MJfromChicagoBurbs1

First-timers to area, mid-50's couple, Sept. 2015.
Flying Chgo to RAP, rent a car, and flying JAC back to Chgo.
Land late morning on a Wed., have Thurs - Tues to be tourists, & fly out early Wed.
Interested in: scenery/animal sightings/scenic drives/local highlights/light hiking/NOT camping.
Must see Mt. Rushmore and probably Custer State Park.
Would greatly appreciate itinerary suggestions after that.
Would like to see YNP or Grand T if feasible.

-Thank you, Fodors people!

Iahawk

Are you staying in Jackson or Jackson Hole? If so, book a tour for the southern loop of Yellowstone which will allow you to see a nice part of the park and a lot of wildlife as that is rutting season. We stayed at SpringCreek Ranch and used their tour service which was great. September is the "low" season so our tour was with just my husband and I. We also hiked around several of the lakes, did an ATV tour, whitewater rafting (I was the 'princess paddler' sitting the front of the boat without a paddle!!), went to the top of the ski area and hiked down, took an evening photography tour/walk had some excellent spa treatments and very good food! And that was over a 4 day weekend....

Iahawk

PS - are you driving from RAP to JAC and thought about how many days to allow in each place since the drive will be around 8 hours with no stops?

Iahawk

PS - are you driving from RAP to JAC and thought about how many days to allow in each place since the drive will be around 8 hours with no stops?

MJfromChicagoBurbs1

Wow, good info already! Thanks.
Yes, we are driving from RAP to JAC.
No plan set yet on how many days to spend in any place...suggestions?
Are there spots en route that you'd suggest hitting?
Don't know much about Jackson vs Jackson Hole... suggestion?
We have no lodging yet.

Thank you.

utahtea

You really don't have a lot of time so if it were me, I'd spend Wed night in Rapid City. Earlier that day see Mt. Rushmore and Custer State Park. This will be rushed but you have very little time.

Thursday drive from Rapid City to Yellowstone where ever you can get lodging. It's going to be a long day but if you really want to see something special then make a side trip to Devils Tower National Monument, WY. I'd spend all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Yellowstone. Move to the Grand Tetons early Monday and you will have most of two days here.

You need to start calling NOW for lodging. September might not be as busy as the summer, but a lot of seniors, young adults who don't have children and foreign tourist are out and about this time of the year. I would try calling to see if you can get in on a cancellation in Yellowstone. My first choice would be the Old Faithful area then maybe Canyon or Lake. If you can't find lodging in those areas, I'd look at West Yellowstone, MT because it's the most centrally located for visiting Yellowstone outside the park.

Utahtea

MJfromChicagoBurbs1

Thanks, utahtea.
Any particularly scenic route or special sites to stop at en route RAP area to YNP?

MJfromChicagoBurbs1

Debating about trying to also fit in Badlands NP.
Our time is limited, and will definitely be hitting YNP.
Would also like to do Grand Teton NP.
How would you prioritize these 3 NP's?

Thank you.

utahtea

My prioritizing might not be the same as yours or others, but here goes.

#1 Yellowstone. This is my all time favorite National Park. There is so much diversity here it's like several parks in one MEGA park. There is so much more than just Old Faithful! All the geyser areas, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with it's waterfalls, Yellowstone Lake, Mammoth Hot Springs, Hayden & Lamar Valley. We spend two weeks at a time here and have no problem finding new things to do.

#2 Grand Tetons & #3 Badlands

The drive from Sheridan, WY over the mountains to Greybull, WY on Hwy 14 is scenic.

Everything on your were interested in: scenery/animal sightings/scenic drives/local highlights/light hiking are in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons.

Utahtea

WhereAreWe

Badlands is a great park but I'd still rank them just like Utahtea: Yellowstone a clear #1, then Grand Tetons and Badlands.

For what it's worth, I'd put Custer State Park at the bottom of that list. You won't see anything there that you wouldn't see in Yellowstone/Grand Tetons, so with limited time you'll have to decide if it's worth part of a day.

But it seems like such a waste to fly into Rapid City only to see Mt. Rushmore, so you really should visit either Badlands or Custer to make it more worthwhile. Badlands is more unique than Custer but out of the way, and it looks better in late evening or early morning which doesn't work real well for your trip. It's ok mid-day though.

I guess my preference would be to head straight to Badlands from the airport, then go back to the Black Hills and visit Mt. Rushmore.

If you want to see the evening lighting ceremony at Mt. Rushmore, stay in Keystone. Otherwise I'd stay overnight in Deadwood then take a scenic drive through Spearfish Canyon in the morning and head to Yellowstone. Definitely stop at Devil's Tower on the way.

utahtea

WhereAreWe makes some great points regarding Custer and Badlands.

Utahtea

MJfromChicagoBurbs1

Think we'll hit Badlands NP. When you say it's best in early morn or late evening, do you mean sunrise/sunset?
Now just not sure where to head 1st from airport: Mt. Rush area or Badlands NP.
Also debating if a short trip to Rapid City for the City of Presidents & lunch is worthwhile before really setting out?

WhereAreWe

I mean anytime within a few hours of sunrise or sunset. When the sun is lower in the sky it casts shadows on the badland formations so they pop more. In mid-day with the sun overhead they look flatter and sort of dull. Still interesting but not as colorful.

You would see more animals early/late as well.

But I would go when it best suits your itinerary, you don't have to pick the 'perfect' time.