trip destinations thoughts?

Last summer, we went to Butte, Mt. then some caves, Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Jewel Caves, Rapid City, Cody, Wy. Yellowstone, Little Bighorn, and Grand Tetons. We took over three weeks for these places and really didn't see it all. One of the posters wrote to take your time, see some of the things, and return---good advice if you can do it. I know if you're working, it sucks, but do take time to enjoy, otherwise, when you get back home, you'll realize that you just went--but didn't enjoy.

Please see my revised list below. I have taken the advice of many and slowed it down a bit...why not "smell the flowers" on the trip. I'm looking for a balance, not too fast, but not too slow also. I'm thinking about building a few days in that I can pick up along the trip just in case we get stuck as we approach the parks that we make reservations at and we can always extend a day or so at one of out stops.



Great Lakes Region
1. Bay City State Recreation Area, MI on Lake Huron-20/23 per night (1 night, 13 hour drive)
• http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?type=SPRK&id=437 (20/23 night)

2. Cherry Orchards Drive / Mackinaw City, MI (2 nights, 7.5 hour drive)
• http://www.teepeecampground.com/index.html (35 per night)

• Near the lighthouse, there was a sign proudly displaying the fact that you are standing on the 45th parallel, exactly halfway between the Equator and the North Pole.

• catch the ferry to Mackinac Island (one of Michigan's most popular state parks)-good for bike ride

• Have a Pastie in MC; a local specialty


3. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, WI
• http://www.apostleislandsareacampground.com/ (40 per night, 2 night min, full hook, five hours)

4. Country Campground in Detroit Lakes, MN.
• http://www.countrycampground.org/ (35 full hook, 2 nights, washer/dryers/, 288 miles from Apostle Islands)


5. Bismark/Mandan ND at the Fort Lincoln State Park
• http://www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/falsp/falsp.html (2 nights, 254 miles from Detroit Lakes,$25 night, daily car fee$5)
• several Lewis and Clark sites to visit within easy driving. It would be 254 miles from Detroit Lakes.


6. Theodore Roosevelt National Park (one/two nights, 2 hour drive/135 miles )
• http://www.theodore.roosevelt.national-park.com/camping.htm
campgrounds in Theodore National Park. Camping is on a first-come, first-served basis
Do not forget to tour Roosevelt's cabin
http://www.medorand.com/attractions/?50 …..must see Medora musical
hike the loop trail through the Painted Canyon, Medora Cute town


7. Big Timber, MT to stay at the Spring Creek RV park (365 miles,2 nights, full $40, washer/dryer, spring-fed trout ponds stocked with Rainbow Trout)
• http://www.springcreekcampground.com/springcreekcampground_005.htm


8. Glacier National- Park (6 nights, 395 to the WESTERN Glacier Park area--less to the EASTERN )
• http://www.travelsavvymom.com/blog/family-travel/visiting-glacier-national-park-with-kids/
• sun road, logan pass, boat cruise, red bus tour, St Mary’s visitor center,



9. BearTooth Highway (1 night)
10. Yellowstone National Park (8 nights, reservation required)
11. Grand Teton National Park (2 nights)

Mount Rushmore
http://www.rafterj.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&Itemid=13
Black Hills sightseeing, minutes away from Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State park and the 1880 Train Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

Here is something I should have pointed out in my earlier suggestion:

At Spring Creek RV and Trout Ranch in Big Timber, MT you are only 95 miles north of Yellowstone. This allows for the possibility of going to Yellowstone before going on up to Glacier. It would be about 385 miles on up to East Glacier from Yellowstone.

There are many good possibilities. I'm sure you will have a great trip.

I will look at the suggestions and make needed adjustments. If needed, I can go a bit over the five weeks to make a slower trip. Yellowstone and Glacier is a must for me and focus of the trip. I also don't want to be tired, but rather more relaxed on the trip. I will post an updated plan shortly...all advice is welcomed. Thanks Dan

mcguirehg wrote:
Mount Rushmore will be on our way back east...will look at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

If you are coming down I-90 from Montana to the Black Hills you can't miss the Battle Field as it is right along the road. No deter needed.

I think you want to slow down on your way out of Michigan.
Take a day at the Soo to see the locks and the museum and the history walk. There are two very nice campgrounds on the river. There is a lot to see and do before you get to Duluth. I just don't have time to write about it all just now.

Matt

OK, you are just looking at possible alternatives, so I will give you another to think about. I will just start at you Apostle's Island stop.

You may have a very good reason to stopover at Jamestown, ND, but on a trip east from T. Roosevelt we enjoyed staying at Country Campground in Detroit Lakes, MN. We would definitely go back there. It would be 288 miles from your Apostle's Island stop.

We spent a delightful couple of nights and days at Bismark/Mandan ND at the Fort Lincoln State Park. There are several Lewis and Clark sites to visit within easy driving. It would be 254 miles from Detroit Lakes.

It would then be an easy 135 mile trip to Medora and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This short drive would allow you an extra afternoon in the park so you might not stay as long.

You need a stop between R. Roosevelt and Glacier. Our choice was to drop down to Big Timber, MT to stay at the Spring Creek RV park--right on the river. Very nice place for one or two nights. This would be 365 miles from Roosevelt.

From Big Timber it wouild be about 395 to the WESTERN Glacier Park area--less to the EASTERN. We stayed on the West at Hungry Horse at the Mountain Meadow RV Park. Definitely would go back there.

OK, these are just ideas. I enjoy the trip planning almost as much as making the trip, so I always like to see some of the alternatives.

Will you have time to visit Mackinac Island while in Mackinaw City? Have a Pastie in MC; a local specialty.
Recommend staying at the Municipal campground in Medora because it has a pool. Take the Ranger tour that discusses why the Prairie Dogs and Bison get along so well together. Drive around a look for the wild horses.
In Glacier hope you are up to doing some hiking. Much better to get to know the area than just driving along the GTTSR. We were there one August and someone had built a small snow man along the trail. Good boots and hiking sticks are a plus.

We spent 2 nights at Theodore Roosevelt. We got there early afternoon the 1st day & set up then went back to Medora for bit. Cute town. The 2nd day, we did the loop then watched the buffalo herd move through our camp. Talk about up close and personal!

Devil's Tower is worth a stop after Rushmore.

We spent 3 nights at Buffalo Bill State Park outside of Cody and from there did a day trip to Red Lodge, MT and the Beartooth/St. Joseph Highway loop. Spectacular! Great museum in Cody plus the Irma Hotel too.

We spent 4 nights at Red Cliff CG between W. Yellowstone & Bozeman which we enjoyed. DH fishes and the Gallatin River is right there. Bozeman has a good museum too.

There is just so much to see & do. It will be very difficult to see & do it all in 5 weeks. (That's how long we were gone.) We're tossing around going back that way this coming year!

As you go across the UP of MI you should look for waterfalls along the road or very close. Most will have RV parking nearby. If lighthouses viewing is one of your desires then many Great Lake lighthouses can be climbed as well.