In January, my wife and I decided it was time for us to take our kids on the road trip we've wanted to take for quite a few years... Salt Lake, Yellowstone NP, Glacier NP, and Mt. Rushmore. All aspects were lining up perfectly...kid's age and interest, work schedules, etc.

Well, I had the first 9 days planned and reservations made when all this Covid stuff started.

Now, it's looking like we're still going to be able to make this trip. Yellowstone has partially reopened and glacier np is set to reopen in June.

Now, I tell you all of that to ask you this....

1) What's the "must see" stuff in Glacier?

2) it looks like there's more in SD than I originally planned. I'm taking a day away from glacier and adding it to SD. We plan to spend time in Deadwood, Custer SP, Mt. Rushmore and Badlands.

3)As a life-long Alabamian, I have zero experience with the areas we are visiting. Any and all advice, tips, recommendations, etc. will be extremely appreciated.

Thanks for the help!

Going to the Sun Highway in Glacier...if its open in June ( usually opens late due to snow). And as you are going into YNP I would HIGHLY recommend coming in the North East Entrance at Cooke City, come in from Red Lodge Montana...that road over Beartooth Pass was judged to be the most scenic road in America. Besides the NE entrance runs you through the Lamar Valley which is the coolest place on earth.

Don’t forget Wall Drug and the Corn Palace....

Keep a sharp eye out for the Wall Drug signs on I90, they’re very easy to miss.

unless you are a gambler there is not that much to do in Deadwood, stop by Devils Tower for a while

there are alot of good little deals for kids in the Hills like Bear country and Reptile gardens

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/14471215/glacier-national-park

Dang it, that probably won't happen. We're staying in Ashton, ID and will be coming in from the west most of the time.

I would've never guessed 17 days would fill up so fast

Just saw this after posting my thread. I'm reading through it now.

Thanks!!

Dont forget to make time for the Hi Line.



We could use the money.......

I wouldn't mind seeing wall drug, just because....

This is good info, and why I posted. I was planning a day in the Deadwood area.

So maybe just a short stop on the way to Rushmore?

What's the Hi Line?

My wife just said that Mt Rushmore at night is pretty cool.



I guess they light it up.

The charming slum of Montana.

If I were making that drive, I'd rather skip a day in salt lake to make time for Custer battlefield and devils tower.

Custer State Park is a must see, far more so than Rushmore, imho.
If you can slip in an extra day, Makoshica State Park near Glendive MT is a fascinating and informative place. Still one of the highlights of our trip.
Good comfortable footwear, and a cooler with plenty of H2O is a must have everyplace you’re headed. Binoculars and a good camera too.
Have fun and enjoy yourself. I envy you!
7mm

Take some time to stop on top of the mountains, and enjoy the view. Seeing over 100 miles in a few directions at once.
If you have a few days in Cody. Brush up on your Western History.
You have the Civil War. We have Indian, and Cattle Wars.
USA #1

There are no bad entrances to Yellowstone...but Ingwe has a point about favorites.

Mt. Rushmore needn't take too much time.

Yeah. Dont drive by an open gas station to get to a closed one.



Bring lots of water.

I really enjoyed the Little Bighorn Battlefield and Museum. Good tip about taking binoculars.

Deadwood is full of tourist type junk shops , if your wife likes that sort of thing.......Keystone has its fair share too


I think both have old west shootout re-enactments later in the day

I’ll agree with some of the above. Deadwood is a cool
Spot but with kids I wouldn’t spend much time there. Mt. Rushmore is a must see but even taking the little hike around it doesn’t take really long. There’s lots to do in Keystone/Black Hills area though. My kids really like Bear Country and Reptile Gardens. I’d recommend getting to Bear Country first thing in the morning and beating the rush. The alpine slide is fun for the kids and adults as well. We went south a little last year to Monmouth Dig site and it was really cool, the kids enjoyed it and still talk about it from time to time. I’ve always liked Devils Tower it’s a nice little walk around it. Buffalo Wyoming is a nice town to stay in for the night or Sheridan. Staying on the mountain is even better. The South Fork Lodge on the Buffalo side is a nice place.

Are you flying into and out of SLC, making a giant loop?

If you're going to Rushmore, be sure to hit Needles Hwy. Deadwood doesn't take long unless you want to gamble or shop. The crab leg buffets on Friday nights are good. As mentioned, the kids (and adults) will like the reptile gardens and bear country much more than Deadwood. Yes on Devil's Tower, Beartooth Pass, Keystone Hwy, Rushmore and Needles Hwy. History buffs love the parks and museums but the kiddos might get bored. The caves in the area can be fun to. I was to Wall Drug as a kid but I don't remember enjoying it at all so I've went elsewhere.

P.S. Anyone should swing into Cosmos if kids are along.

If you have young kids take something for them to feed the burros in Custer State park. That was my grand daughters favorite thing. Also the suggestion to tour the Little Bighorn Battlefield is a good idea if you like history. Be sure and read up on the battle before you go. We took a sometimes gravel road after leaving Little Bighorn and drove over to Pryor and Edgar MT as we wended our way to the NE entrance to Yellowstone at Silvergate. Beartooth Pass is very scenic.

If you want to see the country...from South Dakota go to the Custer Battlefield, then to Billings, Roundup and Malta. Take the Hi Line west to Glacier, then south to Choteau, Augusta, Wolf Creek and Helena to the north entrance to Yellowstone. Stop in Cody and the museum. Back to YNP and south through Grand Teton National Park, Dubois and Lander to I-80.

