over travertine terraces, making this one of the most unique geothermal areas in the park. Not only will you get to tour the park crowd free, at least for a little bit, but you also get to see the park at sunrise. Return to your hotel, lodge, or campsite and have dinner. Here are a few suggestions for cool things . There are free rental bikes, a fitness center, and an indoor pool as well so you can really make the most of your stay. The road distance is 1392.2 miles. We have been to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and the Black Hills of South Dakota in September and early October and love being here at this time of year. Need some. I recommend spending more time here, walking the Presidential Trail and learning more about the history of Mount Rushmore in the visitor center. stay overnight and leave the next day around 9:00 am. Today, you will visit a few more sights in Yellowstone. Schwabacher Landing, the Snake River Overlook, and Oxbow Bend are beautiful places to visit, and photograph, in the morning hours. After living it up in one of the world's party capitals, continue on I-15 until you reach UT-9. and leave at 6:08 pm. Today, you will visit the most popular sites. Note: This post contains affiliate links. Idaho Road Trip: Off the Beaten Path to Yellowstone. But to explore a place like Yellowstone, you will have to leave your dogs in the hotel/apartment, because I think pets are only allowed in vehicles and parking lots, and not on trails and inside buildings. Big Bend National Park; . Explore the endless hiking trails of this one-of-a-kind natural area. This Yellowstone road trip planner covers the northern route through North Dakota. Top Brochure of On the Road: Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. We have driven through here many times and sometimes you see a few bison off in the distance and sometimes an enormous herd is clustered along the road, creating a giant traffic jam. National parks. If you can schedule a late afternoon or evening flight, you have time in the morning to visit Wind Cave National Park. Thank you so much! Just over two million people visit Mount Rushmore each year. Your email address will not be published. Activity level Natural Explorer. Or get a full Los Angeles to Mt Rushmore flight plan. The Chamberlin Inn. We have booked for end of May 2023 Old Faithful (three nights) and Canyon lodge (two nights) a total of five nights. Old Faithful erupts roughly every ninety minutes, so it is possible that you can catch two eruptions while you are here. There are two main areas to visit, the North Rim and the South Rim, and it takes 3 to 4 hours to visit both rims. Uncover the history of Mt. About; Roadtrippers Plus; Magazine; Contact; Help; Did you know: If you use the Roadtrippers . By staying here, you will have a much shorter drive to get to Devils Tower on day 6. The colder months see fewer people and are still very beautiful. There are some fishing options in the lake. Winter sees the fewest tourists and the area's accommodation is generally cheaper. Anything for Oregon? 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. Mountains rise against big blue skies, geysers and hot springs bubble up from the earth, and wildlife abounds. Near the Old Faithful Inn, you will also find restrooms, gift shops, a convenience store, and restaurants, so this is the perfect place to grab lunch. The Wort Hotel. If this is the same in your case, you can fly into Bozeman and then make some modifications to this itinerary. If you choose to take this route with no stops in-between, it will take you approximately 9 hours. Share Map. This road tops out at Granite Pass (elevation 9,033 feet) before winding down through the mountains on the way to Dayton. Continue to Lead. The advantage to staying here is that you will do less driving on the day trip to Badlands National Park. Porcelain Basin is our favorite of the two basins. On your drive, you'll have several incredible places to rest and explore. The visitor center opens at 8 am and I recommend getting here right at 8 am, or even a little before, to make sure that you are on the first tour of the day. At this point, you can drive Sagecreek Rim Road farther into the Badlands. Things to Do Between Yellowstone NP and Glacier NP. As far as accommodations, I dont think that will be an issue. You can print a copy of the Yellowstone to Rushmore and Washington Road Trip from your browser by pushing CTRL+P. Below, we've included our picks for the best overnight stops so you can get the most out of your trip. Yellowstone to Mt Rushmore is 8 hours, wheels turning. Continue on to learn more about our recommended routes, where to