Kansas to Yellowstone

CansasKamper wrote:
Even thought of trying out Bear Tooth Pass as a day trip(probably not pulling the PUP).

If you are staying in Cody, the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway and Beartooth Highway make a great day trip, in my opinion. Red Lodge makes a nice stop for a break or something to eat.

US 16 sounds good. We would like to see some scenery. Even thought of trying out Bear Tooth Pass as a day trip(probably not pulling the PUP). Sinks Canyon does look nice, but we were planning on getting to our destination will as little stops as possible...less setting up and tearing down. We have a full day of driving to CO, (Boyd Lake Campground in Loveland overnight) then another full day of driving up to the Tetons.

On the way back from YNP did plan to overnight at Belle Forshe (Devils Tower) before heading to Mt Rushmore/Black Hills/Badlands. Not sure where to stay there yet and how to see it all.

X2 on Sinks Canyon...we stayed there on our way to Yellowstone (from Nebraska)...wish had a stayed another day. Beautiful campground and fantastic hiking. We hiked up and played in the waterfall and swimming hole there. BEAUTIFUL!

CansasKamper wrote:
...I heard the Big Horn mountains can be steep. Any particular route through there or through the Black Hills?...

Where are you staying in Yellowstone? From West Yellowstone, US-191 will take you to I-90 without any serious mountain driving. Us-89 will take you from the North entrance of the park to I-90 without any serious mountain driving. If you are going out the East entrance to visit Cody, WY-120, MT-72, US-310 will take you to I-90 without any serious mountain driving. US-16 is the more scenic route, but does have grades in the 6-7% range.

If you do not take US-16, I-90 will take you close to the Little Bighorn Battlefield which if you have the time is worth a visit in my opinion. As is Devils Tower.

Hwy 16 over the Bighorns is relatively easy. It's a 4-season, wide, 2-lane highway with few sharp curves and no really steep climbs or descents. The mountain driving is between Ten Sleep and Buffalo (about 60 miles). It's a pretty drive with lots of USFS campgrounds (no hookups), or if you need hookups there are commercial campgrounds in Buffalo (and I believe also in Ten Sleep).

I'd highly recommend camping in the Black Hills over the Badlands. One of our favorite spots is Devils Tower, WY, the nation's first national monument. We prefer the campgrounds within the "park's" borders, Belle Fourche River Campground, but if you need hookups, there's a KOA just outside the gate that's also nice.

Ok 287 it is. Yes, we are planning to come back via Mt Rushmore and Badlands. I heard the Big Horn mountains can be steep. Any particular route through there or through the Black Hills? Planned on staying in Badlands 1 night on the way back but I could be persuaded to stay in the Black Hills...Suggestions?

X2 on route 287. A very scenic route and the grades aren't bad at all. Great views of the Teton Range going down the west side of the Togwotee Pass.

If it fits your travels, Sinks Canyon State Park a few miles west Of Lander is an interesting stop. A nice small campground there too.

Both routes have their advantages. I'd recommend 287, simply because it's a more (very) scenic route. It goes over a mountain pass, but it's not a steep grade to get there.

Is it just to Yellowstone and back? If so, take one route headed to Yellowstone and the other returning home.

If you have the time, I'd also recommend seeing the Black Hills and Big Horns coming or going.