If you're staying in Ashton you should checkout Mesa Falls in Island Park on your way to Yellowstone one Day. It's a short, quick little detour or on the way if you take the back way through bear gultch. Also eat a burger at Big Juds in the main gas station in Ashton. If you have kids with you spend at least a half a day at Yellowstone Bear World about 30 miles before Ashton if you're coming from SLC. I live about 5 miles from it.

Bb

Can't miss the Little Bighorn. I spent an entire day there.

If you are a Lewis and Clark fan, Pompeys Pillar is a must. Right outside of Billings - the only physical evidence of the expedition. Took an hour or so.

http://www.pompeyspillar.org/

Don’t skip over Custer’s Battlefield at the Little Bighorn or the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody.

Nothing to see in N. Idaho or E. Washington. Don’t waste the gas. Roll Tide

I will say the same thing about Deadwood, do not spend too much time there.

Crazy Horse is another good place. The carving is not as finished but the visitor center is very good, or it was the last time I was there. Lots of native american history.

Custer State Park and the needles highway is a gem.

Something that always kinda saddens me when I see these threads, many folks in the Eastern part of the country do not have a real grasp on how far it is between stops out here in the West. If you plan too many places to go and see, you will wind up driving more than seeing, driving yourself and your family nuts especially if you have children. Go to one place and stay a few days and see all there is to see there while resting up and really enjoying yourselves. For instance, Cody WY is worth 4-5 days with little side trips. You cant possibly do justice to a Yellowstone trip in a day or two. Reduce the planned number of stops and have a better time.

Love this part of the world. You must be around Rigby or Rexburg. Island Park can be wild place. Beautiful!

^^^^ Truth.

Gotta agree with this,when we went out a couple years ago,I had a bunch of things I wanted the boys to see ( as I've been out before).
We went into SLC overnight,drove to Jackson,+ Teton NP 2 nights,drove to YNP, camped in West Yellowstone 2n,then to Cody 2 nights, then back,total of 4x thru YNP.
The boys all say it was thier favorite vacation ,they just wish we didn't drive so much.
I took the rap for that as I really wanted to see as much as possible as I know it will be hard to get back.

By all means take your kids to the Hi Line.......


so you can threaten to move there when they act up 🙂

Salt Lake only adds about 3hrs or driving on the front end of my trip. I thought it'd be worth the detour when going from Rock Springs, WY to Ashton, ID.

No planes. All-American road trip. Driving from Alabama. Right now I have it planned to make a big loop and never drive the same road twice. I think we're hitting 13 states.

But, but, but, there's millions of acres of dryland wheat and canola on endless miles of rolling hills.

Seriously, I had the chance to spend a day in SLC when my kids were in elementary school. It took us nearly all day to get through the SLC zoo. It was a very worthwhile trip. Also, there is Hill Air Force Museum not very far from SLC at Ogden. I did not get to see it, Momma took the kids while I was working. The 12 year old boy was thrilled.

On a trip like this, how is the 1st question not:

"What gun shops should I stop at when on a 14 day tour of XX?"

Thanks for the great info. I'll be in Ashton for 5 nights.

Right now, SLC is unsure. We may or may not make the detour. I just hate not to, who knows when I'll get another chance to see it.

If you head to devils tower stop in nearby Hulett and take in Rogues Gallery.

Deadwood is where old people go to piss away their retirement funds same with the res casinos. It's hard to believe they made it to retirement age with that little common sense. Don't know if they do that stupid shootout bs after that accident couple years back where of the contestants guns got real bullets and he winged a tourist they kept it pretty quiet but really play stupid games and win stupid prizes
Where ever you go buy a cooler you can toss when done put ice in it drinks ,cold cuts cheese,good bread or subs with mayo mustard ,cheeses and or whatever with a big package of asst chips so you can lunch/snack wherever instead of getting poked in the butt at resturant/ fast food places. Stand a better chance of not getting covid 19 too. Good luck have fun.,mb

I agree with, dont plan too much time for Deadwood. Hickoks grave and short walk about covers it unless you're there to drink and gamble.
I would prioritize the Little Big Horn Battlefield and the Cody Museum. Then youre near a Yellowstone entrance, you can exit Yellowstine on the Beartooth Highway. Look it up! Dont miss the Battlefield, Cody, and the Beartooth!
Safe travels,
Ed

I agree with, dont plan too much time for Deadwood. Hickoks grave and short walk about covers it unless you're there to drink and gamble.
I would prioritize the Little Big Horn Battlefield and the Cody Museum. Then youre near a Yellowstone entrance, you can exit Yellowstone on the Beartooth Highway. Look it up! Dont miss the Battlefield, Cody, and the Beartooth!
Safe travels,
Ed

I'd advise to slow down and not determine to "see" everything. I'd plan to take some spinning rods and spend at least a couple of days or half days fishing.

I'd like to fish, just have no idea where to start out there.

He's underselling it.

It's actually a beautiful part of the country, though kinda boring after awhile. But that being said, if there is a storm rolling through while you are there, the cloud formations and whatnot are awe inspiring. Truly neat to see. The battlefield south of Chinook where Chief Joseph quit is cool. It's a small piece of America that hasn't been destroyed yet by CA, NY, and illegal aliens.

Ingwe???

Lots of guys here can help you with that.

