Badlands National Park

DelawareDead wrote:
Hello everyone! New to the forum and to RVing. I have been doing a lot of reading so far and it has been very helpful.

My family (myself, wife, 20 yr old son and 18 yr old daughter) are

going cross country next summer to spend

a week in Yellowstone. On our way out, we are staying three nights in

Custer State Park (Legion Lake Campground).

My plan is spend our first day doing Mount Rushmore

and the surrounding area.

Then the second day to make the drive over to Badlands NP for the day.

My question is what is the best route (most scenic) to head over to BNP and

then what are the best to do's/must see places in BNP.

I am the type that loves to get off the beaten path so I hoping that you kind folks may have some suggestions.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Rich

First thing I'd Suggest is to Catch the Badlands on the drive to Custer - IMHO it is a Drive through Park - and generally is seen/hiked/Photographed in a few hours - then Catch Wall Drug - while just a Tourist trap it is a Required Stop :)

Then when you get to Custer you will have more to do than Possible in a few days - Mt Rushmore - Custer SP - Jewel and Wind Caves - Needles Highway - Black Hills - Sylvan Lake...................so your time will fly by. IMHO the Best time to see Rushmore is in the Evening Ceremony.

Couple of notes - Your average Speed on the Interstate driving out will be 50 MPH and once you get to an area it drops from 35-40 MPH so plan accordingly. Bing and Google maps are not telling you the truth.

When heading to Yellowstone be sure to stop in Cody - Last chance to stock up - Wal*Mart - Not sure your time frame but it is Big and there is Just Too Much to see and do no matter how long you are there for.

If possible when Leaving YNP head south through Tetons and Out through Colorado and Catch a little of it. Flaming Gorge - Dinosaur NM - Maroon Bells - RMNP..........

Hope this is of some help.

Best of Luck,