Off to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore

[GilliedogKiwi]

We are leaving with our travel trailer for a trip from Frankfort, Illinois (just south of Chicago) to Jackson, Wy, Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore and the Badlands. Can anyone please tell us of things to do, or places which are must see... or not see... We plan to travel on I-80 west and return on I-90 then south to Frankfort again. We will be away about 4 weeks in all.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Angela

[yrusoslo]

Soak in a tub of hot mineral water, in Hot Springs SD.

[D_E_Bishop]

Angela, If you are at all interested in the history of the Indian Wars and would like a great read for your trip, buy "Voices of Wounded Knee" by Coleman. There is a place in the Badlands called "The Stronghold" and was important an locale during the wars, he mentioned it in his book.

My DW and I loved the whole Badlands area and thought how beautiful it is, we stayed in the NPS campground there and really enjoyed the visitors center which is not to far up the road.

All of the places mentioned so far are great and deserve to be viewed at a leisurely pace. Don't rush, take time to learn how important these places are. As someone said, "There ain't no place like this place anyplace".

[yrusoslo]

Crazy Horse Memorial

[NCWriter]

azdryheat wrote:
White water rafting in Jackson Hole. Lots of companies to choose from.

There are also wonderful scenic float trips on the Snake River entirely within Grand Teton NP that give you a different angle for looking up at the majestic mountains. The boatman does all the work rowing and the ride is fairly smooth so you can concentrate on spotting wildlife and taking photos...moose, elk, lots of Eagles.

That was a highlight of our time in GTNP, and I'm so glad we did it.

[Trackrig]

Watch out for highway 16A, the Iron Mountain Hwy. A nice day trip, but don't take your trailer on it.

Also the Wind Caves are down that way.

Bill

[2gypsies1]

Each of the national parks you're planning on visiting has a wonderful web site packed with good information - camping, roads, things to do, etc. Check them out before your trip. Here is Yellowstone's. Make sure it's the 'nps' site you're looking at.

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/index.htm

[azdryheat]

White water rafting in Jackson Hole. Lots of companies to choose from.

[esyers]

We found the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site to be interesting. It's right along side I-90 in South Dakota right near The Badlands. Try to catch one of the tours down into the control center.

Clicky

The one and only Corn Palace is also worth a look.

Corn Clicky

[rexlion]

Definitely unhook and tour Custer SP. Tunnels, wildlife, and scenery await you there. Deadwood is a very interesting looking town (tourist-y and probably expensive, but worth a drive through at the very least).

[Murphsmom]

Don't forget to schedule in a couple of days in Cody WY. It can take that long just for the Buffalo Bill Center, if you inspect every nook and cranny.

Another don't miss is the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs SD, south of Custer State Park, plus the park itself.

Much more, including some fun little wineries in the area around Custer.

Have fun! We were there last year at this time. Take a warm coat. We got almost six inches of snow one night! It melted right off, but sure was unexpected.

[brems]

You are in for a fantastic trip! I'm guessing you are also taking in the Tetons. Lots of great hikes if you are into that sort of thing. Do you have your sites all reserved? I'm also guessing you will take in Custer State Park as well. We did a similar trip a couple of years ago. Let me know what interests you and I can share more.