jenfromnj

We are planning a road trip out west in August. We have roughly two weeks or a bit more. we are planning to fly to Denver and rent an RV that is 30 ft or less. We will be travelling with our three adventurous kids ages 9, 7, and 5. We would like to plan a large loop that takes up to Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Mt Rushmore, Badlands, Crazy Horse, and Rocky Mountain NP. I would also like to plan in a stop at Dinosaur National Monument if it is reasonable.
My first question is should we head clockwise or counter clockwise or does it not matter?
Should we plan to do the Rockies at the end or beginning? Does altitude adjustment weigh in here?
We LOVE hiking, exploring, observing, swimming, etc. Is it reasonable to plan just three days in Grand Tetons and three in Yellowstone?
What suggestions do you have for places to see along the route from Yellowstone to Rapid City area?
How about from Rapid City back to Denver?
Thanks for your input!

tomfuller

I don't think you will be saving much if any money by driving an RV. Carry a pup tent to hold your campsite while you are driving around in your RV.
Look at a big map to see if this route makes sense.
I-70 west from Denver through the Glenwood Canyon to Glenwood Springs. Spend a night in Glenwood Springs and see if you can get a swim in the world's largest hot spring fed swimming pool. There is also a gondola ride up to Glenwood Caverns.
Leaving Glenwood, head west on I-70 to US 191 in eastern Utah.
Go south on 191 to Moab and see at least Arches NP.
Leaving Moab, head north on US 191 crossing 24 miles of I-70 to get on 191 north again near Green River. Continue on 191 to Dinosaur National Monument east of Vernal.
Leaving Vernal north on US 191 into Wyoming crossing I-80 at Rock Springs. US 191 will take you through Jackson and the Grand Tetons and into Yellowstone.
I think you should spend more time in Yellowstone than in the Grand Tetons. You could easily spend a week in Yellowstone.
Leaving Yellowstone via the east entrance, spend a night in Cody, WY. There's plenty to see there as well.
Between Cody and Rapid City be sure to see Devil's Tower.
After seeing all you came to see in the Rapid City area, head south through Custer State Park.
Go through Wind Cave NP just north of Hot Springs SD.
Head west on US 18 back into Wyoming and then head back to I-25 south through Cheyenne to Denver.
Is your RV rental based on miles traveled or days of use?

StantonHyde

I have trip reports on Yellowstone, Jackson, and Dinosaur National Monument with kids. Just click on my user name and see my trip reports. Some are from 2010, but it gives you a good idea of what you can see/do.

I wouldn't RV but if that is your thing-go for it. Have you made campground reservations where possible? Yellowstone gets chock full in a hurry in August. Make sure you are NOT there on a weekend!!

Gretchen

Not sure why folks are against the RV. The idea of having something in you site during the day is good, but the reservations are a MUST and it may be too late now for some.
And definitely look for some dinosaur sites along this route for your kids--and adults!

tomfuller

It cuts into your sightseeing time if you have to be in line at 10AM for a first come first served campsite.
A 28 foot RV is a lot more cumbersome to drive than a full size rental car with unlimited mileage.
You have to find and pay for a dump station every 2-3 days.
Take your showers somewhere other than in the RV.
In Price UT there is a pre-history museum that has some dinosaur artifacts.
About 28 miles north of Moab east of US 191 I saw dinosaur tracks in stone at Copper Ridge. It is a dirt road. I did drive a rental car out there but I sure would not drive an RV out there.

Gretchen

I do realize that RVs can be cumbersome, tradeoffs, etc. As for 1st come, same with tents. Reservations will be a plus and possibly a must. Even a KOA or commercial campground directory would be a help.
There are wonderful dinosaur MUSEUMS with exhibits, other than tracks. I also have seen tracks just off I470 in Denver where you could drive an RV up to them to view.
There are tradeoffs when traveling and maybe particularly with small children, moving in and out of motel rooms, etc.

jenfromnj

We are doing the RV because breaking and setting up camp seems to eat a lot of time. And we're flying in and out of Denver so short of shipping all our camping gear, I am not sure how we could do Yellowstone. . . I do like the idea of having a different place to rest our heads every once in awhile, but I don't want to have to drive in and out of the park each day.
We can still get reservations for the RV in Yellowstone for all of our nights, so there will be no waiting,etc. StantonHyde why do you suggest not to RV?
The RV we are renting gives us 100 miles a day, and I am not overly concerned about using extra miles. That said, I have never used or slept in one, so I am really open to suggestions if someone has a better idea!

