Experience the mystique of Devils Tower Monument, see Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park and take in the majesty of Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. On the Road: 42 miles on the scenic loop plus extra driving time and distance depending on where you are staying. Tours typically start at 9 am and the tour schedule varies based on the season. If you need food, Canyon Village has some shops and restaurants. Sawin Logs in is one of the highest rated properties near Devils Tower. This saloon is where Wild Bill Hickok was shot and killed playing poker by Jack McCall. 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. This route is about 419 miles and will take you around 7.5 hours if you drive straight through with no stops. The 1,840-mile road trip from California to Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore will take about 30 hours to drive. Experience the great American west on a road trip to Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore from the beautiful state of California. 3. Where to stay depends on whether or not you want to do an extra hour of driving today or save it for tomorrow morning. Option #1 is perfect for families and those who want to see the best of the park without doing a lot of hiking. Sioux Falls. Rooms are large, clean, and quiet and decorated with a western theme. The Cody. (And the next one on this list about visiting the Giant Redwoods too). Make sure to visit the museum below the viewing deck for some history & statistics. Jackson: From Jackson, it takes just 15 minutes to drive to Moose (the southern end of Grand Teton National Park) and 30 minutes to drive to Jenny Lake. When translated to driving times, it will be around 16 hr 30 min to 16 hr 45 min. We can I purchase the itineraries for Yellowstone to Rushmore and the Washington Road Trip? Mount Rushmore in early October. There are a few national parks here that you could visit, and places like Aspen, Boulder, and Denver are nice to visit. If you are doing well on time, hike the Red Beds Trail, a 2.8 mile trail that makes a bigger loop around Devils Tower. The nearby Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area has great hiking and skiing as well. Best Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park. From Deadwood, it takes about one hour to drive to Mount Rushmore. Mount Rushmore National Memorial: Amazing when you really think about it - See 11,784 traveler reviews, 7,905 candid photos, and great deals for Keystone, SD, at Tripadvisor. From Gardiner or Mammoth, it will be a very long drive to Grand Teton National Park (plus, they are closed due to the flood). View details. It is a lot of pages since it is not optimized for printing. Visiting Mount Rushmore A national treasure in the United States, Mount Rushmore National Memorial symbolizes the ideals of freedom and Democracy. If I turn my computer off I need internet access to load it again. The most optimal route would be to travel from Rapid City to Grand Teton to Yellowstone to Glacier. Here is the link to our One Day Badlands Itinerary, a more detailed version of what is listed below. Here are the links to each national park website. The Freedom Ridge Cabins and the Black Elk Resort are two of the highest rated properties in this town. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. From Cody, you will drive east to Shell, Wyoming (a one hour drive) and then take US-14 (the Bighorn Scenic Byway) through the Bighorn Mountains. Head to Badlands National Park (a 90-minute drive from Mount Rushmore) to see world-famous canyons and buttes, Wind Cave National Park (a 55-minute drive) to explore one of the largest and most. You can print a copy of the Yellowstone to Rushmore and Washington Road Trip from your browser by pushing CTRL+P. One of the best times to visit Lamar Valley is in the late afternoon and early evening. California: 23 Unmissable Stops on the Legendary Pacific Coast Highway. The actual road trip itself from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone is great. If you're driving west, follow this route . Explore the endless hiking trails of this one-of-a-kind natural area. Great Smoky Mountains National Park; Texas. Rushmore and the Grand Tetons Details Itinerary Tour Vendor 11 days Midwest US, North America, Western US 3/5 Road Trips ATI offers the most extensive and creative array of independent tour itineraries across North America. Start New Trip. This is one of the best scenic drives in the US. The hand of cards he was holding (two pairs of black aces and eights) is now called the Dead Mans Hand. If you want to take a cave tour, currently tours are booked in the morning on a first-come first-serve basis. You can expect the clearest skies during this season and temperatures between 38 degrees and 76 degrees Fahrenheit lasting between mid-June and mid-September. Cloud Peak Skyway is 47 miles long, running from Ten Sleep to Buffalo, Wyoming, on US Highway 16. We