There are lots of places you can drive right to, or almost so, and fish. Great for families.

Coming in from/going too the Badlands, Sturgis might be worth a look over Deadwood, my buddy and his family found it worth a visit in their RV this past summer, lots of cool motorcycle-related stuff even away from the August HD Rally.

Bear Butte too right outside of town is interesting, in part because of the accommodations they make as this is still considered a sacred site among the Traditionalists of the local Indian Tribes. The view from near the top is worth a look. Given a choice I'd look at Devil's Tower WY as I drove by but actually stop at Sturgis/Bear Butte.

Its been years and it was only the one time but IIRC Hwy 212 between the Sturgis area and the Little Bighorn was an interesting drive if you want to skip the Devil's Tower.

If you DO drive by Devil's Tower, the enormous open pit coal mines outside of Gillete would definitely be an education.

Good to know. I'm not hiring a guide

So, SLC. The zoo they say. But, if never out west, some sort of jaunt west to see the big Salt flats. Coming from the east, I70 west from Denver to I15 in UT is good chit. Glacier, that Sun road is worth it all IF open. Beartooth Hwy hell yes. Yellowstone, early morning Lamar Valley, or late evening. Spotting scope for goats, bears, elk, bighorns?


Long drives. Like geology? The Roadside Geology of books might enlighten. The older editions are on Ebay CHEAP.

If you think of big areas as a few thousand acres, you're in for a treat. Any camping? Any wildlife refuges enroute worth cruising through?

If you need extra binoculars I have some loners.

Have fun.

In the Black Hills, Rapid creek and Spring creek have good trout fishing. Pactola, Sheridan, and Deerfield are lakes in the Hills also have good trout fishing. They have bass, northerns and some walleyes have been stocked recently.

You could spend a couple days on Hwy 385 in the Hills, fishing and playing tourist. Turn south off I-90 at Spearfish. It will take you to Spearfish Canyon then on to Deadwood/Lead where you’ll intersect Hwy 385.

Right there in and very near Ashton there are plenty of places to fish. I used to love to fly fish the headwaters of the warm river. Anywhere on the Henry's fork is usually good. I live right by where the south fork comes out of the canyon. I don't fish much but have caught a lot of rainbows, brown's, and cutthroats on the southfork on a fly rod. There's hundreds of places to fish within 10 miles of Ashton. Almost anyone here in Idaho will help you out if you ask.

Bb

Bring a fly rod and stop by the water in the mountains. NFS public land. Check out the Game and Fish Dept's in the states you stop at. Public access to waters, lakes.
https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating/Places-to-fish-in-wyoming

I've never used a fly rod.

Spinning reels and baitcasters is all I have experience with

Surprised no one has mentioned Jackson Hole. If you ever get a chance, and can make a reservation, stay at the Jackson Lake Lodge. Great views of the Tetons and you can see moose and elk from your room. Good hiking trails too.

We have a rafting trip out of Jackson hole.

I'm sure we'll spend a few hours there afterwards.

Remember to kinda snicker when you say Tetons.... Theys biguns.

While in Ashton you can fish Warm River right in the campground. In Island Park a hike down Coffee Pot rapids can be good fishing. Jonny Sack cabin and a float down Big Springs is fun, although half of SLC may be there with you. Quake lake, and Wade Lake in Montana are close to Island Park. Stop and eat at Ponds Lodge in Island Park and The Happy Hour on Hebgen Lake. Lots to do. Never see it all

Buffalo River is good for kids. Float out of the campground to the bridge. Lots of little brookies

Don't forget the dinosaurs; depending on the kids' age it could be a draw. The museum in Bozeman would probably be a better bet, though.

If one stops at Old Faithful, far better to bring your own food from somewhere else.

The food in the restaurant near the Visitor Center is quite possibly the worst I've had, the others I ate at inside Yellowstone not a whole lot better.

If you buy a fishing license your kids under 14 do not need one, the creel limit applies to all of your kids on your license.
Panther Martins spinners work great for all trout.
Some areas will be barbless hooks only, just pinch down the barb with pliers.

In Jackson, stop by at the visitor center,north side of town. They can answer any questions about spots to fish, etc. Lots of trout to be caught in almost any stream or lake. Take a drive up into the forest and find one. Watch out for bears , grizzlies in that part of the state.

'Nother thing in Yellowstone... NO PHONE SERVICE..... I mean you'll have bars, but the way I heard it the one tower they have is overwhelmed by the volume.

This is something that must be planned for if you were needing to communicate while on a trip.

Sounds like you are coming across I 80 and returning back across northern Wyoming?

If so, another little side excursion to consider is Laramie, Wy to Rawlins via the Snowy Range and Saratoga. The scenery is gorgeous, the extra time is minimal, and Saratoga is a neat little town on the upper North Platte River in a beautiful valley. It has some public hot springs for soaking and a neat old historic hotel. The fishing in the North Platte is pretty good but would require a local guide for a float.

