Yellowstone questions

We went in mid-September and it was more crowded than we thought, so I cannot image what a zoo it would be in mid-summer. We also had snow one of the nights, but the days were very pleasant, so fall is a good time to go.

I would definitely say to see the Black Hills, and suggest staying at Custer State Park. They have the fall Buffalo roundup, which will tend to make things more crowded. If you don't want to see that, schedule your Custer stay either before or after roundup week.

I have been to YS 4 times and the way I like the best would be ...Get to Cheyenne, WY. I 80 TO Rawlins then 287 N/W all the way to Grand Teton NP (BEAUTIFUL RIDE from Dubois west !!) I would start enjoying the area from Dubois on through YS. I would leave YS on hwy. 14/20 to Cody. When you leave Cody... 120 S/E to Thermopolis and then on to where ever your headed.

As far as going through the Black Hills IMHO.. they are nice and I enjoyed seeing them but YS is the Black Hills on steroids times 10. June, July and August YS will be full of tourist and I mean FULL. My favorite time to be there is early spring or any time in October. Might get some cold weather or snow but I love being able to just camp where ever and not much traffic at all. There are many ways to go and that's mine .....Good luck ,everyone should see YS NP.

We stayed in Jackson when in the area. The Tetons were in easy range and Yellowstone if only driving thru is relatively easy to get to from there.
Also in Jackson the National Elk Refuge is there and has a great visitor center and you can spend some time there plus wandering around the town is nice.

With a dually or long pickup most of the parking spaces will be confined so be forewarned.

As to the black hills guess it depends on what you want to see. Rushmore is a good couple of hours of looking walking around, crazy horse is a tourist trap, went there a couple of years ago and it has not really progressed from the 1st time we went there 20 years ago. Supposedly the black hills are a good motorcycle trip but mainly set for tourists as far as I know. Have friend thats been to the rally several times and he never really talks about much more than the rally and all the T&A that is there...

we went into yellowstone from the North and exited to the south past the tetons, don't think the order matters.
the main reason I visited the black hills was a college buddy in rapid city and to cross rushmore off my bucket list.
bumpy

Don't go in peak tourist season. Go either before Memorial Day (at which time there may still be snow) or after Labor Day.

IMHO the crowds combined with the distances you have to travel within Yellowstone, really take a lot away from the experience.

How much of this you take time to see on one trip depends on your future plans. If this may be your one and only trip that far out west, and you have essentially unlimite time, then yes, take time to see it all. If you expect to be able to go multiple times in the future, then concentrate on one area like Yellowstone.

If you want to avoid major cities for most of the route, take I-57, 64, 55, & 74 up through Illinois, and cross the Mississippi at Moline/Davenport. (Use IL SR4 to cut across from I-64 to I-55 without going into St. Louis.)

Then pick up I-80 across Iowa, I-29 up to I-90, and on across South Dakota, if you want to go to the Black Hills.

If you skip the Black Hills, stay on I-80 all the way to Cheyenne. Take I-25 up to Casper. Get off the interstates and go up to Thermopolis and then to Cody. This route lets you avoid pulling the trailer over the Big Horns.

Lots of good things to see on that route. Thermopolis is a neat town, with a big state park and hot springs. (No camping at the park.)

IMHO I would combine the Black Hills with Glacier National Park.

Find out when the big Sturgis Bike rally is, and avoid that week, plus a week on either side, unless you LIKE lots of motorcycle noise in the most inappropriate places.

Do NOT attempt to pull your trailer over Beartooth Pass.