stay, and what to see along the way. Tonight, stay either near Devils Tower or you can drive one hour east to Spearfish, South Dakota. Travel through breathtaking wild scenery and get the chance to see enchanting Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, and so much more on this road trip of a lifetime. Some rooms have patios and some room have balconies. From Provo, your travels take you to the cowboy town of Jackson and Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, Cody and then to the Black Hills of South Dakota. You will stay here for two nights. These shoulder months offer mild Travel The longer Bay Area Route will take you from San Francisco to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. Thank you so much for your website! About halfway along the Los Angeles Route you will reach Salt Lake City. This is one of the best places in Yellowstone to spot bison, but they are not always hanging out by the side of the road. Recommended photo spots: The dam, obviously; the Pat Tillman memorial bridge. New England: New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary: 10 Stunning Stops. Tours typically start at 9 am and the tour schedule varies based on the season. Bison roam the park and we saw a huge herd of bison while hiking the Lookout Trail and Centennial Trail Loop. Miazgas has a wide range of food. We plan to drive from Tucson, AZ. For example, the Kelly Inn in West Yellowstone allows pets on request. Call to book 1-877-929-7245. This is one of the best scenic drives in the US. Salt Lake City International Airport is 280 miles away and it is almost a 5-hour drive to get to Jackson. 5%. Here is the link to our One Day Badlands Itinerary. 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. Continue on through Wyoming and see Bighorn National Forest. GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK: Check out our Grand Teton National Park Travel Guide for important travel information, sample itineraries, and how to plan your visit. This state park has a little bit of everythingthrilling hiking trails, picturesque lakes, and an abundance of wildlife that rivals that in the neighboring national parks. On top of that, you'll pass through the smaller town of Sutcliffe as well as the city of Boise. Visit Mormon Row at sunrise and then spend the morning driving the 42-mile scenic loop drive. You'll primarily pass through Nevada, Utah and Wyoming, with plenty of attractions to. 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. You will drive a portion of the spectacular Beartooth Highway and then take the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway to Cody. Suggested Overnights: Crescent City, Eureka, Benbow, Mendocino, Santa Rosa. On the Road: 165 miles, 3.5 hours from Devils Tower; 105 miles, 2.5 hours from Spearfish. A visit here can be quick, with a short walk to one or two viewpoints. Rooms can accommodate up to four people and there is a gym and indoor pool onsite. Mapbox . 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. Click here to read more about Spearfish Canyon and to see more photos from the drive. Start New Trip. By starting here first thing in the morning, you get to avoid the midday crowds. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Here are the links to each national park website. Located in Cody, this property gets some of the best reviews in town. Want to avoid the crowds? Take this route early in the morning for at dusk for the best opportunities to see bears and wolves. 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. If you'd like to unwind and relax in luxury, there is no better place to stay than the Grand America Hotel. To get to the northeast entrance of Badlands National Park, it is an hour and forty-five minute drive from the Black Hills and an hour and fifteen minute drive from Rapid City. Our suggested 7-10 day Ideal Western Road Trip Itinerary Day 1/2: Rapid City, South Dakota Ideally, stay in West Yellowstone, Canyon Village, or Old Faithful Village. Take the one-way loop off the main road to visit Jenny Lake, or to do one of the shorter hikes to Leigh Lake (1.8 miles RT) or String Lake (3.7 miles RT). Caravan's Rapid City, South Dakota hotel, the Rushmore Hotel provides a courtesy shuttle from the Rapid City Airport (RAP). Cheers, Julie. Rather than joining the crowds, I recommend leaving the park for a few hours. Custer State Park is not included with this pass since it is a state park. You'll pass strikingly beautiful mountain scenery and desert landscapes that will make any professional or amateur photographer fall in love. Total Distance . Ate the roads and parking at Mount Rushmore able to accommodate the RV.? 