Salt Lake City is fine if you have never been there and want to see Temple Square, some of the LDS church or Utah pioneer museums locally. Traffic can be bad and there is currently construction/renovation going on on the Temple/Temple Square site in certain areas so be aware. Park City is close for dining and some other outdoor activities. 1 1/2-2 hours west on I 80 are the Bonneville Salt Flats and Wendover, Nevada for gaming and entertainment. Salt Lake City/ Wasatch Front area has other activities... it just depends how much "urban" experiences you want to have at zoos, planetariums, amusement parks, aviation museums, etc. Another option is to skip SLC and turn north at Rock Springs or Evanston and going up through Pinedale or Star Valley/Afton to access the Jackson Hole area from the south. The Jackson area is a crowded tourist trap inhabited by the wealthy elite but the scenery is something everyone should see at least once (Tetons from the east side) Getting back over the hill to Tetons "west"/Driggs/Ashton is a nice little drive, too! It's pretty hard to make a bad choice!!!

I'm glad you are spending a few days "based" out of Ashton. It is a neat little town where the potato fields meet the Yellowstone Plateau. PJ65 and Burleyboy gave you some great ideas for places to see and visit around Island Park. I would add Ennis, Montana on the Madison River and Virginia City (partially restored ghost town) as a nice day trip as well. Fishing in the area is superb but I still like a guide for a first time visit, especially if you don't have trout tackle, are not a fly fisherman, or don't have a boat. Yellowstone is beautiful and unique but 'loved to death" in the summer. Be ready for crowds. If you have never been there though, you have to see the Old Faithful Geyser and Lodge, Hot pots, etc. The Northeast Entrance and Lamar Valley always get rave reviews and are still on my list of things I need to see! This whole area is a "magnet" for all kinds of weather in the summer... be ready!!! I have been snowed on in July on at least two occasions.

Someone earlier mentioned not planning too much for your trip and driving all the time... sage advice! This is a huge area and busy this time of year. Make sure you slow down and enjoy it, even if you miss a few things; quality rather than quantity! You can always come back or maybe retire out this way when that time comes.

Hopefully the whole Covid experience will not hamper or take away from your trip. Not sure yet how these areas/businesses might still be affected when you come.

Highly recommend a visit on another trip to Southern Utah, Southwestern Colorado, Northern Arizona for all of the National Parks, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, the San Juans, and Mesa Verde. It is another area where you could easily spend a month and never come close to getting bored.

Good Luck!!!

Sounds like SLC may be best saved for another trip

June 25th is the Little Big Horn anniversary.... will be a good day to attend. After dark on the 26th they do a night blast on the Crazy Horse Memorial...I've never been there for it but it's on my list.

One thing that I never hear anyone mention when they discuss Yellowstone, is the memorial for the campers that are buried under the landslide from when the earthquake brought the mountainside down on them during the night. That slide formed Quake Lake.

If you're going to take Interstate 80 across Neb., Court House Rock, Chimney Rock and Fort Laramie were important points along the Oregon Trail and along the same highway( the Fort is a couple of miles off on another road at the town of Fort Laramie). Just a fairly quick loop off 80 and then back on.

If you go to Wall Drug on your return leg, go to the back building and wait for the T-Rex to do his thing... if they've got him tuned up the kids are going to enjoy it.

If you're planning on taking Interstate 29 north to Council Bluff to reach I-80, I'd recommend taking highway 2 over to Nebraska City and then on to I-80 at Lincoln. It's at the I-29 IA ten mile marker and will save you 45 minutes or so and is a good road. Look at a map and compare the routes going to Council to get on I-80 vs highway 2 to Lincoln... you'll see what I mean.

You know, we've traveled through these states, over and over, since 1970. Montana , itself, has a lot to see. If one is at all interested in western history, it is just neat to see the locations of so much of it. Little Bighorn, Big Hole battlefield. Same thing for Wyoming and South Dakota.
In Mitchell, SD., we truly enjoyed a visit to the prehistoric Indian village. The archeological dig going on there is fascinating to those who are interested in such things. The people who lived there, predated the Lakota by thousands of years.
Cody, Wyoming, Thermopolis, Shell Pass, Wind River canyon, buffalo, antelope, and huge mule deer bucks.
Honestly, you can pick any state, build two weeks worth of memories, and want to come back for more. GD

The nightly rodeo in Cody is a fun evening if you like rodeo. Kids would probably like it. If you are looking for serious rodeo, the Snake River Stampede in the Idaho Center in Nampa is good. Indoors and air conditioning, which is needed the third week of July in the Boise area. Speaking of which, get your ac checked before you leave and have good tires. The hot roads you will encounter are tough on both. Happy Trails

There's some fun stuff to see in South west montana too. Lundtroller mentioned Ennis and Virginia city. They're not too far from Ashton and Virginia city is worth seeing. I like the area on the other side of Dillon around the ghost town of Bannock too. Its definitely worth seeing and there's a place called crystal park near by where you can dig for crystals on a mountain side in the forest. My kids loved digging for crystals, we found several. I can loan you shovels and screen boxes.

If you get up near butte out towards anaconda is a place called Fairmont hot springs. It's a hotel with big swimming pools and an old school hydro tube. My kids love that place too. There's some cool mining museums in butte too.

Bb

This sounds like a pretty epic trip, but I'm with Rocky, the distances are not to be trifled with. If you go from Rock Springs to Ashton via Salt Lake, that's not three hours extra, more like eight. SLC Provo Ogden are a full-house "metroplex" with multi multiple lane freeways and worse drivers than the East Bay or even Pugetopia.
Maybe you could choke off at Echo and turn for Ogden and THEN go north, but honestly, that's boring freeway. It's better to go north out of the Rock on 191, then crank a right, through Jackson, then over the next pass into Ashton.

