Yellowstone/Mt Rushmore Vacation help needed!

[georgina]

I'm still reading with interest. We are staying at a KOA campground in West Yellowstone and then at another one on the Snake River in Jackson. I'll have to look into the Bar J Wranglers. I was wondering if anyone has any advice about "ghost towns" to check out?

I've got reservations at the KOA in West Yellowstone and one in Jackson too this summer! We're driving from Pittsburgh in August, and stopping at Mt Rushmore for several days on the way home. We'll just miss the big Sturgis rally, I hope they will have gone home by the following week. I've been looking at rafting trips on the Snake River too, this is a great thread for me.

 

[Sonya]

We will be there too, in July. We have been there many times, but this is our 1st trip with a small one. Usually we camp but this time we are going to stay inside. I was interested to hear that the cabins aren't really all that great. We don't need much, but it needs to be clean and warm. Should we be in the lodges? We are going to stay in Canyon and Old Faithful.

 

[TSTEWARTFAN]

Have you stayed in /seen any places(hotels, motels) you would not recommend staying in?

 

[3gr8kids]

My family and I were in Cody, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole in August of 2002, and if I were to tell you all the wonderful things to see/do around there, this post would probably be a gazillion pages long! Yellowstone is absolutely beautiful, the wildlife is incredible (we saw bear (mom and cub), mountain lion (cougar?), wolves, coyotes (right in "downtown" Fort Yellowstone), lots and lots of bison (some actually walking down the middle of the road!) moose, and many, many others. The first thing I would recommend is, if you have children, sign them up for the Junior Ranger program - my girls (ages 12 and 6 at the time) LOVED it!! It is educational (in a very fun sort of way) and my girls were able to earn all of their badges. The second thing I would recommend is, pack clothes for ALL weather conditions. As I said, we were there the first two weeks of August and we had snow on two of the days!! The third thing I would highly recommend is to go horseback riding through the Shoshone National forest - it was fabulous. As far as accomodations, we were in an RV so I'm not sure how the hotels are but the camping was AWESOME. HTH - you can pm me if you have any questions - have a GREAT trip!!

 

[ByTheSea]

We've done the trip from Minneapolis several times. Honestly (my opinion only) the drive from Denver seems shorter/more interesting then Sioux Falls, you've got the Corn Palace in Mitchell SD and that's about it until you get the the badlands.

The Badlands are stunning. We love to spend time in Custer Natl Park and the Wind Caves area as well. There are a ton of good websites for the Black Hills area and Rapid City area. The Rapid City airport isn't all that tiny, you may find decent airfare, not sure but it's worth looking into.

 

[daannzzz]

I took my elderly father to Yellowstone last year. We drove from Oregon to Glacier National Park, over to North Dakota and then to Rapid City. Mt Rushmore was very beautiful. It was the one item I was going to cut out of the trip if we ran behind. I am glad I didn't. We spent the night at the Super 8 in Spearfish. It was good. We then went to Devil's Tower which was wonderful. We drove across Wyoming (long drive) and spent the night at the Super 8 in Thermopolis. Good Super 8 but more pricey than any of the others!
We spent two nights In Jackson enjoying the Grand Tetons (awesome) and then I did my first time in Yellowstone. We staid at the Old Faithful lodge and loved it though it was a bit noisy as it is old. You can hear people walking down the old wooden hallways and such. Yellowstone was just incredible and I am ready to go back. Always drive carefully. We encountered MUCH wildlife on the roads with long backups behind heards of buffalo strolling the two lane roads!!!! On the way out we stopped in West Yellowstone. I like that little town and wouldn't hesitate to stay in one of the many motels there.

 

[gshoemate]

Can I just say that I am very jealous of all of you going to Yellowstone. This is one of my favorite places! We drove from Michigan to Yellowstone 3 years in a row and loved it. Living in Florida now, it will be such a long drive, but someday I will make it. You have gotten alot of useful information here. West Yellowstone is a beautiful town that we just happened upon. Make sure you bring warm cloths. Even though you are going in August, it can get cold in the evening. There is this great website that you can get alot of information from, lots of helpful people www.yellowstone-natl-park.com and also www.travelsd.com

How many people will be going with you? We stayed in these little cabins on a side street in Keystone, SD many years back. But they are very small, only for 2 people. But the location was great.