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). For the quickest visit, simply walk the Tower Trail, a 1.3 mile trail that loops around the base of Devils Tower. For a complete list of what to do in the park, take a look at our post Best Things to Do in Badlands National Park. With 10 days, you can visit Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore, but thats not all. Its best to fly home from Glacier, since it is located so far from Rapid City (it would take about a full day to backtrack to your starting point). States Covered. At Midway Geyser Basin, you can get right up to it, while walking on raised boardwalk trails. Road-trips Yellowstone, Mt. The closest airport is Jackson Hole Airport, which is located in the park. Spend the afternoon in and around Jenny Lake. I highly recommend having dinner at Skogen Kitchen in Custer. You can go for fishing at the beach, bait shop, or boat rental. Your email will not be provided to third parties. You will start on the east side of the park and end on the west side, so it will be a shorter drive to get back to the Black Hills/Rapid City at the end of the day. Old Faithful is one of Yellowstones most popular sights. This can be done mostly on back roads. Driving directly, it might take around 8 hours of driving time from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone. On the Road (from Keystone): 240 miles, 5 hours. After Reno, you can drive on a detour north to see Sutcliffe. With the recent flooding in Yellowstone, some park roads are closed. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. We have 16 days, including driving time from Southeast. drive for about 2.5 hours 4:08 pm Moline stay for about 1 hour and leave at 5:08 pm drive for about 2.5 hours 7:24 pm Waterloo (Iowa) stay overnight and leave the next day around 11:00 am day 1 driving 7.5 hours find more stops Day 2 11:00 am leave from Waterloo (Iowa) drive for about 3.5 hours 2:29 pm Sioux City stay for about 1 hour You can even go to the rodeo. Start on the North Rim. BUFFALO BILL CODY SCENIC BYWAY: This is the longer route (126 miles, 3 hours) and you will backtrack through Yellowstone. 11-Day San Francisco to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Yosemite, Yellowstone National Park, Lower Antelope Canyon and Mount Rushmore Tour (Free Airport Pickup) Tour Code: GOL-SFO-412A. Boise is known as the City of Trees for its many outdoor spaces boasting gorgeous trees. Get back on the route and head into Reno, Nevada. Although this will depend on exactly where in Yellowstone is your first destination, since Yellowstone is big! Rushmore and the Grand Tetons Yellowstone, Mt. If you like the idea of staying in a resort town just outside of the park, this is a great place to consider. You need a minimum of 4 nights/3 days in Yellowstone and probably 1 or 2 nights at Mount Rushmore. Answer 1 of 22: Hello, Have a family of 18 (with 2 campers and a motor home) that will be going to Yellowstone area in June 2019. Mount Rushmore is only an 80 minute morning scenic drive away. The Pinnacles Overlook is the most convenient, since it is located near Sage Creek Rim Road and just a short drive to Wall. Any suggested itineraries? But you could come back through Colorado. Grand Teton to Yellowstone to Glacier National Parks Road Trip 1 Week Itinerary. Mount Rushmore National Memorial: Amazing when you really think about it - See 11,784 traveler reviews, 7,905 candid photos, and great deals for Keystone, SD, at Tripadvisor. I also found a doggy daycare place that might help you out too. The challenge for us is that we want to bring our 2 dogs (German Shepherds). If you check google maps, it will tell you that the distance from Dallas to Mount Rushmore is between 1,041 to 1,069 miles. Take a detour to explore the coastline and mountain scenery of Lake Tahoe. You can begin at the southern end of the Shenandoah National Park, near Waynesboro, VA, and wind along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Option #2 is for avid hikers. The Fossil Exhibit Trail and Saddle Pass are two more walks/hikes to consider doing. This is a jaw-dropping view of the hot spring and a must-do on a trip to Yellowstone. For more information about cave tours, visit the National Park Service website. Scenic Drive through the Bighorn Mountains. Drive through the wild Mojave Desert until you reach Sin City, Las Vegas. This gravel road is suitable for standard cars. Later, make your way south, stopping at as many viewpoints as your heart desires. Find all the transport options for your trip from California to Mount Rushmore right here. Amenities include a barn with music and kids movies and an on-site caf and bakery. A visit to Old Faithful, combined with Upper Geyser Basin, typically lasts three hours. If you arent lucky enough to see a herd of bison here, you have another chance in Lamar Valley. So, for many people, it would even be doable to drive from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone in one day! 