have a 10 day Colorado itinerary that you could do a portion of. Day 3: Yellowstone NP. Salt Lake City and Area 51 on the way back to Vegas. Click here to read more about Spearfish Canyon and to see more photos from the drive. On the Road: 165 miles, 3.5 hours from Devils Tower; 105 miles, 2.5 hours from Spearfish. Scenic Drive through the Bighorn Mountains. Trip - 1-2 weeks Offbeat, Fresh and Iconic: 4 Sides of California from North to South Trip - 5 days South Carolina to Alabama Road Trip: Beaches, History and Iconic Music Trip - 1-2 weeks Culture, History, and Tranquility: 3 Captivating Stops in Georgia Off the beaten path Trip - 1-2 weeks Southern Atlantic Coast Trip - 4 days The New England Coast Although this will depend on exactly where in Yellowstone is your first destination, since Yellowstone is big! The Devils Tower Lodge and the Best Western Devils Tower Inn also get excellent reviews. Head north into Idaho and drive through the beautiful community of Idaho Falls. The Door and Window Trails are very easy walks that take you up close to the rock formations. I dont want to go as far south as the Grand Canyon as we have done that before (Grand Circle in 2018 by car). Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Tennessee. Spend the afternoon in and around Jenny Lake. Crowds are lower and you could see some fall colors. There is an onsite pool and hot tub and this is one of the highest rated properties in Cody. A visit here consists of seeing two basins: Back Basin and Porcelain Basin. Western-style cabins come equipped with a private bathroom and a kitchenette. Entering the Bighorn Mountains near Shell, Wyoming. Tonight, I recommend staying in Cody, Wyoming. The town of Custer is located just outside of Custer State park, on the west side. You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. Thank you. Option #2 is for avid hikers. These shoulder months offer mild Travel Coming from Florida is no easy feat. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. At Colter Bay Village, there is a gas station and restaurants, a great place to refuel your car before continuing on to Yellowstone. Finding this trip on your website is like a dream come true. To learn what to do and how to plan your time, read our post Mount Rushmore: 10 Things to Know Before You Go. By starting here first thing in the morning, you get to avoid the midday crowds. but that was only a one-way trip home after picking up our new motorhome in California. Yellowstone to Mt Rushmore is 8 hours, wheels turning. Today, you will visit the most popular sites. The Notch Trail is the most thrilling hike in the park and it is very short. Destinations; Itineraries; Travel Tips; English. Best Western Premier Ivy Inn & Suites. Both of these routes are roughly the same distance and take the same amount of time. Big Bend National Park; . Since Bozeman is a 4-hour drive from Jackson, and you will drive right past Yellowstone, it doesnt make sense to drive to Jackson on the first day of this itinerary. States Covered. * Hotel accommodations for 9 nights, including 2 nights in Yellowstone National Park. Best of all, you'll Summer is the busiest tourism season. It will take a day to drive from Yellowstone to Glacier and then you would have 2 to 3 days in Glacier National Park, which is just enough time there. If you stay within the park, Old Faithful Village and Canyon Village are the two most convenient place to stay. For something quicker, hike the short but sweet Rankin Ridge Trail for panoramic views over the Black Hills. The quickest way to get answers to your questions is to ask them in a comment section at the end of a post, like this one (I try to answer everything within 12 hours). In this guide, we lay out a 10 day road trip itinerary to Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore, with tips on how to modify it, depending on how much time you have. Stay in a suite or a standard room, some of which can accommodate up to 7 people. Yellowstone will be about a day's driving west and would be my first choice of places to see. Please note the tour price reflected on the brochure is subject to change. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Take a detour to explore the coastline and mountain scenery of Lake Tahoe. A must-visit if dropping by Boise, this historic prison boasts daily tours that detail the lives of its famous inmates. This is a small geyser basin and it only takes about 30 minutes to walk through all of it. However, you might also be OK on the Bighorn Scenic Byway, it just might take some research if there are any vehicle restrictions for this road. 7-Day Yellowstone and Mt. This Yellowstone road trip planner covers the northern route through North Dakota. You need a minimum of 4 nights/3 days in Yellowstone and probably 1 or 2 nights at Mount Rushmore. Temperatures during the winter season lie between 4 degrees and 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Day 4: Drive toward Glacier (stop at Holland Lake) Day 5: Glacier NP. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. On the Road: varies depending on what you do and your route through Custer State Park, this can range from 100 to 150 miles with 3 to 4 hours of driving. I recommend getting an early start. This state park has a little bit of everythingthrilling hiking trails, picturesque lakes, and an abundance of wildlife that rivals that in the neighboring national parks. From Denver to Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone. Its not ideal, since its not formatted to be printed, but it is your best option right now. Day 1: Start Your Arizona Road Trip By Driving From Las Vegas to Flagstaff Day 2: Drive The Loop From Flagstaff To The Grand Canyon Phoenix 5 days itinerary: The Ultimate 5 Day Arizona Road Trip Itinerary Most popular city on this route 2 minutes off the main route, 28% of way to Yellowstone National Park 7 Zion National Park Save There are also a number of fishing lodges in the park. The Hoover Dam from above on a helicopter tour - truly a sight to behold on a Southwest road trip. Below, we've chosen our favorites for you to choose from. Find all the transport options for your trip from California to Mount Rushmore right here. If you stayed near Devils Tower, it is a one hour drive to get to Spearfish. National parks. Click here to learn more about your options. The closest airport is Jackson Hole Airport, which is located in the park. Just wondering if its going to be doable. This town has a very touristy feel to it but it does have a nice, central location for exploring the Black Hills. It takes about 2 hours to thoroughly explore this area.Get full details on how to plan your visit in our Guide to the Geyser Basins. Its a relatively short drive. Answer 1 of 4: Coming south from Deadwood, can a person do all three of these in one day? Dont miss the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and the Mangelsen Images of Nature Gallery. On the Road: 100 miles, 2 hours if you stay at Old Faithful; 160 miles, 3 hours if you stay in West Yellowstone; 140 miles, 3.75 hours if you stay in Canyon Village. If you are looking for a bit of luxury, this is a highly-rated historic hotel in Cody. Recommended accommodations: No need to stay overnight - this is best done as a quick stop off on the way to Flagstaff and/or the Grand Canyon.. Stop 4: Flagstaff, Arizona (the Grand Canyon & Sedona) Read on to discover the best routes to travel, our favorite places to stay, and the many must-see stops along the way. Mount Rushmore: 10 Things to Know Before You Go. During the Black Hills Gold Rush, from 1876 to 1879, this town was in its heyday. Black Elk Peak, Cathedral Spires, and/or Little Devils Tower. In Deadwood, walk through the historic town, Tour the Adams House, visit Mount Moriah Cemetery, and visit the Saloon #10 Bar. You get to see a little bit of everything on this tour, including boxwork and cave popcorn. You have two routes to choose from. Tonight, sleep in Cody. This is our favorite of the two routes through the Bighorn Mountains. In the afternoon/evening, fly home or continue on to your next destination. Answer 1 of 7: Looking a new road trip, starting in Vegas, heading to the Scenic Byway 12 and then Denver to Mount Rushmore then to Yellowstone (for a few nights). Want to avoid the crowds? From the fun-in-the-sun city of Los Angeles, get on I-15 towards Las Vegas. After that, drive through Wyoming and Bighorn National Forest before heading east into South Dakota and the famous American landmark Mount Rushmore. I dont seem to be able to print or save a copy from earthtrekkers.com/yellowstone-devils-tower-mount-rushmore-road-trip-itinerary. Persephones Bakery is an awesome breakfast/brunch spot in town. Upon arrival, request your shuttle by calling the Rushmore Hotel at 605-348-8300. This is the location of Steamboat Geyser, the worlds tallest active geyser. Driving from California to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore will take you through almost endless sights and worthy destinations. Purchase your pass at the first national park that you visit (in this case, at Grand Teton) or you can get it online. May, September and October are less busy and popular months to visit as well. If you like the idea of staying in a resort town just outside of the park, this is a great place to consider. If you want to visit Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore, but have limited time or a different starting point, here are alternate versions of this itinerary. If you cant get a hotel or campsite inside of the park, West Yellowstone is also a great place to stay for this itinerary. Boise is known as the City of Trees for its many outdoor spaces boasting gorgeous trees. For more information about how to visit Devils Tower, check out our Guide to Devils Tower. Visit Yellowstone, Salt Lake City, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Lake Tahoe, Casper, Crazy Horse, Devils