Have fun!!!

 

[TxJasmine]

We went to Devil's Tower and Mt. Rushmore last July, and it was one of the best vacations we ever had. The area is very beautiful and there are many things to see and do. We drove from Denver and it was a very nice drive with several things to see along the way. In Wyoming we stopped at Fort Laramie and also saw Oregon trail ruts and Register Cliff which is a cliff full of graffiti from the Oregon trail settlers. Very interesting, especially appropriate for my third grade DD who had learned all about the Oregon trail in school. On our return drive to Denver we went through Nebraska and stopped at Scottsbluff and Chimney Rock.

Devil's Tower is very interesting, and you have to hike the trail around the base. It's not very long - but it's very pretty because you pass through different types of vegetation zones.

There are so many things to do in the Black Hills that I could write pages. The highlights IMO are: Deadwood (old west town where Wild Bill Hickok was killed), the Badlands, Mammoth Site, Mt. Rushmore (especially the evening program), Crazy Horse, Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, and Custer State Park. We stayed at the Comfort Suites in Custer, which was very nice, but I would recommend staying in Keystone because it is more centrally located. If you have kids, there is a pass you can buy that gets you discounts or free admission to several attractions. We had one of those passes and it was well worth it.

If you are interested in doing one of the cookouts, then I really recommend the one from Blue Bell Lodge in Custer State Park. It is probably the most expensive one, but it is worth every penny. First you ride for over an hour to the site in a wagon which has a guitar player who entertains you the whole way. The guy we had was outstanding! He sang cowboy songs, kid songs, and a little bit of everything. He got everyone in the wagon involved. The time just flew by. The actual cookout site is outdoors in the state park away from all roads and surrounded by buffalo. We ate our dinner (entertainment was provided during dinner also), watching the buffalo who were grazing probably 100-200 feet away. It was really amazing and beautiful. It's not something I will ever forget.

This is getting way too long - but I just wanted to add that we've also been to Yellowstone. We stayed in West Yellowstone (much cheaper than staying in the park), and drove to the park every day. The drive isn't bad at all. One day we did the north loop, the other day the south loop. It's very manageable to stay outside the park if you don't want to stay in the park.

 

[maci]

So everyone says West yellowstone is good if you cant get in the park.

How out of the way is it, to drive to the park everyday?

Thanks!

 

[daannzzz]

Depending on where you are going it is about 15-25 minutes to get to the main road that loops around the park from West Yello. Then say another 20-30 minutes to get to Old Faithful unless the buffulow are in the way which can cause long waits on the road.

 

[TSTEWARTFAN]

So everyone says West yellowstone is good if you cant get in the park.

Does the park close often? I assume it is because of crowds.

 

[maci]

I just meant if you were not able to get a cabin in the park. I understand they book up quick.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I've stayed in the cabins more than once. They are not pretty or particularly comfortable. But they sure cut down on the driving. And they were clean and warm. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. Just don't expect beauty in your cabin or room. They are pretty bare. The beauty of Yellowstone more than makes up for it.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I forgot. Be sure to watch North By Northwest before going to Mt. Rushmore. Parts of the movie were filmed here and it's fun to spot where they were filmed.

 

[maci]

Ok here is a question for you guys!

We are really thinking of going to Yellowstone this summer. My concern is, what do you do at night? We will have a almost 7 year old and a 4 year old, who are used to Disney vacations, lol! Most of the cabins and rooms in the park dont have tv, and there are no pools. So what do you do when the sun goes down? These kids are used to fireworks everynight, since our last 3 vacations have been disney...this trip might be a shock to their systems!

Thanks!

 

[cl1067]

Ok here is a question for you guys!

We are really thinking of going to Yellowstone this summer. My concern is, what do you do at night? We will have a almost 7 year old and a 4 year old, who are used to Disney vacations, lol! Most of the cabins and rooms in the park dont have tv, and there are no pools. So what do you do when the sun goes down? These kids are used to fireworks everynight, since our last 3 vacations have been disney...this trip might be a shock to their systems!

Thanks!

Do they allow bonfires at the cabins? Nothing better than watching a fire and making S'mores!

