Consider visiting before 9:00 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m. Use the links below to plan your visit to Mount Rushmore and the surrounding . This itinerary is a one-way, point-to-point road trip. You also have enough time to visit the highlights of Grand Teton, day trip out to Badlands National Park, spend some time at Wind Cave National Park, and cruise the scenic drives and spot wildlife at Custer State Park. The drive to Mount Rushmore from San Francisco taking The Yellowstone Route takes around 28 hours to cover 1,800 miles, not considering any food and gas breaks. Sawin Logs in is one of the highest rated properties near Devils Tower. Or get a full Los Angeles to Mt Rushmore flight plan. View details. stay overnight and leave the next day around 9:00 am. There is a third section, Brink of the Upper Falls, which is nice, but I recommend skipping it in order to give yourself enough time to visit the other sights today. Take the All-American Road Trip to Yellowstone, starting in Chicago. If you are doing well on time, hike the Red Beds Trail, a 2.8 mile trail that makes a bigger loop around Devils Tower. Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone Road Trip | Town & Tourist Rushmore and the Grand Tetons Details Itinerary Tour Vendor 11 days Midwest US, North America, Western US 3/5 Road Trips ATI offers the most extensive and creative array of independent tour itineraries across North America. Rushmore to Yellowstone - An Epic Road Trip Winter sees the fewest tourists and the area's accommodation is generally cheaper. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK: Check out our Yellowstone National Park Travel Guidefor important travel information, sample itineraries, and how to plan your visit. To get to Cody, you will then drive the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. Continue on US-89 north until you get to Dixie National Forest. Mountains rise against big blue skies, geysers and hot springs bubble up from the earth, and wildlife abounds. After exploring the area, drive east into South Dakota to see the iconic Mount Rushmore. Yes, you can do this trip in an RV. You'll wind your way through the Californian Sierra Nevada Mountains and discover the largest alpine lake in North America, Lake Tahoe. Below, we've chosen our favorites for you to choose from. A trip to South Dakota wouldn't be complete without visiting Mount Rushmore. Best Things to Do in Badlands National Park. Answer 1 of 7: Looking a new road trip, starting in Vegas, heading to the Scenic Byway 12 and then Denver to Mount Rushmore then to Yellowstone (for a few nights). 7-Day Yellowstone and Mt. Day 1: Jenny Lake. Rushmore, Devils Tower, the Bighorn Mountains (spectacular views but be sure to watch the road! I recommend spending more time here, walking the Presidential Trail and learning more about the history of Mount Rushmore in the visitor center. Of course, it depends on the traffic on the days of your travel. 3. Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone Road Trip Itinerary We recommend the K Bar S Lodge and the Rockerville Lodge and Cabins. and leave at 6:08 pm. Bison roam the park and we saw a huge herd of bison while hiking the Lookout Trail and Centennial Trail Loop. Your email will not be provided to third parties. Located in Cody, this property gets some of the best reviews in town. This scenic drive is 20 miles long and it takes about 30 minutes to drive it, without stops. Anything for Oregon? Summer is the busiest tourism season. Things to Do and See on this Road Trip From Wall, its just a 30 minute drive to get to this overlook. Cheers, Julie. This beautiful city and its surrounding area offer endless activities and stunning natural landmarks including the Great Salt Lake. We are doing this trip this summer. RELATED: Old Faithful: 10 Tips to Have the Best Experience, The view of Old Faithful from Observation Point. Jewel Cave is located 30 minutes from the end of the Needles Highway in the Black Hills. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to Your Places, click Maps, and you will see this map on your list. 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. 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). Most of this drive is on Interstate 90 which is a large divided highway. 