Baltimore, MD to Glacier National, Yellowstone, Mt Rushmore

We just returned from a similar trip minus Glacier.

As stated earlier, Rafter J Bar Ranch in Rapid City is awesome. We stayed in the Ranch Camp, which was just beautiful. There are several different bays...some with more trees, some with less, and some further/closer to the amenities.

We ended up loving the Grand Tetons and wished we had scheduled more time there. The Colter Bay RV Park is very nice and super convenient to the park. We rented canoes on Jenny Lake and had a lovely time.

Jackson is about an hour's drive out of the park. It's a nice little town, but we were glad to be in the park. We enjoyed MacPhail's Burgers in Jackson. They're a little pricy but amazing. The french fries are fresh cut and delicious.

I also second the idea of making a stop at the Devils Tower if you can. We stayed at the KOA which has a view of the tower.

We ended up really enjoying the Badlands. We hadn't planned on staying there originally and were super glad we did. It's a little hot during the day, but if you can manage to stay until evening, the views are really beautiful. We stayed at the KOA. It's out of the park but has more shade than the campground in the park. There's an awesome little store on the route where you can feed prairie dogs. I think it was called Ranch Store. Our boys LOVED this.

If you have any questions about our trip, I'd be glad to answer them.

Denny and Carol wrote:
Hello All - my husband and I are planning our first of many trips of a lifetime (middle of August to middle of September) covering Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole and Mt. Rushmore. We are taking a month for this trip. Any thoughts on the route we should take, roads to avoid, and "must not miss" sites while there? We already have camp reservations at West Koa in Glacier, Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone and the Virginian in Jackson Hole. Any suggestions on sites in Mt Rushmore area? How is cell service (AT&T) in this area of the country because while I am away, I need to log onto my work computer to do payroll, etc.

Can you hold off a week or two and do the trip totally in September? The rewards are less traffic less Campers and more of the Parks you have driven so far to see. The Aspen are the bonus at the end of the trip. And you will be in the Rockies and those Aspen will turn the last week of September - something not to be missed.

Add to that the Fact that you will barely need the A/C and this will be just spectacular. A couple of suggestions - Get the Payroll done and get out of town right after you pass out the checks on Friday - this "Bonus" 1/2 day will pay off as it will get you to say Ohio for your first night - meaning a lost less driving to Custer for your first stop. Chicago will require some timing and patience, (it's only a late night drive for me) I avoid it if possible. So the drive timing with an early 1/2 day jump should work out (700 miles).

Sioux Falls has always been a fun stop - the Falls and the town are both worth the time to stop - we enjoyed dinner in the revived downtown - then this will allow you to arrive in Custer after four days of hard driving - but the town - State and National Parks/Caves will reward you - Many Drives and things to enjoy and do there - your time will fly by - We enjoyed Custers Gultch as open and more adult oriented -close to town and the State park - almost perfect for us.

Now I will guess that Glacier is the second destination (would be for me) get up there and enjoy it - be sure you bring your fleece, (as winter has a habit of surprising those from the East in the Rockies) also a good Hooded lightweight rain jacket. If this is your first trip here then all I can say is soak it all in like a sponge, this place is just Eye Candy!!! around every turn you will see more than the last turn just surprise after surprise- Take Pictures - NO Take LOT's OF PICTURES - LOTS - It will be impossible to remember all that you see.

Glacier is just pure Heaven and you will enjoy every minute here, and your time will fly bye. Did I mention to TAKE lots of PICTURES! You know that bottle of Wine you have saved - might be a good time to Pop it Open - and be sure you brought 4 wine glasses (Might find new friends) enjoy it as you relax and watch the sun set on the Lake.

Heaven.

As I said time flies and now you need to go to YELLOWSTONE - OMG - it will be great - your entry will be from? North or West? you will need to really PLAN this as it is BIG - and it is just SO MUCH to see - but your timing is good - things are closing (But you were smart and are well stocked - stopped at Wal*Mart on the way down to get EVERYTHING Needed - as the shelves are empty in Yellowstone now) did I mention Yellowstone is BIG! September is really a second High season for Yellowstone - just fewer kids - still lot's of People. Start early and Plan your day - Pack your Meals as you drive through the Park - Take time to do the Beartooth Highway in the Toad - yes it is worth the time and effort.

Sure glad you have such a variety of clothes to wear as the weather is sunny - rainy - hot - cold - Did I Mention this place is BIG. Start early and get out of the car - glad you brought those really good Hiking Boots - as there is just too much to see and do in a week. (Don't forget LOT's of PICTURES!!!!) I know you thought a week would be plenty - this place is BIG - but on to The Tetons -

Hard to Believe a few Rocks could just be So Beautiful - but they are!

Now you are tired sore and feeling old - not a problem - IMHO - those rocks will still look great, from that fold up chair, with a glass of wine (Beer) as you look across the lake and just relax. While I have been to these places so many times I can't count them and for the last 20 years when we get to the Tetons I just RELAX and stare - it never gets OLD. The only Rocks that might compare are in Colorado - Maroon Bells - You did think about the possibility that you might need to STEAL an extra week - ?????? - Great - because I have a route for you as you leave the Tetons and head South to I-70 with a quick loop to just see what next year will have for you in Colorado.

Flaming Gorge - Dino NM - Rifle - Maroon Bells - Redstone - Marble - Black Canyon of the Gunnison - Ouray - Silverton - Lake City - Gunnison - Crested Butte - Salida - Buena Vista - Collegiates - Independence Pass - Leadville - K's - Quincy's.............just so much more to see and do.

Hope this is of some help, it was fun for me to relive your adventure - with any luck I'll be back this winter.

Enjoy the trip - Remember Lot's of PICTURES

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Link to Custer

Stan Parker's images of the US

Teton's

Tetons and Yellowstone

Bells

Share your pic's

We came across the Bear Tooth highway last weekend and saw a bus (a BIG Class A) with one of those huge enclosed trailers behind it big enough for a two bedroom apartment. I was more worried about the people he would meet less than him. I do not see how he was going to do some of those switchbacks.

Amazing. I took a pop up no problem. Anything bigger than a 21 footer would not be recommended and you better be a veteran driver. We would see the Class C rentals that would cut the corners. So you have to drive defensively on the Bear tooth. They only allow hard side trailers in the NF campgrounds just east of Cooke City because of two grizzly incidents a few years ago with fatalities and tenters but camping in that area and doing the beartooth to Red Lodge and back is another good day trip.

We are from Pa and were in Yellowstone mid May. If interested, message me and I will give you our routes and the campgrounds we stayed in plus trailer friendly gas stops.