There's another factor about Salt Lake. I don't know what the heck it is, but road signage in metro Utah is really confusing. You'd think on a temple grid square, it would be easy, but I swear I made more wrong turns, or got trapped in the wrong lane, more times in Ogden than I have in years. Don't count on your navigation system, either. My Dad and I had to turn off Bitching Betty 40 miles north of Ogden because SHE was lost. Honestly, I'd pass on Salt Lake, it's just a busy city.

And the Snowies in south central Wyoming should be nice. But that's not a simple route.
It's actually 130 out of Laramie west over a pass then into the Encampment Valley and a junction, north on 130 goes to Saratoga and then Walcott on the freeway, south on 230 goes to Encampment. West from Encampment goes 70, that goes up high and crooked and drops you into the Little Snake country at Baggs just north of the Colorado line. There you turn north on 789 up to the freeway at Wamsutter, west of Rawlins.

Taking the quickie to Walcott Junction on 130 only will save you miles and a couple of hours versus Wamsutter and backtracking to Rawlins to turn north for the Togwotee route to Ashton via Lander and Jeffrey City. Overall, I think that's better than Salt Lake. Both ways better than Salt Lake, the freeway north from there is pretty darn boring and kind of rough. Oh, I already said boring.


I like trains so from Laramie to Rawlins I go on 30 through Medicine Bow, that's a good highway with light traffic.

100% spot on

You could do a week in the Black Hills area alone.

Skip SLC.

You can easily cut down to Devils tower from HWY 212 cutting across SE Montana. Then on into Sundance and over to Spearfish. If you are in to motorcycles, Sturgis is worth checking out as is Bear Butte. I would skip Wall Drug and cut south into the Badlands from Wall.

Grew up in Mitchell, not a fan of the Corn Palace, but you could certainly do a drive by. The corn murals are interesting and have no idea what the inside is like anymore as I have not been inside for over 25 years. The Indian village is very interesting if you like that kind of stuff.

Really enjoyed Island Park, Beartooth Hwy and Lamar valley. Jackson Hole and Tetons the same. The museum in Cody is at least a full day in itself.

Fairmont Hot Springs is a big thumbs up. Have stayed there a few times and really enjoy it. Going to the Sun road is incredible.

When crossing southern Idaho, there are several options. 20, 26, 84, 15, 93.

If you can figure Hiway 20 into your route, it will take you right through Craters of the Moon National Monument. As far as I know, there is nothing like it anywhere else in the Continental US. Take a couple minutes to Google it and consider if it would make a worthwhile addition to your trip.

I have spent an afternoon there on three different occasions, usually accompanying 4'th to 6'th grade school kids on field trips. I found something new to see each time. Cinder cones which look like they might have just quit spewing in the last week. Lava tube tunnels twenty feet in diameter where the outside of a lave flow cooled and hardened while the interior remained molten and flowed away.

About 1000 sq miles of naked lava flows just about like it was 2000 to 15000 years ago when it had barely cooled.

If you like that volcanic stuff, I'd recommend you hit Oregon's Newberry Crater / monument for a day trip or one-nighter. There's a freaking obsidian flow you can hike on.... I decent cave trek and a bunch of other stuff.

IMHO The Mammoth sight in Hot springs is worth the stop YMMV https://www.hotsprings-sd.com/directory/mammoth-site/

If you like to drive... LOL SLC head west, see the salt flats, Donner Pass, over to the coast, see the Redwoods, up the coast, east up the Columbia Gorge, Lewiston/Clarkston, Lolo Pass to Missoula then head for Glacier. I laugh as it's about how I've done some road trips. So damned worn out that by the time we got to Glacier, we're like, Yah Yah pretty mountains, let's go home.....

Interesting

I ain't never been here.......

but if you like classic one of a kind Land Cruisers

https://landcruiserhm.com/

ya , the tendency is to try and do too much on one trip , then all you get done is driving


really , the Hills and Wyoming/Yellowstone is more than enough on one trip , specially starting all the way from Alabama

Saw the short hike around Devil's Tower mentioned a couple of times and it is worth the stop. I haven't seen it mentioned, so would add if you have time to slow down for a 4-5 hour hike in Custer Park I have done the hike to Harney Peak (now Black Elk Peak) several times and it is a great way to see the area. No technical climbing, just an enjoyable hike. Good trails and fun for the family.

https://harneypeakinfo.com/harney-peak-hiking/harney-peak-trail

A few things, some of them unmentioned:
1 Jewel Cave NM and Wind Cave NP in the southern Black Hills are both remarkable. Just be sure the caves themselves are open to visitors. I don't think they are right at this moment.
2 I found Fort Phil Kearny SP in central Wyoming to be more fascinating than Little Bighorn NM. Real history, done well, without the NPS bullschit
3 I enjoy the drives across the Bighorns as much as any drive you've heard about in this thread.
4 I think the store and museum at King's Saddlery in Sheridan are not to be missed for any reason. A King Ropes hat would be about the single best souvenir of such a trip, that I can think of, anyway.
5 The burros on the wildlife loop in CSP will eat just about anything, but if you show up with a little bag of horse treats, they'll ignore everyone else's apples and carrots and sugar cereal and become your friends for life.
6 If you only stopped at Wall Drug for the donuts, it's worth it. The bookstore is fantastic also.
7 First Stop Guns in Rapid City is a great stop. The good stuff is often in the back or in the basement, ask if you can see it
8 I am partial to the pie at the Cowboy Cafe in Dubois. Pickle Barrel sandwiches are always good, but the best ones are in Livingston
9 Try to find Poet's Table
10 Bighorn sheep in Badlands NP. The new WR bighorn was taken there recently. Its not super easy to see wild sheep but it can be routinely done there. Same with mountain goats at MtRushmore/Needles/HarneyPeak

We live 70 miles south of Dubois, we sometimes get up early and drive up there for breakfast.

