montana wyoming south dakota trip

Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota Luxury Road Trip

Traveling through Wyoming to Montana to South Dakota, this road trip will immerse you in the best of the West. From an insider look at rodeos to bountiful wildlife sightings to hidden gem Western towns, this is a trip you won't soon forget.

Jackson and Grand Teton

The town of Jackson has a family friendly rodeo twice a week during the summer months. The first night, you’ll have the chance to get a “behind the scenes” look with one of the rodeo owners .

Whether you are looking for a scenic two hour float in a wooden Mckenzie Boat or a wild river rapid ride (or both!), your guide will lead you on your personalized adventure on the Snake River. The river runs the valley floor, bordered by groves of willow trees, a favorite moose haunt, and wide open sagebrush flats, home to herds of pretty pronghorn antelope and packs of sage grouse.  After you arrive at a riverside camp, you’ll be served appetizers and drinks in a spectacular spring creek setting, before enjoying a gourmet dinner in the private tipi camp.

At night, you’ll be joined by a private astronomer as you head to a dark site inside Grand Teton National Park. Take advantage of the thin, high altitude air and dark skies to marvel at deep space objects through their high-powered telescopes.

Yellowstone National Park

You’ll drive north through Grand Teton National Park to the southern entrance of Yellowstone . Along the way you’ll cross the Continental Divide and m ake your way through the park, stopping along the way. This may be for the spectacular falls (Lower and Upper) that cut through the dramatic Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone or a trip to Old Faithful and the geothermal geyser basins nearby. Your professional naturalist guide will ensure you are able to spot as much of the native wildlife as possible. Finish your last day here on the edge of the park in the town of West Yellowstone .

Paradise Valley

Next, you’ll travel north along the steep sided and beautiful Gallatin River Valley.  Near the mountain town of Big Sky, stop for a hike up into the Gallatin National Forest. Alternatively, meet a wrangler for a private trail ride into the Yellowstone backcountry. When passing  through Bozeman, be sure to pay a visit to the Museum of the Rockies , an excellent insight into the history of The West. 

You’ll be met by your guide in the morning and driven to a put in point on the Yellowstone River that meanders through the idyllic Paradise Valley. The Yellowstone River is one of the greatest trout streams in America and, even if you are not an avid fisherman, there is no better way to spend a day than floating a river. After the morning float, you’ll pull up to enjoy a picnic lunch on the bank.

Cody is one of our favorite towns in Montana and Wyoming .

To get there, your road trip continues west through classic ‘Big Sky’ country. The town of Livingston , more rugged and down to earth than its booming neighbor Bozeman, is home to an eclectic mix of artists, writers and authors. 

Located between two spectacular wilderness mountain ranges, the Beartooths and Absarokas, you’ll travel two of the most breathtaking roads in the West. After the dramatic switchbacks of the Beartooth Highway , you’ll continue along the Chief Joseph Butler Highway that threads its way through the Shoshone Forest. 

A visit to the  extraordinary Buffalo Bill Center of the West , with the best collection of its type in the world, is a must for anyone interested in the history of the region. In the evening, make your way to the rodeo grounds for the Cody Nite Rodeo, where you’ll get a chance to see some of the country’s leading cowboys and cowgirls in action.

Next, you’ll drive through Wyoming’s Bighorn National Forest to the town of Sheridan.

Sheridan and Big Horn National Forest

Drive to the Southern Black Hills. Stop to explore the little western town of Buffalo, before continuing west.  At the edge of Wyoming, you’ll have the chance to detour to Devil’s Tower National Monument , an otherworldly rocky sentinel and site of significance for several Native American tribes.

After crossing into South Dakota , drive the spectacular Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway and visit the historic gold rush towns of Deadwood and Spearfish .

The Black Hills and Badlands National Park

With Keystone as your homebase for the next few days, you’ll have plenty of options to explore the Black Hills, Custer State Park and Mt. Rushmore.  Nearby Hill City , is well worth spending some time wandering through as well. The forming mining town is now home to multiple art galleries, as well as the Museum at Black Hills Institute .

Head south to the beautiful Custer State Park . Drive the scenic wildlife loop, where bison, pronghorn, prairie dogs, and deer are plentiful. Stop at one of the historic lodges in the park for lunch or a drink. Drive the beautiful Needles Highway as it climbs through the hills and past the peaceful Sylvan Lake.

The twisted spires and pinnacles of the Badlands give it an eerie, otherworldly feel. Despite its barren appearance, the Badlands are filled with life. Home to bison, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, deer, fox, coyotes, burrowing owls, and other prairie animals, including the rare black-footed ferret, the Badlands are a wildlife wonderland.

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A great American road trip through Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming

Talk about a great American road trip. I've been living at my father's ranch in rural Montana ever since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down our New York City offices in March 2020. While I miss my colleagues and New York City, being in the West has given me great opportunities to see parts of the country I'd never explored before. That includes some national parks and more of Montana and states I hadn't even been to, like the Dakotas and Wyoming.

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Today, I'll take you on a road trip from Bozeman, Montana, to Bismarck, North Dakota, to Rapid City, South Dakota, and then on to Cody, Wyoming, before heading for a stop in Yellowstone National Park back in Montana. Along the way, you get to see places like Mount Rushmore, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Devils Tower and, finally, Old Faithful.

Start your trip in Bozeman, Montana

Bozeman was once a sleepy cow town, but that's history. It's a veritable boomtown -- one of the fastest-growing cities in the West. The town's charming Main Street offers tons of shopping, bars and restaurants.

The Museum of the Rockies is a must-visit. It's got the largest collection of dinosaur remains in the world, including a very impressive Tyrannosaurus rex.

And there's been insane growth at the airport : Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) bills itself as the "Gateway to Yellowstone." It's the busiest airport in Montana, with nonstop service to 19 U.S. cities.

American Airlines has been betting big on Montana and added four seasonal flights in 2020 and several more in 2021 . American flies to Bozeman from Los Angeles (LAX), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Philadelphia (PHL), Phoenix (PHX) and Dallas Fort-Worth (DFW) nonstop.

I found tickets for between $239 and $425 in the main cabin. Award prices started at 12,000 AAdvantage miles in coach or 50,000 miles for first class, plus $11.20 in taxes and fees.

United Airlines flies to Bozeman from six of its hubs, and Delta Air Lines also flies from six hubs, including Salt Lake City (SLC). Alaska Airlines has flights from Portland, Oregon (PDX), San Francisco (SFO), San Diego (SAN), and Seattle (SEA), and Allegiant flies from four cities, including Nashville, Tennessee (BNA). Frontier flies from Denver (DEN) and Sun Country now flies from its Minneapolis hub. JetBlue flies from New York-JFK and Boston (BOS) and from Los Angeles (LAX).

There are several brand-new hotels, including one of my favorites, the four-star Kimpton Armory hotel that opened in 2020. Rates range from $207 to $299 a night during August and September. If Marriott is more your speed, there's a nice newish Element Hotel as well.

Related: The new Kimpton Armory in Bozeman, Montana

A day in Billings, Montana

Once you're done exploring Bozeman, your road trip begins in earnest with a just over two-hour drive to Billings in I-90 East. Billings is the largest city in Montana and is also experiencing rapid growth. This is really where the Great Plains begin. I'm not a huge fan of the town, but there are some things to see.

There are several walking trails you can do in the city and the surrounding areas, including ones that will get you some nice views of the cliffs surrounding the town or even on the cliffs.

There's also a park called the Shiloh Conservation Area that has turned an undeveloped 66 acres in West Billings into a wetland area to help control flooding and pollution in the Yellowstone River that flows through town.

If you want to spend the night, there are a ton of cheap hotels and motels in Billings. I stayed at Hampton Inn, which was fine. Rates for summer start at $136/night or 30,000 Hilton Honors points.

A side trip to Little Bighorn Battlefield National Park

It's just over a one-hour drive from Billings to Little Bighorn Battlefield National Park and well worth going a little out of your way. You take Interstate 90 in a nearly straight shot all the way there.

This national monument is a memorial to one of the last of the major battles between Native Americans and the U.S. military. It pitted the U.S. Army's 7th Cavalry against warriors from the Arapaho, Lakota and Northern Cheyenne tribes. This place is popularly known as Custer's Last Stand and the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. More than 265 were killed and it was a major defeat for the U.S. Army. Now the site is preserved as a compelling tribute to those killed on both sides of the battle.

Plan on a pit stop in the charming little cowboy town of Miles City, Montana. I got gas here last summer and stopped into the famous Montana Bar on Main Street. It opened in 1908 and is considered one of the best-preserved Western bars in the state.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

It's a four-hour drive to Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota on Interstate 94. You should probably plan on spending the night in nearby Medora, North Dakota, or even Dickinson, North Dakota, unless you don't mind a six-hour drive direct to Bismarck. That wouldn't get you much time in Little Bighorn or in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Medora's Badlands Motel has basic rooms for between $119–$172 a night.

Related: State-by-state guide to coronavirus reopenings

The park is 70,400 acres in the badlands with a ton of hiking trails. You don't need more than a day here, in my opinion, though it's worth a visit. I spent about two hours on a small hike from the parking lot at the Painted Canyon Visitors Center. You could probably spend a few days at the park on various hikes if you are so inclined.

Bismarck, North Dakota

It's another two-hour drive to Bismarck, North Dakota, the state capital and where you can stay the night at one of many moderately priced hotels.

I enjoyed walking around the state capital building and exploring the historic downtown, including Camp Hancock State Historic Site built in 1872. There's a cool old train station nearby, and you can do the whole town in just a few hours.

Lots of mid-tier hotels to choose from, including a Radisson, Holiday Inn, a Courtyard by Marriott or a Home2Suites by Hilton. Prices range from $84-$127. That's not too bad for peak summer travel.

Rapid City, South Dakota

It's a long five-hour drive from Bismarck to Rapid City, so you'll be in the car for much of the day. Your reward is the charming town known as the City of Presidents.

There are also five national parks within drives of Rapid City: Badlands National Park, Devils Tower National Monument, Jewel Cave National Monument, Wind Cave National Park, Minuteman Missile Silo National Park and Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Also within reach? Crazy Horse Memorial, the Native American version of Mount Rushmore with the giant face of Oglala Lakota leader Crazy Horse carved into a mountain in the Black Hills.

You could spend a week based in Rapid City and do day trips to all these national parks and memorials if you have the time. There's also a thriving restaurant scene in the town.

I found midrange hotels for this summer from $85 all the way up to $250 a night. The Hilton Curio Collection Alex Johnson hotel in Downtown Rapid City looked charming, though it is already sold out on many dates this summer.

You're less than a half-hour from Mount Rushmore in Rapid City, so plan on making the town your base.

Mount Rushmore

No trip to the Dakotas would be complete without a stop at Mount Rushmore. It blew me away and was so much more impressive than I expected when I first went a few years ago. It should be on every American's bucket list.

Related: 11 of the best destinations in the United States

It's a short drive from Rapid City. Keep your eyes open for mountain goats on your drive to the park.

There's no entrance fee to visit, but there is a parking fee of $10 per vehicle or RV. It's just $5 for senior citizens. It's a bit of a hike from the parking area to walk around the base of the mountain, so keep that in mind. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and are free.

Be sure to do the short hike around the monument to really get a sense of the scale and grandeur of the monument.

Deadwood, South Dakota and a drive through Sturgis

On your way from Mount Rushmore, it's worth a stop or even a day or two in nearby Deadwood, South Dakota. It's about an hour and a half from Mount Rushmore on a beautiful drive.

This charming little "Old West" town has lots of little shops and curiosities. It was established as a town in the 1870s during the Black Hills Gold Rush. The whole town is a National Historic Landmark. It's now more famous for another type of gold rush -- gambling has been legal here since 1989.

Related: Voyage to Mt. Rushmore

And if you don't mind absolutely zero social distancing, you can make a stop in Sturgis, South Dakota. If you really want to roll the dice, time your visit to coincide with the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. There's not much to Sturgis aside from lots and lots and lots of bars, but that's the idea of a good time for lots of folks.

Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming

It's a 90-minute drive from Deadwood to Devils Tower. This was probably my favorite thing to see in all my Western road trips last summer -- what a spectacular natural wonder. You can spend a few hours on hikes around the massive rock formation. Many people go for either sunrise or sunset here. You can even do rock climbing on the steep face of the butte.

It was the first United States national monument in the country and it was dedicated by Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. It was also where they filmed a famous scene in the 1977 movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Indeed, it feels other-worldly here.

Cody, Wyoming

It's a five-hour drive from Devils Tower to Cody, Wyoming, where you should probably spend the night before heading to Yellowstone. It's just an hour and 15 minutes from Cody to the east entrance of Yellowstone.

There is plenty to do in this rugged Wyoming town of fewer than 10,000 people. I highly recommend the Buffalo Bill Center of the West , which includes five museums. Colonel William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody helped found the town in 1896. He was one of the most famous men in the Old West, legendary for his buffalo hunting, cowboy skills and showmanship.

There is a Holiday Inn at Buffalo Bill Village with rates in June around $181/night, or you could use 47,000 IHG Rewards points.

There is also a Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton that looks pretty basic for about $185/night or 56,000 Hilton Honors points.

Yellowstone National Park

If you stay the night in Cody, it will give you a full day to explore the park. You'll enter via U.S. Highway 14/20 and it's about 53 miles to Yellowstone's East Entrance. The route will take you through the eastern entrance of Yellowstone and around the beautiful Yellowstone Lake.

Related: Complete guide to Yellowstone National Park

You'll have the opportunity to stop at the museum and visitors center near Lake Village and there are plenty of hikes or scene overlooks on the way. Once you're done exploring the Yellowstone Lake area, head on over to Old Faithful. It's a massive geyser that erupts reliably every 60 to 110 minutes. It's a cone geyser in the Upper Geyser Basin and easily accessible by road, and park rangers can tell you when the next eruption is during the day. Don't worry if you missed an eruption. It happens 20 times a day, and the plume of water and steam can be as high as 180 feet!

Watch for buffalo that are frequently loitering around the area.

If you want to stay the night, you can actually stay right at Old Faithful. I wrote a complete guide to where to stay in Yellowstone . Check it out for ideas, but try one of the very intimate little cabins if your party is not too large.

The road from Old Faithful to West Yellowstone is filled with sites to see and a ton of spectacular geysers and hot springs too. There are hikes and lots of wild animals roaming around to boot.

West Yellowstone, Montana

The final stop on your road trip is West Yellowstone, Montana. You should plan on staying the night here before your long drive back to Bozeman (give yourself two and a half hours).

There's a decent Holiday Inn in West Yellowstone where last-minute rooms in August start at $370 a night. That's steep, but if you book early, you can certainly find better rates. A long weekend in September will set you back $306 a night, or you can use 33,000 IHG Rewards Club points per night. I stayed here in 2020, and it was very basic but clean. I'm not sure it's worth $300 a night. I wouldn't pay that much.

Related: Where to stay in and around Yellowstone National Park

There's also the Days Inn by Wyndham West Yellowstone , staring at 15,000 Wyndham points per night. If you have Best Western Rewards points, you could try the Best Western Desert Inn or the Best Western Weston Inn , both from 28,000 points per night.

There's plenty to do in West Yellowstone too without even going back inside the park. The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center comes highly recommended, where you can see live bears and wolves up close. There's also zip-lining and river rafting nearby.

And, check out the visitor information center in the town itself, explore the fun tourist-trap shops lining the streets and be sure to grab some huckleberry ice cream. It will be just one of the many memories you make on your road trip.

• Jul 15, 2020

10 Days in Wyoming and South Dakota (The Ultimate Travel Guide)

Updated: Nov 25, 2020

This itinerary of 10 days in Wyoming and South Dakota will take you through the journey that I took, which included the major areas of Cody, WY; Gardiner, MT; Yellowstone National Park; Jackson Hole; Devils Tower; and Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Badlands National Park

**Important**

This trip will require that you rent a car, as there will be a lot of driving necessary to see as much as possible in the time provided.

Be aware that some roads will often be closed during the snowy months so make sure to plan for this.

To begin your 10 day trip in Wyoming and South Dakota, book a one-way ticket to Billings Logan International Airport , in Billings, MT. Make sure to pick a vehicle that best suits your plans and pick it up upon arrival.

Billings/Red Lodge (Day 1)

After arriving in Billings, get on the road and head south, towards where you will stay overnight in Red Lodge, MT. Drive time to Red Lodge from Billings is 1 hour 10 minutes .

There are several hikes that you can do in the area, but not much else. Red Lodge is mostly just acting as home base until you get back from Cody, Wyoming.

Airbnb is my main way of finding a place to stay, so check that out when you begin your search.

Cody (Day 2)

From your place in Red Lodge, Cody is about 1 hour and 10 minutes. You can spend your day here visiting places like:

Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center

Old Town Trail

Milestone Brewery

After a full day of sightseeing, spend the night watching the famous Cody Stampede Rodeo. The rodeo only happens from June to August from 8-10 PM. So make sure you have plans to last you through the day.

When your day in Cody has finished, return to your place in Red Lodge.

Yellowstone/Gardiner (Day 3)

From Red Lodge, take the 3-hour ride along Bear Tooth Pass towards Gardiner, MT. On the way there, head south to Canyon Village to check out the magnificent Yellowstone Falls.

Canyon Village includes North Rim Drive where the Lower Falls can be seen and South Rim Drive where the Upper Falls can be seen, each with several different viewpoints. You should have enough time to check out both locations

There are also several hikes in the area that provide different views of the falls most won't see. Yellowstone's website lists three different trails as follows:

Mammoth Hot Springs is on the way back to Gardiner if you'd like to check it out. It is basically hot spring water that is redirected into a pool, where you could swim in the sulfur-smelling water. This isn't a necessary stop on your trip but is there if you are interested.

Arrive in Gardiner and enjoy the rest of the day. Here's where we stayed!

Yellowstone (Day 4)

On Day 4, we hired a tour guide who drove us all around the park and gave us a bunch of information on what we were seeing. I highly recommend researching some Yellowstone tours as I feel that I learned and saw a lot more than I would have being on my own.

However, if you do enough research and are looking to save some money, you could probably explore the park yourself at your own pace.

This tour was specifically a wildlife tour so we ventured east at the top of Yellowstone. Along the way we stopped at places like Floating Island Lake, Lamar Valley, Trout Lake, and Barronette Peak.

After a 6-hour tour, get dropped off at your place of stay and enjoy the rest of the day in Gardiner.

Gardiner to Jackson Hole (Day 5)

Don't worry, that wasn't the end of Yellowstone! You will be spending all day driving south from Gardiner to Jackson Hole, right through Yellowstone. A non-stop drive to Jackson Hole will be about 4.5 hours total.

Along the way you will have to opportunity to view many more areas that Yellowstone has to offer. Along an incredibly scenic drive, you will be making your way towards the Grand Prismatic Hot Springs and Old Faithful.

Grand Prismatic Hot Springs

Grand Prismatic was really cool, there were a couple hot springs like this one scattered over an area of land. Everybody had to walk on a bridge to see it all so it was fairly tight as you walked through. A must see when driving through Yellowstone!

