Traveling Out West

We have done something close to the trip you are thinking about several times. This past summer, we headed north out of Florida to Nashville, cut NW to St Louis, then to Omaha and into South Dakota. Headed west to Wind Cave NP, to Mont Rushmore staying at the KOA, then to Devils Tower Wyoming, north to Missoula to visit family for week, then south to West Yellowstone for a week. We stayed at the KOA in WY but it is 6 miles west of town. In town the Grizzly RV looked very nice. At weeks end, we drove through Yellowstone NP and took the loop to the north and east, coming out of the park into Teton NP. Spent one night at Colter Bay in Teton. Then to Vernal Utah for 3 nights, then to Grand Junction Colorado and south to Montrose to stay a week. From there it was to Ouray Colorado for a month, then to Colorado Springs for a week at the Garden of the Gods campground. Then south to Raton NM, SE to Amarillo Texas, to Wichita Falls, on to Fort Worth and picked up Interstate 20 to Shreveport and south to Interstate 10 and back to Florida.

On our 2004 summer vacation, we went north out of Florida to Michigan, toured the UP, took Hwy 2 across into Montana, stopping in the Bad Lands, dropped down to Yellowstone, Medora ND to see the NP there, (T. Roosevelt NP), etc.

A month should make for a very nice trip out west for you. We have also taken Interstate 90 west from the Chicago area, not too far from you. Quick way to get to Wyoming, as we try to get to Alaska, every couple of years, so we are always looking for some "new" and interesting route, to get to the Canadian Border from south Florida.

deserthawk and 2gypsies, thank you for your responses, they were extremely helpful! I am planning a similar trip from NE Indiana at the end of June/July for 3 weeks with my 7 children in our 31' TT. Your route is pretty much what I had already determined to take, but some of the details about roads really helped and reassured me that the route was a good one.

I have learned so much from this site, it is fantastic! Starting our 4th year of camping this year.

Brian

July and August are peak season and it will be busy nearly everywhere. Avoid the Black Hills during the Sturgis Bike Rally (August 4-10), be prepared for crowds and try to make reservations.

Sue Bee wrote:
July and August are peak season and it will be busy nearly everywhere. Avoid the Black Hills during the Sturgis Bike Rally (August 4-10), be prepared for crowds and try to make reservations.

Actually, steer clear of the Black Hills for the week before the beginning of Sturgis Bike Week. Many begin arriving at least 2-3 weeks early and the week before is as crowded as the week of.

Hi, Linda,

Welcome to the forum. We did a similar trip to what you're considering a couple of years ago and had a great time in that area. You can find articles about that trip as well as picture reviews of all the CG's at which we stayed here.

As for finding campgrounds, we rely on The Ultimate US Public Campground Project. Sometimes we're looking for a developed campground and at other times a quiet boondocking site suits us - this website has them all.

Have a great trip!

Ted H.