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covetsthesun's avatar
covetsthesun
Explorer
Aug 26, 2016

Things to See on SDAK, Wyo, Colo Trip

DH and I are reprising a trip we took over 25 years ago when we didn't have time to stop and see much of anything. We're headed up I29 from KCMO to South Dakota. We plan to stop in Wall and spend 2 days rambling through the Badlands etc. There's a lot to see south of Rapid City too.

We also plan to go to Thermopolis Wyo for the hot springs. And then South to Colorado. No RV...just us and the truck. Any hotels/motels that are good? Any to avoid?? Sites to see? Sites to not bother with?

We aren't big shoppers, more in to the natural wonders and petroglyph stuff.

thanks
cts
Roads and Routes
  • Corky12's avatar
    Corky12
    Explorer
    Aug 26, 2016
    Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, WY is worth at least one day. The Best Western in Thermopolis is a nice place to stay right in the state park. Las Fuentes Mexican restaurant in Thermopolis is one of the best Mexican in the western US and I've been in a lot of them. Take Hwy 20/26/789/28/191 from Thermopolis to Rock Springs then over to Flaming Gorge. From there go to Dinosaur NM in NW Colorado and across Hwy 40 to the Denver area. Best Western in Craig CO is a decent hotel and Gino's Pizzeria and Italian is a good place to eat. Enjoy your trip.
  • Itchey_Feet's avatar
    Itchey_Feet
    Explorer
    Aug 26, 2016
    From Thermopolis to Colo.you will go thru Casper Wy. Stop by the "Trails Center" very much worth the time and if you have a Nat. Parks Pass it is free. There are a lot of Motels there, some new ones on the East side of town. While in Thermop. go to their Dino. Museum there is another one about 25 mi. South of Casper in a town called Glenrock
  • Trackrig's avatar
    Trackrig
    Explorer II
    Aug 26, 2016
    Besides the more known things, go see the Wind Caves, one of the longest cave systems in the world.

    Wind Cave National Park, SD

    Take highway 16A, IN THE TOAD, NOT THE RV. Note that you can see Mt Rushmore through two of the tunnels.

    Take the road up to Needles, again in the toad.

    Bill
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Aug 26, 2016
    covetsthesun wrote:
    Sites to not bother with?


    thanks
    cts


    yes, Wall drug. I drove thru the badlands and it paled compared to the SW US. spend more time South of Rapid city.
    bumpy
  • Alabama_Jim's avatar
    Alabama_Jim
    Explorer
    Aug 26, 2016
    We have crossed Mo. several times and traveled into Co., the Dakotas, Montana, WY and ID. It is beautiful in the West and we too love the natural things. We found Thermopolis, Wy. beautiful and very interesting. The spring water was warm and fun. Not too far from Thermopolis we found what many say is the grave of Sacajawea. On your way over, don't forget to visit Custer State Park, near Mt. Rushmore. The place paleontologist from around the world come to study the Wooly Monmouth dig is Hot Springs, SD.

    May God give you a lot of safe fun.

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