Illinois to Wyoming sites to see?

[LIKE2BUILD]

I'm doing some early planning for trip in summer of 2017. My son will graduate HS in May of 2017 and we'd like to take an RV trip to see the sites before he heads off to college. We'll be traveling from Central Illinois and thought we'd make Yellowstone our end destination. We'll probably also see Grand Teton NP while in that area.

I'd like suggestions on routes and sites to see along the way. We'll have 2 weeks for the trip, so we certainly don't have time to see everything. The Black Hills and Mt Rushmore seem like pretty good places to see but I'm not sure what else we should enter as waypoints.

The truck is a 2014 RAM with 6.7L Cummins so mountains aren't a problem. We may be upgrading to a 5th wheel, but it whatever we buy I'll be sure to stay within truck limits.

Thanks for all suggestions.

KJ

[Busskipper]

LIKE2BUILD wrote:
I'm doing some early planning for trip in summer of 2017. My son will graduate HS in May of 2017 and we'd like to take an RV trip to see the sites before he heads off to college. We'll be traveling from Central Illinois and thought we'd make Yellowstone our end destination. We'll probably also see Grand Teton NP while in that area.

I'd like suggestions on routes and sites to see along the way. We'll have 2 weeks for the trip, so we certainly don't have time to see everything. The Black Hills and Mt Rushmore seem like pretty good places to see but I'm not sure what else we should enter as waypoints.

The truck is a 2014 RAM with 6.7L Cummins so mountains aren't a problem. We may be upgrading to a 5th wheel, but it whatever we buy I'll be sure to stay within truck limits.

Thanks for all suggestions.

KJ

Lot's of good info - but I'll add my .02's - First off we need to stretch the 2 weeks to 17 days - you will need to have everything packed and leave as soon as you get home on Friday, trust me that 4-6 hour jump will be awesome later - Head to Rt 36 Hannibal and just drive as hard as possible to get to Golden (<900 miles two days) Son's going to College and might enjoy the tour of Coors :W Neat town see if you could get a reservation at Golden Clear Creek - in town and on the Creek - then head out the next morning to Vernal (Dino NM everyone loves to see the real Bones in those Rocks - plus the Green River is great - (will drive by Flaming Gorge just not enough time) - to Alpine,Wy another long drive - to Jackson - to Tetons - To Yellowstone 4 days - Cody to Black Hills to Home.

We packed a lot into the trip and I put the Black Hills (Rushmore) on the ride home as it's a drive through at this point and everyone will be ready to get back.

If you put the waypoints in that I've given you it might just work - a lot of long driving days but at least there is something to see and do almost every day.

Hope this is of some help and not too much "ME".

BOL,

[newk]

*scratching head*

I can't for the life of me understand why everyone is recommending I-80, ESPECIALLY when you've stated that you'd like to visit the Black Hills.

I would recommend I-90, probably after crossing Iowa on I-80/680, then taking I-29 north to Sioux Falls, SD/I-90. Traffic, especially truck traffic, will be much lighter on I-90, and it will take you directly to the Black Hills (still an excellent vacation spot). I'd also recommend a drive-through tour of Badlands National Park, 60 miles east of Rapid City. Driving through (possibly with a short hike) won't slow you much -- maybe figure an extra 2-3 hours including a stop at Wall Drug, the granddaddy of all tourist traps. 😉

The Black Hills has plenty to entertain for a week, but I'd think you'd want to pare that down to 2-3 days to leave more time for Yellowstone/Grand Teton NPs. Rather than recommend what you should see there, I'd suggest that you Google "Black Hills" and decide as a family what you want to see. Certainly Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument and Custer State Park should not be missed, but whether you want to include one or both of the NP caves (Jewel and Wind), Deadwood, Devils Tower, etc -- that depends on time available and interest.

Continue on I-90 west to Buffalo, WY, then take U.S. Hwy 16 across the Bighorn Mountains. It's a good, all season highway with not too many steep hills nor sharp curves. Continue on to Cody where again, you can choose from rodeos, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, etc.

Sorry, I've got to go, but that'll get you started -- and nearly to Yellowstone.

[RGar974417]

Thom02099 wrote:

As to routes specifically, there are certainly multiple options, the most viable being I-80 west to Wyoming and then taking one of several available routes northwest to YNP. Those include, but not limited to, US 287 or US 191 from I-80, or taking I-25 from Cheyenne up to Casper and then taking US 20/26 to YNP.

These are certainly not the only routes. There could be suggestions to take I-90 across. If you had a more leisurely time frame, I would suggest taking I-72 west from central Illinois to US 36 and taking that all the way west into Colorado, then take US 285 north to US 34 and take that west to I-25, then head north to any of the options above. However, given that you have only 2 weeks to get out here, see the sights and get back, these may not be really workable for you, and again, I-80 probably your best bet.

