I am planning a trip for the first 2 weeks (or less) in August and would love some advice on a few things. The starting point is Minneapolis, what I would like to include in the trip is:
*Badlands
*Custer State park
*Mt.Rushmore
*Devils tower
*Yellowstone--old faithful
*Grand Tetons
I am wondering from those who have taken the trip whether or not to add Big Sky, Wall drug and Jackson hole. Or any other suggestions on things not to miss. Our kids 13 and 19 years old will be with us.
We would like to do horseback riding, see some hot springs and do white water rafting and would appreciated advice on the best places to do these.
Also I would love input on places to stay overnight at--I know at some you need to reserve ASAP. I am trying to keep the cost as low as possible, but willing to pay to stay at a clean, safe place.
Which roads would be best to take there and back and which entrances are best to go into Yellowstone?
Thank you so much!!

I see this is your first post here. You marked it as a "trip report" which is something you do when you want to report or tell about a trip experience you have had. You may not get many responses because you marked it as a report. You might want to repost it.

Secondly, you should have made reservartions for National Park "in park" lodging long ago. They become available 12-13 months in adavance and usually are pretty booked within a couple of months. Chances are you can find something and you can keep trying right up unitl you leave. Many people cancel at the last minute.

So let's start with Black Hill's area. A couple of places you didn't mention. I would for sure see Crazy Horse. I would also see Wind Cave and Jewel Cave. Preferably a Wild Cave Tour at one of those(must be age 16). They do have some adventurous tours that are for younger age. I would stay at Custer State Park. You could easily stop at Wall Drug.

You could easily stop at Devils Tower while en route to Yellowstone.

I would consider driving The Beartooth Hwy on entering or exiting Yellowstone. I would try to allow 3 or 4 days for Yellowstone and 1 or 2 days for Grand Tetons
We like Old Faithful Inn(this can be inexpensive), Roosevelt Cabins, and Lake Hotel. We haven't stayed in Canyon. Our least favorite part of Yellowstone is the Mammoth area. If you can get Roosevelt or Canyon for a couple of nights and then anywhere near Old Faithful I would try for that.
Spend an entire day geyser gazing near Old Faithful. There are hot springs and mud pots to see as well. My favorites are Riverside Geyser and Castle Geyser. Check visitor center for predicted eruption times. Old Faithful is the easiest to see because it is the easiest to predict(within 10 minutes). The others might require you to sit there for 2-4 hours. But, very much worth it. I would spend another day in Canyon area. And then a day in Lamar and Hayden Valley. Perhaps swimming in firehole falls or hot spring area. There are two places in the park that swimming is allowed. You might want to checkout the Roosevelt Cookout which is done on a horse ride.

In the Tetons you will probably want to hike Jenny Lake/Hidden Falls/Inspiration Point. Nice Trail, but expect heavy Crowds.

Don't confuse Jackson Hole with the town of Jackson. Jackson Hole is basically a valley and includes the town.

We enjoyed the alpine slide in Jackson. I would make the town a lower priority than the parks.

Finally, get a national park pass for $80 for a year. This will get you into all the parks and monuments. You will have to pay to see Crazy Horse. There are small fees for some of the ranger-led activities and tours at most of the parks. Some of the ranger-led stuff is free.

Yellowstone is really amazing, you'll love it.

Colter Village Cabins are decend inexpensive option in the Tetons. You might want to float Snake River.

Thank you for your advice and suggestions, I printed off what your wrote and will look into the places you mentioned. I will have to re-post this, I am new to all this! What should I put it under instead of trip report?

Just don't tag it as a trip report. Just your title is enough.

kimmers, tag it wyoming. Also check out older questions and trip reports for yellowstone and black hills. Use the search the forums box. A couple of other web sites to check out is www.yellowstone.net , http://www.secretyellowstone.com , http://www.dallasnews.com/travel/coa...ional-park.ece .
Do you have hotel reservations yet?

Ok, I moved the post. Thanks.

I do not have hotel reservations yet! We just made the decision this weekend to make this trip so I am just beginning to research it now.
Thanks ziggypop for the links, I wrote them down.

Here's a good place to stay - it's more in the Grand Tetons area just south of Yellowstone - the Hatchet Resort. Basically an old strip motel, mom and pop type place, that's been redone in log cabin rustic: http://www.hatchetresort.com/

We stayed there on our last trip in September 2009 when we were traveling with another couple. They had a restaurant that served both breakfast and dinner. For dinner, they had grill going out back and cooked up absolutely yummy steaks. Lots of antler furniture that the kids would love, and not too pricey. Not really "resort," either - but would stay there again and our friends are still talking about those steaks.

Thanks sludick...I checked out their web-site and the location couldn't be more perfect. And they have availability when we are planning our trip.

Awesome. They aren't fancy, but we loved the location and the rustic feel. There are some horseback riding opportunities near there; check at the Hatchet and they can possibly suggest some good ones. We did a half-day ride that we took up a mountainside that we will always remember.