Black Hills, Badlands, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons Trip

[dixie47]

We took a similar trip with our adult children and the grandchildren. We loved the Signal Mountain Lodge in the Tetons - simple cottages along Jackson Lake. In Yellowstone I think the kids liked the Old Faithful area the best. Staying in the Old Faithful Inn - historic rooms - is our preference. The lodge is a wonderful place in the evenings - just sit around and play checkers, talk, enjoy the fire. Very family friendly. You can watch Old Faithful and other geysers erupt from the lodge's upstairs porch.

Driving or walking along looking for animals is a favorite activity. You can also ride horses inside the park. We stayed a couple nights at the Mammoth Hot Springs cabins and the kids did the trail ride and cook-out.

Cody is a fun town. I think they still have a nightly rodeo in the summer and the museum is wonderful.

I don't think 7 is too young for this trip. Our grandchildren were ages 2,7, 9, and 12. Some think it was the best vacation we ever took - others say it's a close second to Disney

You'll have a great time!

 

[blueangel]

We actually flew into Spokane, Washington and did started with Glacier National Park. We spent three nights up here. This was easily the most beautiful part of the entire trip, but I understand you won't be going that far north.

We spent one night just outside Yellowstone and two in the park. It was the perfect amount of time for us since we aren't big on hiking or fishing or anything like that. We drove all the roads, saw all the sights we passed, spending as much time as we liked. Make sure you do make it to the north end of the park, though. We really enjoyed the historic buildings and fort--they had a Magic Kingdom Main Street kind of feeling.

We spent one night in Teton and only one in Jackson Hole. We didn't find much to interest us in Jackson Hole, so we spent all our time in the park. Do not skimp on the Teton time - it's where we saw our only black bear of the trip. And explore around those touristy little view stops. We found a path down to the water that was absolutely isolated and made for a great memory.

From here we drove east, first stopping in Thermopolis. Let me say that this drive was a huge surprise. Wind River Canyon between Shoshoni and Thermopolis is amazing. We had no idea it even existed, and we actually ended up turning around just so we could re-drive and look some more.

We stayed in Thermopolis because I'm a dork and they have a pretty good dinosaur center here. The museum itself has some nice specimens, but the cool part is they have a tour that you can go on (ours consisted of five whole people, including us) that takes you out to where they actually dug up some dinos. They didn't show us the spots where they were actually working, but they had a big tent set up over an old dig site with marked bones and footprints. The hot springs here are cool for a few minutes (not remarkable after Yellowstone), but it's attached to a drive through park where you can see some bison and deer roam.

We hit Devil's Tower and the prairie dogs (doesn't take long) and spent the night in Deadwood. Literally - spending the night is enough if you get there at a decent time in the afternoon. The restoration of the town is pretty cool, and they have street performers do reenactments, but it's really a casino town now. Your son will enjoy it, but don't schedule a whole lot of time.

We actually did Mount Rushmore twice - we first went at night to see the program. This is one of the favorite moments of the entire trip for my family. We then went in the morning to see the inside exhibits and stare as long as anyone wanted.

You can see Crazy Horse just fine from the road. And be prepared to wait to go down into the caves. There was a three hour wait for a tour into Jewel Cave. We gave up and did the Mammoth Site instead--which was awesome! It's an active dig and all completely enclosed. Worth the time/effort in our opinion.

We actually spent a night inside Custer State Park at the State Game Lodge. We really liked this area - tons of prairie dogs, buffalo, and deer to look at while wandering around here. Be CAREFUL driving around the Needles, though. It can be , but there are some great sights.

Wall Drug took us all of half an hour, but we liked Badlands National Park. They've done a good job on some of the visitor areas, and don't be scared at the crowd at the first big stop off. The people spread out or don't go in very far. It's much nicer towards the eastern entrance. Do take the time to go visit the Big Pig Dig. We really enjoyed getting to talk to the students who were excavating down there.

I'm so jealous of the pp who got to tour the Minuteman site! Our timing was all wrong. We had to drive all the way back to Florida, so we didn't dawdle another day for it.

Enjoy your trip! We definitely felt like it was time to appreciate some more of what our country has to offer (other than Disney World)!

 

[blueangel]

MrsPete-

We intended to do the buffalo safari, but we saw so many (and up close) just driving ourselves around that we skipped it. We had them walking down the road next to our car in Yellowstone (windows up!) and herding their babies right beside the roads in Custer. We don't feel like we missed out at all!

But...we are the type of people who tend to shun any kind of organized tour if we can see it on our own.

And like I said-beware the wait times at the caves. Get there early!

