I'm planning our big trip through the northern plains to Yellowstone.Normally this is no big deal for me since we usually don't make reservations, and just go with the flow. However, since we must have reservations for Yellowstone, it isn't possible on this trip.We plan on visiting several national and state parks before getting to Yellowstone. I'd like to have some idea how much time to allow for each of these places.We will be leaving from Omaha Nebraska on the 5th of May next year. We plan on stopping at Badlands National Park, Hot Springs, SD, Custer State Park (including both Mt Rushmore & Crazy Horse Memorial), and maybe an overnighter at Deadwood. Then we'll stop at Little Bighorn National Battlefield Monument in Montana. After leaving Little Bighorn, we'll stop in Cody, Wyoming before heading into Yellowstone. We plan on staying at Fishing Bridge while there.I'm thinking up to 4 days in Yellowstone, and a day or two in Grand Tetons.One thing to keep in mind. We will not be doing a lot of hiking. Easy trails we can do if they aren't extra long. Medium to hard trails we will not do at all.Long story short, I'm trying to get a feel of how long to allow between the first weekend in May in Omaha and arranging reservations at Yellowstone.

When you leave Mt Rushmore parking lot, turn to the right, and go about 1/4 mile to the small parking lot, where you can get a side shot of Washington. Also there are four tunnels on highway 16 between Custer and Mt. Rushmore. I was able to pick them out from the Mt Rushmore top floor of the parking lot, because there are rows of 'missing trees' cut down so that you can see the monument from the tunnels, and also it was early morning, with sunshine behind the mountains streaming through the tunnels. Take pictures from tunnel 2 and 3, the others are very crowded as people see them first, and guess it is the only tunnel that they can take a picture of the monument through the center of the tunnel!Fred.

Depends on how many hours a day you like to drive among other factors but my plan would be: Day 1 - drive to Badlands NP vicinity Day 2 - tour Badlands and Wall Drug, drive to Hot Springs Day 3 - tour Hot Springs(Mammoth Site?) and move to Custer SP Day 4 - Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Deadwood Day 5 - Drive to MT and tour Little Bighorn Day 6 - To Cody and Buffalo Bill Museum Day 7 - YellowstoneThis would be our itinerary but we have no reason to be in a hurry and do not get up and get going very fast and we like to be in camp by 4 pm. You may wish to travel differently. Also keep in mind you could run into snow anywhere along the route and although it would likely only last until the sun came out it could cause delays. The timetable above would probably allow for that.

I would allow one day in the Tetons and add an extra day to Yellowstone. Also in May the roads in Yellowstone may not all be open yet. Middle of June was when we heard they all opened and we were there in middle to late June and some roads were still closed when we got there but opened before we left. Also there was lots of construction starting.

We just returned from a trip to the Black Hills, didn't have near enough time to see the sights we wanted to see. We did spend time at Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park. For me, Custer SP is a full day to enjoy all the sights there, including the Wildlife Loop. Minimal hiking required and while we were there, we got to see hundreds of Buffalo up close and personal....literally! There were several hundred of them on the roadway in one section and would come up to the cars driving through, without any fear (on their part!) The motorcycle tourists behind us? Not so sure!!! The Black Hills have very distinct regions, the southern part around Hot Springs and Wind Cave NP, the middle part around Custer/Hill City/Keystone area, and then the northern part around Lead/Deadwood/Sturgis area. Each has it's own unique things to see and do while in those areas, so look to determine what area you'd prefer and make plans accordingly.

Yellowstone park roads don't usually open until mid or late May. A couple years ago, we went out there the last week of May and it was still snowing in the park with lots of snow on the side of the road... not real good for hiking, I think.It will be some better down in the Teton area. The Black Hills should be ok in all of May. Cody should be ok and there should be some good hiking around that side of the Rockies.

Question on the Black Hills area of SD. | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

Thom02099
Explorer II
Jul 30, 2014
We just returned from a trip to the Black Hills, didn't have near enough time to see the sights we wanted to see. We did spend time at Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park. For me, Custer SP is a full day to enjoy all the sights there, including the Wildlife Loop. Minimal hiking required and while we were there, we got to see hundreds of Buffalo up close and personal....literally! There were several hundred of them on the roadway in one section and would come up to the cars driving through, without any fear (on their part!) The motorcycle tourists behind us? Not so sure!!!

The Black Hills have very distinct regions, the southern part around Hot Springs and Wind Cave NP, the middle part around Custer/Hill City/Keystone area, and then the northern part around Lead/Deadwood/Sturgis area. Each has it's own unique things to see and do while in those areas, so look to determine what area you'd prefer and make plans accordingly.
John_S_
Explorer II
Jul 30, 2014
I would allow one day in the Tetons and add an extra day to Yellowstone. Also in May the roads in Yellowstone may not all be open yet. Middle of June was when we heard they all opened and we were there in middle to late June and some roads were still closed when we got there but opened before we left. Also there was lots of construction starting.
Corky12
Explorer
Jul 30, 2014
Depends on how many hours a day you like to drive among other factors but my plan would be: Day 1 - drive to Badlands NP vicinity
Day 2 - tour Badlands and Wall Drug, drive to Hot Springs
Day 3 - tour Hot Springs(Mammoth Site?) and move to Custer SP
Day 4 - Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Deadwood
Day 5 - Drive to MT and tour Little Bighorn
Day 6 - To Cody and Buffalo Bill Museum
Day 7 - Yellowstone
This would be our itinerary but we have no reason to be in a hurry and do not get up and get going very fast and we like to be in camp by 4 pm. You may wish to travel differently. Also keep in mind you could run into snow anywhere along the route and although it would likely only last until the sun came out it could cause delays. The timetable above would probably allow for that.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Jul 30, 2014
When you leave Mt Rushmore parking lot, turn to the right, and go about 1/4 mile to the small parking lot, where you can get a side shot of Washington.

Also there are four tunnels on highway 16 between Custer and Mt. Rushmore. I was able to pick them out from the Mt Rushmore top floor of the parking lot, because there are rows of 'missing trees' cut down so that you can see the monument from the tunnels, and also it was early morning, with sunshine behind the mountains streaming through the tunnels.

Take pictures from tunnel 2 and 3, the others are very crowded as people see them first, and guess it is the only tunnel that they can take a picture of the monument through the center of the tunnel!

Fred.

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