Old Faithful

Old Faithful is another must see if you're in the area. The geyser erupts 20 times per day, meaning about once every 1 hour and 12 minutes. This is usually the wait time in between eruptions, give or take about 10 minutes. The geyser was actually named after it's predictable schedule! The geyser averages around 140 feet in height and can last anywhere from 1.5 minutes to 5 minutes ( Kwak-Hefferan).

When finished, drive until you reach Jackson Hole in Grand Teton National Park. Check into the room you have booked in Jackson Hole or Teton Village.

Jackson Hole (Day 6 and 7)

Jackson Hole has so much to offer, so take two days to explore the area

River Tours

One river tour that we took was with Barker-Ewing Scenic Boat Trips. This trip was a relaxing guided river tour of Snake River, which flowed next to the Grand Tetons. It was a peaceful journey through nature and one of my favorite things we did. Try grabbing a rock from the the bottom of the river! They become crazy smooth after years of rolling along the bottom of the river.

Another river tour we did was not so relaxing. We went white water rafting on Mad River and it was wild. It really was like an extreme sport, trying to stay in the raft while maneuvering it with the currents. So of course it was a lot of fun and you should check out some tours if you're into that

Horseback Riding

Take a guided tour on horseback through the beautiful countryside that Jackson Hole offers! We took a 3 hour tour with A OK Corral Horseback Riding through the Gros Ventre Wilderness. The views were beautiful and it was a fun way to experience Grand Teton National Park. That was the first time I had ever gone horseback riding and I would do it again no doubt.

Jackson Hole Aerial Tram

Ride the Aerial Tram located in Teton Village. The tram takes you 4,139 vertical feet to a summit with incredible 360-degree views of the Tetons.

Tram tickets are currently $39 for an adult.

Jackson Hole to Buffalo, WY (Day 8)

Get an early start in the morning, as an approximately 6 hour journey will be needed to drive across Wyoming towards South Dakota. You can stop in Buffalo, WY and spend the rest of the day there, and prepare to get up in the morning to continue the drive to SD.

Click HERE for more information on what Buffalo has to offer!

Devils Tower/Deadwood, SD (Day 9)

It's another long drive from Buffalo to Deadwood, so again, be sure to get an early start to the morning. You will be driving approximately 4 hours total.

Along the way, you will stop at Devils Tower, a crazy cool natural rock tower that stands about 867 feet tall. It is named Devil's Tower because Army commander, Col. Richard Dodge wrote, "the Indians called it 'Bad God's Tower,'" which he translated to Devil's Tower.

Here is the National Park Service's web page for Frequently Asked Questions .

After checking out Devil's Tower, finish your drive to Deadwood where you can check into your place and go out and explore the town.

Mount Rushmore/Crazy Horse/Badlands (Day 10)

It's about to be a busy day so be prepared!

In the morning you will visit both Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial . It takes about 1 hour to drive from Deadwood to Mount Rushmore, then an additional 30 minutes to Crazy Horse. After Crazy Horse, you will drive 1.5 hours to Badlands National Park .

Then, if you'd like, you could visit Mount Rushmore once again at nighttime. Whatever you choose, you will still be returning to your place in Deadwood at the end of the day.

Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore is easy to get to and you can park in a parking garage that is located at the national memorial. Then walk through then entrance that's lined with flags and a centered Mount Rushmore.

The park has a walk-through where you can view the memorial from several different angles. After spending some time checking out the massive carving, you can stop to get some ice cream that is based on Thomas Jefferson's original recipe from 1780! "President Jefferson is credited with bringing the first written recipe for ice cream to the United States," and you can try it!

Crazy Horse

Work on the Crazy Horse Memorial began in 1948 and is not even close to completion. It will become the largest sculpture in the world that's dedicated to honoring the Native American Indians. There is an inside tour that tells the fascinating history of Crazy Horse and the process of creating his memorial. Definitely take some time to learn the history behind the sculpture while you're here!

Badlands National Park

Once you finish checking out the memorials, you'll want to head to Badlands National Park. Take Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway (SD 240) through the park for amazing views and pull-offs the whole way. You'll also see a lot of mountain goats and other wildlife close to the roads. Badlands National Park was one of my favorite spots on the entire trip.

Definitely leave enough time in the day to spend about 1.5-2.5 hours there . You can also plan a stop at a famous massive drug store called Wall Drug . There were bill boards for it EVERYWHERE as we got closer to the Badlands. It's essentially a shopping mall with several gift stores and restaurants but instead of individuals owning each store, they are all run as a single entity.

That's a Wrap!

Going Home (Day 11)

You've just completed the last day of your 10 days in Wyoming and South Dakota and now it's time to head home!

You'll want to leave from Rapid City, SD, which is about 1 hour and 10 minutes from Deadwood.

So, to Recap

You're going to spend 10 days in Wyoming and South Dakota

You're going to buy a one way departure ticket to Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)

You're going to buy a one way returning ticket from Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP)

You will visit major locations like: Cody, WY; Gardiner, MT; Yellowstone National Park; Jackson Hole; Devils Tower; Mount Rushmore; Crazy Horse; and Badlands National Park

You are going to need to rent a car for this trip

Make sure you plan for certain roads being closed in the winter

Consider getting a guided tour of Yellowstone

There are many great hikes in most of these locations, so check them out if you're into that

Thanks for Reading

★ If you enjoyed the article or if it helped you plan your trip, I encourage you to drop a like or a comment under the article, it will help a lot. Thanks so much, have a great trip!

Kwak-Hefferan, Elisabeth. “About Old Faithful, Yellowstone's Famous Geyser.” My Yellowstone Park , 27 Apr. 2020, www.yellowstonepark.com/things-to-do/about-old-faithful.

“Memorial Team Ice Cream.” Mount Rushmore National Memorial , www.mtrushmorenationalmemorial.com/dining/memorial-team-ice-cream/.

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The Montana & Wyoming Road Trip You’ve Been Dreaming Of

The Rockies

An Unforgettable Rocky Mountain Itinerary

Looking for more time with nature, moments of spectacular grandeur, and some of the most incredible scenery America has to offer? Montana and Wyoming are ready to deliver all of that and then some. Step away from virtual calls and the constant ding of incoming email — and step into one of the world’s most beautiful places. This is a trip you’ll never forget. There’s a lot to see, so we’ve mapped out the perfect itinerary to hit three National Parks, each offering distinct and unique landscapes, wildlife and experiences. We’ll start out with Glacier National Park and neighboring Whitefish, Montana. We then head down to Yellowstone National Park with visits to Gardiner and West Yellowstone, Montana. To close out this road trip of a lifetime, we’ll end with Grand Teton National Park.

Wintertime in Montana is a whole different experience, so this trip is best taken between June and September. Our ideal visit is right after Labor Day — the crowds diminish with school back in session, but the weather is still pleasant for hiking. The bison and elk ruts this time of year make September as good as it gets. Traveling with the family in the summer? The trip is still phenomenal, but it might require a little extra planning and flexibility.

Buckle up, we’re heading to Montana!

Day 1 & 2 – Glacier National Park

The beauty of Glacier National Park will leave you speechless. Glacier-fed turquoise lakes, ice-capped mountain peaks, roaring waterfalls, and northern wildlife are all pieces of this magical place — but it’s the fresh mountain air that stays with you. Breathe it in and enjoy every second.

Fly into Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, and rent your car from there. An SUV is great, especially if you’re traveling with a family, but a standard car makes parking a breeze and should also get you up and down the mountains just fine.

Glacier National Park sometimes feels like a combination of several epic national parks. Called the “crown of the continent,” it’s the type of experience that will stay with you forever. Ice rivers slowly carved this section of the Canadian Rockies, from mossy old-growth forests to glistening alpine meadows. With glaciers , lakes, and rivers in sparkling shades of blue surrounded by rugged mountains in every direction and over 700 miles of trails — it’s a hiker’s paradise.

Not a hiker? Not to worry. Take a scenic drive up Going-to-the-Sun Road . This spectacular 50-mile road spans the width of Glacier National Park, giving you a view of the park’s interior. Endless picturesque pullouts and viewpoints sit along the road, crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass . You’ll see large, crystal-clear glacial lakes, gorgeous forests, and alpine meadows — and on a good day even spot mountain goats, moose, and bears.

You need at least two days to really experience all Glacier has to offer. Take one day to explore Going-to-the-Sun Road from end to end, stopping to hike, grab lunch, and enjoy the beauty of this magnificent park.

On the second day, check out Two Medicine—take a boat trip around the lake with Glacier Park Boat Company or hit the trails on one of the area’s 14 hikes. When you’re done exploring this gorgeous section, head up to Many Glacier or the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1932, Glacier National Park partnered with Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada, to create the world’s first International Peace Park. (Bring your passport if you plan to cross into the Canadian side.)

Glacier National Park will take your breath away with stunning views and out-of-this-world vistas. It’s the ultimate first stop on an epic exploration of Montana and Wyoming.

Where to Stay Near Glacier National Park

The quintessential small mountain town, Whitefish offers restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, live music, shopping and nightlife year-round. If you don’t want to fly in, Amtrak’s daily Whitefish stop brings you right into the heart of the action of this perfect Glacier home base.

Among ample lodging in Whitefish, the Pine Lodge on Whitefish River has cozy rooms and tons of complimentary amenities with your stay.

Need a shuttle to downtown Whitefish? It’s included. Want to kayak the Whitefish River? That’s also included. Need to fill up with breakfast before you head into the park? Included. Looking to beat your travel partner at pool or shuffleboard? You guessed it — included. You get the point; there’s plenty to do at the Pine Lodge, and it all comes with your stay!

However, please be aware that there is a daily amenity fee required for certain activities during the summer months.

Day 3 – Gardiner, Montana

Now let’s head to Yellowstone! There’s some serious drive time between Glacier and Yellowstone, but plenty of amazing Montana locations to stop at along the way. Here are some of our favorite places to grab lunch, hit the trails, or just take in the scenery of Big Sky country.

Butte, Montana

Originally a gold and silver mining camp in the 1800s, Butte became the “richest hill on earth” when its copper deposits were discovered at the turn of the century. Butte is a charming city nestled in the Rocky Mountains of Southwest Montana, with natural hot springs, boating, fishing, trolley tours, and more. Don’t miss the Our Lady of the Rockies statue, standing 90 feet tall on the ridge overlooking Butte.

Bozeman, Montana

Whether you’re looking for dramatic mountains for hiking, rock climbing, and fly-fishing or a flourishing arts community featuring festivals, art galleries, live music, and farmers markets, Bozeman shines as America’s “most livable place.” Enjoy rooftop dining in what many call a foodie paradise, check out one of Bozeman’s many museums, or take a river rafting tour — there’s something for everyone in Bozeman.

Lewis & Clark Caverns

Montana’s first and best-known state park is Lewis & Clark Caverns. These unbelievable limestone caverns are filled with stalactites, helictites, and stalagmites; electrically lighted; and naturally air-conditioned. Informative and fun guided tours are available May through September. This is a super fascinating spot to view incredible underground scenery and cool off on a hot day.

Where to Stay Near Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is huge with multiple areas to explore (better), which is why this trip is best made over a few days in different locations. Let’s start with the wildlife (bison, wolves, and bears — oh my!) that make Gardiner a great spot to hunker down for the night before hitting the road early in the morning. Gardiner sits at the original entrance to Yellowstone, nestled between the Absaroka–Beartooth Wilderness and Gallatin Range. With no big-box stores and lots of local merchants, this full-service town has an Old West feel. Gardiner offers the easiest access to Lamar Valley (wildlife central) in Yellowstone, so you’ll want to rise early and catch the park’s most famous inhabitants.

There are a number of lodging options in Gardiner, but one of our favorite spots is The Ridgeline Hotel® at Yellowstone . Ideally located just minutes from the North Entrance (and the Roosevelt Arch), this hotel sits directly on the Yellowstone River.

It has an on-site restaurant, heated indoor pool and hot tub, casino/bar area, and Wi-Fi (to update your social media with photos from the trip). Super comfortable accommodations and instant access to the park equals a win for us!

Day 4 – Yellowstone National Park

Your first day starts with ALL the wildlife in Lamar Valley. The secret to seeing the most wildlife is driving in at dawn. Grab your continental breakfast to go from the hotel and jump in the car — don’t forget your binoculars.

Before heading through Yellowstone’s North Entrance, take a drive (or walk) through the Roosevelt Arch for a FOMO-inducing photo by the park sign. Yellowstone is America’s first National Park and the North Entrance is the original entrance, so take a minute to appreciate all the history that took place here.

The drive from the North Entrance into Lamar Valley is beautiful, and it usually doesn’t take long to encounter wildlife of some sort. Bison seem to be everywhere up here, and it’s a true thrill to get caught in a bison jam (which we’d take over a traffic jam any day)!

A fan favorite in Lamar Valley is Yellowstone’s wolf packs, and the best times to glimpse these beautiful predators is dawn and dusk. Keep your eyes peeled — it’s a rare and special moment to get to see wolves in the valley.

After taking Lamar in for the morning, head back toward the entrance and over to Mammoth. This section of the park has NPS Visitor Centers, a restaurant, an awesome gift shop, and more, so it’s a great place to stop for lunch and souvenirs before checking out Mammoth Hot Springs .

Take the afternoon to check out Mammoth, Norris Geyser Basin, and Artists Paintpots as you travel toward the West Yellowstone Entrance to the park. Want a full breakdown of our favorite locations? Click here.

When you’ve explored to your heart’s extent, exit into West Yellowstone, Montana… this is where we’ll be spending night two of our Yellowstone adventure.

West Yellowstone is a gateway community filled with fun things to do — tons of restaurants, a ropes and ziplining course, and our favorite, Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center . The Discovery Center offers visitors an opportunity to observe, understand, and appreciate grizzly bears and gray wolves that are unable to survive in the wild. A fascinating, up-close look at some of Montana’s most incredible animals, it’s definitely worth a stop.

West Yellowstone has tons of lodging options for every type of traveler. Two of our favorites are the Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone and Yellowstone Park Hotel . The Explorer Cabins combine the charm of cabin lodging (CABINEERING™) with the joys of generational and dog-friendly travel. They’re ideal for family and friends traveling together or a romantic getaway. Each private cabin boasts stylish décor, fine linens, a flat-screen TV, and a kitchenette for whipping up your favorite meals. Wi-Fi is available in the cabins and throughout the property. Trust us, s’mores by the campfire at the Explorer Cabins will be a favorite road trip moment.

Yellowstone Park Hotel features well-appointed rooms, free Wi-Fi, a heated indoor swimming pool, and a hot tub, for the perfect opportunity to relax after a long day of exploring. Other rooms may include fireplaces and whirlpool tubs.

Day 5 – Yellowstone National Park

Our stars of the day are the geysers, springs, and thermal features Yellowstone is famous for. The West Yellowstone entrance can get backed up in the summer, so plan to hit the road early again. Sunrise in this section of the park is also spectacular, and you won’t be sorry you got up before the sun as you watch it peek over the mountains and fill the valleys below with golden light.

Today is all about Yellowstone’s lower loop. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Old Faithful , and Grand Prismatic are some of the scenic spots you’ll be seeing, and we promise you… every stop is even more spectacular than the last.

Try to hit Grand Prismatic when the sun is high in the sky for the best view of the colors, and take the Fairy Falls trail to see it from above. It’s a relatively easy hike and the payoff after the short climb is worth every breath on the way up. Old Faithful goes off like clockwork and park rangers pinpoint when it’s expected, so you can time your arrival at Old Faithful Inn perfectly to grab lunch and then watch an eruption. The Upper Geyser Basin here is home to over 150 hydrothermal wonders you won’t want to miss exploring.

As you go along, one thing you’ll notice about Yellowstone is the phenomenal variety of destinations in the park. Every location is a different world and there’s so much to discover in this magical place.

At the end of the day, head back into West Yellowstone for one more night before heading down to Grand Teton first thing in the morning.

Day 6 – Grand Teton National Park

Dramatic scenery, stunning snow-covered peaks, and rivers meandering through unbelievable vistas — welcome to Grand Teton National Park . Coming from West Yellowstone, you’ll want to leave early (we know, this trip is full of early wake-up calls), and head south to the Yellowstone South Entrance. These two majestic parks are only 31 miles apart, so it’s only about half an hour from the South Entrance of Yellowstone to Grand Teton National Park. Coming this way, there’s actually no formal entrance station into Grand Teton.

On your way in, we highly recommend stopping at the Jackson Lake Overlook , an idyllic welcome into the park. Beautiful lake views and stunning rocky peaks offer a great taste of what’s to come in Grand Teton. As you explore, you’ll find endless spots to take in the views. Oxbow Bend is stunning every day, but catch it when the mountains and sky reflect off the river and you’ll get the photo of a lifetime.

Jenny Lake is a must-see location, with incredible hiking, water rentals, a store and visitor center, and more. We also recommend renting a canoe to experience this beautiful area from the vantage point of the water.

Take the day to discover this stunning park before heading into Jackson, Wyoming, for your last overnight stay.

On your second day in Grand Teton, explore the park further and hit some of the many photo-worthy scenic spots — there’s no shortage. Mormon Row and Moulton Barn on Antelope Flats is the most photographed barn in Wyoming and quite possibly the world. This place feels a little bit like stepping into a movie, so keep an eye out for Tristan from Legends of the Fall.

We’re willing to bet this week-long Montana and Wyoming road trip is one you’ll never forget. Drop your rental car in Jackson and fly out of the Jackson Hole airport to start your trip home (and start planning your next epic adventure).

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The Ultimate South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary: Where to Stop, What to Do, and More

Discover Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, Custer State Park, Sioux Falls, and more on a road trip through South Dakota.

Scott Bay is a magazine editor specializing in travel, architecture, and gear. He was previously an assistant editor at Travel + Leisure . His work has also appeared in Wired , Architectural Digest , Wallpaper , Robb Report , Saveur , Daily Beast , and more.

South Dakota was made for road trips : There are scenic, paved roads that lead to national treasures, natural anomalies , perfectly preserved Wild West towns, and plenty of quirky attractions. Whether you're a history buff, foodie, or nature lover, this Midwest state delivers. Read on for the ultimate South Dakota road trip itinerary, including where to stop, what to do, and more.

Sioux Falls

The state's largest city and likely the place where you'd fly into, Sioux Falls is the logical starting point for a South Dakota road trip. If you're driving west, follow this route, but if you're heading east or flying into Rapid City on the western side of the state, flip it. Sioux Falls is an ever-growing and extremely walkable city with lots of incredible food options. Stay at the Hotel on Phillips for an example of the posh direction the city is headed. After checking in and exploring the nearby falls the city is famously named after, grab a happy hour drink on the PAve rooftop. Phillips Avenue Diner or Crave are the best spots for dinner, and make sure to enjoy a cocktail at The Treasury , an upscale bar conveniently located back at the Hotel on Phillips.