If HWY 93 between GNP and Missoula is in your route, the National Bison Range is worth a stop. South shore of flathead lake there is wild horse island, set up a tour and check out a island of Bighorn sheep.

Oh I would totally do that. I don't drive to Wall for donuts but I don't often just drive by either.

There have been a lot of good suggestions made but by far the best one was "avoid SLC". It is a nightmare for traffic, endless construction and at the wrong time of day gridlock, just driving through it will be enough to make what should be a great trip into a bad trip.

drover

Really appreciate the info. Keep it coming!

How old are your kids?

SLC is great, passing through at 0400 Sunday.

Kids are 9 and 12

If you’re going to the Custer Battlefield, make sure to drive over to Pompeys Pillar NP. It’s just down the interstate. It’s named after Sacagawea’s infant son, and is the only NP named after a toddler. Lewis and Clark carved their names on it in the early 1880’s. Spend time in Jackson Hole and then drive north up into Teton NP. Yellowstone is worth a week all by itself. If you fish in Yellowstone, most of the rivers are Catch and Release only. To stay in YNP, you need reservations months in advance- stay outside the park in West Yellowstone. There are dozens of national chain motels there, but you’ve got to prepay via credit card .

I agree with Pompey's Pillar being worth a stop if you're going by. I am not sure I'd go out of my way to see it but some might and it is pretty cool. In any event, I'm pretty sure it was inscribed in 1804 and not "the early 1880's"

Just to north of Pompey Piller about 3/4 mile is a very good prairie dog town.

Two years ago my wife and I hit a lot of the parks talked about here. When we were just about done my wife asked (how damn many mountains can there be ) . She had seen enough. She was glad to get back to the flats of South and North Dakota’s. Have fun. Ed k

Lots of opinions, lots of choices!!! You are going to need 3-6 months to drive from Alabama to the West Coast in Oregon/California, north to Washington, and back across Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas on your way back home to do all of this area justice!!! Or you could just plan your next yearly 2-3 week vacation for the next 6 years or so while the kids are younger.

Have fun prioritizing what you want to do. You will definitely enjoy some beautiful scenery for sure! FWIW, I liked your original plans for Jackson Hole, Island Park/Ashton, Yellowstone, East or Northeast Entrance, Cody, Custer Battlefield, Devils Tower, Black Hills/Mount Rushmore and all the scenery in between. It will keep you plenty busy and wanting to come back and explore more another time!

If ya'll happen by Mitchell SD on the south side of I90 near Cabelas is El Columpio a Mexican restaurant. They have this spicy mango enchilada that is freaking awesome. All excellent. Hope they have weathered the 'demic and are still operating.



Something not mentioned about Wall Drug are the great ol pictures on the walls. It's just a tourist trap but can be fun for a break. You can ride a giant jackalope too. Yep. Awesome.

1806 and Lewis was never there, He took the Missouri River route back.

I would rather someone beat me with a stick than make me drive from Ogden to Springville on I-15. Over 100 miles of urban
insanity.

Amen to the above!!! I do the drive 6-7X/month and have so for the last 10 years for work. I just can't bring myself to live down there amongst the crowds of people. The drive just keeps getting worse and worse. Southern California "north" I like to call it. Some call it progress! Isn't going to get better.

I'm just glad I can still access Wyoming, Eastern Idaho, SW Montana, and the Yellowstone area a few times each summer and fall to maintain my health and sanity.

Hell, I've lived here since 1994 and still have things I haven't seen in and nearby the Hills. The 5 state area centering on the Black Hills (SD, ND, WY, MT, NE) is simply amazing.

I'll say it again, the West is HUGE compared to the East. A logger buddy and I made a trip to South Carolina once to pick up a motorboat. From southern Illinois to Carolina and back was 48 hours exactly. From that same point it was two and a half days of high speed to Montana one way. Overnighted in Iowa somewhere, then Big Timber, then a half-day home. Going, we made it to Rapid City the first night, and that same town in Illinois the second.

From northern Montana to Salt Lake is a day and a half one way for normal people. At 90 mph in an A8 it's a couple hours faster. It's called the Far West for a reason.

SLC is out.

5 nights in Ashton experiencing the Tetons and Yellowstone.

at least 3 nights around Glacier exploring the area.

My big question now is do I take a day/night away from SD and add it to Glacier.

All good advice. Cross the river at Chamberlain SD and your in the west for sure. Dancin with Wolves country. Stop and shoot some prairie dogs then just before the badlands there is the nuclear defense museum on the right, with checking out if your a boomer. Go through the Badlands, stop at Wall Drugs, then Mt Rushmore (be sure to drive around and get the side view), catch Sheels & Cabelas. Head to Devils Tower, then stop at Gillete if there are any coal mine tours still going. On to either Buffalo or Dayton and go over the Big Horn mountains. North route you might catch some hang gliders. Out through Greybull off to Cody. ThereS a cool canyon between ther to the north. Take in the museum at Cody. Head to Cook City via Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. Do the Beartooth Pass to Redlodge. Lamar Valley in Yellowstone, Gardner Mt the North enterance, the falls, old faithfull & the old faith lodge. You got Eartquake Lake outside west Yellowstone, grand tetons & Jackson hole to the south. Its a long way to glacier nation park! I was disappointed with the Highway to the Sun after multiple trips over the Beartooth. Lots of gunshops to browse out west. Check conditions as the Beartooth was closed June 12th when we were there one year and Gacier was closed our first trip up there on the highway to the sun. Have fun!

