Need help/ideas with summer trip.

[Crawlfab]

Hello my name is Jay and I am new here looking for ideas. Every summer we load up in the rv and head out for a few weeks to take the kids on a summer trip (10,13,16yrs). Every year we try to go somewhere new and most of the times just pick a direction with a few key items and wing it along the way. It has been great so far but we are looking for more locations as the last 2 years we have ended up in Key West.

We are from Central Oklahoma and have been far Northeast, All the way out west and back up to pikes peak, and then we have done Key West 2 years now.

What are some of the not on the map things to do when headed to the Yellowstone area? We are into mining towns, scenic campgrounds, old style non commercial attractions and things along that line. I have searched but just have not found a lot up that way. We want to go that way but a just cant seem to find 2 weeks worth of thing to do.

Any help from ones that have been there would be great.

[avoidcrowds]

If you are on I-90 in Montana, stop at Little Big Horn (Exit 510, north of the Wyoming border). That is some sobering history.

[jhfxrtleeh1]

You say you've be to the northeast and to Key West, but have you spent any time in Tennessee, north Alabama, west NC and SC and northern Georgia? Some very interesting stuff there including Civil War battlefields in all 5 states, the Natchez Trace, antebellum mansions in Tennessee & Alabama, the Coon Dog Cemetery, Helen Keller birth place, the US Space & Rocket Center, Jack Daniels Brewery tours, gem mines in the Carolinas, Dahlonaga gold mines, old Savannah. I love traveling in the West, but am constantly surprised at the amazing things other areas have to share.

[profdant139]

In Yellowstone, the Imperial basin is a great hike -- first to Fairy Falls and then to Imperial Geyser. You will be completely alone, with your own private geysers. Do not take small children -- there are no boardwalks or fences, and they could fall in.

The Boiling River is a lot of fun, near Mammoth Hot Springs. The cold river water mixes with hot spring water, and you sit between them and enjoy warm water.

Great day hikes in the Tetons -- you can get into the high country for some great views.

[cheteckie]

Check out West Yellowstone! The Grizzly and Wold Discovery Refuge is awesome! Get there early in the day, and if I remember correctly, kids can help hide food for the grizzly bears to find, and then they can watch while the Bears are let into the area and find their breakfasts.

There is a train museum in West Yellowstone, too. That was a great place to learn a bit about the history of the area.

[Crawlfab]

Busskipper wrote:

Crawlfab wrote:
That's what im talking about. Thanks!

We can be of more help if you give and indication of what you enjoy, and what you are traveling in.

Guessing ...........water? (from the Keys) maybe fishing?, boating?, Kayaks?, Biking?, 4X4ing?, Hiking?, and Amusement parks, (Disney-Florida)

On this route you will be in some deserts some elevation. great fly fishing, along some high class white water (everyone will love), History in many of the mining towns, and there is nothing in the world like Yellowstone.

So pack smart, read about a lot of the areas, and get ready to explore.

BOL,

We are pretty diverse. We like old America type things. That's pretty much the deal behind our trips. We are just out to show the kids that America is still out there.

We really enjoyed the Molly Kathleen in cripple creek, royal gorge, Grand Canyon, the waterfront rv spots in Florida, Hershey Pa, Henry Ford in Detroit, pikes peak, Carlsbad caverns, USS Alabama, Fort Zachary Taylor in Key west.

[Dadio24]

Busskipper is the hero of vacation planning (at least for the day)...I have made almost every stop on the list and can agree. The last trip we finally stopped by the Great Sand Dunes NP, what a surpise...a must for your family, spend the day (or make reservations for your RV), the kids will have a blast. Thanks Busskipper it was fun reading and remembering all those stops along the way!

[Busskipper]

Crawlfab wrote:
That's what im talking about. Thanks!

We can be of more help if you give and indication of what you enjoy, and what you are traveling in.

