Mt. Rushmore to Yellowstone

Hi! We will be driving up from Denver and I%26#39;m looking for suggestions for a roadtrip from Mt. Rushmore to Yellowstone. I%26#39;m from Florida and completely unfamiliar with the area. Looking for things to do, places to stay, what not to miss. This is one leg of roadtrip which will begin in Denver and end in Las Vegas (yes, a lot of miles I know - but who knows when I will ever get to the region again). Thanks for the help. Cileos98

Mt. Rushmore to Yellowstone

Hi Cileos, welcome to the forum

You also can put this question on the Road Trips forum and as always....how long is your trip, what time of year, how many in your party, what are your interests (hiking, biking etc etc) ? We also can help you on the other legs of your trip.

Tet

Mt. Rushmore to Yellowstone

Hi Tet,

Here%26#39;s more info on our group. Our family consists of My husband and I (early 40s), my parents (65 %26amp; 73), and our three children (14, 9, 7) so obviously we will not be able to please everyone all of the time. But we%26#39;re an accomading group. We will be in Rapid City on the third and have reservations in Yellowstone on the 7th. So we have a four day span to see what we can as we trek over to YNP. My parents are healthy and can handle mild to moderate walking/hiking. We would like to stop at Devil%26#39;s Tower in route to YNP. Other than that, we have no other plans at this point. Looking for ideas -- throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks, so to speak. Thank you.

In rapid City, definately see Mt. Rushmore you can take a bus tour (Ft. Hays 1-888-394-9653),which will also takes you to Chief Crazy horse,Sylvan Lake,Custer,Needles,Pigtail and you wull have Breakfast and Dinner. With the amount of people in your party it can be costly,however it will keep everyone happy at the same time,feed everyone and who ever is doing most of the driving on ths wonderful trip gets a break to take it in. a Great place to eat in Rapid city is Minerca steak restraunt located in Romoka hotel. Devils tower was pretty neat too. We went from Suix falls thru to rapid City and used rapid city ad a home base. Spent one week there. Cosmo%26#39;s is a cool area too and easy to do not much time needed. old and young will like it.

Don%26#39;t forget WALL DRUG!!!

Another note is if you can take in the lighting at Mt. Rushmore it is real something to see they honor those who have served our country that are in the audiene. Worth going back for.

one more thought. Some hotels give discounts to our veteran,so if anyone has served in your party and has the dd214 form ask when making reservation.

Definitely see Devil%26#39;s Tower on your way to Yellowstone, and you could possibly stop in Cody, Wy, where you will find the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. We will be seeing this for the first time on our Yellowstone trip this year and are really looking forward to it. Everyone says the museums are some of the best in the west. There%26#39;s also a rodeo at night.

With 4 days in the area, I%26#39;d consider basing in Keystone, Custer, or Hill City for the best Black Hills experience. Here%26#39;s my list of must sees for the area:

Badlands National Park

Custer State Park

Mt Rushmore

Crazy Horse

Wind Cave

Jewel Cave

Devil%26#39;s Tower

You will have plenty of time to see these places in 3-4 days, and you really don%26#39;t need to go to the expense of a tour to accomplish all this.

Mt Rushmore is to be seen both day and night as was previously mentioned. The lighting ceremony is very moving.

If you are looking to base in the Black Hills for a few days, I strongly recommend taking a look at travelsd.com and request a travel guide for the state. It will give you an idea of the attractions in the area.

Have a great trip!

Thanks for all the suggestions. . . Any recommendations for hotels centrally located to the major sights? Thanks again. Everyone is tremendously helpful.

Holiday inn Rapid city was really great and include breakfast and discounted due to militay. Near to Deadwood. Midstate on Rt. 90 in Pierre in holday in Express. near attractions are the capital and the the WWII memorial wall. Join the frequent stayers program as you will earn free stays that can be used on this trip either at holday inns or partner hotels. We loved walDrug and the bad lands!!1 Enjoy your trip. Wish we could come with you!

Yes definately order the South dakota visitor guide as well as any of the states you will be going thru. We flew to Sioux Falls and drove to pierre, spent the night there and went to rapid city On the way stopped at the town of 1880 as well.

You%26#39;ll arrive RC by plane the 3rd....if this is august 3rd it%26#39;s the start of Sturgis Rally week and it will be busy, to say the least. You can stay Rapid City but more centrally located for many attractions are Keystone, Hill City and Custer. For visiting Badlands NP (and Wall!!), RC will be better.

You have to be in Yell the 7th. That gives you 5 days.

I would stay at least 3 days in the Black Hills area. So many things to see, 3 days already will be short. That gives you 2 days to drive to Yell. With a group like yours and also visiting Devils Tower I would take 2 days for it. Devils Tower is a great place and on your way you%26#39;ll see that odd tower coming nearer and nearer and probably you wil take photo%26#39;s so don%26#39;t rush. Take at least 2 hours for it. For a stop in between I%26#39;d recommend Buffalo or Sheridan.

Next day leave the interstate at Sheridan and drive 14 or 14A to Cody. Both are very scenic but 14A even more. Fastest drive is 14 though. In Cody are the Buffalo Bill Museums very worth a stop and in summer the niterodeo. The drive into Yell from Cody on 14 is rather flat with some curvy roads and also lovely.

Another option is not to go via Cody but via Montana, Billings to Red Lodge and a visit to Little Bighorn Battlefield NM on your way. From Red Lodge you could drive one of the best mountains roads in the USA, Beartooth Pass to Cooke City and via Lamar Valley into Yell.

I don%26#39;t want to make it too complicated though. With a party of 7 in prob 2 cars I would make it easy on yourself. Stay 3 days in the Black Hills area and take 2 days to get to Yell via Sheridan and Cody.

Happy planning.

Tet

Tet has provided you with some great driving options, so there%26#39;s nothing to add there.

You asked about hotels; I have personal experience at the Roosevelt Inn in Keystone. It%26#39;s centrally located to Mt Rushmore (about 2 miles away) and other attractions in the area. They have family suites which may be of use for your large party, and I am pretty sure they have adjoining rooms as well. Their website is rosyinn.com, and they do have internet rates. If you reserve, be sure to ask for these rates, as they aren%26#39;t offered unless you inquire. The Roosevelt Inn has a family game room, indoor pool, laundry, and a great little pizzeria on site.

Others on this site have liked K Bar S Lodge, also in Keystone. It doesn%26#39;t have a pool, so if that is a must for you, you might not be interested in staying here. It looks like a very nice property, however.

Please let us know if we can help in any other way. Have fun planning.