Been in Spearfish since 91. I understand completely.

Tag
I must make notes

Western road trip burnout, trees and rocks!

Brang ur own wallermellon.

I hope to take my family to South Dakota later this summer. You'll have to let us know what to see there.

Bb

1+

Bumping this up...we leave in about a week

I'd like to hear about any diners, dives, etc. that shouldn't be missed

Bama:
I'm not going to read through this entire thread. So, if this has already been said, I apologise.

YOU CAN'T SEE ALL THAT IN 9 DAYS.

I live a lot closer than you do to those parks and it took two separate summer vacations, each 9 days, to take my grand children to see the area.

First week (9 days);
The Mountain Man Museum in Pinedale Wyoming
Jackson Wyoming, Jackson Hole, Grand Tetons National Park, Jenny Lake
Yellowstone (4 days & 3 nights)
The Museum of the West, Cody Wyoming (2 days)

Second Week (9 days);
Dervils Tower
The Black Hills & Deadwood SD
Mount Rushmore
Wind Cave
The Badlands
Hot Springs SD, Evans PLunge, the Mammoth Fossils museum

And that doesn't even include Glacier National Park and Waterton Lakes Provincial Park. Add another week.

The best thing about Salt Lake is that there are good freeways LEAVING it. I hate that place. It's just another big city. From SLC to Ashton, you can take I-84 but it's all desert the entire way. It's far more scenic to take the slower route through Logan/Montpelier/Alpine. It's farther but worth it.

so true on Montana slum

Well, we have 18 days.

We plan on 5 nights, 5.5 days in Idaho, visiting YS and GT NP. Only thing on the agenda outside of the parks is a horseback ride. Maybe some fishing

We plan on 3 nights, 3 days outside of Glacier NP. No agenda, just the park

We plan on 2 nights, 2.5 days in SD for Mt. Rushmore, the 1880's train, and the Badlands.

There is stuff we'll miss. I'd love to spend more time in each area, but this is what we've got. I hope I've budgeted enough "windshield time"... 2.5 out, 1 between YS and Glacier, 1.5 between Glacier and SD, 2 home

This is just me but I would not waste any time at Wall Drug. A total waste of time.

If you are planning on touring YNP and GTNP while based in Idaho, you are going to spend a lot of time in a vehicle. If you are planning only 1 day of travel from YNP to Glacier, it is going to be a long day, and it also can get worse depending on your starting point in YNP.

I didn't read all the replies but Rock Chuck got it mostly correct. Get off I-84 at Brigham City & go through Logan, Utah, then Preston, stay to the right to Soda Springs & down the highway 34 down the Tin Cup highway into Freedom, Wyoming. You will drive right past Freedom Arms. Then you can go into Jackson Hole & on into the park.
Or you can drive around Palisades Reservoir & into Idaho Fall & back onto I-84 & go into West Yellowstone through Ashton, lots of great scenery either way. Great view of the Teton's from either side.
When you go into the Park be sure & take food & water, I don' think any restaurants are open in the park yet.

Dick

We're staying in Ashton, Id.Everything I've looked at shows Ashton being 45 min from the West entrance. Is this incorrect? I'm ok with 45 min.since this is country we've never seen before and terrain that will be completely new to my kids.

As far as YS to Glacier, I plan on leaving for Missoula sometime after lunch and staying overnight in Missoula. I plan on being somewhere around Hungry Horse close to lunch on Saturday. Does that sound reasonable?

Ashton looks like it is about 50 miles from the West entrance, which may or may not be 45 minutes depending on road conditions. But, that is a minimum hour and a half just to and from the entrance. YNP is huge, and the roads are limited to 45 mph with traffic sometimes being very bad. (This year is weird. The hotels are closed in the parks but the cabins/lodges are open. This could mean less traffic, or it could mean more because more people are driving into the parks from the outside.) If you plan to see a lot of the park, and to stop to enjoy the visitor centers and sights, and to take hikes, it it going to add up to a lot of time. The same goes for Grand Teton NP, which I assume you plan to access via Driggs, Victor and Wilson. (We did that in reverse a couple of years ago.) YMMV, depending on what you are trying to see or do, but it would be too much ground to cover for us because we like to soak up the experience rather than rush from place to place.

You should be fine staying in Missoula. Your post made it sound like a 1 day marathon from YNP to Glacier.

