Yellowstone, Badlands, Mt Rushmore? From Cincinnati

[acritzer]

Any suggestions, advice, or experience with the suggested trip? We really want to head west early this summer. Never been that direction before. Only thing I've heard is that getting into Yellowstone from the East is "rough"?

We'll be towing a 29 foot TT.

[coolmom42]

Go early, before it gets nasty hot in South Dakota and super crowded in Yellowstone.

All the entrances to Yellowstone are easy except US 212, Beartooth Highway. If you look at a map it's obvious why that's a problem. Only a crazy person would tow a TT across Beartooth Pass.

The entrances from Gardiner, Cody, and Jackson are easy drives.

Don't waste your time at Wall Drug. It's a glorified junk store. Do take time to visit the Minuteman Missile site nearby.

Stay inside the park at Yellowstone if possible. You will spend a lot of time driving, but staying outside the park will make it worse.

[rbtglove]

We lived in Rapid city for a few years. There is a lot to see and do in that area. Biggest storm we ever had was in late April. You'll probably want to stop at the Corn Palace in Mitchell nothing like it and also Wall drug near the Blakhills also worth a stop they both have RV parking. Badlands, a lot of people drive through and don't spend to much time there. Rushmore has RV parking and can be seen in a day, Crazy Horse is also a must see and the Buffalo heard is interesting. Not a fan of Deadwood kind of ruined by the casinos just a big touristy place but worth a stop. There is no easy way to get to Yellowstone really a long steep climb. We like the Tetons better than Yellowstone, less people and just as impressive. Jackson Hole is a touristy place to visit. You won't have any problem finding things to see and do.

[acritzer]

Ok. So no super crazy mountain climbs?

[agesilaus]

acritzer wrote:
Any suggestions, advice, or experience with the suggested trip? We really want to head west early this summer. Never been that direction before. Only thing I've heard is that getting into Yellowstone from the East is "rough"?

We'll be towing a 29 foot TT.

That's not the case, the hwy from Cody WY, US Hwy 20 is fine. The NE entrance, the Beartooth Hwy, can be a problem since there are a lot of switchbacks on that road. Beartooth