 

[Soupermom]

We did this trip last summer and LOVED IT. I highly recommend Frommers' Guide to National Parks of the West...I used it all during the trip plus before. Definately BOOK YOUR ROOMS NOW if you want to stay in the parks. We stayed at the Colter Bay cabins in GTNP and LOVED them. Stay in the parks if you can. We found the "cabins" in YNP to be much more primitive than what we saw/stayed in in GTNP.

Our favorites along the way:
MT. Rushmore area:be sure to see the nighttime show, climb the steps, Make sure you watch the 2nd National Treasure movie if it comes out before you go! We stayed at the Powder House Lodge Cabins in Keystone...This was our favorite lodging (along with Colter Bay Cabins) of the whole trip; great restaurant too. We also enjoyed visiting the shops in Keystone--you can watch them make/pull taffy and then buy 30+ flavors! We also liked the Alpine Slide in Keystone. Jewel Cave was lots of fun...you can make reservations a week in advance. Lots of animals to see for free in Custer State Park. DO NOT go to Bear Country!

Badlands...HOT. Nice to do once, would skip a second time. Wall Drug has GREAT ice cream! same thing for the corn palace in Mitchell

YNP: Get up early and drive around the park at dusk...we saw every animal except the wolves--ran out of time. Don't forget the waterfalls.

GTNP: MOOSE! YAY! Try a scenic float trip in the morning--earlier the better. We saw bald eagles and their nest of eaglets. Eat at the diner in Jackson Lake Lodge, then head out back at dusk to watch for Moose! We did this twice. Watch out for bears! Lots of babies in the summer and protective mommies.

It will be a great trip! Buy the book to help you plan and HAVE FUN!

 

[MrsPete]

We loved the Signal Mountain Lodge in the Tetons - simple cottages along Jackson Lake.

Please tell us more about Signal Moutain Lodge! Is it close to restaurants, hiking sites, etc.? Can you rent boats on the lake?

 

[Shanan]

We stayed at Coulter Bay Cabins in Grand Tetons with another family and loved it. We spent 3 days in Tetons and 4 days in Yellowstone. I know it will surprise some people but my favorite of the 2 was Grand Tetons. I want to go back to Tetons in the fall for the 'changing of the leaves'.

 

[Deb8821]

We have done the Black Hills, Badlands area every August for the last 5-6 years. We always spend 4-5 days at Custer Park State Game Lodge Cabins. There are a ton on animals (buffalo, sheep, deer, pronghorn, mules, prairie dogs) to see in this park. Horseback riding at Blue Bell Lodge is great, we do the Ranger programs. The hiking is wonderful, the drive up to the fire look out is a great view.

We have done the Spearfish Canyon drive - just beautiful. The Lodge in Spearfish is great, they have a great hike to a waterfall. The Fish Hatchery in Spearfish is great and free. We have spent 1/2 a day there many times!

Deadwood is fun, the Adams Museum is a great historical trove of info, my boys loved it. Only negative is the Kevin Costner Tanantuk (sp?) museum. It was the only place I have ever been in this area where the staff was outright rude. I would never go back there.

We always hit Mt Rushmore (very reasonable cafe food). We enjoy Crazy Horse as well and do it each year. Have had some really great information on native americans my kids enjoyed. We also do Bear Country each year as my kids love it. Great Swedish store next door with some great hand carved items from Sweden. The Black Hills Train is fun. We do it every couple years

Jewel Cave & Wind Cave are fantastic. Must sees. I'm not a big cave fan, but I really enjoyed them. The Needle Highway is a great drive. Expect it to take time & enjoy the journey. We stop & hike along the way at different spots. We have been to Hot Springs a couple of times, specially to do the Mammoth Site.

We stop in at Wall Drug each trip(just to spend money!!) Have done the Corn Palace, been there done that kind of thing. We usually stop in at Cabela's in Mitchell for the kids to see the mounts!!!

Devils Tower was interesting, a long walk around, especially when it started to rain! Cody WY is alot of fun. The museum, rodeo, street show and the trolley tour were terrific. The dam outside of town was interesting. Have been to Thermopolis, interesting dino museum. The drive from Yellowstone was amazing. We managed to get on a backroad that was beautiful.

We have done Yellowstone, both in the summer & snowmobiling in the winter. Its a beautiful park - but - crowded alot of the time. Every couple of years is fine.

Jackson and the Tetons were amazing. The Snake River is awesome. If you want something really great try the Teton Wagon Train. It goes for 4 days into the Targee National Forest. Wagon Train riding or horse back riding. Camping in tents each night. I am not a real camper but this was great. Alot of beautiful sites to see. The guys who run the operation are fantastic. There is a ton of history about the west around the campfire at night, about the Indians, early seattlers. My boys were 5, 8 & 8 at the time & they just loved it. They managed to pick berries, learn to throw a rope, a tomahawk and and wittle a walking stick. We went out in a canoe and ate some of the best campfire food I have ever had.