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 There is a garden, library, and on-site bar. Once you are finished at Old Faithful, drive east to West Thumb Geyser Basin (19 miles, 30 minutes). Today you will drive from Cody to Devils Tower. Below are two different ways to spend your time in Custer State Park. Thank you! For more information about Badlands National Park, check out our article 15 Best Things to Do in Badlands National Park. Head back down 385 on the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. 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. Coming from Florida is no easy feat. I hope this helps! In Deadwood, walk through the historic town, Tour the Adams House, visit Mount Moriah Cemetery, and visit the Saloon #10 Bar. After that, drive through Wyoming and Bighorn National Forest before heading east into South Dakota and the famous American landmark Mount Rushmore. Larsson's Crooked Creek Resort - Located 2 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota this campground has 84 RV sites, 15 cabins, a 14-room lodge, and12 Presidential Creek Side Sites. (And the next one on this list about visiting the Giant Redwoods too). Due to seasonality, and taxes prices of the tour are subject to change without due notice. Most of this drive is on Interstate 90 which is a large divided highway. Make your reservation in advance. How far is Mount Rushmore from Seattle, and how long will the road trip take? If you stayed near Devils Tower, it is a one hour drive to get to Spearfish. May, September and October are less busy and popular months to visit as well. From Wall, its just a 30 minute drive to get to this overlook. From early November through mid-April, many of these park roads will be closed due to snow. For suggestions on how to plan your time today, read our post One Perfect Day in Grand Teton National Park. Deadwood is a National Historic Landmark District, since it preserves its Gold-rush architecture. Option #1 is perfect for families and those who want to see the best of the park without doing a lot of hiking. This small town was home to the Homestake Mine, the largest, deepest, and most productive gold mine in the Western Hemisphere. Mount Rushmore is a days drive past Yellowstone, plus any time to see other things in the area. If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. A visit here consists of seeing two basins: Back Basin and Porcelain Basin. Cheers, Julie. You have two routes to choose from. Our favorite restaurant in Jackson is Local Restaurant & Bar. Day 7: Whitefish. The Holiday Express & Suites Custer-Mount Rushmore also gets good reviews. Wyoming Inn at Jackson Hole. Flying into here will save you some driving today. That's 24 hours of driving just to get to your destinations. The town of Custer is located just outside of Custer State park, on the west side. Trip - 1-2 weeks A Pacific Pride Road Trip . Cloud Peak Skyway (US Route 16) crosses the highest pass in the mountains. As you drive through the park, the next place you will reach are the trailheads for several hiking trails. The first thing to see in Salt Lake is, of course, the Great Salt Lake! It is also known as Lake Yellowstone. Cheers, Julie. It was the nicest hotel that we stayed in during our South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming road trip. View Dates & Pricing. day 2 driving 8 hours. Day 4: Drive toward Glacier (stop at Holland Lake) Day 5: Glacier NP. This park is named for its enormous cave but there are also hiking trails on the surface that lead to viewpoints and wildlife viewing opportunities. You get to see a little bit of everything on this tour, including boxwork and cave popcorn. 3. Get the reverse directions for a Mt Rushmore to Los Angeles drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. 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). Tonight, sleep in Cody. It can be done in the order outlined here or in reverse order. The Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mt. Take advantage of the free breakfast before heading out to explore the nearby green spaces. Rushmore and ending in Cody, Wyoming. RELATED: Old Faithful: 10 Tips to Have the Best Experience, The view of Old Faithful from Observation Point. Sawin Logs in is one of the highest rated properties near Devils Tower. Both of these routes are roughly the same distance and take the same amount of time. Visiting Mount Rushmore A national treasure in the United States, Mount Rushmore National Memorial symbolizes the ideals of freedom and Democracy. Each room comes with a flat-screen TV, organic silk linens, and fresh flowers. * Hotel accommodations for 9 nights, including 2 nights in Yellowstone National Park. These hot springs are spread over a large area. From here, you have the option to hike to Fairy Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in Yellowstone. 