Must-see Stop: About an hour outside Sioux Falls, stop by the world's only Corn Palace in Mitchell, established in 1892 as a premier roadside attraction, for a look at the famous murals and a photo-op with a giant smiling ear of corn.

Wall Drug Store

Located just outside Badlands National Park and about four hours from Sioux Falls, this massive, 76,000-square-foot roadside attraction started from humble beginnings, with just the promise of free ice water to entice passersby. Now, there are signs lining hundreds of miles of highway and displaying the many offerings of the beloved shop. Wall Drug Store now sports giant dinosaur and jackalope statues, ample souvenirs, a shopping mall, an art gallery, a restaurant serving delicious homemade doughnuts, and, of course, free ice water for the roughly 20,000 people who stop in every day.

Badlands National Park

Everything you need to know about badlands national park.

The surreal landscapes of Badlands National Park alone are worth the drive to South Dakota. From the rolling hills of the prairie lands protrude jagged spires that quickly expand to the horizon. The formations look like they could crumble with the slightest touch, but fear not, as they are solid and very fun to climb for all ages. Check into a cabin at the Cedar Pass Lodge for a night or two, and watch the sunset. The next morning, continue driving along the Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway to glimpse wildlife such as bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs.

Deadwood and Rapid City

Make Rapid City your base for exploring Deadwood and the surrounding area, as the city provides hub-and-spoke-like accessibility to many of the places on this list. About a 45-minute drive from Rapid City, take a step back in time in historic Deadwood, with its Old West-style main street full of boutiques, restaurants, and charm — and yes, this is where the HBO series Deadwood was based and where you can visit the graves of Wild West heroes like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane at Mount Moriah Cemetery. After role-playing as Billy the Kid, head to the Hotel Alex Johnson in Rapid City for the night. The city is set among the Black Hills, and the downtown area is a treat to wander through. The hotel's rooftop restaurant and bar, Vertex Sky Bar , is a nice spot for dinner. Another delicious spot is Murphy's Pub & Grill .

Must-see Stop: If you'll be spending a day or two in Rapid City, swing by Main Street Square , a public space that's home to family-friendly festivals, live music, a splash park in summer, and a rocking ice skating rink in winter. The Journey Museum & Learning Center is also worth a look, with exhibits highlighting the area's Native American culture and history as well as the Black Hills' dinosaur days.

Custer State Park

Leave early in the morning to enjoy the fresh pine air of Custer State Park , where herds of roaming bison regularly cause traffic jams (if this happens to you, just keep your distance, stay in your car, and get those cameras ready). Head to Blue Bell Lodge for a perfect few hours of horseback riding through fields of flowers and trickling streams in the surrounding forests. Then, grab a bite at the lodge's restaurant before heading to picturesque Sylvan Lake. After an afternoon of water activities, drive to Custer for a pint and dinner at Mt. Rushmore Brewing Company and Pounding Fathers Restaurant (open seasonally). Finally, cap off the day with some much-deserved shut-eye at Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins .

Must-see Stop: If time allows and you're heading from Custer up toward Mount Rushmore, make time to visit the Crazy Horse Memorial , an impressive monument carved into the side of a mountain that's dedicated to the life and story of the famous Oglala Lakota chief. Stop by the on-site museum to learn more about the area's rich Indigenous American history and culture, then snap some photos of the massive (and still-under-construction) mountain sculpture.

Mount Rushmore

On day four, it's finally time to see the Founding Fathers' faces carved into the mountain — the enormity of the sculpture is truly a sight to see. Under Canvas has set up camp near Mount Rushmore National Memorial (seasonally from early May to late September), so you can enjoy luxury tented accommodations that evening, along with on-site dining and camping activities.

Needles Highway

The last day brings a scenic, 14-mile drive along giant granite spires. On this drive, there will be breakneck turns, hand-carved tunnels, and vistas that will instill the wonder of South Dakota and solidify the past five days of incredible adventure in your memory forever. Continue your road trip through Wyoming, Utah, and Montana, or stop here — the choice is up to you.

Related Articles

South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary – The Best Attractions to Visit

This one-week South Dakota Road Trip itinerary covers all the major South Dakota attractions.

Visit Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore. Drive incredible scenic routes. Find hundreds of miles of hiking trails, from beginner level to expert. Custer State Park and Black Hills National Forest give the outdoor enthusiast lots of different options.

South Dakota has something for everyone!

Table of Contents

South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary

Our 1-week South Dakota road trip itinerary hits all the best places to visit.

• Day 1 : Badlands National Park and Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
• Day 2 : Rapid City
• Day 3 : Mount Rushmore National Memorial
• Day 4 : Custer State Park
• Day 5 : Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument
• Day 6 : Black Hills Scenic Drives
• Day 7 : Towns of Deadwood , Lead and Spearfish

South Dakota Attractions Map

Must-Sees in South Dakota

Badlands national park.

Badlands National Park, with an area over 200,000 acres, showcases a colorful landscape of eroded buttes, canyons, pinnacles and spires. The White River Badlands contain some of the richest fossil beds in the world and the larger beds are exposed in the park boundaries. The park includes the largest protected prairie in the US National Park system supporting a wide variety of wildlife. Bison, deer, coyotes, turtles, butterflies, and eagles are just a few. This is one of the best places to visit in South Dakota.

Traveling the Badlands Loop Road the beauty of the badlands is everywhere. There are pull-offs and parking lots along the way so stop, stretch and explore the countryside. Visit Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Learn more about the Badlands, its wildlife, fossils and geology.

Badlands Loop Road provides access to the trailheads of the park’s established hiking trails. Notch Trail is 1.5 miles (2.4 miles) round trip and recommended for an overview of the valley. Climb a log ladder and follow a ledge for a dramatic view of the White River Valley. We hiked Cliff Shelf, a quick half mile (0.8 km) loop which has boardwalks and lots of stairs. The view was worth it.

The park entrance is about 8 miles south of the city of Wall on US 240, an hour east of Rapid City. The park is open year-round and an entrance fee applies which provides access for 7 days. Campground and lodge accommodations are available in the park.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Visit the immense 60-foot tall wall of carved faces. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln look out over the valley from the top of Mount Rushmore. This is a “bucket-list” destination for many people.

The information center, the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center and Guzton Boglum’s studio provide information about the creation of the memorial. The sculptor worked from the studio and it displays his 1/12th scale model of Mount Rushmore. The 0.6 mile Presidential Trail starts nearby and allows a closer view of the memorial. There are plaques along the trail highlighting each president as his face becomes visible on the mountain. On the Avenue of Flags, see flags from all US states (50), districts (1), territories (3) and commonwealths (2).

The best time of day to visit Mount Rushmore is the morning.  Crowds are thinner.  More importantly, the presidents’ faces are free of shadows in the morning light, perfect for photos. In the evening, the memorial is illuminated. A special lighting ceremony is held nightly from Memorial Day weekend through September 30th.

The memorial is 30 minutes south of Rapid City via Highways 16 and SR244 and is open year-round except for Christmas Day, though some areas may be inaccessible during the winter months. There is no entrance fee however a parking fee is charged.

In addition to visiting Mount Rushmore there are many things to do in the Black Hills.

Black Hills Attractions

The Black Hills are an eroded mountain range in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming. The highest peak in the range is Black Elk Peak at 7240 feet (2,200 metres). The peak is about 4 miles (6.3 kilometres) west of Mount Rushmore as the crow flies. Much of the range is protected and open for recreation as Black Hills National Forest. Rapid City , in the foothills is the gateway to the Black Hills.

The Black Hills best attractions are:

• Mount Rushmore National Memorial ,
• Custer State Park ,
• Wind Cave National Park ,
• Jewel Cave National Monument ,
• Black Hills National Forest .

Custer State Park

South Dakota’s oldest state park, and largest at 71,000 acres, offers lots of recreation options in a stunning setting. See abundant wildlife, enjoy hiking, camping, boating and more all just 30 minutes south of Rapid City. There are several Visitor Centers, museums and historic sites.  The park is open year-round for a small park fee.  

Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Road

The 18-mile, wildlife loop passes through grasslands and hills covered in pine where much of the park’s wildlife is found. Bison, pronghorn, whitetail and mule deer, elk, coyotes, burros, prairie dogs, eagles, hawks, and a variety of other birds share the grasslands. The landscape is incredible. Guided tours are available.

The park’s bison herd is one of the world’s largest publicly-owned herds, about 1,300 strong. The annual roundup occurs on the last Friday of each September and is open to the public. This roundup helps maintain a healthy balance between the number of bison and available food. Once corralled, the herd is checked, vaccinated and typically about 200 animals are chosen to be sold at auction in November.

Custer State Park Hiking

There are plenty of hiking options in the park. We hiked to Cathedral Spires, rated a strenuous hike, it was about 1¼ miles one-way. The scenery is outstanding.

Custer State Park Lakes

Boating, fishing (with a valid license) and swimming are popular in the park. Restrictions exist on the types of boats allowed on some lakes so check before launching.  

Wind Cave National Park

The park protects one of the most complex underground mazes in the world.  95% of the world’s boxwork is in Wind Cave National Park. Boxwork, a rare calcite formation, looks like honeycomb and is between 60 to 100 million years ago. The park is open year-round. There is no fee to enter the park itself but a fee is charged for cave tours.

The only way to visit the cave is on a ranger-led tour. A number of tour options exist of varying lengths and difficulties. Fewer tours are offered in the winter months. All tours start from the visitor center which has exhibits about the park’s history and wildlife.  For detailed information about the tours, tour times and reservations, visit the Wind Cave National Park’s Guided Tours webpage.

The park has more than 30 miles of hiking trails which cut through grasslands and pine forests. We enjoyed hiking the short Rankin Ridge Nature Trail. The trail leads to the highest point in the park rewarding hikers with spectacular views, including bison in the valley below. The park is about 1.25 hours south of Rapid City. 

Jewel Cave National Monument

Jewel Cave is the 3rd longest cave in the world. About 200 miles have been mapped so far. The monument gets its name from the jewel-like calcite crystals found in the cave. Ranger-led tours of varying lengths and difficulties leave from the visitor center. There is no fee to enter the monument itself but a fee is charged for cave tours. For detailed information about the tours, tour times and reservations, visit the Jewel Cave National Monument’s Guided Tours webpage.

Wildlife is often seen on the monument’s two hiking trails. The monument is open year-round and is located about an hour southwest of Rapid City (13 miles west Custer).  

Black Hills National Forest

Hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, camping and much more are all available in the 1.2 million acres of the Black Hills National Forest.

Crazy Horse Memorial

The memorial, when complete, will depict the Oglala Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse, mounted and pointing to the horizon. The visitor complex includes an orientation center, gift shop, restaurant, museums and displays. About 45 minutes southwest of Rapid City (10 miles south of Hill City), it is open year-round with an entrance fee.  Native Americans are divided in their views on the appropriateness of the memorial.

Hiking in Black Hills National Forest

Hiking options abound in the national forest.  In the northern section, Roughlock Falls is worth the 2-mile (3.2 km) round-trip hike.  The trail parallels Roughlock Falls Road hugging the Little Spearfish Creek with beautiful views, wildlife and trout fishing. Spearfish Falls are close by. They are visible from the main road or, for a closer view, take the easy 1-mile (1.6 km) round-trip trail.

Black Hills Central Railroad

See the beauty of the Black Hills riding a vintage steam train. The 1880 carries passengers between Hill City and Keystone from early May until early October. Travel round-trip (2¼ hours) or one-way from either city. The South Dakota State Railroad Museum at the depot in Hill City displays memorabilia from former South Dakota railroads.

Black Hills Scenic Drives

Almost all the roads in the Black Hills are “scenic drives” but there are a couple routes that are stellar. It’s the perfect way to link places on the itinerary together.

The Peter Norbreck Scenic Byway connects many of the highlights of the Black Hills. A national scenic byway, its 70 miles (110 km) winds over spiral bridges, through rock tunnels and around rocky peaks and forested hills.  Take a day and tour the entire byway.

Iron Mountain Road is an 18-mile (28-km) section of the Peter Norbreck Scenic Byway. It winds between Mount Rushmore and the intersection of US16A and SD36.  Its tunnels frame Mount Rushmore. This section takes about an hour to travel depending on the number of photo stops.

The 14-mile (22-km) Needles Highway is another section of the Peter Norbreck Scenic Byway. It travels through pine and spruce forests with meadows surrounded by birch and aspen. Rugged mountains of the Black Hills make an incredible backdrop.  It takes between 45 minutes and an hour to travel the highway and it is closed in winter.

Travel the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway , through Spearfish Canyon’s 20 miles of beautiful scenery. Waterfalls and hiking options are throughout the canyon. At a minimum, the drive is 30 minutes long, but allow longer to stop and admire the scenery. Bridal Veil Falls is right at the roadside and definitely worth a stop.  

Best Cities to Visit in South Dakota

The 2 nd largest city in South Dakota, Rapid City is the gateway to the Black Hills and a great base for a road trip. Enjoy its family-friendly things to do.  In the summer, Main Street Square has bubbling water jets for the kids to play in which are lit at night. The square has a small concert stage. It’s a good starting point for the City of Presidents Walk .

Twelve intersections along Main and St. Joseph Streets (between 4 th and 9 th Streets) display life-size bronze statues of 43 former presidents of the United States. Walk these streets and see many beautiful buildings. Plaques explain both city and building history.

The circa 1930 Dinosaur Park is on the register of National Historic Places. The kids can climb on life-sized dinosaurs while the adults get a panoramic view of the Rapid City skyline.

This is the home of the infamous Wall Drug. It opened in the 1930’s as a drug store. During the depression, they erected lots of billboards advertising “free water” along the interstate. The idea was to capitalize on the increase in traffic from the newly opened Mount Rushmore. It worked! Wall Drug is much more than a drug store today.

Today, the wild west-themed shopping mall consists of a drug store (where it all began), gift shops, restaurant, chapel and various other stores.  There are historic photos, an arcade and a panning/mining experience for the kids.

The water is still free and a cup of coffee is only 5 cents! It’s fun place to spend an hour or two.

In downtown Custer, several intersections have colorful painted bison. Created between 2007 and 2016, they were an art project showcasing original bison artwork. Contributions came from artists around the US. Many were auctioned off. These are the beautiful remainders. The downtown has unique shops and cafes to explore.

The Homestake Gold Mine removed copious quantities of gold and silver from beneath Lead over 126 years. Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center explains the mine’s operations before it closed in 2001 and the science behind the lab. The lab occupies some of the 370 miles (595 km) of tunnels which go as deep as 1.5 miles (2.4 km) below ground. The Sanford Underground Research Facility carries out research to help further our knowledge of the universe including the role of neutrinos. Take the great trolley tour offered in the summer for a small fee. It tours the town and some of the surface buildings at the research facility. The free visitor center is open year-round.

Deadwood, a National Historic Landmark, began as a gold mining town in the 1870’s.  This was the wild frontier. Infamous gunfighter Wild Bill Hickok was shot here in 1876.  Many of the buildings were built in that era. Using a portion of the state taxes collected from gambling, Deadwood restores its early buildings and preserves its past.  Take a very informative walking tour of town or a trolley tour is available.

Mount Moriah Cemetery , high on a hill, offers a beautiful view of the city within Deadwood Gulch. This is the final resting place of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. People have been visiting these famous residents since Wild Bill’s death. The cemetery’s last burial was in 1949. The cemetery is open year-round and the visitor center opens from Memorial Day to mid-October.

Spearfish thrives as an access point to the Black Hills and a center for arts and culture. Another town built due to mining, its picturesque downtown includes some buildings as old as Spearfish itself. There are plenty of options for shopping enthusiasts, from clothing to antiques, with coffee shops, cafes and more.  The beautiful clock tower is topped by a Termesphere painted by Spearfish’s own Dick Termes.

The Termesphere Gallery is an absolute must-see. We were spellbound.  Dick Termes uses six-point perspective to paint entire worlds on a sphere. Many of the spheres are suspended and attached to small quiet motors. The motor turns the sphere to showcase the whole work of art. The gallery is free and open daily in the summer or by appointment.

Belle Fourche

Belle Fourche, a small city of about 5,500 people, is home to the Center of the Nation monument. The monument sits in a beautiful park by the Belle Fourche River. Flags of the 50 US states surround a 21-foot-diameter monument constructed of South Dakota granite.  The visitor center and Tri-State Museum are close by. For purists, the actual geographic center is about 20 miles northwest of Belle Fourche.

Places to See in Eastern South Dakota

Driving from the east? These are a few things to do in eastern South Dakota.

Porter Sculpture Park

Porter Sculpture Park is a quirky collection of metal artwork by Wayne Porter set in an 18-acre grassy field.  He is self-taught. He adapted the blacksmithing skills his father taught him creating larger-than-life art. One of his largest pieces, a 60 foot bull head, needed to be brought to the site in 2 pieces.  The park is open daily mid-May to mid-September for a small entrance fee. It is just off I90 about 30 miles west of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Mitchell Corn Palace

Murals made of corn and other grains decorate this multi-purpose facility’s exterior. There’s a new theme each year.  New murals, designed by local artists, replace the previous year’s art. In 1892, the first murals showcased the riches of South Dakota agriculture and encouraged settlement in the area. They have been created annually ever since.  Inside displays describe the history of the palace, how the murals are created and show photos of many of the past murals. It’s free to visit. They open daily, except for Sundays from December to April and several major holidays. The corn palace is on Main Street in Mitchell, about 70 miles west of Sioux Falls on I90.

Dignity of Earth and Sky Statue

The 50-foot high stainless steel sculpture of an Indigenous woman in plains-style dress holds a star quilt. She stands high on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. Dale Lamphere, a South Dakota artist, created the statue to honor the indigenous people of the Great Plains.  For a great place to stop and stretch along the I90, stop and see Dignity of Earth and Sky at the Chamberlain Interstate Welcome Center (I90 mile post 264). The overlook of the Missouri River is impressive also.

Pierre, the South Dakota State Capital

Pierre, a small city of about 14,000 people, is the 2 nd smallest state capital in the US. South Dakota became a US state in 1889 but it wasn’t until between 1905 and 1910 that the State Capitol building was constructed. The Capitol features a copper dome, columns and walls of granite and limestone.  The building has a central rotunda similar to the famous US Capitol building.

Bronze statues of some of the South Dakota governors are found around the State Capitol.  Follow the trail of these life-sized statues from the State Capitol grounds to downtown Pierre to the Missouri River.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

The national historic site preserves two areas that were part of a Minuteman missile field in southwestern South Dakota. The field was created during the Cold War and dismantled as a result of the 1991 START treaty.

There are three separate areas included in the site: 1) Visitor Center, offering a film and exhibits providing background of the Cold War and nuclear armament, 2) Launch Control Facility Delta-01 and associated underground Launch Control Center, and 3) Missile Silo Launch Facility Delta-09.

Start at the Visitor Center at I90 exit 131. The site is open daily except for government holidays and Sundays and Mondays in the winter. There is no entrance fee. A tour of the underground Launch Control Center at Delta-01 is offered for a fee and must be booked in advance.