 

[rockin_rep]

We too are huge fans of Yellowstone, having been four times. One of our goals is to visit every national park before our kids leave home -- we're well on our way!

You're getting some good info here but i strongly suggest visiting the BEST, most comprehensive TRAVEL website available anywhere: FODORS.com

You will find absolutely everything you need to know about Yellowstone, The Tetons, Glacier, Mt Rushmore/Badlands etc etc....

Click on "Destinations" and "Travel Talk" -- for tons of recent, first hand suggestions, tips, ideas -- everything you will need and want to know!

Fodors.com is like a DISBOARDS for National Parks - it's addicting, too!

Have fun, national parks ROCK!

 

[rockin_rep]

Also, DO stay inside the National Parks if at all possible! Yes, some are pricier (the actual lodges) than motels outside the parks and some are waaaay old and rustic (cabins) but there is nothing like being there. You can't put a price on the experience -- you can stay in a holdiay inn anywhere!

But there is nothing like watching Old Faithful erupt from the private second floor balcony of Old Faithful Inn late at night or early in the morning (only open to those who stay overnight) or see a moose wander past your cabin door (Glacier / Waterton Int'l Peace Park, Montana) or have your morning coffee as you watch the sunrise on the Grand Canyon from your balcony at El Tovar, or see a deer and fawn wander past your Lake Crescent Lodge door in Olympic National Park (Washington State).....and there are soo many more sweeeet experiences we've shared.

I could go on and on and i could write VOLUMES about the National Parks, (we're addicted!) and their surrounding areas (and actually have in about a dozen travel journals!)......

We are total 'city' people, do NOT camp - EVER, but our kids have NEVER been bored in a national park. Yours won't be either.

But again, run, DON'T WALK to Fodors.com and start planning!

 

[disykat]

bumping for mom2boys

 

[LurkerLisa]

Well, I don't know where to start, but I will give you the most important tips from our trip.

1. Reconsider the Rushmore thing and fly into Denver, or better yet, Jackson Hole. It's a lot of driving and it might be better to do it in 2 trips. We did it in one, but we started lots closer (from IL) and had more time. South Dakota is a looooong boring drive and you would have to do it twice.

2. Go as early in June as you can.
a. Small crowds.
b. Baby Animals.
c. Less Bugs.
d. There is a chance of snow (saw Old Faithful in the snow on June 7, but had the clothes for it so it was fun)

3. If you fly into Jackson Hole, stay for a day or two and enjoy Grand Tetons, then drive into the south entrance of the park.

4. Before you leave Jackson Hole, buy twice as much non-perishable food and drinks as you think you might need. A 6 pack of coke cans is $4 - $5 in the park.

5. Water buy/bring tons of water and drink it! Force your kids to drink even more. It's really easy to get dehydrated due to the altitude. The headaches are beyond awful.

6. Move to a different hotel every few days. I know that it seems like a pain, but you can't imagine how long it takes to drive 25 mile at 25mph not counting buffalo jams. And you really do get natural beauty burnout when you are driving for 45 minutes back ove the same road for the 10th time in 3 days
a. We started in Jackson Hole (stayed at the Ranch Inn) and went in the South entrance, did stuff as we went around the south loop. Stayed in West Yellowstone at the Hoilday Inn Sunspree (indoor pool and last TV), then moved to Mammoth (only a tub in the room - shower down the hall for 2 nights, then onto Dunraven Lodge (by FAR the most modern) and last we stayed in the cabins at Lake Yellowstone (scary 70's decor, but clean)

7. The food
a. In a word - YUCK!
b. I guess that the food is semi-ok, but there is very little variety. If you stay in the parks every hotel area has the same 3 things. A fancy sit down place (pricey and sloooow service), a cafateria - about that quality of food, and a limited hours picnic food place. The thing is that the menus are identical at all places with maybe one entree that is different and if you are staying for 9 days like we did, it gets boring. One of the places had a diner (I think it was Canyon) that was run by the people that do the concessions and that was a nice change. We had to go into Gardnier to get pizza (and do laundry since Mammoth didn't have a laundry)

Anyway, that's lots more than I planned to write, but I would be happy to give you more information if you want it
email or pm me


Lisa