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. Driving from California to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore will take you through almost endless sights and worthy destinations. If you are looking for a bit of luxury, this is a highly-rated historic hotel in Cody. A 12-Day Road Trip Itinerary for Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas Rushmore road trip is exactly what we are looking for. From Boise, travel on through Montana and Wyoming and into your first destination of Yellowstone. During the Black Hills Gold Rush, from 1876 to 1879, this town was in its heyday. Here is the link to our One Day Badlands Itinerary, a more detailed version of what is listed below. Our suggested 7-10 day Ideal Western Road Trip Itinerary Day 1/2: Rapid City, South Dakota View more. It starts in Spearfish and ends in Savoy. Every year, tens of thousands of tourists come to the region's ski slopes to enjoy the world-famous snow and slopes. At the end of this article, I give the links to each national park so you can get updates on park conditions and road closures. Drive into beautiful Zion National Park and explore the wondrous natural rock formations and wilderness. The views of the Badlands arent quite as good as they are along Badlands Loop Drive, but on Sagecreek Rim Road you have a much better chance to spot wildlife like bison, bighorn sheep, coyote, and prairie dogs (we saw all of these animals here during our visit). When booking hotels in locations all across the country, we frequently see properties that allow pets. 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. Highlights: * Rail travel on Amtrak (1 night on train) * Scenic excursion on the 1880 Train. You will stay here for two nights. 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. Chicago to Yellowstone National Park via Mount Rushmore - Trippy Day 3: Yellowstone NP. Take a detour to explore the coastline and mountain scenery of Lake Tahoe. The Only Southwest Road Trip Itinerary You Need - Eternal Arrival Routing by HERE 2021; Improve this map; Remove Ads. Get back on the route and head into Reno, Nevada. The American Road Trip Planner | American Road Trip Routes - Visit The USA Drive north through Utah and into Salt Lake City. Experience the great American west on a road trip to Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore from the beautiful state of California. If you're departing from Los Angeles getting to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore will take you 30 hours, and covering 1,840 miles if you don't make any detours. There are two routes to drive to Cody, which adds another 2 to 3 hours of driving. If you visit both basins, a visit here typically lasts about 2 hours. Things to Do Between Yellowstone NP and Glacier NP. Elevations of 3,400-7,731 feet. Enter the park through the northeast entrance. Immediately past the entrance station is the Big Badlands Overlook. Make sure to enjoy the free Wi-Fi and on-site bar as well as the on-site restaurant. A must-visit if dropping by Boise, this historic prison boasts daily tours that detail the lives of its famous inmates. Located downtown, the hotel is within easy access of the Idaho Black History Museum, Zoo Boise, the Morrison Center for Performing Arts, and the Old Idaho Penitentiary either on foot, or via a short drive. From Cody, you will drive east to Shell, Wyoming (a one hour drive) and then take US-14 (the Bighorn Scenic Byway) through the Bighorn Mountains. Mount Rushmore is nothing short of amazing. Back Basin is the larger of the two basins. Cheers, Julie. The Wort Hotel. Most of this drive is on Interstate 90 which is a large divided highway. From West Thumb Geyser Basin, continue the counter-clockwise drive on Grand Loop Road until you get to Hayden Valley. Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands, & Yellowstone - Pavlus Travel With 10 days, you can visit Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore, but thats not all. Its a nice drive but Tim and I both think that the Bighorn Scenic Byway is more thrilling from start to finish. On your drive, you'll have several incredible places to rest and explore. Grand Teton to Yellowstone to Glacier National Parks Road Trip 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. Brink of the Lower Falls is a short but strenuous walk to a close-up view of Lower Falls (0.7 miles round trip and 600 feet of elevation gain). View Dates & Pricing. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. ), Cody, Yellowstone, Reno/Carson City and Lake Tahoe. Bighorn Scenic Byway is 57 miles long, running from Shell to Dayton, Wyoming, on US Highway 14. Is there a printable version of this itinerary or even just the map? This is amazing! You can also refer to our Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier itinerary for ideas on how to plan out these three parks. Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands, & Yellowstone - Vacations By Rail If you do one hike today, this is the one that I recommend. Plan your Yellowstone road trip with our helpful itinerary, from Denver to Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park. The most optimal route would be to travel from Rapid City to Grand Teton to Yellowstone to Glacier. From Dayton, it takes 3 hours to drive to Devils Tower (185 miles). Historic Lantern Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Unmissable South Dakota Road Trip: 4 and 7 Days 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. This small town was home to the Homestake Mine, the largest, deepest, and most productive gold mine in the Western Hemisphere. What a detailed site you have!! This gravel road is suitable for standard cars. We liked the Wyoming Inn a little bit better but we wouldnt hesitate to stay here again, especially since prices are a little lower. If you want to take a cave tour, currently tours are booked in the morning on a first-come first-serve basis. If you stay within the park, Old Faithful Village and Canyon Village are the two most convenient place to stay. On the sidebar, under Amenities there is a filter for pet friendly hotels, so this will help you narrow down the list. On the way, take your pick between two different scenic drives through the Bighorn Mountains. Visiting Mount Rushmore A national treasure in the United States, Mount Rushmore National Memorial symbolizes the ideals of freedom and Democracy. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. Just wondering if its going to be doable. However, you might also be OK on the Bighorn Scenic Byway, it just might take some research if there are any vehicle restrictions for this road. You can do this itinerary with less time, but you will have to give up a few sights. Temperatures during the winter season lie between 4 degrees and 30 degrees Fahrenheit. 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. Keystone is located north of Custer State Park, near Mount Rushmore. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Cody Cowboy Village. On the South Rim, visit Artist Point (one of the most photographed spots in Yellowstone National Park), Canyon Overlook, and Uncle Toms Trail (if it is open). You'll drive for 33 hours and cover 1890 miles. About halfway on the Bay Area Route is Boise, Idaho's capital and the largest city on this route before reaching Yellowstone. Spend the afternoon in and around Jenny Lake. For example, the Kelly Inn in West Yellowstone allows pets on request. You can even go to the rodeo. Find all the transport options for your trip from California to Mount Rushmore right here. 51 Road Trip Trivia Questions to Pass the Time - Gravel Just south of Rapid City is TKTK, where you can rent a two-bedroom house, a great option for families. From Colter Bay, it is less than 20 miles to the South Entrance of Yellowstone National Park (about a 30-minute drive). Tonight, stay either near Devils Tower or you can drive one hour east to Spearfish, South Dakota. Eruptions are unpredictable and you have to be very lucky to be here when it erupts. Mount Rushmore: SD: 47 : 1 : 19 : Wall Drug: SD: 80 : 1.5 . Can I purchase a copy of the Yellowstone-Devils Tower-Mount Rushmore Trip Itinerary and other trip itineraries in hard copy, or if not, in PDF format that I can print out or load on my computer. Boise is known as the City of Trees for its many outdoor spaces boasting gorgeous trees. 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. Option #2 is for avid hikers. For the rest of the day, you will drive Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240), visiting the overlooks along the way and taking your pick from the short hiking trails. Option #1 is perfect for families and those who want to see the best of the park without doing a lot of hiking. That's 24 hours of driving just to get to your destinations. Call to book 1-877-929-7245. Wyoming: 7 Day Road Trip Itinerary Salt Lake City to Grand Teton and Yellowstone. The closest airport is Jackson Hole Airport, which is located in the park. Visit Yellowstone, Salt Lake City, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Lake Tahoe, Casper, Crazy Horse, Devils Tower, Grand Teton National Park, Rapid City, Twin Falls. 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. This is one of the best scenic drives in the US. It takes about 2 hours to thoroughly explore this area.Get full details on how to plan your visit in our Guide to the Geyser Basins. 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. Rooms are large, clean, and quiet and decorated with a western theme. Explore the map. Idaho Road Trip: Off the Beaten Path to Yellowstone. I would love to help! From . We have 16 days, including driving time from Southeast. This shorter and more direct route will take you through two major cities: Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. The Chamberlin Inn. I recommend getting an early start. Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial. 7-Day Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore Tour from San Francisco - TakeTours The Cloud Peak Skyway tends to be more popular, since it lacks the switchbacks and tight turns that the Bighorn Scenic Byway has. After living it up in one of the world's party capitals, continue on I-15 until you reach UT-9. For more information about how to visit Devils Tower, check out our Guide to Devils Tower.