Side Trip – Devils Tower National Monument

With a couple more days, Devils Tower National Monument in neighboring Wyoming is worth adding to your road trip.  It is about 100 miles west of Rapid City and unforgettable. The +1200-foot monolith is visible for miles. Its short hikes are a great way to experience this unique park.

Be sure to check out our article How to Visit and Hike Devils Tower National Monument to plan your visit to the Tower.

Side Trip – Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, established in 1947, protects about 70,000 acres.  It is split into 3 units. The Elkhorn Ranch Unit is tiny and preserves the Roosevelt “home ranch”. A 4-wheel drive vehicle is often needed to reach it. The entrance to the North Unit is about an hour north of I94 off US85. The South Unit is both the easiest to access and the largest at just over 46,000 acres. Both the North and South Units offer scenic drives, hiking trails and camping. Spend a day or many relaxing and rejuvenating, just as Roosevelt did.

The park honors President Theodore Roosevelt who came to what was the Dakota Territory in 1883 to hunt bison.  Returning in 1884 to grieve the loss of both his mother and his wife, he became a cattle rancher.  The ranch eventually failed. Roosevelt credited his experiences in these badlands, part of what became North Dakota in 1889, with his need to preserve nature for future generations. During his 8-year presidency he protected over 230 million acres of land in the US.

The entrance to the South Unit is in the city of Medora, on I94 about 2 hours west of Bismarck. The scenic drive, formerly a 36-mile loop, is now a 48-mile (77 kilometre) out-and-back drive. It is about a 1.5 to 2 hour journey without stops, which is unlikely. The views are too beautiful.

There are lots of hiking options, from short and paved to a strenuous backcountry trail.  We did the short Wind Canyon Trail (0.4-mile/0.6-km loop) which follows a cliff edge overlooking the Little Missouri River. It is rated easy with gravel and dirt surfaces along with stairs. Photographers favor this spot at sunset. Wind Canyon was eroded by wind rather than by water erosion more typical in the badlands. Bison and wild horses frequent the valley visible from the viewpoint. 

The park is open year-round. An entrance fee is charged. The South Unit Visitor Center in Medora opens daily with extended hours in the summer. The Painted Canyon Visitor Center (on I94 about 8 miles east of Medora) operates May through October. The North Unit has a Visitor Contact Station. Rangers here assist with trip planning and back country permits.  The Contact Station is open daily June through October and closed the rest of the year. Campgrounds are open in both units year-round. There are no utility hookups and only limited services mid-October to mid-May. If winter camping, check ahead for road closures.

If coming from Bismarck on I94, stretch your legs along the way. Stop at New Salem and see Salem Sue, the Holstein cow. She’s 38-feet high and 50-feet long and made of fibreglass. Exit at Gladstone to experience the Enchanted Highway. From I94 travel 32 miles south to Regent through scenic farm country. At intervals along the way find large scrap metal sculptures. The first is the I94 exit.

South Dakota Accommodations

Looking for a place to stay in South Dakota?

Rapid City Hotels

Make Rapid City your home base while exploring the Badlands, Mount Rushmore and all points south. Check out these great options.

• Staybridge Suites Rapid City / Rushmore – Exceptional
• Howard Johnson by Wyndham Rapid City – Where We Stayed
• Holiday Inn Rapid City – Great Value

Spearfish Hotels

Make Spearfish your home base while exploring the northern Black Hills area and surrounding cities. These are some options.

• Spearfish Canyon Lodge – Best rated on Booking.com
• Hampton Inn Spearfish – Great Value

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(No spam. Just great travel tips.)

Valerie Vanr

Valerie is the Co-founder of AvrexTravel.com. Val enjoys travel photography and writing informative City Walking tours.

Montana Wyoming road trip – 6 day travel guide

We packed our bags, loaded up the kid, the pup, and started our Montana Wyoming road trip early on Friday this past Labor Day weekend.

From Colorado, we drove through Wyoming, then visited Glacier National Park in Montana. On our way back, we drove through Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. And concluded the trip at home in Colorado.

Here is our 6-day road trip guide for your next Montana family vacations, including our suggestions for what to see in Montana, and in Wyoming. And where we stayed (mixed hotel and camping spots), and picture guide for each location.

On map above:

• A – Hotel for the night 1 – Townplace Suites Billings (Billings, Montana)
• B – Camp site for night 2 – Big Larch Campground in Montana
• C – Camp site for night 3 – Lost Johnny Point Campground in Montana
• D – Glacier National Park in Montana – Logan Pass
• E – Hotel for night 4 – SpringHill Suites By Marriot Island Park Yellowstone (Island Park, Idaho). Where my location was, at the time I took the screenshot of the route
• F – Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
• G – Home – Denver, Colorado

Our 6-day Montana and Wyoming road trip timeline from Colorado

There are so many ways to explore Montana, and Wyoming, specifically Glacier National Park, and Yellowstone National Park. This is one way that we did, starting from Denver, Colorado.

Day 1 – Driving 8.5h from Denver, CO to Billings, MT

We started driving from Denver, Colorado around noon on Friday.

We made it to Billings, Montana late evening. It’s about an 8.5h drive from Denver. We stayed at Townplace Suites Billings for the night.

Day 2 – Driving 5h and setting up camp near Seeley Lake, MT

We had breakfast at the hotel, and did some shopping in Billings in the morning. Then we started heading towards the north-western part of Montana.

If you decide to go camping in Montana (or anywhere), I recommend finding a campground and setting up camp in the afternoon as soon as the check-in time allows. This gives you plenty of time to set up, pay the fee, find firewood, and get all your camping gear situated. Ideally, you want to do all of this before the sun goes down and the temperature drops. We were in a little bit of a rush trying to find an available campsite, but luckily were able to get set up before there was no more sunlight.

Day 3 – Glacier National Park and camping in Hungry Horse, MT

We packed up in the morning, and headed back to Seeley Lake town for coffee and breakfast. It’s just a quick drive back into town and I needed before the big day, so it’s worth the detour! We started driving north again towards West Glacier National Park for the day.

Before hitting the actual Glacier National Park, we wanted to find a spot for camping and set up the tent first, so we could just come “home” to a nicely set up tent in the evening.

If you can find a camp site inside of Glacier National Park, some suggested campgrounds are Apgar Village and Two Medicine . However, we knew to not even try during the busy holiday weekend.

We decided to find something close by instead. So we ended up passing Hungry Horse Dam, and found our spot at Lost Johnny Point Campground .

Now that our “home” for the night is set up and situated, we headed for West Glacier National Park at around 430pm, perfect timing to hit all the scenic spots at sunset. The rest of the evening was spent in Glacier National Park, sight seeing and exploring the park.

Day 4 – Driving 6h from Hungry Horse, MT to Island Park, ID

We are now on the second half of our trip, but we have big plans to hit one more national park to visit before heading back home. And you guessed it, we’re heading south towards Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. But the hotel we booked was in Island Park, ID. So most of day 4 was spent driving to from Hungry Horse to the next hotel in Island Park, ID.

We stayed at Springhill Suites By Marriot . A hot shower at the hotel after 2 nights camping was in order. We had dinner at Cafe Sabor just across the river from the hotel and it was such a lovely evening.

D ay 5 – Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Teton National Park

Today is the big day for visiting the national parks in Wyoming! Driving from Island Park, ID, we headed to West Yellowstone. We drove by West Thumb, and decided to stop to see the Old Faithful Geyser. We took our time driving through the park, snapped pictures, and stopped to see buffalos crossing the street.

After that, we drove into Grand Teton National Park. Here, not too many pictures were taken because the view was obstructed by smoke from the forest fires on the day we visited. I could somewhat make out the mountain views, but on camera, it doesn’t show.

After the Teton range, we visited Jackson Hole, WY for a quick lunch. My husband also wanted to stop at a spot just outside of the town to visit with a friend and go fishing.

Our last hotel on this trip was in Green River, Wyoming. We stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites Green River for the night.

Day 6 – Driving 5.5h home from Green River, WY to Denver, CO

The title says it all. We took some time on our last day to wake up, have breakfast at the hotel. And headed home.

We got to Denver at a decent hour in the afternoon. I still had time to unpack, do laundry and prepare to settle back into our usual routine.

And that concludes our 6-day road trip.

What to see in Montana – locations that you can get to by car

We were able to visit the below Montana vacation spots by car. We had limited amount of time spent here, so we drove through these places and stopped for pictures or very short sight-seeing hikes. If we have an opportunity to come back, there are tons of other fun activities for the whole family that we’d like to do. Maybe that’s for another trip (and another blog post) later.

These are some of the must see in Montana. We highly recommend if you visit to check out:

Lake Alva, Montana and other lakes along highway US-83

There are multiple lakes along highway US-83. I recommend checking out Seeley Lake, Lake Inez, and Lake Alva. These photos below were taken at Lake Alva.

If you have a state park pass, or would like to check out Salmon State Park for the day, that’s another beautiful option along this highway just right after the turn from Highway US-200.

Lake McDonald – Glacier National Park

Lake McDonald is inside Glacier National Park. It’s the first thing you will see after you enter the park via the West Entrance Station. The lake is huge, you can walk down to the shore, go for a stroll, and take in the breath taking views.

If you keep driving up the road a little, you will see many water falls, as well as cascades. We stopped at Sacred Dancing Cascade, for sure one of the popular spots. Pictures to follow below.

Going-to-the-Sun Rd

I highly recommend going through Glacier National Park via this scenic drive. The road is called Going-to-the-Sun Rd. This path takes you to the entrance of Glacier National Park, and to Lake McDonald. If you follow the road, you will also see some of the most beautiful mountain and valley views you’ve ever seen. There are many pull-outs on the sides of the road for you to park, come out and enjoy the views. Be sure to safely pull over, look both ways before crossing the road, and respect park rules and other park patrons.

Here are various photos along Going-to-the-Sun Rd in Glacier National Park (I changed outfits for blog outfit photoshoots, but this was all in one drive):

Logan Pass – Glacier National Park

We made it to Logan Pass in Glacier National Park. Unfortunately we were reaching the end of the day by the time we made it here, so we turned around after this. The view here was spectacular. We wish we could have kept going further up into Glacier National Park. Maybe next time!

Some photos of Logan Pass:

What to see in western Wyoming on a road trip

Old faithful geyser – yellowstone national park.

This is one of the most famous attractions known to Yellowstone National Park. Old Faithful is one geyser (of the nearly 500 geysers in Yellowstone) that erupts hot water from the ground into the air. The name Old Faithful is because it has not been common to be able to predict the eruption schedule of a geyser, but this one has lived up to its name.

When we were there, park rangers predicted the time of eruption time down to the minute, and we were able to catch a seat and watch the whole thing. It’s such a cool experience, and highly recommended.

Lewis Lake – Yellowstone National Park

Heading south on Highway US-191, passed Old Faithful Geyser you will see Lewis Lake and its river running alongside the road.

Our hotel and camping spots recommendations

We stayed a total of 5 nights on the trip, with a mix of hotels and camp spots located in various spots of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.

Night 1 – Townplace Suites Billings (Billings, Montana)

There are tons of hotels in Billings to pick from. Townplace Suites Billings is pet-friendly with a pet fee of $50 and there’s no pet weight restrictions. Their check out time is 12PM, amazing should we need to check out late. They also offer complimentary breakfast up till 10AM which is convenient when you’re on the road and need to get going quickly, so we went with this hotel.

Night 2 – Big Larch Campground (near Seeley Lake, Montana)

Big Larch Campground is about 5.5h driving from Billings, MT. Site fee was $20/night.

We actually weren’t sure where we were going to set up camp, we just know in the general direction, more north and more west from where we were of the state.

We asked a local what they’d suggest a good camping spot. Clearwater, Montana was the recommended spot. Once we got to Clearwater, we took US-83 North.

There are various camp grounds along the highway right after the turn. We were not able to find any vacancy due to busy Labor Day weekend here. But luckily Big Larch Campground further up the road, right after we passed Seeley Lake, had a few vacant camp sites.

This campground is close enough to the town, I had cell service while in my tent. It’s not a bad idea when you want to send friends and family beautiful pics of your trip. The campsite fee was $20 here (the fees may change, so this is meant to be a reference, not an exact number).

• Nearby suggestions for campgrounds: Salmon Lake State Park Campground
• Nearby suggestions for hotels: The Lodges on Seeley Lake , Double Arrow Lodge , and further distance but beautiful luxury resort The Resort at Paws Up

Night 3 – Lost Johnny Point Campground.

This campground Lost Johnny Point is only a 2h drive from Big Larch Campground. Site fee was $18 here.

From Highway US-2, take a turn onto West Side Road / NF-895. There are several campgrounds along this road. Lost Johnny Point Campground was ~20 minutes (10 miles) from the turn.

Photos of our camp setup at Lost Johnny Point:

• Nearby suggestions for similar campgrounds: Doris Creek Campground , Lost Johnny Campground (to be different from Lost Johnny Point Campground where we stayed, they’re close by each other)
• Nearby suggestions for hotels: Silverwolf Log Chalets Resort (no pet), Under Canvas Glacier (Safari-style tents)

Night 4 – SpringHill Suites By Marriot Island Park Yellowstone (Island Park, Idaho)

This hotel is a 6.5h drive from our previous night’s campground. It is pet-friendly, and offers complimentary breakfast. They only offer suites here (no room), and the suites are so spacious with a nice size walk-in closet. Pet fee is $75 per pet, and check out time is 11AM.

Night 5 – Hampton Inn & Suites Green River (Green River, Wyoming)

The Hampton Inn & Suites Green River is a 5h drive from Island Park, and perfect mid-way point before home. Also pet friendly, with a pet fee of only $25. And it also offers complimentary breakfast.

I also suggest staying at Rock Springs, WY which is another town nearby. Some hotels great for travelers include Hampton Inn Rock Springs , and Holiday Inn Rock Springs .

And that is our Montana road trip guide, with a detour through Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. And by no means that I’m saying this is the only way (or the best way) for anyone to do Montana Wyoming road trips. I wanted to give you a reference guide on how we did it. But feel free to make as many changes as you need to suit your trip and family. If we (a family of four including a young child and a dog) could have this Montana Wyoming road trip, and had so much fun doing it, then anyone could do it! I encourage you to go out there and explore America, the beautiful. Hope I get to see you on your next trip, tag me on Instagram if you visit one of these spots I suggested!

Note : suggested time to visit is July-August. Actual time of visit was early September during Labor Day weekend.

Other trips we took:

• Spring Break in Colorado with the Ritz-Carlton hotels
• Colorado, Utah, and Arizona 5-day road trip in the winter
• New Mexico and Taos family trip with Toyota Tacoma

life style road trip summer travel travel guide

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Bucket-List Montana Road Trip Itinerary

February 21, 2024 //  by  Follow Me Away //   4 Comments

I have written the perfect Montana road trip itinerary so you can avoid stress when planning!

This itinerary features the best things to do in Montana ! You will see iconic landscapes, beautiful mountain towns, bustling cities, and fun hidden gems.

Montana is well known for its wilderness, national parks, and wildlife. This state is a true playground for those who love the outdoors, hiking, and photography. 

Some things included on this Montana example itinerary:

• Glacier National Park
• Yellowstone National Park
• Big Sky Mountain

Pick and choose what stops to explore depending on how much time you have. This is truly one of the best road trips in the USA!

Keep reading to learn how to plan a trip to Montana!

Table of Contents

Montana Road Trip Map

I created this Montana road trip map so those of you who are visual can get an idea of how much driving is involved.

This way, you can see if there is something you want to cut off your itinerary for Montana. For example, you may see Billings is out of the way and decide you don’t have enough time so you choose to skip it!

Save this map as a reference so you can have the best trip to Montana!

CLICK HERE FOR THE MONTANA ROAD TRIP MAP!

Stop 1: Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is 1,583 miles of wilderness in the Rocky Mountains and features over 700 miles of hiking trails. A Glacier National Park road trip is a must in Montana!

There are seriously so many things to do in Glacier National Park !

The Trail of Cedars is probably one of the easiest hikes here while Grinnell Glacier is the most difficult.

No matter what trail you pick, you’ll see scenery with jagged peaks of the Rocky Mountains and ice-blue lakes contrasted by green meadows.

Lake McDonald is also a great place to check out, especially on a guided Glacier Park Boat Company Tour. Or you can head north of the park to explore the Waterton Lakes National Park ! 

Apgar Nature Center is the official park visitor center and is fun and interactive for families and all travelers. If you’re really interested, you can check out guided tours that usually base themselves out of the center, such as Private Wildlife Tours! 

Don’t forget to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road ! This paved, two-way highway snakes through the park and Logan Pass. It is known as one of the most scenic drives in America!

Visiting Montana in the summer is the best time to see Glacier National Park as some parts are closed in winter.

All the best Montana road trips include Glacier, and you will love it too!

Best Hotels Near Glacier National Park: 

Mid-Range: Wonderstone at Glacier . Check Rates: Booking.com

Luxury: Great Northern Resort (Lodge) . Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 2: Whitefish

The next stop on your Montana road trip is Whitefish . Here you will trade in vast, sweeping views for a classic, small-town USA experience.

Bed and breakfasts, local shops, and fantastic restaurants line the streets of this town.

I recommend visiting the Marina for some activities like jet skilling and swimming especially if you’re visiting during the summer! 

There is also a local spa at The Lodge at Whitefish that is well-reviewed if you want to relax with massages and facials. 

True to the small-town vibe, the Whitefish Downtown Farmer’s Market is quaint and quiet with lots to explore. It is one of the best places to purchase your travel trinkets!

Although it is a small town, Whitefish is close to Glacier National Park (only 30 minutes). This can be a quick day trip to enjoy the local side of Montana! 

You will definitely want to add Whitefish to any unforgettable road trip planner for Montana!

Best Hotels in Whitefish: 

Mid-Range: Baymont by Wyndham Whitefish .  Check Rates: Booking.com

Luxury: Grouse Mountain Lodge . Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 3: Yellowstone National Park

Would you be on a Montana road trip without stopping at another national park? From Whitefish, it is a scenic 6.5-hour road trip to Yellowstone National Park .

This is arguably one of the most famous national parks. There is so much to do here even if a good portion of the park is located in Wyoming!

I have even written a Yellowstone road trip if you want to spend more time here!

Start at the iconic  Old Faithful.  This legendary geyser erupts on schedule, spraying mist through the air while also spouting water straight up. It is a truly beautiful part of nature. 

Grand Prismatic Spring is also a geyser, but this geyser is also a hot spring and a volcano! This is the largest hot spring in the US and has striking coloration. Reds, oranges, yellows, and blues will catch your eye!

Some hikes you may want to check out include Mt. Washburn, which runs up an old road and past meadows and gnarled rocks throughout Yellowstone.

The Storm Point Natural Trail is a varied loop trail that is close to a pond and frequently visited by bison. Here you can walk through dense forests and finish your walk/hike at the shore of Yellowstone Lake.  

Home to dramatic features and a vast array of animals, the stops of Yellowstone in Montana are something you must add to your itinerary. I hope you see wildlife in Yellowstone!