Guessing ...........water? (from the Keys) maybe fishing?, boating?, Kayaks?, Biking?, 4X4ing?, Hiking?, and Amusement parks, (Disney-Florida)

On this route you will be in some deserts some elevation. great fly fishing, along some high class white water (everyone will love), History in many of the mining towns, and there is nothing in the world like Yellowstone.

So pack smart, read about a lot of the areas, and get ready to explore.

BOL,

[Army11Bravo]

We just got back this week from a 2 week trip to Yellowstone and the Tetons. A great place to visit is Bannack State Park in Montana. It was the first capital, and is considered the largest ghost town in the world. There are over 60 buildings on site, most of which you can go through and explore. We stayed in the campground there and loved it.

Another great stop is the Lewis & Clark Caverns. Also a Montana State Park with a campground, the caverns have a wonderful guided tour. Viginia City and Nevada City (right next to each other) are also great places to explore.

And if you've never been to Glacier National Park, then you have missed the "Crown of the Continent".

[Crawlfab]

That's what im talking about. Thanks!

[GizmosMom]

Great reply, Busskipper!

[Busskipper]

Crawlfab wrote:
Hello my name is Jay and I am new here looking for ideas. Every summer we load up in the rv and head out for a few weeks to take the kids on a summer trip (10,13,16yrs). Every year we try to go somewhere new and most of the times just pick a direction with a few key items and wing it along the way. It has been great so far but we are looking for more locations as the last 2 years we have ended up in Key West.

We are from Central Oklahoma and have been far Northeast, All the way out west and back up to pikes peak, and then we have done Key West 2 years now.

What are some of the not on the map things to do when headed to the Yellowstone area? We are into mining towns, scenic campgrounds, old style non commercial attractions and things along that line. I have searched but just have not found a lot up that way. We want to go that way but a just cant seem to find 2 weeks worth of thing to do.

Any help from ones that have been there would be great.

Sorry, first I had to stop laughing – I’ll give list of stops that will take you a year to do.
East to Espanola, NM
Then north to Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Creede
Lake City
Rent a jeep and do the 4x4 passes to Silverton and the surrounds
Black Canyon of the Gunnison again 4x4 trails
Ouray again 4x4 trails
Red Stone again 4x4 trails
Marble again 4x4 trails
Maroon Bells again 4x4 trails
Glennwood Springs Hot Spring Feed Pool and the Colorado River Rest and resupply
Rifle Gap SP
Dinosaur NM and the Green River, Colorado and Utah
Flaming Gorge NRA, WY I prefer the west side and fishing from the camp ground
Big Sandy State Recreation Area
Jackson
Grand Teton NP
Yellowstone NP – now I’ve been here at least 10 maybe 20 times and I have never been where I was not just totally amazed at every step I took. EVERY TIME I WENT!
Drive 600 or so miles in the park then hike another 40 or 50 and see just some of it.
Now for the trip back – Head out the North exit to the Beartooth Mountains and then to Chief Joseph Highway.
Now catch Red Lodge then down to Cody
Thermopolis
Wind River Canyon
Shoshoni
Independence Rock
Pathfinder Reservoir
Steamboat Springs
Grand Lake/ RMNP
Silverthorne
Breck
Leadville Again 4x4
Independence Pass Again 4x4
Buenavista Again 4x4
Salida Again 4x4
Great Sand Dunes NP
Back home
Now just writing this takes me two hours so driving it and Playing in all these spots plus the hundreds not mentioned will take just over two weeks.

BOL,

:B

[sweetnoni]

How bout NW Montana? From Glacier to the Yaak Valley, beautiful area. Not too commercialized when you get W of the National Park. Yaak Valley is primitive and beautiful. Just an idea.

[Crawlfab]

The Buffalo Bill Center is on the list for sure.

[Roy_Lynne]

Montana is a great place to explore. What about going to a Dude Ranch, where the kids could actually work on a ranch. I don't know if there are any RV friendly ones but it might be something to explore