Gretchen

Our niece and nephew and I think 4 kids did a loop out of Denver for 3 weeks and had a ball.
You'll probably sleep as well as you would on the ground in a tent!! LOL
Maybe you need to post this on an RV forum for more sympathetic and useful answers.
GOOD job on getting the reservations in Yellowstone!
We loved camping and we enjoyed our RVing neighbors too.
And I would assume that Tom didn't shower in his tent either!!

tomfuller

I got my shower and did my laundry at the Forest Service bunkhouse in Gardiner MT. I had a little cabin at the OTO Dude Ranch north of town. I helped put a cedar roof on the main lodge building as a PIT project. The Forest Service fed us very well.

jenfromnj

Tom, thank you SO much for your route suggestion. I think it is a great starting point. What about rocky Mountain NP? Think we should try to spend a day (or more) there on our way back into Denver?

StantonHyde

I don't do RVs because they are so huge--they are hard to drive around and backup and some roads you can't even drive on with them. You can't go down some back roads on them--which is often where fun stuff is located. And if you have never driven one, it seems a bit much. BUT people do it al the time!!!

I prefer hotels if I am not backpacking. But, yes, at this point you are too late for a hotel. And if you can get reservations, then that is good.

As long as you are not concerned about mileage--but I can assure you, it is easy to put 300 miles a day on a vehicle out here--loooong driving distances.

You have your plan--it's what you want to do--you should do it. I think there are forums of experienced RVers who could give you great advice.

Gretchen

Many campgrounds that accept reservations also have bathhouses with showers available.
To the OP, have you done any camping previously? RVs are great, but you are still "camping".

jenfromnj

We are experienced campers. Having done it with small children previously, I know setting up and breaking down camp each day will eat up a LOT of our time.
Trying to steer away from the RV discussion. . .
Should we plan to do the Rockies at the end or beginning? Does altitude adjustment weigh in here? Is 1.5 days enough in the Rockies? My kids are good hikers, but we're not going to be able to anything to strenuous with them at at that altitude.
We LOVE hiking, exploring, observing, swimming, etc. Is it reasonable to plan just two days in Grand Tetons and four in Yellowstone? Madison campground is booked so I was planning 1 night in Grant, two in Canyon and one in Bridge Bay.We have reservations in all three for multiple nights so I still have flexibility to adjust.

Gretchen

Then you are all set, IMO. I think you can do the Rockies at the beginning and you'll have immediate "gratification" of seeing and being in the mountains.
From Denver (and it will take a little time to get the RV, etc.) you could go up to Idaho Springs for the gold mine trip, and then on into the mountains and maybe Glenwood. Just before Glenwood is an exhibit about the building of that highway and it is definitely worth a stop and look.
I think you've done a good job of getting reservations.

StantonHyde

For altitude and because it is dry out here--drink LOTS of water. Like at least 2 quarts a day. (I drink 4!) Dehydration causes headaches, nose bleeds, etc.

Gretchen

Stanton is correct--drink water even if you don't want to. Always have a bottle nearby to remind yourself--AND the children.
It isn't a bad idea with kids to monitor urine color--if it becomes a darker yellow, they need to drink more water.

jenfromnj

Thanks for the info regarding dehydration! My husband has a clotting disorder which requires him to make sure he is well hydrated at all times. We'll make sure everyone is one a schedule for drinking water. Yet another reason the RV is going to come in handy I guess!

rjasnumberonefan

Something you will want to factor into your trip is S T U R G I S. This year it is August 8th-14th. (Hopefully you are vacationing the last 2 weeks in August.) Plan your loop accordingly. The Interstates will be full of bikers heading to and from every corner of the USA. The campgrounds will be hard to find a spot due to sheer volume. The side/scenic drives will look like this. http://usa2ride.com/wp-content/uploa...s-Trip-771.jpg

That said, I loved seeing their presence at every rest stop and sightseeing destination along my trip. I dream to be so free. Being sandwiched in-between so many was exhilarating. As far as you could see in front and behind you was bikers. Pulling off at Mt Rushmore...travelling up the winding roads...breezing through the Badlands...I felt part of them even though my mode of travel was a car.

Allow extra drive time if going in that week or two. So much stand still traffic compared to other times we've gone through the same route. I can't imagine gas-ing an RV up for that stop and go traffic. I am definitely a car trip kind of person.

Your trip sounds lovely and your children have a blast.

jenfromnj

Thanks for the heads up! We'll be going the two weeks leading up to Labor Day, so it sounds like we'll miss it. Phew!