ngll

We are taking a driving trip to Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone early August. We will be with our teenage son. It is a little outside of our comfort zone since we usually tour/visit big cities. I hear so much about the beauty of the parks and will like to prepare as much as I can and make sure we have a great trip, please let me know if we are planning to much for the trip and what we should skip or add. We are not hikers, but will like to take short walks and visit the museums and see the high points.

We will be stopping over MN for a good night rest and head to keystone early in the morning. I hope to stop by Corn Palace, Wall Drug, Minuteman Missile National site and Badlands NP

We have reservation at Kbar S Lodge for 3 nights. I figured we will be there early evening and roam around town and may be head to Sitting Bull Cavern for dinner. Day 2 will visit Mt Rushmore, take the tram??, Crazy Horse. Day 3 will visit Wind Cave or Jewel Cave.

I will like to see a rodeo show, but unsure if it should be at keystone or wait till we get to Cody (our next lodging area).

Then we will head towards Cody the next morning. On the way, viist Deadwood, and then Devils Tower. Probably will get to Cody early evening.

We will stay at Cody for 2 nights, mainly to see Yellowstone NP, and Old Faithful. We plan to enter from the East entrance.. I don't see many people mentioning it. Is it a bad idea? (I'm still hoping to get a night at Old Faithful Inn... wonder if it's worth doing?)

I'll like to see a rodeo show... is it available in Cody or should we arrange that at Keystone? If time allows, there is a mountain man rendezvous event at the North entance of Yellowstone... how far is that from Cody?

Then we will leave Cody and drive thru Grand Teton and stay at Jackson for a night.

Any suggestions or comments are much appreciated.

Thanks, NGLL

tovarich

In the black hills visit Custer state park.
Deadwood isn't worth a stop IMO.
In Cody visit the great museum.Your son will love it.Paul

butterflybush

There is a large rodeo in Cody. I THINK that it runs every night. The museum in Cody is great, it was something that my then 13 yr old son enjoyed.

I would not try to see Yellowstone from Cody. For me it is too long of a drive. I would keep trying to get a room at Old Faithful, Canyon or Lake in Yellowstone. It can be helpful to call rather than try to book a room on line. (The reservation people have the most up to date info.) I was able to get a night at Old Faithful about 2 weeks before our August trip, so keep trying. I would also make a reservation in West Yellowstone and use that as a base to see the park, if you can not get a room in the park.

You have alot of driving planned. Our trip out west 2 years ago had too much driving, which resulted in a cranky teenager. (2 nights Cody, 1 night Old Faithful,2-3 nights Gardener, 2 nights Harden then onto GNP) The distances are huge. Driving in Yellowstone itself can be very slow. (Buffalo jams)

boom_boom

The Buffalo Bill Musuem in Cody is a must. But, do not try to do Yellowstone as a day trip from Cody. If there is no room at Old Faithfull look at the other lodges in the park. All would be a beter base than Cody. As a last resort, consider West Yellowstone or Gardiner.

ngll

Thanks for the input, both Boom-boom and Butterflybush. I've followed your advise and got 2 night at OF Inn and Canyon Lodge (on top of the 2 nights at Cody) this morning. I couldn't believe I got it!

I will keep calling back and hope for 2 nights at the OF Inn. I had a chance to either pick Canyon Lodge or OF lodge. Any advise there?

Is the Yellowstone horse back ride or the cookout worth doing?

Thanks NGLL

LHS

I don't know that Sitting Bull Cavern serves dinner, but there is a restaurant called The Gaslight in Rockerville if you don't want to eat in Keystone.

If you want to see a rodeo, plan on Cody, there's no rodeo in Keystone, or anywhere in the Black Hills in early August.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally runs from Aug 6-13 so motorcycle traffic may slow your travel through the Black Hills, even into Wyoming. But since you already have lodging, it may not be too much of a problem.

Have a great trip!

LHS

Oops official Rally dates 8-15, though the crowds will have arrived & activities/concerts begun by the 6th.

annieO

Plan on going to Mt. Rushmore as early as possible as the parking lot fills up. I also reccommend Custer State Park and Jewel Cave. It is a fun area to visit but as others said it will be very crowded with motorcyclists. The museum in Cody is great. Have a great trip out west!