I agree with 72 to 36 across Missouri.It is a good 4 lane road without alot of traffic. 65mph.We stayed at Pershing State Park on the way out. Electric hookups $19 a night. We then took I-29 north and then Nebraska Rt 2 to I-80. We stayed over night at Olagalla recreation area. It's about 15 miles off the interstate but it's a very nice park with new electric hookups. Some sites are right on the water. $18 for a site plus $5 entrance fee.Stayed on 80 to Wyoming 287/26. We stayed at Longhorn Ranch Motel and RV park. Nice sites on the Wind River. They have the best restrooms we've ever seen. $49 a night for full hookups. Lot's of space between sites. In Yellowstone we stayed in Madison. It's centrally located. The Campground at Mammoth looked like the sites were more isolated but Mammoth is at the north end of the park.

[Thom02099]

There is a lot to see between central Illinois and Yellowstone NP. Much depends on what route you're considering, how many miles or hours per day you want to drive coming out, as well as going back. Keep in mind that, in all likelihood you'll be spending 6 days of that 2 weeks in just driving back and forth, probably more if you plan stops along the way. Do you only have the high school age son coming along, or will there be other children? Could make a difference if there are younger kiddos along. Realistically, you're only going to have about a week or so to see Yellowstone and Teton; not a lot of time to see it all.

As to routes specifically, there are certainly multiple options, the most viable being I-80 west to Wyoming and then taking one of several available routes northwest to YNP. Those include, but not limited to, US 287 or US 191 from I-80, or taking I-25 from Cheyenne up to Casper and then taking US 20/26 to YNP.

These are certainly not the only routes. There could be suggestions to take I-90 across. If you had a more leisurely time frame, I would suggest taking I-72 west from central Illinois to US 36 and taking that all the way west into Colorado, then take US 285 north to US 34 and take that west to I-25, then head north to any of the options above. However, given that you have only 2 weeks to get out here, see the sights and get back, these may not be really workable for you, and again, I-80 probably your best bet.

[LIKE2BUILD]

Wow, all great information. Thank you so much.

We had some friends that were there a couple years ago and they went to a rodeo in the Cody area. I believe it might have been the Buffalo Bill Stampede. Does that sound right? My kids have never been to a rodeo so I thought that would be a fun experience as well.

I would appreciate additional suggestions for anything to see on the way out there. I was talking with my FIL and they did a trip to the Black Hills when my wife was a kid. He suggested if we're going to see waypoints along the trip to see them as we're heading west. We both agreed it's exciting on the way out, but when you're gone for 2 weeks there comes a point when you're just ready to get home. Making multiple stops on the way home would get the kids pretty antsy.

Thanks,
KJ

[WyoTraveler]

Texas Shadow has been up here more than once or took good notes on his trip. His suggestions are good. Lots to see but appears you are short on time to see a lot. You'll be doing lots of driving. They still have wild horses in the Mc Cullough Peaks east of Cody. Favorite restaurant in Cody for locals is the chop shop. Actually called the Wyoming Rib and Chop House. In Rawlins off I-80 you can visit the old territory prison. Unfortunately parking is a little tight towing anything.

[RGar974417]

We went from Pa to Yellowstone a few weeks ago. One thing we enjoyed was the Harold Warp Pioneer Museum in Minden ,Nebraska. If you like history,old cars,trucks,tractors,motorcycles or snowmobiles, this is the place to see. They have a campground right there with full hookups,but it's not the greatest.But it was ok for one night. $35 and included one admission to the museum.

[TexasShadow]

1. when you know your route and timing, make a reservation at yellowstone. a year in advance is not too far out 🙂
I would go west on I 80 and go north on 191 out of Rock Springs WY, up to Jackson and you can stay at Gros Ventre campground which hardly ever fills and so you won't need reservations..unless you want full hookups, then get reservations if you can.
Or get reservations at Colter Bay RV park if you want full hookups.
A couple of good, long days at Grand Teton will give you a good taste of the area.
North to Yellowstone. We like Bridge Bay because it's fairly well located for touring the park and because we like dining over at the Lake Lodge (not hotel).
It isn't a shady campground. If you like lots of shade, go for Madison and camp among lots of tall pines. If you want full hookups, choose Fishing Bridge.
When you leave, go out the east gate to Cody.
Buffalo Bill State Park is about 15 miles west of Cody on a lake, very nice campground...and another campground about 7 miles closer to town, on the lake, too. Both have elec, water and a dump station, but make a reservation because those sites are limited and popular.
Take in the Buffalo Bill Museum in town and drive the Chief Joseph scenic highway (one full day for that)
Cross the Bighorns on 16 because it is a bit easier, but no less scenic than 14, and avoid 14A. Buffalo WY has a couple nice rv parks in town.
If you want to stay in Custer State Park in the Black Hills, take I 90 over to 16 and then follow it into Custer and the park is a mile or two out of town.
A VERY nice state park. Make and reservation for this one....it is very popular.
Close enough to Rushmore and use the state park scenic byway to get there.

Then head east to 79 and go north if you want to get over to see the Badlands, or go south to Sidney and I 80 and head for home.
There is a Flying J truck stop on 79 you can see from the junction.
There is a very nice state park 9 miles south of Chadron NE with elec, water and dump.
There is a Walmart, Cabelas and plenty of fueling places at Sidney.

[jolooote]

There is really nothing to see before u get to Cody.