After you enjoy this natural scenery, make sure to check out nearby communities, such as Livingston and Cooke City!  I also suggest staying in West Yellowstone which is a cute town near the park’s entrance.

Best Hotels Near Yellowstone National Park :

Mid-Range: Al’s Westward Ho Motel . Check Rates: Booking.com

Mid-Range: Crosswinds Inn. Check Rates: Booking.com

Luxury: Yellowstone Park Hotel . Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 4: Billings

Billings is the perfect stop on your Montana road trip for those who enjoy the outdoors and urban attractions. This is one of the top Montana travel destinations!

I recommend starting at Pictograph Cave State Park . The three caves here (Pictograph, Ghost, and Middle) have rock paintings dating back to prehistoric times, and guided tours help you navigate this rocky region. 

Yellowstone River is also a great presence in Billings.

Near the top of the river, at Riverfront Park , you can rent a tube and float down the river while stopping at a variety of parks on the shore. Make sure to look at Josephine Park in particular for a landing spot!

The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary houses many native animals from Montana. All of these animals have been injured and cannot survive in the wild.

You can get up close to see mountain lions, buffalo, and more! If you want a guarantee of seeing wildlife when you road trip Montana, add this to your itinerary!

Yellowstone Cellars and Winery  offers fantastic tours of the local grounds and cellars. You can do a tasting experience as well. The samples of red and white wine and live music call to many tourists! 

For one of Montana’s unique attractions, check out the Billings Amusement Park Drive-In !

This old-fashioned, large-screen theatre shows two movies at once while you camp under the Montana sky. You may be distracted from the movie by the stars! 

Lastly, you can be adventurous and visit the Madison River , which is a part of the Missouri River. Many tourists come here for white water rafting, but even the stunning views are enough to stop and stare!

Billings is truly one of the best vacations in Montana!

Best Hotels in Billings 

Affordable: Baymont by Wyndham Billings . Check Rates: Booking.com

Mid-Range: Northern Hotel . Check Rates: Booking.com

Mid-Range: Boothill Inn and Suites. Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 5: Big Sky Mountain and Bozeman

As mentioned earlier, there are many communities near Yellowstone, and two you CANNOT miss and need to add to your Montana itinerary are Big Sky  and Bozeman.

Tucked away in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, Big Sky is well-known for its downhill trails that offer hiking in the summers, and skiing in the winters. 

In the heart of Big Sky, you must check out Ousel Falls Park , which features waterfalls, picnic areas, and fantastic views. It is fairly close to Yellowstone so you can do both on your Montana road trip!

The Gallatin River cuts through the Gallatin Canyon just a few miles from the town of Big Sky on the northeast side. It offers stunning scenery to witness wildlife in their natural habitats. 

Bozeman , which is located at the foot of the Bridger Mountains, is just a short drive from Big Sky.

This town is more suburban but features must-sees such as the Montana State University’s Museum of the Rockies.  This museum features a Siebel Dinosaur Complex and a planetarium.

Just on the outskirts of Bozeman itself, are the Spanish Peaks , which offer more trails for skiing, biking, and hiking! 

Best Hotels in Bozeman 

Mid-Range: Microtel Inn & Suites . Check Rates: Booking.com

Luxury: The LARK. Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 6: Helena

Helena has it all: nature, museums, landmarks, and local food. This city is a must-see during your Montana road trip.

I recommend starting with the Gates of the Mountains . If you want to add a little history to your Montana itinerary, this is the place!

The Gates of the Mountains were made famous by Lewis and Clark. The river that runs through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains is easily explored, especially through boat tours!

Spend some time exploring the city of Helena and its landmarks and museums!

You can visit the Montana Historical Society Museum , the Montana State Capital, and the Cathedral of St. Helena,  all of which are fairly close to one another!

If you’re looking for something interactive and fun, I recommend the Montana Blue Jewel Mine !

If you’re lucky, in between learning about the history of mining, you may be able to find and take home a few sapphires! 

Lastly, make sure to wrap up your time in Helena with Mount Helena. The hike to the peak offers sweeping views of the city.

After you finish up, these hiking and biking trails lead to downtown restaurants for some relaxation after an active time on your Montana road trip.

Best Hotels in Helena

Affordable: Days Inn by Wyndham Helena . Check Rates: Booking.com

Mid-Range: Ramada by Wyndham Helena . Check Rates: Booking.com

Mid-Range: Delta Hotels by Marriott Helena Colonial . Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 7: Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

Although I’ve already talked about Helena, I need to emphasize a very important spot near that wonderful city: Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.  This national forest must be on your Montana road trip.

The forest spans over 2,900 miles in two separate zones. The eastern section has a lot of grass and shrublands while the west is designated as an environmental preservation wilderness. 

At the park, you must see the Giant Springs State Park . This is one of the top sights in the forest as it is a huge freshwater spring. It is over 200 acres and features activities such as boating, swimming, and more. 

The forest spreads across mountain ranges and counties. It is well known for its coniferous streets, tall mountain peaks, and grassy meadows. 

The park itself offers vast recreation opportunities from scene drives, hikes, horseback riding, camping, and even skiing in the winter. This is such a beautiful, natural place to explore.

Stop 8: Finish Your Montana Road Trip in Missoula

The last stop on your Montana road trip is Missoula . Although it once started as a small trading post, this city is now HUGE and is surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Rockies. 

The Clark Fork River runs through the center of the city and connects many attractions along its Riverfront Trail, meaning you can walk it and hit all of your mini-adventure stops!

I recommend checking out Mount Sentinel , a 1,958-foot-tall mountain that looks over the city, close to the University of Montana . This is a popular hiking destination and has trails from easy to difficult!

Caras Park hosts hundreds of events every year. Its two large pavilions help contain crowds during celebrations and festivities, such as the annual Pray for Snow Party.

The Clark Fork Market is also hosted at Caras Park every Sunday, and adjacent to the park is the famous and historic  Wilma Theatre !

Lastly, I think you should check out Rattlesnake National Recreation Area . It is perfect for a Montana on a budget itinerary .

Although this is 4 miles north of Missoula and part of a larger forest, this is a popular spot to explore the wild outskirts of the city. Many people come here to hike, fish, and ride (both horses and bikes).

If you want to include more nature on your Montana road trip guide, this is a great area to visit.

Best Hotels in Missoula

Mid-Range: La Quinta Inn.  Check Rates: Booking.com

Mid-Range: StoneCreek Lodge. Check Rates: Booking.com

Luxury: The Wren . Check Rates: Booking.com

Getting To And Around Montana

I suggest flying into Glacier Park International Airport (FCA). It is the closest airport to Glacier National Park, and many lodgings are located around this airport.

It is 12 miles from popular Whitefish and 30 miles from the West Entrance of the national park itself. 

You can also fly into Bozeman if that works better for you. Just rearrange the order of the stops on this route.

Whichever airport you fly into, you can rent a vehicle and set out on the best Montana vacation itinerary. You can also drive to Montana if you live close or want a longer road trip!

Montana driving routes are easy, and it is a safe state to drive in. There are smooth roads, even in the mountains.

When navigating roads at nearly 80 mph, I recommend renting a car that is comfortable but also has good gas mileage. Rent a car that is large enough to navigate roads and many miles well. 

At the Glacier National Park Airport, you can rent cars in the terminal through businesses such as Avis, Budget, Hertz, and International.

Don’t forget to check out my detailed road trip packing list so you don’t forget any essentials!

How Long to Spend on Your Road Trip in Montana

I suggest about 7-10 days when planning a trip to Montana by car. This will give you plenty of time at each stop without feeling rushed or needing to drive long distances each day.

Of course, I understand not everyone can take so much time off for a vacation. Even if you only have a few days in Montana to explore the top sites, a road trip is worth it!

Below, I will provide some Montana road trip itineraries for different timelines.

Sample 5-Day Montana Itinerary:

Day 1: Start in Missoula – Explore the University of Montana and Mount Sentinel. – Drive to Helena: Approx. 2 hours.

Day 2: Explore Helena – Visit the Montana State Capitol, the Cathedral of St. Helena. – Hike up Mount Helena for panoramic city views.

Day 3: Helena to Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest – Spend the day in the national forest, visit Giant Springs State Park. – Drive to Billings: Approx. 4.5 hours.

Day 4: Billings Exploration – Visit Pictograph Cave State Park and the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

Day 5: Return to Missoula – Drive back to Missoula for departure. – Drive time: Approx. 5 hours.

Sample 7-Day Montana Itinerary:

Day 1: Whitefish Arrival – Arrive in Whitefish, explore downtown and the Marina. – Drive to Glacier National Park: Approx. 30 minutes.

Day 2 & 3: Glacier National Park – Explore Glacier National Park: Trail of Cedars, Lake McDonald. – Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road. – Drive to Missoula: Approx. 3.5 hours.

Day 4: Missoula – Explore Missoula, including Mount Sentinel and downtown.

Day 5: Drive to Helena – Visit Helena’s state landmarks and museums. – Drive time: Approx. 2 hours.

Day 6: Helena to Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest – Explore the national forest and Giant Springs State Park.

Day 7: Billings – Drive to Billings, explore local attractions. – Drive time from Helena: Approx. 4.5 hours.

Sample 10-Day Montana Itinerary:

Day 1: Missoula – Begin in Missoula with downtown exploration and Mount Sentinel. – Drive to Helena: Approx. 2 hours.

Day 2: Helena – Explore Helena, including city landmarks and museums.

Day 3: Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest – Visit the national forest and Giant Springs State Park. – Drive to Billings: Approx. 4.5 hours.

Day 4: Explore Billings – Visit Pictograph Cave State Park, Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

Day 5 & 6: Yellowstone National Park – Explore Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring. – Drive from Billings to Yellowstone: Approx. 2.5 hours.

Day 7: Big Sky and Bozeman – Explore Big Sky: Ousel Falls Park. – Visit Bozeman: Museum of the Rockies. – Drive times: Yellowstone to Big Sky: Approx. 1 hour, Big Sky to Bozeman: Approx. 1 hour.

Day 8 & 9: Glacier National Park – Explore trails, Lake McDonald, and drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road. – Drive from Bozeman to Glacier National Park: Approx. 5.5 hours.

Day 10: Return to Whitefish – Enjoy leisure time or prepare for departure. – Drive from Glacier National Park to Whitefish: Approx. 30 minutes.

When you’re finished in Missoula, you’ll return to the FCA airport and then fly home to complete your Montana road trip! 

I know you’ll have a wonderful time exploring Montana by car with all its natural wonders and fun towns. Enjoy your trip and safe travels! 

Reader Interactions

February 5, 2021 at 12:41 pm

Does your itinerary include staying in a different hotel each night? Do you have a map of this trip? Looking for a week to travel the area however not wanting to pack and unpack each night. Suggestions?

March 24, 2021 at 9:03 pm

You should have added great falls—-we have giant springs park, the country’s shortest river—-the roe river—-Charlie Russell museum, Lewis & Clark center, and just down the road from peoples Buffalo jump and the dinosaur center in chateau——we are the center of the state so it’s a great starting point

January 23, 2022 at 8:25 pm

How many days would this need to accomplish?

January 24, 2022 at 3:39 pm

I would say 7-10 days is good to start!

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Road Trip: Wyoming to South Dakota or Reverse

Wyoming to South Dakota or the reverse, is a popular road trip for good reason. The stops and sites are endless and incredible! 

‘Sounds like a lot of planning.’ ‘I don’t know where to start.’ Is this what’s running through your mind? Don’t fret, we are happy to share our itinerary with you! We will outline all of the amazing stops we made, including pictures and details, but try to keep it in a nutshell! Other posts on the blog have much more detailed info on Jackson Hole , Yellowstone , Badlands , Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park . 

JACKSON HOLE WYOMING

We flew into Jackson Hole, which is a destination all it’s own, and you can read this post for those details.  Here, we stayed at Snow King Resort and ate dinner at their restaurant, Haydens Post. It was one of the very best meals on the entire trip. Highly recommend! 

The next morning, we visited the town square, grabbed some hats and shirts at Lee’s Tees and some Starbucks for the road. You’ll love the antler entrances to the park in the middle of the square. The perimeter of the square, and even beyond, have so many fabulous places to shop and eat. Make Jackson Hole a destination one day!!

YELLOWSTONE/WEST YELLOWSTONE

The 1st day in Yellowstone , we visited incredible sites. Coming from Jackson Hole, we began at the South Entrance. 

This Geyser Basin was our first taste of Yellowstone and it did not disappoint. Bordering Yellowstone Lake , filled with colorful steamy geysers, and hosting a grazing elk herd made West Thumb Geyser Basin an adventure filled first stop. 

Old Faithful 

Our next stop was Old Faithful. We happened up on this popular iconic Geyser at just the right time. We had gotten settled on the platform good and then Old Faithful started gearing up and erupted for us. Cool experience! Another notable feature about this location, is the yurts. Just because I thought they were interesting. Also, Geyser Grill is at this site too, so we grabbed lunch here.

Biscuit Basin

Active geysers against a scenic backdrop. This stop was eventful for us because we were able to see our 1st bison up close. Really close!

Grand Prismatic Spring

This stop is nothing short of spectacular with the waterfall, turquoise geysers and surface formations. 

White Dome Geyser  

This was a raised active geyser in Lower Geyser Basin. It was like a mini volcano. 

West Yellowstone  

We spent the nite in West Yellowstone at Evergreen Motel. I know. But there are lots of motels in West Yellowstone for some reason and it was really cute. We ate dinner at Bullwinkles and breakfast at Running Bear Pancake house. My favorite though, was Go-go Espresso Café, where we drove through and grabbed customized hot chocolate for the road!

YELLOWSTONE/CODY, WY

We started day 2 inside Yellowstone from the West Entrance.  

Gibbon Falls

Beginning at a beautiful waterfall called Gibbon Falls in the Norris Geyser Basin, we then visited Artists Paintpots.  

Artists Paintpots  

Here you will have 1/2 mile or so scenic hike before reaching the bubbling and colorful geysers, but it’s an easy hike and worth it! From there we stopped at Roaring Mountain. 

Roaring Mountain  

This was basically a small mountain scattered with steam outlets.  We also saw more bison, in the field, across the road from here. 

Mammoth Hot Spring Terraces

Will try to keep it brief here, although this place was amazing an unexpected. This is an entire charming village. There are also Upper and Lower Terraces, with Upper being the most impressive to me.  Read all about this stop here . 

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Having been to the Grand Canyon in AZ a few weeks before, and not realizing Yellowstone had it’s own, I really didn’t have huge expectations. Boy was I amazed!! 

Canyon Village/South Rim Road

This stop, among other things, has a big general store, restaurant, hotel and a visitor center.  At the visitors center we were told the best views on South Rim road were Uncle Tom’s Point and Artist Point.  Of course, the Park Ranger was correct!

Uncle Tom’s Point

Here you will enjoy a beautiful waterfall view from Yellowstone River that you cross when you 1st turn on South Rim Road. We also enjoyed some chipmunks playing on the rocks and other here.  So cute and fast it’s hard to get a pic!

Artist Point

This is the absolute best and stunning view point of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone! From the parking lot you will hike along the paved path. Another easy walk, but go all the way to the end and to the upper level! You will then be overlooking the breathtaking canyon! Pictures don’t do it justice. It is a gorgeous site with the Yellowstone River flowing down into it.  The yellow color of the canyon adds to the beauty, in my opinion. 

Mud Volcano 

We made a quick stop here. It’s a big steamy geyser at the base of a large hill. There was also a good size herd of bison grazing on the hillside here. 

Yellowstone Lake

Wow this lake is huge! You’ll drive beside it for quite a ways. It reminded me of the ocean with the waves white capping in the wind. We were blessed by a double rainbow out on the water’s horizon while we were here. Beautiful!

Sylvan Pass/East Entrance

We exited Yellowstone National Park through the East Entrance, headed to Cody, WY for the night. You’ll drive through Sylvan Pass on this route. It’s a beautiful drive with an elevation of over 8500 feet. Look for the awesome rock formations on this scenic drive. 

Cody Wyoming 

We just stopped in Cody for the night on our way to South Dakota.  After a long day in Yellowstone , we just checked in and ate at the hotel restaurant again. We even ate breakfast there the next morning and headed to SD. 

Bighorn National Forest 

Driving into Bighorn National Forest, around Shell, WY, it opens up to incredible views. We stopped for some pics and noticed some one, with a cooler van than our rental van, had stopped for lunch with a view! 

Devils Tower 

We continued through Wyoming, stopping one more time at Devils Tower,  before getting to Rapid City, SD to settle in.  Devils Tower National Monument is a 5000 ft plus rock tower. It’s a short hike up to the huge rocks surrounding the base.  With registration (and I would think a good deal of experience) , it can be climbed. 

SOUTH DAKOTA

This was our home base for the next 5 nights. There is a nice Town Square area and we enjoyed eating dinner here several nights.  

Badlands National Park/Wall Drug

You will want to visit Badlands and Wall Drug together.  Wall Drug is definitely a tourist destination. Starting with one drug store, it’s amazing how massive this complex has become.  For dining, shopping and history, here is your stop. From here you can jump on the scenic route to take in Badlands National Park .  Beautiful terrain and an enormous Prairie Dog Town with chubby little prairie dogs scurrying about. 

Sturgis 

We were too close to not check out biker capitol. Haha Seemed to be a nice town with huge biker bars. No rally while we visited, so relatively quiet. 

We loved spending the day here!  There is art, wine, boutiques, restaurants, bars, history, hotels and everything in between on this charming Main Street! We ate at Social Club for lunch and it was great. It snowed while we were there for added ambiance! Haha

Roughlock Falls

There are also several scenic routes around these two towns and Spearfish, where we enjoyed some waterfalls, especially Roughlock Falls.  It’s off the beaten path of 14 on 222, but definitely worth it.  

Mount Rushmore

Plan to spend most of a day here to really experience Mt Rushmore Presidential Monument . There is quite a bit more to it besides the obvious iconic carved mountain face with Washington, Roosevelt, Lincoln and Jefferson.  There is the Presidential Trail which is a beautiful hike and full of educational opportunities. There is a gift shop, restaurant and ice cream shop.  More details in our Mount Rushmore post here . 

Custer State Park/Needles Highway

Custer State Park is an incredible state park full of wildlife and beauty. One of the most interesting parts is Needles Highway and driving through the one lane tight Needles Eye Tunnel.  Custer State Park is truly an awesome destination and we’ve dedicated an entire post to it, here . 

Crazy Horse

While this mountain carving promises to be huge, the Indian Warrior monument is far from completion. Honestly, I keep wondering if there is any current activity or progress.  

Black Hills Central Railroad 1880 Train is a tour I would love to do one day. It had just closed for the season when we were here in October. We did get a pop up snow shower while we were there checking it out though! Bonus!

We ate at Alpine Inn Restaurant here and it was a fabulous experience. This restaurant has had the same two items on the dinner menu for the past 38 years. And it’s worked! We also grabbed some sweet goodies at Turtle Town in Hill City. Another very good decision.  Chocolate for days!