We have also done the Black Hills in ND. Medora was really interesting and the Medora musical is top rate. Theodore National Park is very pretty, but more rustic than the SD Black Hills. We go to our regular spots each summer and then throw in different things.

Next to Disney this is my next favorite "regular" vacation!

 

[Earstou]

We intended to do the buffalo safari, but we saw so many (and up close) just driving ourselves around that we skipped it. We had them walking down the road next to our car in Yellowstone (windows up!) and herding their babies right beside the roads in Custer. We don't feel like we missed out at all!

In Yellowstone, we had to get off the boardwalk, because a buffalo decided he wanted to use it. That was pretty close up!!!

I've never failed to see bears in YNP, and have never seen bears in GTNP! For us, the wildlife viewing has always been better in Yellowstone.
I have to give another thumbs up to The Mammoth Site. Really cool!

Also, a kitschy tourist attraction is Dinosaur Park near Rapid City, SD. They have large dinosaur sculptures on a hill. I remember climbing on these as a kid, and took my kids to see and climb on them. The upkeep varies on this site, but it's free, and my kids loved it! http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/SDRAPdino.html

 

[shopnfun2me2]

Keep up the great ideas! We would love to go? I just checked the National Park website for lodging in the park for July 09 and there is no vacancy. When do you make your reservations??????

 

[MrsPete]

We always spend 4-5 days at Custer Park State Game Lodge Cabins. There are a ton on animals (buffalo, sheep, deer, pronghorn, mules, prairie dogs) to see in this park. Horseback riding at Blue Bell Lodge is great, we do the Ranger programs. The hiking is wonderful, the drive up to the fire look out is a great view.

We're looking at staying in the State Game Lodge. Everything I've heard about it is wonderful.

Jewel Cave & Wind Cave are fantastic. Must sees. I'm not a big cave fan, but I really enjoyed them.

If you only had time to do one, which would you choose and why?

In Yellowstone, we had to get off the boardwalk, because a buffalo decided he wanted to use it. That was pretty close up!!!

When we were camping in Grand Teton, we met people who said they woke up to find that they couldn't exit their tent because a buffalo was sleeping right outside the door! They had to wait for him to decide to leave!

 

[SummersMom]

For those of you flying into Denver. It would be worth checking out the City of Golden's Buffalo Bill Days celebration (usually in late July) and also Buffalo Bill's Grave (located just west of Golden on Lookout Mountain. Especially if you are a history buff.

 

[DisneyMomOK]

keep up the great ideas! We would love to go? I just checked the national park website for lodging in the park for july 09 and there is no vacancy. When do you make your reservations??????

11111

 

[ChristyJ]

Keep up the great ideas! We would love to go? I just checked the National Park website for lodging in the park for July 09 and there is no vacancy. When do you make your reservations??????

If it's the same reservation system that's used for the Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim reservations open up at the beginning of each month 1 year (or almost 13 months since the reservations go through the entire month that opens up, if that makes sense) in advance...so if it's the same way, then July 09 reservations won't open until this July.

 

[shopnfun2me2]

Our vacation this year will be starting May 26th. How will the weather be them? Can we drive into Yellowstone or will wwe have to worry about weather? Thanks for all of your help!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ekball]

Our vacation this year will be starting May 26th. How will the weather be them? Can we drive into Yellowstone or will wwe have to worry about weather? Thanks for all of your help!!!!!!!!!!!

I would think that the weather would be very iffy at that time of year. I went to GTNP in mid-June one year, and over the course of the week I was there the weather ranged from sunny and warm (low 80's), to sleeting and cold! I have a picture of driving into the park with sleet collecting on the road.

 

[savannahvol]

Thanks for all the wonderful replys to this post I have learned a lot. Disboards people know about everything. Would someone who has done it before care to help me plan an itenerary starting in South Dakota and going to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons? I will have about 9 days to see the whole thing and would like your advice. Probably will stay at Keystone or Custer or Rapid City in SD, and West Yellowstone or Gardiner for Yellowstone/Grand Tetons. Thanks for your replys.

 

[ncbyrne]

I too have been watching this thread and taking notes. DH retires next year and we are planning a 2+ month cross country trip - NJ to the Pacific coast - heading west on a northern route, coming back east on a southern route. We plan to spend a couple weeks in the Badlands area of SC and Wyoming across to Yellowstone. Fodors.com also has some helpful travel forums. http://fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1&tid=35097995 This thread will be of interest. You can check for threads of just about anywhere.

