Rushmore to West Yellowstone

Just did this trip last August. We took I-90 through Montana and then down to West Yellowstone. Stayed at Hegen Lake, Montana (awesome). When leaving Yellowstone, took 14 to Greybull then 16 south and east through Tensleep Canyon and then into Buffalo. Spent night at Buffalo KOA which is a nice campground, too (had site with concrete patio and grill and swing--kids loved the pool after long drive). This drive from Yellowstone to Buffalo is very scenic and you'll pull over often for pictures. We did this in a GMC 3500 diesel pulling 41 foot Open Range 5th wheel. Mountains were no problem with our truck. I know you'll have a great time too.

Use a lower gear and do not pump breaks. Break hard to slow way down. Most people drive right through. I used to live in the bighorns as a timber cutter. There are lots of fishing and hiking to do without the crowds further west. I found an ice cave in tensleap canyon. 16 is a easy route. They used to have a timed race up the old highway with lots of hairpin curves.

I'm a flatlander from Ohio, driving a 'C' and pulling a Jeep Wrangler. I made the mistake of driving over the Bighorns on 16, which is the easiest of the three. But I'm uncomfortable driving on a road that has turnouts for the stated purpose of checking your brakes. If you ride them until you boil the brake fluid, you're then driving a sled. Now, I head west on I-90, entering the west gate. Then I head south to the Tetons. Then continue south to I-80 for the return east. A little longer, but I don't have to pry my hands off of the steering wheel.
I do all my sightseeing in the Jeep.

There are lots of beautiful areas around Yellowstone, but most are best visited without towing your fifth wheel. When staying North of Red Lodge MT and asking about the best route to Jackson Hole towing my fifth wheel, I was misguided to go over Beartooth Pass through Cooke City, going in the NE entrance. What an absolutely beautiful area and a horrible drive towing. (If I ever find that guy again he'll get a piece of my mind.)

If you are headed to West Yellowstone, I would recommend I90 to Bozeman, and south on 191 to West Yellowstone. Beautiful and easy drive.

allen8106 wrote:
Traveling from Mt. Rushmore to West Yellowstone in early July 2016 pulling a 10,500lb 5ver with a 2013 GMC 2500, Duramax. Does it make more sense to go through Yellowstone or around Yellowstone on I90 to the north? It's only about 13 miles difference by my calculations.

IMHO, every minute in Yellowstone is special, even just driving through.

So the answer is -- DRIVE THROUGH.

BOL,

Spend a couple days in Cody, WY - the museum is awesome, then drive into Yellowstone from there. It'll give you more chances to see some animals on your drive.

Have done both routes several times with a MH and a TT when we lived in Rapid City and in my mind it's kind of a toss up. Not an easy way but if your rig is in good condition you should have a good scenic trip either way.

paulj wrote:
There are lots of questions about driving this route. Many recommend taking US16 over the Big Horn Mtns, sampling Cody, and then entering the park from the east. That makes a lot of sense if camping in the park (at Fishing Bridge).

Driving around skips the Big Horn Mtns, and has a gentler drive up hill to Yellowstone. It also bypasses the park traffic - which may be more fun in the tow/toad rather than the full RV rig.

Agree. We've done both, and the trip around is easier. With that said, driving through the park is slow, but beautiful and an experience. Something that you need to decide upon.

ditto to going through Yellowstone park. and also taking 16 across the Bighorns and up through Cody, etc. Save highway 14 and 14A across the Bighorns for a day trip in your truck.

YNP does sit atop a giant caldera (volcanic crater). Old Faithful is just clearing its throat on a fairly regular timetable. Someday....