Forum Discussion

MP_soldier's avatar
MP_soldier
Explorer
Mar 17, 2017

Best Route from Sioux Falls SD to West Yellowstone?

Planning our 50 day trip to finish up our "50 States as a Family" tour.

Starting from Long Island NY.

Whats the best route from Sioux Falls to West Yellowstone?

I was planning on 90 West, with a couple of nights at Al's Oasis in Oacoma SD. Hike the Lewis & Clark trail, visit Fort Kiawa.

Then to Minuteman Missile National Historic Site for an hour.

Then Badlands NP (probably a few hours)

Mt. Rushmore for a couple of nights

Deadwood for a Day or 2

Devils tower for a night at the KOA

I plan on avoiding 14 through Bighorn (take 16 instead) to Cody,
Through Yellowstone to the KOA in West Yellowstone.

I've heard that Yellowstone East entrance is a nightmare, and It might be worthwhile to go out of the way to one of the other entrances. Anybody have any experience with that?

When I google map the trip from West Yellowstone to Old Faithful, it goes waaaay out of the way avoiding the park and coming in the south, and says it takes 4.5 hours.

I'll be pulling a 45' fiver, so I'm trying to get this planned out right!
Roads and Routes
  • memtb's avatar
    memtb
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2017
    If you do Powder River Pass (Hwy 16) thru the Big Horns, continue on to Thermopolis. A great Dinosaur Museum, beautiful state park(thermal hot springs), and a straight shot to Cody. About half way to Cody, will take you thru Meeteetse,Wy. Neat museum and lots of history. Happy Trails, memtb
  • CloudDriver's avatar
    CloudDriver
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2017
    The three tunnels near the Buffalo Bill dam west of Cody are very short and have plenty of height. No propane restrictions.

    The East Entrance road isn't a nightmare by any stretch. It's just a long climb. No switchbacks that I can recall and going in you will be on the wall side of the road, rather than the steep drop off side. Route 16 up the east side of the Bighorns is also a long climb so you will have some practice. Use lower gears going down the west side.
  • LaTriker's avatar
    LaTriker
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2017
    I entered through the East entrance 2 years ago in a 41 ft. class A pulling a toad. I had no problems with the tunnels or the road. My rig is 12' 8" high. I also crossed the Bighorn Mts on 14 with on issues.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2017
    I took I-90 from Billings and dropped down from the North. avoided the drive thru the mountains. and yes I saw plenty of country going my way.
    bumpy
  • MP_soldier's avatar
    MP_soldier
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2017
    I saw that there were 3 tunnels through Rattlesnake mountain by Buffalo Bill Resovouir. Are there propane restrictions or height issues there? I'm 13'4" tall.

    Thanks,
    Hal

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