Next summer (July 07) we are planning to drive from the Chicago area out to Yellowstone National Park. We would like to stop along the way at the Badlands/Mt. Rushmore. We are planning on 10 days (including driving). Where should we stay to experience the Badlands and how long should we stay there? We were thinking maybe Rapid City for a nite or two then continuing on to Yellowstone where we have reservations at Old Faithful Inn and the Roosevelt Lodge. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! We have been gathering quite a bit of information but it is overwhelming!
Traveling from Chicago out west
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There's an excellent print and go thread for Yellowstone, search "Fodorites' Recommendations for Yellowstone & GTNP." All of us traveling there in the near future are finding it most useful.
Wall, SD has motels near the Badlands and is a fun town to spend 2-3 hours in. You can get a buffalo burger and some free ice water. I recommend stopping at Devils Tower on your way west. I also like Pompey's Pillar on the east side of Billings, MT. You can see really old "graffitti".....William Clark (of Lewis & Clark) carved his name on his way back to tell Pres. Jefferson of their expedition. It is pretty cool to see. Happy Trails!
I drove from NYC (through Chicago) to Yellowstone a few years ago, stopping for a few days at Rushmore/Badlands on the way there and back. We stayed in Deadwood which was fun - gambling, touristy, history. We also camped in the Badlands. The area is so heavily travelled that you'll find accomodations to suit any budget all over the area. On the way, be sure to stop at Devil's Tower in Wy - it's something to see. Also, if you're a movie buff, you can see the Field of Dreams in Iowa.
If you make reservations early enough you could stay at Cedar Pass Lodge in Interior. Otherwise Wall would be the next choice for your Badlands stay. Unless you plan on doing a lot of hiking etc the better part of a will suffice.
http://www.nps.gov/badl/exp/home.htm
When we stay in the Black Hills and are not camping we try to stay in the little town of Custer SD.
While you are in YS and staying at the Roosevelt Lodge Drive up into the Lamar Valley one evening around dusk, That is a good place and time for wild life viewing. Several of the Wolf Packs are located there.
http://www.yellowstone.net/