Do-able itinerary? Mt. Rushmore to Yellowstone
 

Ok...so now I have found out that the East entrance to the park isn't open until 8 PM, (which, will that possibly change in the next week?) My plan is Day 1: home to Keystone, SD, do Mt. Rushmore. Day 2: Leave Keystone via 16 stopping at Crazy Horse Mem. which opens at 8 am., then about a 7 hr drive from there traveling to Custer via 16 to I 90 to Buffalo down to Worland up to Graybull and over to Cody. Don't have the time to travel up to the NE entrance. Is there a check in time for our reservation at Lake Hotel cabin? It is going to be after 9 PM because of the gate opening. Will it be dark by 9 next week? Don't like the idea of traveling that in the dark!!!

I've read the http://www.nps.gov/yell/parknews/11042.htm announcement and it sounds like there could even be a possibility of them closing the road even at night!

<i>Changing weather conditions such as rain or warmer temperatures may result in conditions which may prompt changes to this schedule or may result in temporary, ‘round-the-clock closures. Travelers are encouraged to check the park’s 24-hour Road Report Hotline at 307-344-2117 for the latest updates.</i>

You might want to call the day you leave and worse case you would have to drive in going the southern route down to Casper, WY and in thought the Tetons. I wouldn't want to do the Beartooth Highway after dark!

You can check sunset times here: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php

Good Luck!

Utahtea

I wonder if I shouldn't have done something different, like stay in Cody and come in before 10 in the am? But that would mean I'd have to leave a day earlier than I'd planned and I don't think my husband would go for that, besides being an extra night out.

I'd be concerned about Sylvan Pass being closed, especially if it starts warming up, and would lay out a plan for the southern route. It will take longer, but that is better than getting to Cody and finding out the pass is closed and then really adding on driving time due to a forced detour.

From the Mount Rushmore area head south on 18/85 toward Douglas, WY and then west toward Casper. Although, this isn't your original plan, at least you will get to view the gorgeous Tetons!

We were lucky several years ago. We were dummies and did not check the road conditions and made it through the East Entrance about an hour before closing. It would not have been fun to back track after a long day of driving. This was in early August so don't think closures only happen in the spring.

Good luck with your trip!

Oh MY! I guess it is going to be a wait and see game! Of course I will be checking right before I go! I did check with mapquest and it looks like that would be over an 8 hr drive to get to the Southern entrance. We were thinking of killing time at Crazy Horse Memorial, so I guess if we found out the pass is closed, we could skip that and just tredge on to the Southern route. I'm glad that I've decided not to pull my RV! I'm about to drive my husband crazy over this whole thing! But I'm so glad that I've been doing some research!

Casi, You are doing a great job of being prepared!

Utahtea