1st Cross Country Trip..thoughts?
I'm still working on our agenda for our 1st cross country trip. I really narrowed down the trip a bit so we aren't rushing around too much. We are driving from NY with the hope to get out west in a fe...
Forum Discussion
I agree with the others who cautioned against long hours of driving, unless you have multiple drivers and very patient grandkids who are willing to sit for long periods of time. I have been planning our camping trips, some of them quite long, for many years now and I still manage to underestimate the time it takes to get from place to place. We have found that we average just under 50 mph on a long day (which to us is anything over 6 hours total). Terrain, leg cramps, 2-lane roads (especially in mountains), headwinds - all of those things can slow you down considerably beyond what you plan. Just my 2 cents.
BIG improvement over your original plan. Now for some CG & sightseeing tips, based on our experiences.
First, on the way to the Black Hills, I would definitely recommend a night at the Badlands/White River KOA. We have been there, and it is a welcome bit of shade in very open, mostly treeless country. The Badlands can be hot, even that early in the season. This KOA has plenty of space for kids to wander, and IIRC has a pool they may want to cool off in. Nice place. Before you get there, a suggestion for one night would include the Yogi/Jellystone CG in Sioux Falls, SD. Road noise isn't bad, especially in the upper levels, and I think they have some things for kids to do. Fairly spacious pull-thru sites for a private CG, and some shade as well. From there, it's a fairly easy one-day drive to the Badlands. If you spend 2 nights there, you can spend one day driving the Badlands loop and stop for some short hikes. Be aware that 4th of July will be a busy time in any state park or tourist area, also anything near a large town or city. I would suggest reservations, or at least calling ahead about availability.
I second the recommendation for Devils Tower as well, and the KOA there has a spectacular view. No hookups in the national park CG there and sites are mostly for shorter rigs; if yours is big, you will need to be at the KOA. I'd reserve. One night should be fine, especially traveling there from the Black Hills, as that will be a fairly short drive. From there you can go over the Bighorns and into Cody, as previously suggested, though that drive can be pretty intense - those are REAL mountains! Should you wish to take a different route and stick with I-90, I might suggest a night and 1/2 day visiting Little Bighorn National Battlefield (you know, Custer's last stand) - very interesting tours & ranger talks there, and several decent CGs nearby. (We stayed at the Hardin KOA and enjoyed it. Kids might like the nightly ice cream social.)
I built several travel days in so we can be sure to take our time. Our trip has us on the Road on June29 and checking out of RMNP on August 5th.
Leave Sunday, June 29th at night
Drive: 6/30, 7/1, 7/2
7/3 Custer Park
Dive: 7/8, 7/9
Yellowstone National Park: Check in: July 10th
BIG improvement over your original plan. Now for some CG & sightseeing tips, based on our experiences.
First, on the way to the Black Hills, I would definitely recommend a night at the Badlands/White River KOA. We have been there, and it is a welcome bit of shade in very open, mostly treeless country. The Badlands can be hot, even that early in the season. This KOA has plenty of space for kids to wander, and IIRC has a pool they may want to cool off in. Nice place. Before you get there, a suggestion for one night would include the Yogi/Jellystone CG in Sioux Falls, SD. Road noise isn't bad, especially in the upper levels, and I think they have some things for kids to do. Fairly spacious pull-thru sites for a private CG, and some shade as well. From there, it's a fairly easy one-day drive to the Badlands. If you spend 2 nights there, you can spend one day driving the Badlands loop and stop for some short hikes. Be aware that 4th of July will be a busy time in any state park or tourist area, also anything near a large town or city. I would suggest reservations, or at least calling ahead about availability.
I second the recommendation for Devils Tower as well, and the KOA there has a spectacular view. No hookups in the national park CG there and sites are mostly for shorter rigs; if yours is big, you will need to be at the KOA. I'd reserve. One night should be fine, especially traveling there from the Black Hills, as that will be a fairly short drive. From there you can go over the Bighorns and into Cody, as previously suggested, though that drive can be pretty intense - those are REAL mountains! Should you wish to take a different route and stick with I-90, I might suggest a night and 1/2 day visiting Little Bighorn National Battlefield (you know, Custer's last stand) - very interesting tours & ranger talks there, and several decent CGs nearby. (We stayed at the Hardin KOA and enjoyed it. Kids might like the nightly ice cream social.)