Tower, Grand Teton National Park, Rapid City, Twin Falls. And with the gardens and interior decor, this property is beautiful. UNITED STATES: We have TONS of information about places to visit in the United States in our USA Travel Guide. You can simply view the monument from afar, from the terrace of the Welcome Center, or you can take a van ride to the monument for a closer view. My minimum recommendation for a first time trip just to see the main sights is 4 nights (3 full days) for Yellowstone, 2 nights (1 full day) for Grand Tetons. Rushmore Bus tour from Los Angeles/Las Vegas Tour Code: 678-973 Yellowstone From USD Price shown is based on the lowest price per person over the next 30 days $711 $748 Save 5% Offer Ends h m s 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 2 reviews Available: Mon (5/21 - 8/20), Wed, Fri (4/25 - 9/28) Depart from: Start in Chicago on this incredible route through some of the nation's most. Make a pitstop at the Shell Falls Interpretive Site to see Shell Canyon. Visit Badlands National Park, go hiking in Custer State Park, visit Wind Cave National Park, and learn how to visit Mount Rushmore. I do have two weeks budgeted and would like to include Glacier as well. Save. Take the All-American Road Trip to Yellowstone, starting in Chicago. We are doing this trip this summer. The Yellowstone Loop: 11 Stops to Make on an Epic Western Road Trip By Michael Yessis Route distance: 1,561 km Suggested Time: 2 weeks + A vast, scenic landscape provides the timeless backdrop for the western United States. Once at Devils Tower, you will have a few hours to spend here. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. 12:17 pm Buffalo (Wyoming) stay overnight and leave the next day around 9:00 am. If you have any questions about this Yellowstone, Devils Tower and Mount Rushmore itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. For a complete list of what to do in the park, take a look at our post Best Things to Do in Badlands National Park. Denver, Colorado. But it is arguably the least scenic compass direction to approach Yellowstone, considering some of the stunning landscapes found in the US northwest: From the South and Salt Lake City, you have scenic roads and majestic Grand Teton National Park. Winter sees the fewest tourists and the area's accommodation is generally cheaper. Spend the morning at Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Along both of these routes, there are short hiking trails and scenic overlooks to visit along the way. The colder months see fewer people and are still very beautiful. On our first visit to Grand Teton National Park, this is where Tim and I stayed. Highlights: * Rail travel on Amtrak (1 night on train) * Scenic excursion on the 1880 Train. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK: Check out our Yellowstone National Park Travel Guidefor important travel information, sample itineraries, and how to plan your visit. day 2 driving 8 hours. Most Direct Way to Drive From Yellowstone to Mount Rushmore Assuming you are starting from the southeast side of Yellowstone, which is close to Old Faithful and the West Thumb part of Yellowstone Lake, the most direct route to Mt Rushmore is Highway 14 from West Yellowstone towards Cody and then Highway 20 to Worland. As you drive through the park, the next place you will reach are the trailheads for several hiking trails. New England: New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary: 10 Stunning Stops. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. The closest thing I have right now is the Grand Teton Yellowstone Glacier itinerary PDF. Please consult with the operator directly for the recent price. Robins Nest Bed & Breakfast. Starting from San Francisco in the Bay Area our suggested route will take you through Boise and Lake Tahoe, a somewhat more relaxed vibe but still jam-packed with unique attractions along the way. Continue on through the central valley and up into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The drive to Mount Rushmore from San Francisco taking The Yellowstone Route takes around 28 hours to cover 1,800 miles, not considering any food and gas breaks. From Rocky Mountain National Park and Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado to Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakotas Black Hills, Glacier National Park in Montana and Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho, weve filled these park-connecting trips with tips to avoid the crowds without missing out on interesting activities, attractions and views. Within one square mile, there are over 150 geothermal features here, making this one of the best spots in the park to see geysers, hot springs, and thermal pools. From the city by the bay, San Francisco, head east on I-80 towards California's capital Sacramento. The advantage to staying here is that you will do less driving on the day trip to Badlands National Park. Route #1: Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone on Bighorn Scenic Byway Distance: 441 miles Driving Time (without stops): 7.5 hours This driving route starts at Mount Rushmore and ends in Cody, Wyoming. Driving directly, it might take around 8 hours of driving time from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. Day 1: Arrive in Rapid City, drive to Wall, South Dakota Day 2: Badlands National Park from sunrise to sunset, drive to the Black Hills Day 3: Custer State Park Day 4: Wind Cave NP, Mount Rushmore Day 5: Deadwood, Lead, Spearfish Canyon & Devils Tower Day 6: Drive to Cody via Bighorn Scenic Byway or Cloud Peak Skyway Day 7: Yellowstone NP Day 8: Yellowstone NP Day 9: Yellowstone NP in the morning, Grand Teton NP in the afternoon Day 10: Grand Teton NP in the morning, fly home in the evening. For a full list of things to do and many more photos, read our Guide to Custer State Park. . Our favorite restaurant in Jackson is Local Restaurant & Bar. Wrap up the day (and your Maryland road trip) with dinner and cocktails on the patio at Up on Market, a . Some rooms have patios and some room have balconies. Today, spend the morning in Grand Teton and the afternoon in Yellowstone. Just a few miles away is the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook. For suggestions on how to plan your time today, read our post. A visit here can be quick, with a short walk to one or two viewpoints. From Colter Bay, it is less than 20 miles to the South Entrance of Yellowstone National Park (about a 30-minute drive). In Spearfish, Spearfish Canyon Lodge is the highest rated property. Today, you will visit a few more sights in Yellowstone. Our suggested 7-10 day Ideal Western Road Trip Itinerary Day 1/2: Rapid City, South Dakota Continue on through Wyoming and see Bighorn National Forest. If this is the same in your case, you can fly into Bozeman and then make some modifications to this itinerary. The highlight is Abyss Pool, a brilliantly blue hot spring, but it is also very cool to see the geothermal activity right along the edge of the lake. Below are two different ways to spend your time in Custer State Park. While in Boise, we recommend visiting the Idaho State Capitol Building and making a stop at the Old Idaho Penitentiary Site. Just past the Pinnacles Overlook, Highway 240 turns north and heads to Wall. Its a 30 minute drive from Mount Rushmore and a visit here can be very quick. Rooms can accommodate up to four people and there is a gym and indoor pool onsite. You'll get to explore some of the most stunning places in America on your way from California to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. Nearby, the walk around Leigh Lake is an easy, very pretty stroll. Cowboy Village Resort. Parts of the park close during the winter! In our Guide to the US National Parks, get the full list of national parks with important travel planning information, such as things to do in the parks and sample itineraries. You can go for fishing at the beach, bait shop, or boat rental. For the quickest visit, simply walk the Tower Trail, a 1.3 mile trail that loops around the base of Devils Tower. drive for about 2 hours. Answer 1 of 22: Hello, Have a family of 18 (with 2 campers and a motor home) that will be going to Yellowstone area in June 2019. Bighorn Scenic Byway (US Route 14) cuts through the northern section of Bighorn National Forest. The road distance is 1392.2 miles. The warmer months see larger crowds yet often great weather, so if you aren't bothered by crowds, late spring and summer might be the best times to visit. On the Road (to Lamar Valley): 110 miles, 3 hours from Old Faithful Village, 66 miles, 2 hours from Canyon Village, 106 miles, 3 hours from West Yellowstone. Stay in Yellowstone through day 5 of this itinerary and use one of these days to day trip to Grand Teton National Park. It is here that you will see the Grand Prismatic Spring, the most colorful hot spring in the park. Need some. ), Cody, Yellowstone, Reno/Carson City and Lake Tahoe. It starts in Spearfish and ends in Savoy. This shorter and more direct route will take you through two major cities: Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. Just be aware that snow is possible in Yellowstone in October, especially the farther into the month you go. About halfway along the Los Angeles Route you will reach Salt Lake City. Answer: Jack Kerouac. On top of that, you'll pass through the smaller town of Sutcliffe as well as the city of Boise. I also found a doggy daycare place that might help you out too. Things to do in Lead include visiting the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, the Black Hills Mining Museum, and the Historic Homestake Opera House. For more details on visiting the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, read our Guide to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Day 1: Arrive in Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park Day 2: Grand Teton National Park Day 3: Yellowstone National Park Day 4: Yellowstone National Park Day 5: Yellowstone National Park Day 6: Bighorn Mountains & Devils Tower Day 7: Spearfish Canyon, Deadwood, Lead & Mount Rushmore Day 8: Custer State Park Day 9: Badlands National Park Day 10: Wind Cave National Park & Fly Home How to Modify this Itinerary Important Planning Information, On the Road: 15 to 280 miles (30 minutes to 5 hours) depending upon the airport. Activity level Natural Explorer. I recently published an extended guide to planning Redwoods road trips that includes this itinerary in greater detail. Ideally, stay in the park. Road-trips Yellowstone, Mt. After seeing the beautiful Pyramid Lake, continue back on route and travel up I-80 and US-95 north into Boise, Idaho. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. For the next three nights, you will stay in the Black Hills of South Dakota or Rapid City. If you prefer the southern route, scroll down to the Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone route. Yes, you can do this trip in an RV. Day 3. For example, the Kelly Inn in West Yellowstone allows pets on request. The best times to visit Yellowstone National Park are from late April to May as well as September through early October. There are two main areas to visit, the North Rim and the South Rim, and it takes 3 to 4 hours to visit both rims. 7-Day Yellowstone, Arches, Mt. In nearby Wilson, you have tons of incredible restaurants and bars to choose from. Routing by HERE 2021; Improve this map; Remove Ads. If you will be driving back to your starting point then plan on adding on an extra day and hundreds of miles of driving to this itinerary. Deadwood is a great place to have lunch, depending on how your timing works out. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. If you check google maps, it will tell you that the distance from Dallas to Mount Rushmore is between 1,041 to 1,069 miles. It is the southern route through the Bighorn Mountains. Very helpful! Wyoming: 7 Day Road Trip Itinerary Salt Lake City to Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Or get a full Los Angeles to Mt Rushmore flight plan. We are looking at 2023. With 10 days, you can visit Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore, but thats not all. Explore the museums and the Great Salt Lake before hitting the road to Yellowstone. If you do one hike today, this is the one that I recommend. One of the most popular things to do in Grand Teton is to take the boat across Jenny Lake and hike up to Inspiration Point. In fact, Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport located within a national park. Duration: 11 Day (s) / 10 Night (s) Tour Guide: Chinese, English. On the Road (from Keystone): 240 miles, 5 hours. From West Thumb Geyser Basin, continue the counter-clockwise drive on Grand Loop Road until you get to Hayden Valley. drive for about 3.5 hours. Instead, go right to Yellowstone. . Day 7: Whitefish. This itinerary is a one-way, point-to-point road trip. Historic Lantern Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each room comes with a flat-screen TV, organic silk linens, and fresh flowers. Rushmore road trip is exactly what we are looking for. You will stay in Yellowstone or West Yellowstone for two nights. From Lamar Valley, it takes 2 to 3 hours to drive to Cody. Of course, it depends on the traffic on the days of your travel. There are three different ways to view an eruption of Old Faithful: take a seat on the boardwalk that surrounds the geyser, hike to Observation Point for a birds eye view, or grab a seat at the viewing deck at the Old Faithful Inn. BUFFALO BILL CODY SCENIC BYWAY: This is the longer route (126 miles, 3 hours) and you will backtrack through Yellowstone. This drive starts off with beautiful views of the Bighorn Mountains. Near the Old Faithful Inn, you will also find restrooms, gift shops, a convenience store, and restaurants, so this is the perfect place to grab lunch. This annual park pass costs $80 and is valid for one year. But with all the amazing things to see on the way, we definitely recommend you take a few extra days and take in the sights! The first thing to see in Salt Lake is, of course, the Great Salt Lake! The 1,840-mile road trip from California to Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore will take about 30 hours to drive. The map will be part of the document. On a clear day you can also see out to Badlands National Park. Once you are finished at Old Faithful, drive east to West Thumb Geyser Basin (19 miles, 30 minutes). You can do this itinerary with less time, but you will have to give up a few sights. See the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower, Yellowstone and more on this 2,800 mile all-American road trip. But not to worry, you will be choosing between two very scenic drives. I would not make the 2 day drive just for a bit of time at the one spot. The third-largest cave system in the world and South Dakota's premier caving destination.