Need Advice - Suggestions for Glacier, Mt Rushmore etc

Busskipper wrote:

legolas wrote:


I am in the early stages of planning a trip from Cleveland OH out west

leaving Oh 8-17 to:
Glacier(GNP),
Little Big Horn(LBH),
Mount Rushmore(MtR),
Yellowstone / Grand Teton(YGT),
Rocky Mountain(RNP),

in that order.

My plan is:
GNP-4 days,
LBH-4 days,
MtR-6 days,
YGT-6 days,
RNP-4 days


I would appreciate any and all advice and suggestions about any issues those of you who have been to these parks and maybe visited several of them in one trip can offer.

My rig is a 2500 Silverado towing a 30 ft TT.

We are not boon dockers and plan on staying in sites that have a minimum of water and electric.

Just the wife and I, no dogs -no kids.

Are there any better routes than others?

First off let me say you have given us a good amount of info, thank You - August 17th departure, late enough to miss most summer travelers - Great time. (But could you start just a little later, just a week? - reward would be September Aspen in Colorado)Aspen Pictures

In order to make the trip a little more route friendly I'd catch Rapid City/Rushmore/Custer/ Badlands on the way out, works better for my map - then Little Big Horn - as you head to Glacier NP - Leaving Glacier NP to YNP and the Tetons - then South through Flaming Gorge - Dinosaur NM - Colorado and the swing out to head back Home. When you look at the Map I've added a small but beautiful Loop through Colorado (if you delayed the trip a week or added a week you will be arriving in Colorado for the last 10 days of September - just as the Aspen begin the magical transformation into Gold.) This loop will take you by Montrose - Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP - Ouray - the Alps of Colorado - Possibly Lake City/ Silverton 4x4 trails - Gunnison Lake - Salida - Buena Vista/Collegiates/Independence Pass/Maroon Bells - Leadville/Quincy's - Peak to Peak Hwy to Estes.

Map

24 days is a good number + say 7 days of travel to and from the area = 31 days

You will be arriving to most areas after the Big Crowds but will still need to be smart in you locations to allow for Electric and Water, I really can't help you here as we are not into the reservations group and can Boondock for a few days when needed.

Your Rig will be Great, with no issues driving the highways or the mountains - being from the Smokies the roads out west will be a breeze!

Bring good Hiking Boots- Comfortable.

Bring Fleece, Shorts, rain jackets, - just be prepared for everything.

Good flashlights - good camera, your beverage of choice - before heading into a National Park stock up - things tend to be scarce/expensive at the end of the season, and the only thing cheap will be souvenirs, at the NP's

Better Route is on the map - below.

Map

Hope this gives you some info to look over and digest, sounds like a great trip.

Best of Luck,

Edit;
When leaving Colorado I'd suggest you follow Rt 36 avoiding the I's till you get to Hannibal, MO. This will keep you away from the traffic and allow an easy transition back to Cleveland.