I'm not looking for details but here is my idea and wondering if this is even possible. Late august- leaving Minneapolis,mn on a friday and I need to be in Missoula on wednesday. I would like to take a brief visit at Mount Roushmore maybe friday and sat. night and then head to yellowstone for a few days and then up through paradise valley and west towards Missoula. I know I won't get to yellowstone until sunday night- but is two nights enough in yellowstone- see old faithful- go for a hike or two- do not want to see it all. Thanks for your help with this scatter brained post.

> if this is even possible
Driving from Minneapolis to Missoula in five days is very possible. You'll have to blast by some very nice things but it's do-able.

> like to take a brief visit at Mount Roushmore maybe friday
It's ten hours of driving from Minneapolis to Mount Rushmore, and the latter is open until 11pm in August. You'll be able to see it lit up, but you'll also be VERY tired when you get there. You will DEFINITELY need to reserve lodging in the Black Hills on a Friday in August.

> I know I won't get to yellowstone until sunday night
It's nine hours from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone, so you'll actually spend less time driving on the second leg of your tour.

> is two nights enough in yellowstone
Depends what you mean by "enough." If you just want to see the highlights, two full days is probably enough. On the other hand, day hikers could spend two weeks in the area and never be bored.

You don't need 2 nights at Mt. Rushmore. Either pick another destination to fill up that time in the Black Hills or add the time to Yellowstone.

If you can get to Mt. Rushmore before they close, see it at night and go back the next morning for an hour or two to see the inside exhibits. And that's it....there's just not enough there to devote 2 nights to it. If you get there too late I'd just visit in the morning and move on, skipping the evening lighting.

Definitely doable. I'd subtract a night from Mt. Rushmore, though.

Brando, you need to work on lodging ASAP. I stayed in Keystone, S.D., Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone.

The trip is easily doable. Rushmore is a two hour stop. Many sites in Yellowstone are close to a parking lot so you can see lots of things there. Honestly, you can drive from Minneapolis to Missoula in one day if you had to do so. If nothing else perks your interest in the black hills I would plan on more time in Yellowstone or do a drive through in the Grand Tetons.

Thanks for your replys and yes I need to get lodging nailed down- is the lake in national treasure 2 near mount rushmore??

The Lake: http://blackhillstravelblog.com/the-...ok-of-secrets/
The day driving out of Minneapolis drive to Mitchell SD and have lunch and see at least the outside of the Corn Palace.
Drive from Mitchell to Wall SD to spend the night. See the famous Wall Drug store (you'll see signs for hundreds of miles).
See Mt. Rushmore and the lake in the morning before heading to Devil's Tower. Are you coming into Yellowstone from Cody or from the north?

The Lake: http://blackhillstravelblog.com/the-...ok-of-secrets/
The day driving out of Minneapolis drive to Mitchell SD and have lunch and see at least the outside of the Corn Palace.
Drive from Mitchell to Wall SD to spend the night. See the famous Wall Drug store (you'll see signs for hundreds of miles).
See Mt. Rushmore and the lake in the morning before heading to Devil's Tower. Are you coming into Yellowstone from Cody or from the north?