budeades

We are driving from AL to Laramie Wyoming at the V-Bar ranch, (great place!), we also want to hit Yellowstone, Grand Teton NP.
Basic breakdown - 21 days -
10 days for travel and Wyoming.
7-8 days for other stuff.
(@3 days travel to home)

Question:
How long in each place?
Would Grand Canyon, AZ on the way back to the southeast be an option?
Other sites to see?

thanks
b

BayouGal

Is your guest ranch stay a week long? We spent 4 days in YNP and 3 days in GTNP and enjoyed every minute of it this past September. We could have easily stayed longer in each park.

budeades

3 days to get to Wyoming
7 days in laramie WY at ranch
travel day to Jackson -
1 day in GTNP
arrive in W. Yellowstone Hotel
3 Days in Yellowstone-(hotel in W. Yellowstone)
Hotel in Cody last night
travel day to SD
3 days in SD
3 days to travel back toward Alabama

budeades

also one more thing - we have 8 and 10 year old girls and want to plan some interactive attractions more than hikes and great views. We will have had a great week on horseback, plenty of views in the car.

Children friendly items not to miss?
museums? Towns?
Especially in and around South Dakota

last question from my wife?
What beyond hikes and views does Yellowstone offer?

buddy

hulajake

If I had to choose between the Grand Canyon and the Blackhills while both are very scenic I'd have to go with the Grand Canyon. There is plenty to see on the drive from YNP to the Canyon. The drive home from the Canyon also offers some scenic sights. If you wanted more time at your destinations you may consider shortening your travel time to 2 days to get there. You also don't say when you are going. If you are going during early summer lodging at the parks can be difficult to get.

sfamylou

Yellowstone is like a science-student's dream. The animal-watching is amazing and fun, and the knowledge you gain about geology is unbelievable.

sharondi

The wildlife viewing is incredible - we saw several grizzly bear sightings, a black bear and cubs, and a cinnamon bear all along the road. Also saw lots of coyote, elk, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, eagles, osprey, bison and even wolves! And if that weren't enough, the geysers, boiling mud pots, steam vents, hot springs and other amazing thermal features are easily accessible by a series of boardwalks and trails that get you right up close. It's an incredible place! There is a massive lake that has geysers and steam vents all along the shore and on the lake bed. There is a rather grand canyon - highly scenic; mammoth hot springs, and enormous valleys filled with herds of bison and antelope.
Geez! I think I just talked myself into going back! Spend as much time in Yellowstone as you can. 6 nights was barely enough for us.

BayouGal

I totally agree with the others. The girls will really enjoy this trip. The wildlife in YNP in unbelievable, literally.

As for the Cody museum, I'll bet the Native American section will be their favorite.

budeades

hey folks update and plans -
After 2 days at Jackson Wy, Three Days at Yellowstone we end up in Cody preparing to drive to Devil Tower then to Spearfish SD for the night. Then we go south along the scenic drive breakfast at Spearfish Canyon Lodge, (booked up so we can't stay) We plan to continue in the morning to around the scenic drive to Deadwood then to Mount Rushmore. Planning to stay the night at Rapid City. Then we go toward the Badlands. What suggestions to you have for the second day in Badlands. Would the Badlands Loop and Scenic Byway be good? Where to spend the night on the way toward sioux city?

maj

I would go the route you have planned and save Grand Canyon for another trip which you could combine with the Utah parks.