Hot Springs, SD

We visited The Mammoth Site here which was really cool. At this active paleontological dig site, they actually leave the bones and fossils in place.  I’ve discovered that we have a very similar site in our home state of Texas, in Waco, where they leave the finds in situ also. Going to have to check that one out now.  We stopped in Mornin’ Sunshine Coffee House & Boutique to grab lunch while in Hot Springs. This is a cute little café and the food was good. 

Our Wyoming to South Dakota road trip was absolutely amazing. We hope our itinerary will give you an idea of some of the most fascinating sites to add to your own trip to these states. 

67 thoughts on “Road Trip: Wyoming to South Dakota or Reverse”

How high and how wide are Needles Highway and Needles Eye Tunnel in Custer State Park? We travel in a RV Class B and this information is of great importance to us. Thank you in advance !

Hi André, I don’t know officially, but it’s tight! You might could drive to it and not through it.

I recently saw (on the web) a tourist car passing through that “Eye Tunnel” in Custer. No problem then.

Yes, we drove through it fine in a small SUV (the video is in our vehicle). It’s pretty fun!

8′ 9″ wide by 9’8″ high

Amazing! I know nothing about traveling all over the country, what a wonderful looking place to explore.

It’s a great part of the US to experience!

How many days total was your trip? We are considering a similar itinerary

We just spent one night, Heidi! We were on the move the whole time!

Hi. How many days was this itinerary? 10? 14? Thanks!

Hi Sharon, it was 8 or 9 days. We move pretty quickly though 🙂 And we only flew into Jackson Hole as a starting point. You could easily spend 14 days if you included a few in JH. Hope this was helpful.

where did you stay each night

Hi Kathy, We stayed in West Yellowstone one nite and Cody, Wyoming one nite. Once we got to Rapid City, SD we stayed there 5 or 6 nites doing day trips all around that area.

Such beautiful country! Hoping to head out west when we can travel again.

That will be awesome! Enjoy!

I’d love to do this road trip! I’ve never traveled across the upper US.

It was our 1st visit to the area and we loved it!

This looks like fun!

It really was!!

Absolutely beautiful! Can’t wait to visit this part of the US. Yellowstone is definitely on my to-do list!

Thanks! You will love it!

Wow! Such beautiful pictures. I’m hoping to do a Wyoming/South Dakota road trip next summer.

Thank you! Enjoy your trip, Kendra!

Your pictures are stunning. I’d love to take a road trip through these states.

We loved it and would definitely go back!

Would love to take this trip. Yellowstone on my bucket list!

Hope everything is open soon and you get to go experience it in full!

Thanks so much for this info! Where did you stay in Cody? We are planning for a night there this August. Thanks again!

Glad you enjoyed the post! We stayed at Best Western Premier Ivy Inn & Suites. How exciting! Have fun on your August trip!!

I’d enjoy duplicating your trip! So many great stops and things to see.

Awe I love that Suz! We love to show what’s available in an area.

I really hope to make it to Yellowstone. I would love to see the bison in person.

Yellowstone is just amazing to me! Between the geysers, wildlife, waterfalls, ect, we loved it all!

Sounds like another amazing trip! Love the photos!

Thank you Alyssa!! Tried to incorporate some of the smaller stops in this post.

Great photos!

Thanks Barbara!

That looks like an amazing trip and definitely on my list now! Thank you for all the detail in your post.

Glad you found it helpful and inspiring, Denise!

OMG, what a fabulous trip and pictures making me drool with anticipation. I sooo want to go there once the plague is over! I am originally from the Netherlands, which is flat as a pancake, so I especially enjoy the cool geological features you are showcasing in your post.

Stay safe! Karen from Our Carpe Diem | https://OurCarpeDiem.com

I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Karen! True, it’s definitely not flat! Hoping everything will open back up for travel very soon!

Beautiful photos! We took a road trip from Wisconsin to Wyoming about 20 years ago! It was a wonderful trip! I can’t wait to drive there again and show it all to my second husband! Thanks!

Wow! I bet that was an amazing trip! I hope you get to do it again soon!

Beautiful photos, that part of the country is so photogenic

So, it’s not my photography skills?! Lol Just kidding! Yes, it is photogenic! Thanks, Sandi!

Beautiful photos. Thank you for taking me along for the ride 🙂

Thanks! Glad you could join us, Suzan!!

This area is beautiful and so cool. You were able to fit a lot in your trip. It looks like so much fun!

Lisa, it was so awesome! Yes, we packed a lot in. That’s typically our style!! Haha

I would love to take my kids to all these wonderful places. But I sometimes feel they’re so young it won’t be enjoyable for anybody. I have kids aged 9-1. Maybe I should give us a few more years?

I think you are right. In a few more years they will enjoy it and remember it better. My grown kids would love it! You are never too old, but maybe too young 🙂

Those bison are so beautiful.

They are amazing. I guess they are beautiful in a rugged sort of way! 🙂

This is definitely a trip I want to take sooner than later. It looks like you got to do it all! I love the photos too!

Thanks Tricia! Hopefully everything will be open and you can go soon!!

I can’t wait to check out some of those stops in Wyoming!

Wyoming is amazing!!

I live in Iowa and have always wanted to see the national parks and sights along the way!

They are so worth the trip, Shelby! Hope you get to check some of them out 🙂

Yellowstone is on my bucket list! Great Photos!

You must go, Bonnie. It’s incredible!!

Great adventure and has a lot of interesting things to see and do along the way. Thanks for sharing!

Glad you enjoyed it, April!

I love this area! It’s so beautiful and majestic roadtrip.. you sure added some places I forgot about!

That’s one reason I blog Holly…so I can remember! Haha

The pictures were amazing! We felt like we were on the trip with you! Thank you for sharing!!

Thanks Lisa! Come along anytime!!

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10 Days Mount Rushmore To Yellowstone Road Trip Itinerary

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: June 21, 2021

UPDATED: August 8, 2024

Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park is an attraction-heavy road trip route from South Dakota’s Black Hills to northwest Wyoming. You should plan for 4 days in the Black Hills, one day for the long drive and 5 days split between Yellowstone and Grand Teton. If you follow our 10 day itinerary exactly, you’ll cover 1,283 miles which will require 31 hours and 25 minutes of driving time.

In this guide we’ll help you plan every step of your Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park road trip itinerary, based entirely on our own personal experiences.

Our Road Trip Experience

We’ve driven from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone twice, and we’ve spent a lot of time exploring South Dakota’s Black Hills, Yellowstone and Grand Teton. We think 10 days is the perfect amount of time to see the best of each region, keep costs down and not feel too rushed. If you’re a serious planner like us, we recommend you take a look at our Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone road trip ebook which goes into far greater detail and includes daily route maps.

Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone are both US bucket list juggernauts. We’ll show you where to visit in the Black Hills, your route options to Wyoming and how to make the most of your time in Yellowstone and Grand Teton. This is one of the best road trips in the US and we’re sure it will surpass your expectations. Read more about us .

Route Options

Yellowstone is around 450-500 miles drive from Mount Rushmore depending on the route, and it takes about 8 hours to drive without stopping. There are several routes you can take from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone, including Cloud Peak Skyway (US-16), Bighorn Scenic Byway (US-14) and I-90.

Cloud Peak Skyway and Bighorn Scenic Byway are more picturesque and cross the Bighorn Mountains. Both lead to Cody and Yellowstone’s east entrance. Whereas I-90 is a longer and less scenic route, but it leads to Cooke City and Yellowstone’s northeast entrance, or Gardiner and Yellowstone’s north entrance.

Our preference is to drive Cloud Peak Skyway to Cody . The route has beautiful scenery and it means beginning Yellowstone at east entrance, which is more efficient for this particular itinerary. You’ll see how to make this route work later in our itinerary walkthrough.

Helpful resources:

• How to plan a road trip
• Road trip packing essentials

Places You’ll Visit

If you follow our 10 day Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone itinerary, your road trip will consist of 5 major areas:

• Mount Rushmore
• South Dakota’s Black Hills
• Drive from the Black Hills to Cody
• Yellowstone National Park
• Grand Teton National Park

Let’s take quick look at what you can expect from each area.

1. Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is one of the most iconic and recognizable landmarks in the world. And it’s simply unmissable on your visit to South Dakota. We’ve seen the famous granite sculpture at sunrise in October and covered in snow in April, and it’s an impressive spectacle.

What you need to know:

• You don’t pay to enter but you do pay $10 to park (pass is valid for one year)
• Pick up a ticket as you enter and pay at a machine before leaving
• Your America the Beautiful Pass does not cover entry
• The sculpture is southeast facing so the light is best at sunrise
• We recommend walking the Presidential Trail boardwalk
• You can watch an evening lighting ceremony May-September
• You only need 2-3 hours at the most to see Mt Rushmore

READ: How to visit Mount Rushmore

2. South Dakota’s Black Hills

South Dakota’s Black Hills are beautiful and shouldn’t be missed when you plan your road trip. There’s lots of fun things to do near Mount Rushmore and after two extended trips of our own, we’d go as far as saying the Black Hills region is one of the most underrated places we’ve visited in the US so far.

Here’s just some of the things you can do:

• Custer State Park
• Needles Highway
• Iron Mountain Road
• Sylvan Lake
• Black Elk Peak Trail
• Wind Cave National Park
• Jewel Cave National Monument
• Spearfish Canyon
• Badlands National Park

READ: South Dakota’s Black Hills road trip itinerary

3. Drive From The Black Hills To Cody

Your drive from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone is actually going to be a drive from Spearfish, SD to Cody, WY via Cloud Peak Skyway (US-16) if you follow our itinerary. It’s a 332-mile drive and it would take around 5 hours 30 minutes without stops, but you will stop a few times on the way.

Here’s the route:

• Devils Tower National Monument
• Buffalo, Wyoming
• Cloud Peak Skyway
• Cody, Wyoming

Need help planning your road trip?

Our popular Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone travel guidebook helps you with planning every aspect of your road trip, including where to visit, restaurants, hotels and our 10 day itinerary with daily route maps!

4. Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is one of the most unique and extraordinary landscapes in the world. We’ve spent a total of 8 days in Yellowstone across visits in April and October. Both were amazing experiences but each came with its own set of challenges, including weather and logistics.

Here’s a few top tips for visiting Yellowstone:

• May and September are the two best months on balance
• Yellowstone is very expensive and overcrowded in summer
• Hotel rooms book up a long way in advance
• You can see the park in 3-4 days
• It’s more efficient to stay in different areas each night
• The park is bigger than you might imagine
• Weather is unpredictable in spring and fall
• Animals are most active at dawn and dusk

READ: The best things to do in Yellowstone

5. Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton is one of our favorite US national parks because it’s small, easy to visit and incredibly photogenic. Even if Yellowstone is your top priority, we recommend you plan for at least one full day in Grand Teton. Trust us, you won’t regret it!

Here’s what you need to know:

• Grand Teton is less crowded than Yellowstone
• Mormon Row and Schwabacher Landing are top photo spots
• You can stay in Jackson, Teton Village or Moran
• It’s a very easy going park to visit
• You can see the highlights in 1-2 days

READ: How to spend 2 days in Grand Teton

Important Itinerary Information

The three most important things you need to consider when planning your road trip from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone are your start and end points, hotels and weather.

1. Start/end – Our itinerary below assumes you begin in Rapid City, SD and end in Jackson, WY with 10 full days available. You might need to add on another day if Jackson doesn’t work for you as an end point, so you can drive to Salt Lake City or back to Rapid City to catch a flight.

2. Hotels – You shouldn’t have any problems booking hotels around the Black Hills or in Jackson, but Yellowstone is a different beast. We recommend you book your Yellowstone hotels as far in advance as possible. We’ll cover the best hotels for each night in the itinerary below, and we’ll give you tips on alternatives for each night after the itinerary.

3. Weather – If you plan this road trip for summer you shouldn’t have any issues with weather. But if you want to avoid the crowds and keep costs down by visiting in late spring or early fall, you might run into some problems with snow and road closures. It’s important to stay on top of live conditions throughout your trip. We’ll cover the best time of year to plan this road trip near the end of the guide.

• Yellowstone – Live conditions
• Grand Teton – Live conditions

Day 1 – Badlands + Keystone

After arriving into Rapid City the evening before, either stay in Rapid City or drive to Wall which is the nearest town to Badlands with food and hotels (here’s our guide to the best hotels near Badlands ). On the morning of day 1, enter Badlands via west entrance below Wall and drive the loop road heading east.

Our favorite viewpoints in Badlands include Yellow Mounds, Panorama Point, White River Valley Overlook and Big Badlands Overlook. Door and Notch are the two best hikes in Badlands for you to consider. The Door Trail is easy and picturesque, whereas Notch Trail has a few adventurous elements.

Leave Badlands via east entrance and stop at Minuteman Missile Visitor Center to learn about the Cold War. Honestly, we didn’t expect much but it was a fantastic museum. Once you’re done, drive to Keystone and check into a hotel. Consider going to see the Mount Rushmore evening lighting ceremony if you’ll be visiting between May and September. And keep your parking pass safe so you can use it the next morning.

Top rated Keystone hotels:

• Budget – Comfort Inn + Suites
• Mid range – K Bar S Lodge
• Luxury – Under Canvas

Further Reading: The best places to stay in Keystone SD

Day 2 – Mount Rushmore + Custer State Park

Get an early start from your Keystone hotel and drive 2.5 miles to Mount Rushmore (use the same parking pass as the night before). We recommend arriving for sunrise to beat the crowds and to see the sculpture glow pink and orange, but we know getting up early isn’t for everyone! Walk the Presidential Trail and visit the Sculptor’s Studio .

Head back towards Keystone but turn right onto US-16A, which is better known as Iron Mountain Road . It’s a fun and scenic drive with curves, tunnels, hairpins and even pigtail bends. Turn right at the end to arrive at Custer State Park visitor center and watch the welcome video narrated by Kevin Costner.

You’ll pay $20 to enter Custer State Park and your pass is valid for 7 days . Keep your pass because you’ll need it for Sylvan Lake and Needles Highway later in the week. Next, drive the 18 mile one-way Custer Wildlife Loop to see animals like bison, burros, coyotes and eagles roaming freely in the wilderness. Turn left at the end heading for dinner and your hotel in Custer.

Top rated Custer hotels:

• Budget – Rocket Motel
• Mid range – Bavarian Inn
• Luxury – EO Bungalows

Further Reading: The best places to stay in Custer SD

Day 3 – Custer State Park + Wind Cave

Get another early start and drive back through Custer Wildlife Loop because animals are more active in the morning. But instead of completing the loop, you’ll turn left onto SD-87 for 7.5 miles to Rankin Ridge Trail within Wind Cave National Park boundaries.

Hike the 1 mile roundtrip loop trail for far reaching valley views from an old fire tower. After the hike continue to Wind Cave visitor center. Cave tours can be booked in advance or bought on the day first come first served. We strongly recommend you book any cave tours in advance at this official recreation.gov page . If you can’t get on a tour, try nearby Jewel Cave instead.

After your cave tour, drive back to Custer for a late lunch. Head up SD-89, turn right onto the incredibly picturesque Needles Highway and hike the awesome Cathedral Spires Trail (using your Custer State Park pass for entry). Cathedral Spires Trail a short hike through ponderosa pine forest ending at granite needle-like rocks. Spend a second night in Custer.

Day 4 – Black Elk Peak + Spearfish Canyon

After breakfast, drive up to Sylvan Lake and hike the amazing Black Elk Peak Trail , which we’ve included in our guide to the 50 best US hikes (again, your pass will get you into Sylvan Lake). Black Elk Peak is a moderately difficult 7 mile roundtrip hike with magnificent summit views that should take you around 4-5 hours. We recommend you go up trail #9 and go down trail #4. Add a spur hike to Little Devils Tower near the end. Strong hikers might also want to hike Sunday Gulch Trail on the west side of Sylvan Lake.

Drive west on Needles Highway heading for Hill City and stop at Crazy Horse Memorial . Next, drive north through the Black Hills to Deadwood and spend an hour walking the historic main street to learn about famous wild west gunslingers and cowboys.

At this point you can either take 14-ALT through Lead to Cheyenne Crossing and Spearfish Canyon or you can stay in Deadwood and begin with Spearfish Canyon the next morning. Deadwood is a lively and vibrant casino town, whereas Spearfish is very quiet. You can stop at Roughlock Falls, Eleven Hour Gulch, Devils Bathtub Trail and Bridal Veil Falls on your way down through Spearfish Canyon.

Top rated Spearfish hotels:

• Budget – Best Western Black Hills
• Mid range – Fairfield Inn + Suites
• Luxury – Spearfish Canyon Lodge

Further Reading: The best places to stay in Deadwood SD

Day 5 – Devils Tower + Cloud Peak Skyway

You’ll drive from the northern Black Hills to Yellowstone on day 5. By leaving from Deadwood or Spearfish, you’re already close to Devils Tower and I-90 for the journey west. We recommend taking US-85, SD-34 and WY-24 to Devils Tower because it’s quieter and more scenic than I-90. It should take just over an hour.

Walk the flat paved path leading around the base of Devils Tower, then drive to Joyner Ridge Trailhead for the best views looking back over America’s first national monument. Get on I-90 and stop for lunch in Buffalo, Wyoming. You now have a choice between driving Cloud Peak Skyway or Bighorn Scenic Byway to reach Cody.

Do you want to visit Little Bighorn Battlefield ? It’s an hour north of the turn for Bighorn Scenic Byway on I-90, so you can add in a side trip. Otherwise, drive Cloud Peak Skyway from Buffalo to Ten Sleep. It climbs the southern Bighorn Mountains then drops into a dramatic narrow canyon. We’ve driven it twice and it’s a lot of fun, we even got our drone up for a few photos the second time. Arrive into Cody for dinner and check into your hotel.

Top rated Cody hotels:

• Budget – Cody Cowboy Village
• Mid range – The Cody
• Luxury – Chamberlin Inn

Further Reading: The 8 best hotels in Cody Wyoming

Day 6 – East Yellowstone

Grab an early breakfast in Cody and head west to Yellowstone Lake via east entrance. A little known secret is that east entrance has a lot of active wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled. If you’re a very strong hiker, you might want to take on Avalanche Peak on the way in. Otherwise, walk the easy trail to Storm Point for views over Yellowstone Lake.

Turn right onto Grand Loop Road to begin your Yellowstone adventure. Your first stop is Mud Volcano and Dragon’s Mouth Spring . Next, you’ll drive through Hayden Valley , one of the best wildlife spotting areas in the park.

Continue north towards Canyon, but turn right onto S Rim Drive so you can see the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone . Stop at Upper Falls View and Artist Point at the end of the road. Next, you’ll take N Rim Drive on the other side of the river for more views but from different perspectives. Stop at Canyon Village for lunch.

If you’re into hiking, you should definitely hike Dunraven Pass to Mount Washburn . Afterwards, take a short walk to see Tower Fall and Yellowstone River Overlook . If it’s getting close to dusk, you should definitely head into Lamar Valley for the best chance of seeing wildlife. Drive to Gardiner for dinner and your hotel.

