Forum Discussion

tragusa3's avatar
tragusa3
Explorer
Apr 28, 2015

Trip Planning: The Perfect Family Trip 2016!

Hello to all my friends here that have shared in our first, "The Perfect Family Trip". At the time, we thought that may be a one time shot. We are terribly excited to say that we have had a permanent change in our work that will allow us to have repeat after repeat!

Here's the link to the first trip. Trip Report: The Perfect Family Trip

I remember several commenting that the word "perfect" was inappropriate and not synonymous with road trips. Since our first lived up to the word in every way, keeping it in my thread title seemed fitting.

I look forward to having all your input and help in planning our Summer 2016. Reservations are key to us having a stress free trip, so we need to get an itinerary put together soon!

Here's our initial thoughts: Leave SC around June 7th, 2016 and have 6 weeks with a possible 7th if it is needed.

-Badlands
-Hot Springs
-Wind Cave
-Custer SP
-Mt. Rushmore
-Little Big Horn
-Yellowstone
-Tetons
-Glacier (optional...might be too far out for us?)

Looks like about 4500 miles round trip for us. We did 6,000 last summer and were fine with it.

I haven't researched enough to know how much time at each park yet. I'm thinking that Yellowstone is the cornerstone of the trip and deserves about 10 days. If Glacier works in, I think a large block there too, being that it's so far.

Planning with you guys was so much fun, let's start throwing out ideas, suggestions and comments!
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Apr 28, 2015
    tragusa3 wrote:
    Hot Springs I think is the site of the Mammoth dig site? I wasn't intending Hot Springs, Ark.

    Added EcoBullet! Thanks.


    Ah Interesting. I didn't know about that.
  • tragusa3's avatar
    tragusa3
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2015
    Hot Springs I think is the site of the Mammoth dig site? I wasn't intending Hot Springs, Ark.

    Added EcoBullet! Thanks.
  • EcoBullet's avatar
    EcoBullet
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2015
    Devil's Tower is pretty close to your route, just west of the Black Hills. Might want to consider it, and while you are out that far, you might as well go for Glacier, only another 370 miles and lots of awesome scenery. Then you might as well catch Theodore Roosevelt NP on a northern route home.
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Apr 28, 2015
    -Badlands
    -Hot Springs --- I assume this is out of order, it still seems like Arkansas is not on a direct path to SD. If you haven't been to Mammoth Cave you might consider adding it.
    -Wind Cave
    -Custer SP
    -Mt. Rushmore
    -------------> The little known Minuteman NM takes you down into a minuteman silo, pretty interesting. They only do tours a couple of times a week. Ask about it at Badlands. You also might think about Wall Drugs right outside Badlands. A tourist trap but better than most.

    -Little Big Horn--just a big grassy field.
    -Yellowstone
    -Tetons
    -Glacier (optional...might be too far out for us?)--its about a days drive from YNP but puts you further away from your home. Great park tho.

About Campground 101

Recommendations, reviews, and the inside scoop from fellow travelers.14,716 PostsLatest Activity: Oct 15, 2013