 

[Soupermom]

First, I highly recommend the following books: Moon Handbooks WYOMING (Including Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks)--I ordered it used off of Amazon for under $10; Frommer's National Parks of the American West--I also ordered this one from Amazon, new-around $18.00. If you like have a guide for WDW, you'll love these. They were very helpful both before and during the trip. I am also an AAA member and ordered many maps and tourbooks from them.

Cast: DH, DD13, DS 9 and myself. We left on June 9th and returned on 19th. If I had to do it again, I'd plan for 2 more days---reasons/details to follow; however, the amount of time we had was complete do-able and I think the trip was great!

Our Itinerary:
Sat. June 9th: Danville to Sioux Falls SD (10hrs); (en route we decided to go about 45 minutes out of our way and see the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa. My DH especially was very glad we did! We spend about 1 hour there, had a picnic lunch, and head west again.)

Sun June 10th: Traveled to Rapid City, SD--stopping at the Corn Palace (15 minutes or so, would not do this again, but once was okay) and driving through the Badlands. (Enter at Interior, exit at Wall). We also stopped at Wall Drugs and had some yummy ice-cream! We stayed in Keystone at the Powder House Lodge...I HIGHLY recommend these beautiful "cabins". They are in great location...only 10 minutes from the town of Keystone and 15 minutes from Mt. Rushmore. Great restaurant, nice pool/laundry facilitys.

Monday: Mount Rushmore in the morning; Alpine Slide in the afternoon. Hotel for a break. Back to Mt. Rushmore for the evening show--DO NOT MISS! (9pm)

Tuesday: Drive through Custer State Park; visit Crazy Horse Memorial (we ended up just driving past this...it was raining). Jewel Cave for an afternoon tour--everyone loved this-you can book ahead of time). Shopping in Keystone...

Wednesday. Drive (8hrs) to Yellowstone. We stayed in Yellowstone at the Canyon Lodge cabins---I would not stay at this exact location again. It was like sleeping in a tin can circa 1950. They have other cabins I'd try though. We had time that evening to have dinner and drive around...saw lots of animals!

Thursday: We toured the "top" 1/2 of Yellowstone. SO much to see, animals, hotsprings, etc.

Friday: Headed to Grand Tetons via the "bottom" 1/2 of Yellowstone (5 hours or so). Stayed at the Colter Bay Village Cabins--LOVED, LOVED, LOVED these! Had dinner and then spent the evening wait to see Moose--We saw one!

Saturday: early morning River float on the Snake River (booked ahead of time), afternoon/evening touring the park.

Sunday: Drove to Ogallala (DO NOT SPEED through the deserted west!!!) LONG DAY.

Monday: Drove to Davenport, IA (9 hrs). We stayed with friends here and had a nice, little visit.

Tuesday: Headed back to Danville--3 1/2 hours.


I would have liked to spend another day in each of the National Parks: Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. There is LOTS to do near MT. Rushmore...we loved it there!

It was rather warm in SD, much cooler in the parks. WE started the trip in shorts and had to used jeans, sweatshirts and jackets in the Parks. Great weather in general though.

I could give lots more details, but maybe you'd like to ask some questions. If you want to stay in the parks, you better make reservations NOW! I made the ones for our trip in Nov/Dec the year before.

Feel free to ask anything. This has been one of the best family trips we've gone on!

Gayle

 

[dixie47]

Signal Mountain Lodge has a website which I can't seem to post here. Try doing a search.

We thought it was a great place for kids because they could play at the edge of the lake. The restaurant is reasonably priced.

These are not fancy cabins. We stayed in the lakefront cabins which had nice porches overlooking the lake and mountains, an equipped kitchen, a pull-out sofa in the living room, one bath, and one bedroom with two beds.

Many in our family group thought it was the most beautiful place we stayed. We did drive to hiking and other lodges. Check out their website about the boat rentals and other activities. Good luck!

 

[MrsPete]

We stayed in Keystone at the Powder House Lodge...I HIGHLY recommend these beautiful "cabins". They are in great location...only 10 minutes from the town of Keystone and 15 minutes from Mt. Rushmore. Great restaurant, nice pool/laundry facilitys

The website for these cabins looks great. We were looking at staying in a cabin at Custer State Park. Has anyone seen both? I'd love to hear a comparison. How conveniently located are each set of cabins?

Monday: Mount Rushmore in the morning; Alpine Slide in the afternoon. Hotel for a break. Back to Mt. Rushmore for the evening show--DO NOT MISS! (9pm)

Would a 12 and 15 year old enjoy the ALpine Slide? Everyone says "don't miss the evening show" -- what does it entail? Is there a charge? Is it crowded? I assume it won't start until after dark -- how late should we expect?

Signal Mountain Lodge has a website which I can't seem to post here. Try doing a search.

I've seen the website -- it looks great! Is this location convenient?

Thanks to all!