Forum Discussion

Jawbreaker's avatar
Jawbreaker
Explorer
May 04, 2013

Is our summer trip out West too ambitious?

We are taking out first big trip in our Four Winds 25C motorhome this summer and have planned the following trip...

Leaving June 28th from Milwaukee, WI area, returning July 14th
My family of 4 (2 kids 11 & 13)

First stop Souix Falls, SD (1 night)
Next stop Rapid City, SD (2 nights) + Custer and Wind Cave
Next stop Cody, WY (1 night) Rodeo, etc
Next stop Yellowstone (2 nights) Fishing Bridge + 1 other
Next stop Grand Tetons (1 night)
Next stop Salt Lake City, UT area (1 night)
Next stop Zion Park (2 nights)
Next stop Bryce Canyon (1 night)
Next stop Rocky Mountain (plus 1 day layover in-between)(2 nights)
Last come through St. Louis Six Flags and then back home.

After my wife and I went through our route on a map today, I'm thinking this might be more driving than fun. Since this is our first big trip, I thought I'd ask for some advice. Is this too ambitious of an trip? Also, since we'll be traveling during the 4th of July week, are reservations needed at all the campgrounds or just the big ones like Yellowstone? I'd like to be a little more flexible if I want to stay longer at a place, or if we discover something along the way, but I don't want to be stuck not being able to get a camping spot anywhere also. We're feeling a little overwhelmed trying to plan a 17 day trip.

Thanks for any advice.

-Tim
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    May 04, 2013
    Welcome to the forums. What are you going to do next summer? Your kids are young enough so there will be other summers. Agree with staying north and maybe include Glacier after the Tetons/Yellowstone.
    With all this global warming we are having this month, I'd call and make sure the Going to the Sun" will be open before going to Glacier in early July.
    These are pictures of the work required to open it in 2011. It was not until July 13 before it was open all the way.
  • dahkota's avatar
    dahkota
    Explorer
    May 04, 2013
    Just to give you an example of how tight your time is:
    Rapid City - Cody: 400 miles, at least 7 hours if you stop for gas and lunch but nothing else.
    Leave Rapid City at 8AM. Arrive Cody around 3pm if you rush. After set up and a few minutes to unwind, maybe an hour, you have only a few hours to enjoy Cody and get to the rodeo and eat dinner.

    Its doable, but it's going to be very busy and you aren't going to see a lot. On each day you move, part of the day is spent driving.

    We spent 3 days in Custer and wished it was 5. 4 days in Yellowstone and wished it was 6. 1 day in Teton and wished it was 3. 2 in Zion and wished it was 5...
  • K_Charles's avatar
    K_Charles
    Explorer
    May 04, 2013
    On those one nighters, you drive all day get somewhere and then leave the next day. What did you see and when did you see it? Not enough time or to many places.
  • Bionic_Man's avatar
    Bionic_Man
    Explorer
    May 04, 2013
    Yes, I would make sure you have reservations. Yes, I think you are trying to pack too much in.

    I can spend a week or more at Yellowstone and another week at Teton.
  • JMCC730248's avatar
    JMCC730248
    Explorer
    May 04, 2013
    Too much for 16 days;You will need reservations for sure at Fishing Bridge;
  • globehopper's avatar
    globehopper
    Explorer
    May 04, 2013
    hey jaws - you may change your name to back breaker - it depends on what you are used to, and how comfortable you rv is. i like to spend three nighters - to rest relax and get to know a place. we did a 1000 miler in early spring and had the best time with the three nights in arizona. we planned a 4,000 miler with stops no shorter than two nights most 3 and 4. good luck
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    May 04, 2013
    Not nearly enough time. You would need to cut in half or even a third for your alloted time.

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