Top rated Gardiner hotels:

• Budget – Yellowstone Big Rock Inn
• Mid range – Yellowstone Riverside Cottages
• Luxury – Yellowstone Gateway Inn

Further Reading: The 8 best hotels in Gardiner MT

Day 7 – North + West Yellowstone

If you didn’t have time for Lamar Valley the evening before or seeing wildlife is your top priority in Yellowstone, you should wake up early and drive into the valley for sunrise or as early as you can. It’s widely accepted as the best place to see wildlife in the park and animals are most active at dawn.

Head back to Mammoth Hot Springs to walk around the lower and upper terraces, potentially stopping to hike Lava Creek to Undine Falls . It’s not ideal driving back on yourself, but it’s part of visiting Yellowstone. Mammoth usually has lots of bison roaming around the roads, and we got stuck in a bison jam nearby.

Next, you’ll head south until reaching Norris Geyser Basin which is split into two distinct sections. Walk around both, and don’t miss Steamboat Geyser and Echinus Geyser . Pass by the beautiful Gibbon Meadows but don’t miss Artists Paintpots Trail , which lead to bubbling mud pots and colorful pools. Stop at Gibbon Falls before leaving the park via west entrance to spend your evening in West Yellowstone.

Top rated West Yellowstone hotels:

• Budget – Elkhorn Cabins
• Mid range – Crosswinds Inn
• Luxury – Explorer Cabins

Further Reading: The 8 best hotels in West Yellowstone

Day 8 – Southwest Yellowstone

Your eighth day is dedicated to enjoying what makes Yellowstone so famous; unique geysers and vibrant hot springs. Start with Lower Geyser Basin and Fountain Paint Pot Trail . Next, make your way down to Midway Geyser Basin to see Excelsior Geyser, Opal Pool, Turquoise Pool and Grand Prismatic Spring .

Drive to Fairy Falls Trail parking lot and hike the first 0.7 miles to reach Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook so you can take the most iconic Yellowstone photo. If you’re into hiking, continue the trail until you reach the stunning Fairy Falls waterfall. Next up is Biscuit Basin (with a potential hike to Mystic Falls ) and Black Sand Basin .

Finally, you’ll reach Upper Geyser Basin , which is where you can watch the world famous Old Faithful Geyser blow almost exactly on schedule throughout the day. Don’t miss the short hike to Old Faithful viewing area and make sure you walk around all of Upper Geyser Basin, as far as Morning Glory Pool . Head back to West Yellowstone, but stop on Firehole Lake Drive for a stunning sunset reflecting in Great Fountain Geyser.

Day 9 – South Yellowstone + Grand Teton

After breakfast in West Yellowstone, you’ll drive back through Lower, Midway and Upper Geyser Basins, and you’ll pass over the Continental Divide , before reaching West Thumb Geyser Basin . Spend an hour exploring the colorful pools and geysers around West Thumb, then drive one hour down John D Rockefeller Jr Memorial Parkway to northern Grand Teton.

Turn right onto Teton Park Road and take a sharp left onto Signal Mountain Road . Climb the winding road for 4 miles until you reach Jackson Lake Overlook . Walk a few hundred feet down the trail and soak up special views over the Teton Range.

Back on the loop road, stop at the turnouts and take a right turn after Mountain View Turnout onto Jenny Lake Road. Pull into String Lake for quick walk, then carry on to Jenny Lake Overlook for stunning views. Continue to Chapel of the Transfiguration to see the famous “mountains through the church window” view, then drive 12 miles to Jackson for dinner and your hotel.

Top rated Jackson hotels:

• Budget – Cowboy Village Resort
• Mid range – Inn on the Creek
• Luxury – Huff House Inn

Further Reading: The 8 best hotels in Jackson Wyoming

Day 10 – Grand Teton

If you’re into photography like we are, you simply can’t miss John Moulton and TA Moulton barns on Mormon Row at sunrise (see photo above). It’s one of our favorite photo spots in the US. The problem is that nearby Schwabacher Landing has an equally special sunrise scene with pristine mountain reflections and we saw a moose there at dawn, so you have a decision to make!

Whichever you choose, visit the other one straight after. Next, you can stop at Snake River Overlook and Oxbow Bend before returning to Jenny Lake . You could relax on the shores, take a swim, float on an inflatable or paddle. But we recommend hiking Cascade Canyon Trail instead.

Either walk around Jenny Lake or take a ferry service to west shore boat dock to cut a few miles from the hike. From there it’s a short trail up to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point . Stronger hikers should continue into Cascade Canyon for stunning views and wildlife spotting. Finish the trip with a celebratory beer back in Jackson!

Hotel Alternatives

When planning your Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone road trip, you’re going to run into issues with hotels. Don’t worry, this is natural. You shouldn’t have any problems getting a good hotel at a reasonable rate anywhere in South Dakota, but that all changes when you start booking in Yellowstone.

We recommend you find and book your Yellowstone hotels first , then book the rest of your trip.

In our 10 day itinerary above, we have you staying at hotels in towns around Yellowstone. But you absolutely don’t have to follow those recommendations. You can instead stay in national park lodges within the park boundaries. They book up fast, they’re expensive and they have limited dining options, but they are more convenient and you’d get a more authentic experience.

Here are alternative places you can stay inside park boundaries if you follow our itinerary:

• Night 5 – Lake Yellowstone (instead of Cody)
• Night 6 – Mammoth (instead of Gardiner)
• Nights 7 + 8 – Old Faithful Inn or Old Faithful Lodge Cabins (instead of West Yellowstone)
• Night 9 – A park lodge (instead of Jackson)

When To Drive This Road Trip

Yellowstone’s roads are fully open between early May and the end of October . If you plan to follow our road trip itinerary from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone in shoulder seasons, you must make sure the east entrance road and the roads leading to Old Faithful and Grand Teton in the south are open. Here’s the opening and closing dates for the various roads around Yellowstone.

In May, June, September and October you’d benefit from less overcrowding and traffic, more hotel availability and cheaper prices, and higher animal activity. But the weather can be unpredictable, especially earlier and later in the season.

In July and August you’d benefit from warmer temperatures and a better chance of clear weather. But the park is heavily overcrowded and traffic is a problem, hotels are booked up and expensive, and animals are less active.

How Much Will It Cost?

It’s not easy to give an exact figure on how much a road trip like this will cost you because we don’t know if you’ll book cheap or luxury hotels, if you prefer to eat sit down meals three times a day or how many attractions you want to visit in the Black Hills. But from our experiences, we’ll try to give you a ballpark figure based on what we think the average couple will spend.

Hotels will be your biggest expense, especially once you reach Yellowstone and Grand Teton. You should book hotels in advance to get better rooms at cheaper prices, particularly if you plan to stay in park run lodges. We think you should aim for somewhere around $200-250 USD per night on average (depending on seasonality).

Food is harder to break down because it’s so subjective. Let’s say you’ll be eating three meals a day but lunch won’t be a sit down restaurant meal. We think a couple should aim for around $80 per day total . Then you have to factor in attractions (entry prices total $210 without national parks pass) and gas (1,283 miles at an average of $2.90/gallon and 25mpg).

All in, a couple is likely to spend something along the lines of $3,000 – $3,500 total for 10 days , excluding flights and hire cars. That’s for mid range hotels, eating out twice a day and entry to national parks, state parks and monuments. You could book cheaper hotels, eat at fewer restaurants or skip certain attractions to bring that number down.

More Yellowstone + Grand Teton

• Where to stay in Yellowstone
• What to do in Yellowstone
• Best airports near Yellowstone
• Visiting Yellowstone in April
• Mormon Row at sunrise and sunset
• Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip
• 2 days Grand Teton itinerary
• 4 days Yellowstone itinerary
• Schwabacher Landing at sunrise
• Visiting Yellowstone in October

More From South Dakota

• What to do in Badlands
• Best hikes in Badlands
• Guide to visiting Mount Rushmore
• Things to do in Custer State Park
• How to hike Black Elk Peak
• Where to stay near Mt Rushmore

Want more Yellowstone information? Visit our main Yellowstone National Park travel hub for all the help you’ll need to plan your first visit.

We hope this Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone and Grand Teton road trip guide helps with planning your itinerary!

Please let us know if you have any questions or need help planning your road trip in the comments below.

Happy Travels ,

Mark and Kristen

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All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

63 thoughts on “10 Days Mount Rushmore To Yellowstone Road Trip Itinerary”

We are planning this trip the week of 4th of July. Where would you suggest the best place to stay on the 4th of July for celebrations?

Hi Tonya, Mt Rushmore would be a good place to spend 4th July evening for a fireworks display, so you could stay in Keystone (or Custer/Hill City). Devils Tower also puts on a fireworks display if you’ll be at the end of your SD part of the road trip by the 4th. Cody, Jackson Hole and West Yellowstone also do put on a show, so you can really be staying in lots of the places within our itinerary. Have a great time!

Hi Guys, The guide looks great and I am planning to go in May of 2024. I find that it is very difficult to get one way rental car from rapid City to Jackson compared to Jackson to rapid city. So my question is if I plan my trim from Jackson to Rapid city, will it be exactly the opposite of your plan or do I need to modify the route. Appreciate any help you can provide. Thank you.

Hi Sam, glad to hear you’ll be taking this road trip in a few months. We just checked and Rental Cars have one-way hire cars from Rapid City to Jackson available in May. Hopefully you can find a good option for your dates with them. In truth, the route we created was designed to be most efficient going from Rushmore to Yellowstone (ie. being in the right place at the right time of day). You could reverse the route and it wouldn’t be too different, but it would need some slight modifications for things like Wind/Jewel Cave tours or switching the attractions around so you don’t set off on a hike too late in the day. But it’s definitely doable. Let us know how you get on and have a fantastic time!

This guide looks great, and I am just wondering if you have a price range for the trip, not including things like food. I want to do this as a couple’s trip or Honeymoon trip, so just two people. I would like to have a goal for saving up for this trip. Thanks for any help you can give.

Hi Kyle, glad to hear you’ll be driving this road trip and congrats if it’s for a honeymoon. Honestly, the cost will depend mostly on hotels. Without knowing the time of year you’ll do it or your preference for hotels (cheap and cheerful or luxury, especially if honeymooning), you should probably aim for around $150 per night on average. Hotels are cheaper in the Black Hills, more expensive around Yellowstone. Book your hotels in advance (now for this summer or fall would be ideal) to save because there’ll be more availability at park run lodges and in towns near the parks. Add in gas, food and attractions – you’re looking at something in the $2,500 – $3,000 range total for 10 days, excluding flights and hire cars. That would be for mid range hotels and eating out 3 times a day, plus entry to national parks, monuments, state parks etc. You can always go for cheaper hotels, eat at fewer restaurants or skip certain attractions to bring that number down. Hope that helps and remember it’s just a ballpark figure. Have a great trip!

@Mark and Kristen Morgan, Thank you so much; this definitely helps. Your itinerary looks like the vacation of a lifetime for us.

This is am amazing itinerary! Thank you so much. If we have more time, say, closer ti 14 or 15 days, where and how would you recommend spending that time? We love hiking, but are casual, so no summiting mountains for us.

Thanks Katie! To be honest we’ve included the major attractions in both regions, so it could just be a case of slowing things down so it’s not as action packed. Maybe add one extra day in each of the Black Hills, Yellowstone and Grand Teton. There’s loads more you can do in Yellowstone and Teton, we’ve just covered the most unmissable spots for a first visit. You could also potentially include a stop at Little Big Horn Battlefield if that’s of any interest. If you don’t mind the full-on days, maybe consider driving up to Glacier National Park after Yellowstone and Teton to spend 2 or 3 days there. Or there’s always a drive down to Salt Lake City where you can see the Great Salt Lake, Bonneville Salt Flats, Park City or hike loads of amazing trails on S Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Hope that helps and have a fantastic trip!

We are driving up from Kansas City the end of April to first week of May. What do you recommend as the best way to add the Little Big Horn battlefield into this itinerary? Thank you for your amazing itinerary. It looks to be so helpful with the trip we are planning.

Hi Steve, we’re glad to hear you’ll be driving this road trip next year. The easiest way to include Little Big Horn Battlefield is to drive I-90 directly from Devils Tower and then you can loop around to Cody from Billings. You’d be replacing the drive from Buffalo to Ten Sleep on the Cloud Peak Skyway. One thing to note is your exact dates. The east entrance into Yellowstone from Cody is projected to open May 5 2024 but any adverse weather could push that date back. You might be better off continuing on I-90 from Billings and entering Yellowstone to the north at Gardiner because that entrance is open year round. Have a fantastic trip!

We just returned yesterday from our 11 day trip which we followed as the Morgans suggested and it was truly amazing. I cannot thank you enough for your well-thought-out and easy-to-follow itinerary. I was travelling with my 13 year old twins and my 80 year old parents and we all had such an incredible time. We even stayed in the recommended hotels. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Thank you very much!

Hi Dineen, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this nice comment. We are happy to hear our itinerary helped you during your amazing road trip! It’s such a beautiful part of the country and your family will always have those wonderful memories! Take care, Mark and Kristen

Your 10 day itinerary from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone is amazing! We are traveling September 7th. We so appreciate you mapping out our vacation!! What days do you recommend we pack our lunch?

Thank you, Brenda! We are happy to hear you will be following this amazing road trip route and you are doing it at a fantastic time of year. Lunch is a great question (we will update our guide soon to include potential lunch stops because it is helpful). We would suggest packing lunches on days 1 and 2 in South Dakota, as well as days 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 in Yellowstone and Grand Teton. You can find food in Yellowstone at Canyon Village, Mammoth or Old Faithful if you really don’t want to keep eating packed lunches but they will save you a lot of time, effort and money. Eat big breakfasts and dinners if possible, and take snacks into the parks. Hope that helps and have a fantastic trip!

@Mark and Kristen Morgan,

Thank you for sharing your ideas! Do you have any Restaurant recommendations for dinner? We have made our accommodation reservations using your recommendations. We are looking so forward to our trip and you have made planning easy! Thank you again!

You are more than welcome, Brenda. Dinner is a tough one without knowing what your group likes to eat, but what we usually do is look at Google Maps and see which places have high ratings near our hotel then narrow it down to our cuisine preference. There are great places to eat in most of the places you will visit so we are sure you find the right spots each evening!

Hello, I am trying to plan this trip for my family of 4 (2 adults 2 kids (ages 9 & 7)). This has become almost a full time job but your site has been so helpful! We are coming from MN and hoping to drive the loop up through ND – MT – WY – Yellowstone – WY – SD then back home. I have all the places and things we want to see and do but I just can’t get them straight for what to do on what days…any suggestions would be so helpful! Yellowstone is very intimidating to plan!

Hi Kristi, sounds like an amazing road trip route you have planned! We understand how you feel about planning and wanting to make the most of every day. Without knowing your priorities or how many days you have, we would suggest choosing maybe 5-10 of your top attraction priorities and making sure you allow enough time to properly visit those places. You can easily do Yellowstone in 3 full days if you move around at a reasonable pace (staying at different hotels each night helps with efficiency but it isn’t vital). Grand Teton is amazing and you can see it in one day, especially as you won’t be hiking the longer trails with young kids. The Black Hills in SD you can do quickly enough depending on exactly what you want to see. Mt Rushmore only takes a few hours and with the kids you likely won’t lose a day hiking Black Elk Peak. Judging by how much effort you are putting in to planning, we know you will have it all figured out. Have a great time with your family!

Hello! I love this itinerary as it can be so daunting planning a trip like this. Are any of the “hikes” handicap accessible? We would potentially be traveling with our older parents, some of which use motorized scooters for longer walks. Thanks

Hi Melissa, glad to hear you are planning to see the Black Hills and Yellowstone with your family. Accessibility is a great question – some of the half day adventure hikes such as Black Elk Peak in SD, Avalanche Peak in Yellowstone and Cascade Canyon in Grand Teton are of course not accessible for motorized scooters, but many of the popular stops in this itinerary are accessible via wooden boardwalks or flat paved paths. For instance, you will be able to see behind the Badlands Wall from the Windows Trail in Badlands (and so much more right from the car), you can access the amphitheater in Mt Rushmore (but not the Presidents Trail which has steps), you can circle around the base of Devils Tower WY on a paved trail, almost all of Yellowstone’s most iconic attractions like Old Faithful, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Grand Prismatic Spring, Morning Glory Pool, Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley are all accessible via wooden boardwalks or right from the car. Hope that helps but please let us know if you have any more questions and we can do some more digging. If not, have a fantastic trip!

Thank you so much for this itinerary! I was planning a trip Yellowstone on 5/18/23 and I was overwhelmed but your guide is helping a LOT.

One note – I noticed that the road section between canyon and tower fall doesn’t open until May 26 (weather pending), and that the Norris Geyser Basin is closed in 2023 until further notice.

I’m still learning about the layout of Yellowstone, but would I be fine following your itinerary if I am visiting on 5/18, or would I need to make adjustments due to road closures? If adjustments are needed, do you have any recommendations?

Thank you!!

Hi Samuel, we’re happy to hear you are planning a trip to Yellowstone in a few weeks. Yes, Norris Geyser Basin is closed until further notice (these things always happen in Yellowstone!) and the road between Canyon – Tower (Dunraven Pass) does not open until May 26th. Note these dates are “projected” and weather dependent. If you follow our itinerary and decide to visit before Dunraven Pass opens, you can combine days 6 and 7 into one day. So you would enter from Cody, see Lake Yellowstone, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Hayden Valley in the morning, then drive up to Mammoth, before heading into Lamar Valley around 1-2 hours before sunset at which point wildlife is most active. You can then pick up the remainder of the itinerary. Hope that helps and have a fantastic time!

Can not thank you both enough! My sons and I will be doing this journey and using your suggestions as a guide was incredibly helpful! We are so excited.

You’re very welcome, Audrey. We hope you and your sons have a fantastic time!

This trip sounds fantastic. We are planning this trip now for late August early Sept. Is there anyway we could squeeze in Glacier if we add a couple of days? We want to do it all! We are thinking we can fly into Grand Rapids and out of Bozeman. Any thoughts? Thanks for your help, .

Hi Tammy-Jo, great to hear you are planning this trip and yes of course you can definitely squeeze in Glacier! Instead of driving from Devils Tower to Cody (and Yellowstone east entrance), you can drive from Devils Tower to Glacier. It is a heck of a drive (maybe 10 hours) and it might be worth spending a night around 1 or 2 hours before reaching Glacier to reduce the long driving day and get a cheap room before waking up early to have a full day in Glacier. After you are done at Glacier, drive down through Bozeman and into Yellowstone north entrance near Mammoth Hot Springs. You can then drive down through one side of Yellowstone (west first for example) and down into Grand Teton, before looping back through Teton and up the other side of Yellowstone before exiting back in the north and flying from Bozeman. Hope that helps but let us know if you have any more questions. If not, we hope you have the best trip!

@Mark and Kristen Morgan, Thanks! I will take a look at that route!