9:00 am leave from Mount Rushmore. 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. 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'll wind your way through the Californian Sierra Nevada Mountains and discover the largest alpine lake in North America, Lake Tahoe. This is amazing! If you walk the Presidential Trail you get unique views like this one. 12. Bighorn Scenic Byway is 57 miles long, running from Shell to Dayton, Wyoming, on US Highway 14. 15 great things to do near Rapid City, South Dakota, How to Drive between Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks: 10 Day Road Trip Itinerary, One Day in Yellowstone: 6 Epic Road Trip Itineraries, Ultimate Yellowstone Itinerary: Best Way to Spend 1 to 5 Days in Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier itinerary. Hello Jeff. When you reach Boise after your long drive, rest in luxury at The Grove Hotel. 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. Jackson: From Jackson, it takes just 15 minutes to drive to Moose (the southern end of Grand Teton National Park) and 30 minutes to drive to Jenny Lake. Temperatures during the winter season lie between 4 degrees and 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Beartooth Highway (one of the greatest road trips in America) Charles Kuralt called the Beartooth Highway "the most beautiful drive in America.". Road Trip Itinerary Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park: Day 1: Rapid City, South Dakota Day 2: Mount Rushmore (Custer State Park) Day 3: Badlands National Park Day 4: Buffalo, Wyoming Day 5: Billings, Montana (Optional) Day 6 & 7: Yellowstone National Park Day 8: Grand Teton National Park Day 1: Rapid City, South Dakota If you want to take a cave tour, currently tours are booked in the morning on a first-come first-serve basis. However, since we are making a return trip, do you have another similar itinerary where we would be seeing other sites on the way home? Summer is the busiest tourism season. The shuttle operates daily from 5:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Taxis cost $25.00 to $30.00 and take 20 minutes. July 8, 2022 Tori Peglar Start in Chicago on this incredible road trip through some of the nation's most stunning prairies, wide-open skies and gorgeous rock formations on your way from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone. On the Road: 100 miles, 2 hours if you stay at Old Faithful; 160 miles, 3 hours if you stay in West Yellowstone; 140 miles, 3.75 hours if you stay in Canyon Village. Mount Rushmore in early October. The Notch Trail is the most thrilling hike in the park and it is very short. Where to stay depends on whether or not you want to do an extra hour of driving today or save it for tomorrow morning. The busiest months are June, July and August. 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. This itinerary is a one-way, point-to-point road trip. The breakfast gets rave reviews. PLACES TO GO IN SOUTH DAKOTA: Here are 15 great things to do near Rapid City, South Dakota. One Perfect Day in Grand Teton National Park. Please consult with the operator directly for the recent price. If I turn my computer off I need internet access to load it again. For the next three nights, you will stay in the Black Hills of South Dakota or Rapid City. Then the road twists and turns through a canyon and climbs up higher into the mountains. Julie Last updated: February 4, 2023 United States 17 Comments. From here, you can save it and/or print it. This hotel was wonderful but we did A LOT of driving to get back and forth to the Black Hills. Our website uses cookies. We use Booking.com to book our hotels when we travel. by MARY July 16, 2014 The city boasts some stunning architecture and unique cultural attractions that give an interesting contrast to the natural attractions in Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. WY. Really great road trip! The best times to visit Yellowstone National Park are from late April to May as well as September through early October. Nearby, the walk around Leigh Lake is an easy, very pretty stroll. 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.