I don't know that I would stay at Lake the entire time. I might stay there a night, but the main action is around Old Faithful area. Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley are great for wildlife. There is a good chance that all of the roads will not be open at the first of June. I don't know how much snowfall they recieved this year. We were there 3 years ago and the all the roads didn't open until June 18.

We left from Deadwood (after a day in Mt. Rushmore and area) went to Devil's Tower and then on to Little Big Horn. We stayed the night in Cody. It was a really long day, but I would do it again. It might be a stretch with kids though. I would opt out of Little Big Horn in favor of Devil's Tower. There's more history than visual things at Little Big Horn and depending on the age of the kids, they may not enjoy it.

Casi, in the search the forums box above type in 'driving from rapid city to yellowstone'. There is a wealth of info in the thread.

Casi,

I wanted to see Devil's Tower in the morning light so after the visit at Rushmore, we stopped in Spearfish. After the Tower, we made it to Canyon Village that evening.

We split our time between Canyon and Old Faithful. I second spirobulldog's note about the Old Faithful area. We had a cabin there and I could see the eruptions from my window. But I really enjoyed lounging on the porch of the Old Faithful Lodge. We sat around and talked with other visitors and watched Old Faithful do its thing.

You can read about it in DW's trip report at http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/how-many-western-national-parks-can-we-see-in-2-weeks-710-2509.cfm

I would try for Old Faithful Inn for a couple of nights.

Ziggy, what am i doing wrong because nothing came up.....United States, Wyoming....

Casi, you should get this: http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/driving-from-rapid-city-to-yellowstone.cfm?8

Nope, no wealth of information....only one thread which is a current one.

Casi, I don't know about computers but my trusty map says it is less than 500 miles from Rapid City to Yellowstone. My wife and I are going to Yellowstone over Memorial weekend and we are going through Greybull and onto Cody for the night. In the search forums I read an old thread that recommended highway 14 into Cody or the Beartooth Highway from Montana into the Northeast entrance of Yellowstone. (I live in Minnesota) When you exit Yellowstone are you planning to go south through the Grand Tetons?

Casi, a couple of other sites to check out is www.yellowstone.net http://www.milebymile.com/main/United_States/Wyoming/byway/Big_Horn_Scenic_Byway.html

www.secretyellowstone.com

Ziggy, thanks for the great links! I will check them out. We will probably go back the way we came, from the East. Unfortunatly my husband says we will take the fastest route home. I hate it that we will be so close to many more things to see but we have animals at home that we can't leave for much longer than the week he allowed, plus it will be time to put up hay! I was actually hoping I could squeeze in a drive up Needles highway during our layover at Rushmore.

Spiro, at your suggestion, as well as other postings I have read, today I was able to trade my 3rd nite for a cabin at Old Faithful Lodge. I'm thinking that this will be good, even though we will be dying to see Old Faithful, we can spend the first day and 1/2 in the Lake area and East Side of the park, then end up the the second afternoon around Old Faithful where we get up early the morning of the 4th day at Old Faithful, then head back to Lake Hotel. I haven't told my husband yet; I'm thinking I'll just wait and surprize him!

I think you will be glad you will have more time at Old Faithful. The Lodge's cabins are not huge; the sink is in the room, etc, but spend your time outside. There is a trail that goes up to an overlook opposite the Inn and, timed properly, you will get to see the eruption from a different angle. If I remember right, the light is best if you do the hike in the morning.

Well, the Lodge is certainly worth a night. But I would still keep trying for Old Faithful INN.

The Inn is the original historical spot. At least have a walk thru there, even if you don't stay there.

Agreed, the Inn is just the high demand venue. Once you are outside, it really doesn't matter that much. You can still enjoy a meal at the Inn with the proper reservations and sleep at the Lodge cabin. Or lounge on the Lodge porch.