We are in San Diego, CA. What airport should we flight in and approximately how far from Mt Rushmore or the town? Also if we rent the car to start the adventure that would be arranged separately from your planed trip? Thank you

Hi Nancy, to begin in South Dakota you will fly into Rapid City. After visiting Badlands, Mt Rushmore etc in the Black Hills, you will drive across to Yellowstone and Grand Teton. It would make more sense to drop off your hire car at either Jackson Hole airport Salt Lake City airport before flying back to San Diego. Our guide is an example itinerary for your to use, but we do not arrange hire cars for this trip. Have a great time!

Thank you for taking to answer my question. I appreciated very much.

You are very welcome Nancy and have a wonderful trip!

Hi! I’m looking into this for April this year (in a month, eek). Do you think this would be good for a fam with an 11 and 13 yr old?

Hi Shan, yes absolutely this road trip is great for families with kids in the low teens. There’s plenty to keep them occupied in the form of Mt Rushmore, Devils Tower, geysers, hot springs and wildlife in Yellowstone, and towering mountain peaks in Grand Teton. However, we only recommend driving this route from May 1 through the end of October. In April, Grand Teton Loop Road is closed, Yellowstone doesn’t begin to open certain roads until half way through the month and there’s a strong chance you will get caught in snow. If we were planning a road trip at the beginning or middle of April with kids, we would do the Utah and Arizona loop instead. Start in Las Vegas, drive to Valley of Fire, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands, Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend, Grand Canyon South Rim, back to Vegas. Or a variation of that depending on your timeframe. Hope that helps but let us know if you have any more questions!

Thanks Mark and Kristen for your itinerary ideas. We are looking to plan a similar trip and would follow your itinerary and maybe expand it a day or 2. This would be our first and most likely only trip out west(traveling with teenagers can be a daunting task). We would be traveling late June/early July from Cincy Ohio. We normally just wing it but I hear Yellowstone area isn’t a wing it kind of place and you would want to make reservations. We’ve thought about getting a roof top tent for our truck and winging it hoping to find camping near your itinerary stops. Or the other option would be to fly into Sioux City and out of Jackson hole and renting a Minivan and finding budget friendly hotels on a whim without reservations near your itinerary stops. What are your thoughts?? This reminds me of planning for Disney and trying to use all the fast passes 😂 Thanks again John and family

Hi John, thanks for getting in touch and we’re glad to hear you have a family trip planned from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone, it’s a great option and you will definitely enjoy the stops. Honestly, in late June / early July we probably wouldn’t wing it. We hear you though – we normally wing it on road trips because we like the flexibility, but we normally travel in April, May, September and October so that is actually possible! If you do go the flights and minivan it will cost a lot more than the rooftop tent option. You might be able to find camping but we would definitely book some campsites asap. If there are no campgrounds inside Yellowstone, look for campgrounds near Gardiner and better yet West Yellowstone. From there you can day trip into the park. Grand Teton is amazing and you will have a better chance finding camping near Moran maybe. The obvious downside to driving with the tent is the long days you would lose driving from Cincy to the Black Hills and back from Jackson to Cincy. If we had your options, we would probably try to plan out the trip both ways, add up the costs, driving time, convenience factor and availability to come up with a best case scenario. Hope that helps but let us know if you have any other questions. If not, have a great family trip!

What would you recommend if we are coming from Ohio wanting to do Rushmore ,Badlands out to Yellowstone. We will be driving and basically just sightseeing due to my husband health. Would you say Badlands and Rushmore in one day and keep moving west? We are going to travel to first point in one long haul from Ohio so we can try and see all the major places. Do you have information to help us with hitting all the spots starting in Ohio to Yellowstone trying to do the whole trip in a week. Wish it could be longer though. Thanks for any help you can advise. Plus if just sightseeing how long would you stay in each spot?

Hi Nikki, sounds like this going to be an incredibly action packed week. Here’s what we would do: DAY 1 – Drive 17 hours from Ohio to Wall SD on I-90, spend the night in Wall. DAY 2 – Wake up and do Badlands first, then Mt Rushmore, drive Spearfish Canyon and see Devils Tower before sunset. You can do all 4 in one day if you are quick and you won’t miss out on anything. Stay somewhere near Devils Tower or even drive to Buffalo WY. DAY 3 – Drive Cloud Peak Skyway to Ten Sleep and continue to Cody WY, before entering Yellowstone east entrance. Look around Lake, turn right onto loop road, spot wildlife in Hayden Valley and drive both rims at Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to see the waterfalls. Stay in Canyon. DAY 4 – Drive up past Mt Washburn to Tower and head into Lamar Valley for more wildlife, drive across to Mammoth Hot Springs to see the unique springs there, continue down to Norris Geyser Basin and stay in West Yellowstone. DAY 5 – Head back into the park and explore all of Upper, Midway and Lower Geyser Basins which includes Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful. Continue to West Thumb and drive all the way down through Grand Teton including Jenny Lake and Signal Mountain. DAY 6 – If you are interested, watch sunrise at either Mormon Row or Schwabacher Landing in Grand Teton, before exploring any more of the Tetons and southeast Yellowstone before beginning the long drive back to Ohio. We would leave the area via Cody so you will have completed the full loop in Yellowstone and seen Grand Teton. DAY 7 – Continue the drive back, it is around 22 hours from Cody to Ohio. Hope that helps and enjoy your trip!

@Mark and Kristen Morgan, Thank you for responding. This is very helpful, we may need to add a couple of days. Thanks again for your help!

What would you estimate cost per person for trip if u can breakdown some items. Car/gas/night hotel stays

Hi Helen, tough question and it will have to be a real rough guess here, but you’ll be looking at something like $900 – $1000 for a 10 day hire car pick up in Rapid City airport drop off in SLC airport. Hotels are going to cost anywhere between $80 – $200 per night depending on how much of a budget you are on. You can of course stay in more expensive hotels each night if your budget allows but we’re using an average travel budget for reference. Not sure how much gas is going to be in SD and WY when you travel, but the only long distance drive is from Devils Tower to Cody. Both SD and WY have cheaper than average gas. Maybe plan for around $200 – $250 per person per day for hotel, food, car, gas and misc expenses. Hope that helps and have a great trip!

We used your itinerary for our upcoming trip September 8-19, 2022. With the flood that happened in June just curious what changes you would recommend?

Hi Kimberly, thanks for getting in touch and we’re glad to hear you have this trip planned for next month. You should still be fine to follow the itinerary as normal with entrance to Yellowstone via Cody (east entrance). The northeast entrance Cooke City to Tower road is not currently open to vehicles (nor is North entrance via Gardiner but you won’t need that one anyway). So enter via Cody as per our itinerary and follow day 6 but either stay in Mammoth Hot Springs or Canyon. If there is no availability at either, you will have to stay in West Yellowstone before picking up the itinerary on Day 7. Lamar Valley is not accessible via car at the moment which is a shame, but Hayden Valley is a great alternative for wildlife spotting. In fact, east entrance on your way into the park is another excellent wildlife spotting area. So one option would be to take day 6 more slowly and save Mt Washburn / Tower area for day 7 instead. Then you can pick up day 8 without any more disruptions. Hope that helps but let us know if you need any more help. Have a great trip!

Thank you for this itinerary it was spot on! We stayed at the J Bar and S Lodge, the Chamberlin Inn and the Parkway Inn on your recommendations and they were wonderful! I look forward to copying more itineraries by you!

Hi Sandy, we’re so glad you found the itinerary and hotel recommendations helpful! This is one of our favorite routes in the US and we’re happy to hear you had a great time. Now it’s time to start planning your next road trip…!

Hi! Awesome post, I’m looking to possibly book a trip for 6 days to see Mt Rushmore and end in Yellowstone. My boyfriend is a huge history buff and has always wanted to explore here. How would you condense this? We’re also looking to rent an RV to make overnights easier. I’d appreciate any and all thoughts. Thank you!

Thanks Cara! Great to hear you’re thinking about this trip and you can easily condense the best of both areas into 6 days with an emphasis on history. Renting an RV would make sense if you wanted to travel between places at night and be closer to each attraction by first light the next day. We would suggest cutting all hikes in our guide, don’t do Wind Cave NP or even the Custer wildlife loop. You’ll want to do Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse. If you do Badlands we highly recommend you visit the Minuteman Missile Museum about the cold war – it’s really interesting. Then on the way over to Yellowstone you could potentially spur off to stop at Little Bighorn Battlefield. Then try to squeeze in as much of Yellowstone as you can. Hope that helps but let us know if you have any more questions!

I love this….. I love that you included Buffalo and Ten Sleep!! Several years ago I moved from central Illinois to Cody, WY. I’ve made the drive between the two places many times and this is the route I take. I actually lived (past tense – I’ve now moved back to Illinois) along the Chief Joseph Highway, not too far from Cooke City. I HIGHLY recommend driving the Chief Joseph from Cody up to the NE entrance of the park! The scenery is just amazing. The view from Dead Indian Pass is not to be missed – especially if you’re coming to it from the East side (from Cody). The drive from the pass to the end of the Chief Joseph, where it meets 212, the Beartooth Highway, is gorgeous! The closer you get to 212, the better your view of Pilot and Index Peaks…. It’s just awe-inspiring!!

Hi Michelle, thanks for getting in touch! We couldn’t miss the Buffalo to Ten Sleep drive, we’ve done it twice and loved it both times. You’re absolutely right, the Chief Joseph Highway is amazing, we drove it in October 2019 when it was covered in fresh snow and it was stunning. Anyone following this itinerary could definitely drive the scenic highway and enter Yellowstone to the NE, starting with Lamar Valley instead of Lake Yellowstone via Cody and East entrance. There are so many options for Yellowstone! Best of luck back in Illinois!

I took this trip last year! It was amazing! We used your blog as a guide and followed it pretty closely. I was amazed at the wildlife we saw and the beauty of the landscape. I would take this trip again and again. I cannot thank you enough for sharing your ideas. I’ve had both my knees replaced, so I wasn’t able to do all of the long rugged hikes and I appreciate that you took the time to score them. I have sent this article on to 2 of my cousins that are interested in this trip also. I almost forgot…we drove my soft top Jeep which also made the trip even more fantastic!

Hi Kim, thank you for getting in touch and letting us know about your trip 🙂 we’re glad to hear you found the itinerary helpful! The soft top Jeep sounds amazing – we might have to give that a go next time. Hope your cousins can also make the trip and have as much fun as you did!

Mark and Kristen, I love your itinerary; we are going to do it in reverse the first week and a half in October this fall. On October 4th, we’ll be going from Cody to Gillette and would like to travel on the Cloud Peak Skyway you mentioned and visit Little Big Horn Battlefield before we get to Gillette. Can you recommend the highways we should take to do this? Any idea if we could run into bad road conditions on our route?

Hi Tim, thanks for getting in touch and it’s great to hear you’ll be visiting Yellowstone / Grand Teton and the Black Hills. You’ll be doing the Wyoming parks at a great time without the crowds and the Black Hills are spectacular the first few weeks of October. You can easily do Ten Sleep to Buffalo on Cloud Peak Skyway from Cody to Gillette. If you want to do Little Bighorn Monument, your best bet is to take I-90 W once you reach Buffalo. It’s quite a way up (100 miles), and then you’ll be going back on yourself to get into Gillette. We did Cloud Peak later in October and the road was plowed so there should be no issues on your trip. Let us know if you have any other questions and have a great trip!

@Mark and Kristen Morgan, thanks for your response. Have you ever been on Highway 212 over to Broadus or Highway 14 to Spotted Horse, dropping down to Gillette from the north?

Hi Tim, no we haven’t done either of those two routes. We would have preferred to stay off I-90 the entire time between Black Hills and Yellowstone but we didn’t have enough time. Enjoy the trip!

It seems one-way rental car options from Mount Rushmore to Yellow Stone to Sale Lake City are pretty limited or unavailable for the May-June period. If you are flying in from the east coast (Washington DC) and want to take this trip (or reverse) what other options (coach, public transport, flights) are there if one-way car rentals are not available.

Hi Roger, yes right car rentals have been limited, unavailable or even unaffordable for quite some time now. The only way to guarantee a car at a reasonable price is to book a long way in advance. There are tour options available if you google Mt Rushmore Yellowstone bus tours, but ideally you would have your own car to drive between attractions within each region. Maybe leave it until next year but book it all up as far in advance as you can? Good luck!

We did a very similar 10 Day Itinerary, but in reverse order. We started with Grand Teton, Jackson and Yellowstone. Then traveled to Little Bighorn via the Beartooth Path/Highway. Next we visited Devils Tower and Spearfish. Followed by a drive through Blackhills to Deadwood, Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore. Last, a visited Badlands National Park. It was a dream road trip. I highly recommend this.

Sounds awesome, David. This exact route (or in reverse as you did it) is about as good as it gets for visiting both Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone regions.

This is the exact trip my husband and myself along with son and daughter in law want to take but they cannot take a 10 day vacation, both still working , we would be flying in from Florida and want to see alot of things around Rapid City but also Yellowstone a couple of days and fly home, probably 5 or 6 days, is that possible and still see alot, just happened on to your information about travel and really love it.

Hi Linda, glad to hear your plans of doing both Rapid City and Yellowstone! You can do both places in a short period, you’ll just have to drive a lot and we would suggest flying into Rapid City – then out of Bozeman back to Florida. You could try this: Day 1 – Morning explore Badlands, afternoon see Mt Rushmore; Day 2 – Drive Iron Mountain and Needles Highway, do Custer Wildlife Loop or hike Black Elk Peak; Day 3 – Drive Spearfish Canyon to Devils Tower and across to Cody; Day 4 – Enter Yellowstone east entrance, turn left and do West Thumb Basin morning, Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic etc afternoon stay in West Yellowstone; Day 5 – Norris Basin, Yellowstone Falls and Hayden Valley morning, Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley afternoon. Either stay in Gardiner then fly out of Bozeman or fly out on the fifth day. It will be action packed but it hits all the major highlights. Have a great trip!

I love the itinerary you have planned, but know the group I am going with can’t hike (only walks that are not too steep or uneven). What adjustments to the trip would you recommend. Also we will be driving in from Kirksville, MO, so starting at the Mount Rushmore side and will make it roundtrip.There is so much information, I’m finding it difficult to adjust. Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Susan, thanks for getting in touch and we’re glad to hear you’re planning this amazing route. If your group isn’t big into hiking, we’d suggest taking things more slowly in each area. Our itinerary is very action packed and won’t suit every group doing this trip. Spend more time driving in the Black Hills, visit more local coffee shops, restaurants and bars in towns along the way. Grand Teton is beautiful so maybe include an extra day staying in Jackson in place of a long hike that we mention in the itinerary. Feel free to email us with any specific questions if you need a hand getting plans finalized but if not, enjoy your road trip!

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"If you've always dreamed of taking on a classic American road trip, there's no better place to do it than Montana, where the scenic roads take you from golden prairies to snowy mountains, under the endless blue sky."

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Discover the Little Bighorn battlefield monument

We’ll take you on a journey to the Little Bighorn monument, which serves as a memorial to the Battle of Bighorn. You’ll see the infamous battlefield where Lieutenant Colonel Custer led his men against the Northern Plains Lakota and Cheyenne warriors led by Sitting Bull, and have some time to reflect on the history of this moving memorial.

Visit Billings, a city in southern Montana on the Yellowstone River

As the state’s largest and most laid-back city, Billing’s is one of the best places to visit in Montana. Set on the edge of the Yellowstone River, you’ll be surrounded by mountains and greenery, plus fantastic historic and cultural treasures. We’ll take you straight to the heart of Billings with a local dinner where you’ll discover that famous Western hospitality.

Drive through the scenic Montana roads

In Montana, all roads lead to yet another enchanting landscape, and we’ll take you on an unforgettable road trip to the most beautiful destinations in Montana. Cruise along the scenic Southern Road through Glacier National Park, cross the Continental Divide in a vintage style jammer, and wind along the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road over Logan Pass.

Our top 3 things to do in Montana

When you travel Montana with Trafalgar, we’ll reveal all the best Montana attractions, from the iconic national parks to the historic monuments and spectacular roads.

Museum of the Rockies

Dive into the history of the Rocky Mountains at this fantastic museum, home to the country’s largest collection of dinosaur remains and the largest T-Rex skull ever found. You'll also discover exhibits on the life of Native Americans, gold-miners, fur traders and frontier settlers on the Northern Plains, including an amazing Living History Farm.

C. M. Russell Museum

This Montana museum is dedicated to the legendary “cowboy artist” Charles Marion Russell. It holds the world’s largest collection of paintings, drawings, sculpture and illustrated letters by Russell, and you can even see his original log cabin studio and wooden frame home, including his work tools, cowboy gear and Indian artifacts.

American Computer & Robotics Museum

Renowned Harvard scientist Edward O. Wilson described this museum as the best in the world, and tech lovers are sure to agree as they explore the exhibits spanning 4,000 years from the original cuneiform tablets to the first computers. You’ll learn about the space race, artificial intelligence and even cracking the enigma code in this thought-provoking museum.

Best museums in Montana

One of the best things to do in Montana is check out its incredible museums, and our Montana tours will take you from the ancient remains of dinosaurs to the world of robotics.

Pickle Barrel Sandwiches

These legendary sandwiches have been voted best in Bozeman for seven years in a row and have been a popular staple of Montana for over 30 years - but they’re much more than a sandwich. Apart from being absolutely massive and stuffed with all kinds of delicious fillings like cheesesteak, these sandwiches are a local treasure that are homemade with love.

Huckleberry Bear Claws

If you ask a local for Montana’s most iconic food, they’d probably say huckleberries. You can pick them wild and fresh across the state… Or eat them in a huckleberry bear claw. These sweet Danish-like pastries are shaped like a bear claw and stuffed with scrumptious huckleberry filling, and you’ll soon fall in love with them on your Montana trip.

Wheat Montana Cinnamon Rolls

Everyone loves a good cinnamon roll, but they don’t get much better than the ones at Wheat Montana, a family-owned farm, flour mill and bakery in the Northern Great Plains. They sell all kinds of sandwiches and baked treats, but the real hero is their enormous cinnamon rolls, filled with lashings of cinnamon and sugar and sweet glaze drizzled on top.

Best food in Montana

Montana may be famed for its gorgeous landscapes, but you can’t forget about the delicious food, and our Montana holidays will introduce you to all the best dishes in the state.

What to pack for Montana

Reusable water bottle

Montana’s high elevation means you’ll be more prone to dehydration, so bring a stainless steel water bottle that you can refill throughout the day.

You’ll drive along plenty of spectacular highways when you travel Montana, and a pair of headphones and the right playlist will really set the mood for your road trip.

Portable charger

You’ll want to take plenty of gorgeous snaps when exploring Big Sky Country, and a portable charger will help keep all your devices on while you’re on the move.

Sun protection

The combination of high altitude and plenty of sunshine in Montana means you’ll need to take extra care with your skin. Pack a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen and you’re good to go.

Layered clothing

While you’re likely to see plenty of sunny days in Montana, it can get cold in the mornings and evenings, so come prepared with some warm layers.

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