Colonial House family restaurant on the south end of Mt Rushmore road in Rapid City is worth a visit.
https://www.colonialhousernb.com/

BamaCKC: Do Yellowstone Park and plan this!
The last leg of your Yellowstone visit do the "North Loop" and exit the Park at the north east entrance (near Silver City, Montana) then travel through Cooke City and take the stunning and breathtaking Beartooth "All American Road" over the Beartooth Plateau and Beartooth Pass (10,947') to Red Lodge, Montana and on to Columbus, Montana.
The VarmintWife and I did this trip 10 days ago and it was full of game including Mt. Goats (4) in Montana and one wild giant Grizzly Bear (wilds of Wyoming) that the wife got great pictures of.
This route was described by Charles Kuralt as "the second most beautiful highway in all of America"!
IF... there is a more beautiful road anywhere in America I have NO knowledge of it.
I thought my new Nikon camera was gonna melt the views and vistas and wildlife were SO spectacular - I was clickin away!
This route is a wonderful and life impressing trip - I have done it many times but it gets more beautiful every time I travel it.
Be sure and stop for the hamburgers in Red Lodge at the "Red Caboose" - it is worth the wait! I bought the "house special" giant hamburger - it was exceptional.
Travel safe and bring cameras, binos and a spotting scope. Saw three Grizzlies in Yellowstone and a blonde Black Bear on this venture as well.
Enjoy.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I hate to say it.....but Yellowstone is boring AF.

If your route goes through Victor, Id. a meal at the Butter Cafe will knock your sox off. In Jackson the Merry Piglets has great Mexican food. Dornan's at Moose jct has the best view of the Tetons, outstanding pizza and a great beer selection on tap. The bar at the Wort Hotel has good food, atmosphere and a great collection of western art. You are in for a great trip, have fun.


mike r

Thats what Mike thinks anyway......

He only eats organic kale chips these days.

Got hooked on those at the Hitchin' Post in Malta, mmm mmmm


mike r

I've considered trying to do this on my way back from Glacier to South Dakots

jim conrad: THAT... latest posting of yours is THE most idiotic posting you have ever made - and that is saying something (considering the thousands of previous idiotic postings you have made!)!
Only possible retort to such an idiotic posting as yours is, SHEESH!
I am shaking my head in disbelief.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

You are probably the kind of guy who watched Star Wars 12 dozen times aint ya?

I like the trip VG mentioned, probably my favorite in the west.. Never ate at that restaurant in Red Lodge, we always hit Red Lodge Ales!! Best craft beer in the west and great sandwiches!! If you are not a craft beer person then I would try VG’s suggestion!!!!

as opposed to the trip between your place and Glasgow ?..........LOL

take in the World Museum of Wildlife Art, 2-3 miles north of Jackson. river trip is good.

Its the same trip each time.....less people.....fewer buffalo.

We did this in 2017. Made reservations for 3 different nights for a 18 day trip- seat of the pants trip. Some of the higlhights: John Deere museum in IA, Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Devils Tower, Little Bighorn, Buffalo Bill museum in Cody, stayed in Red Lodge and drove into Yellowstone, Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Glacier Road to the Sun, Kootanai Falls north of Trout Creek, National Bison Range, Badlands SD. That's the highlights and how we did it start to finish. Hope to do it again in a few years.

VarmintGuy is right , a trip over Beartooth Pass will be the best part of the drive. I live in Columbus and have been on that drive hundreds of times and it never gets old. The drive to Red Lodge from I-90 at Columbus is a nice drive drive also. The Red Caboose ain't too shabby either.

i would def see Mt. Rush before someone blows it up

Craft beer is best beer!

Kennymauser: You are a "lucky person" to live in the middle of all that beauty and diversity of things to see and do.
Good for you.
I am trying to remember the name of that 1/2 pound hand tossed burger that I had at the Red Caboose - I could only eat half of it and an hour or two later tackled the other half.
I think it was something like "Caboose Special"?
Anyway its the only $8.00 hamburger I saw on the menu - the rest were 3 and 4 dollars as I recall.
I think I have traversed the Beartooth 7 or 8 times in my life - I hope to get to 20!
Enjoy your life over that-a-way.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

All right, changed plans.

Staying in Jackson Hole one night,Ashton 2 nights, and somewhere around the North entrance 2 nights. Then we'll head toward Glacier NP.

I think I'm going to hit the Beartooth Highway on my way from Glacier NP to the Badlands....

This is terrible advice. The donuts are to die for!

Take note Bama man!
Work will soon begin on the Beartooth Highway.
A project overview was released by Missouri River Contractors, the company contracted by WYDOT, Yellowstone National Park, and Shoshone National Forest to undertake
WY TIG 212 (9) – a rather intense construction project on the Beartooth Highway this summer. The project consists of:
Constructing a new 400-foot steel girder, 2-lane bridge spanning the Beartooth Ravine
Straightening the roadway alignment
Retaining walls
Laying back of slopes
Installing drainage structures
Replacing the existing roadway surface
The project begins at the west end of the Beartooth Highway Lake Bridge and proceeds westward for approximately ¾ of a mile.
There are a number of traffic patterns and changes to expect if you head over the highway in the coming months. Beginning July 7th, Beartooth Highway to be closed at night between mile post 22.8(Just west of Ghost Creek)and 27.4 (Just West of Beartooth Lake Campground), Mondays through Thursdays from 8pm to 7am. During this period, no traffic will be allowed through the Project site. During the day, there will be one-way traffic through the construction site, controlled by a pilot car and temporary traffic signals at each end. Motorists should expect delays up to 30-minutes, Monday through Saturday, 7am to 7pm.

Thanks for the heads up. I plan to pass through during the day. If the delay is only 30min, that's ok. I'll keep an eye on it to see if stuff changes.

Thanks again!

How was the trip?

We thought the same. Geysers and hot springs were cool, other than that, lots and lots of pine trees.

Go in August. Watch the bison bulls rutting, fighting and herding cows. Quite interesting.