Help with Big RV Trip Planning

[doctormdj]

So we are planning a big trip leaving out of Southern California (Orange County) out to Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone and back. I've got it mapped to about 2650 miles and 13 nights to make the journey. I'd love some feedback from anyone who has made a trip like this. Where to stay? What is the best places that we simply must see?

I'm locked on my time to make the trip from Aug 7 and home on the Aug 20. I set the path up to get home on time and not have too long in a driving day as my wife will not take the wheel.

We are driving our 40ft 2011 Berkshire 390BH and pulling a 2012 2 DR Jeep Rubicon. It will be me, my wife, Grandma and our 3 girls ages 4, 6 and 8. I've divided the days up to each stop that give us time to take the Jeep into see something. If we need more or less time and should move the time from one spot to another I'd love your thoughts.


Depart Home 7-Aug
Portal RV Resort - Portal RV Resort, Moab Utah 7-Aug to 9-Aug 2 nights (See Arches NP)
Jellystone of Estes - Estes Park, CO Campground & RV Park - Welcome to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park? of Estes 9-Aug to 11-Aug 2 nights (See Rocky Mtn National Park)
Mt. Rushmore - Mount Rushmore KOA | Camping in South Dakota | KOA Campgrounds 11-Aug to 14-Aug 3 Nights (See Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull)
Grizzly RV Resort - Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park and Cabins 14-Aug to 18 Aug 4 nights (See Yellowstone and Tetoin NP
Thousand Lakes RV Park - Thousand Lakes RV Park, Campground and Cabins - Torrey, Utah - Home 18-Aug to 20-Aug 2 Nights (Drive Hwy12. See Bryce and Capital Reef)
Home by Aug 20

Ok.. These are the RV spots I chose just by googling around and the places we picked out. Any of these good, bad, add this... take away this... be sure to go here? Any help would be great.

Thanks a million!!!!

[Ron_Butler]

doctormdj wrote:
So we are planning a big trip leaving out of Southern California (Orange County) out to Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone and back. I've got it mapped to about 2650 miles and 13 nights to make the journey. I'd love some feedback from anyone who has made a trip like this. Where to stay? What is the best places that we simply must see?

I'm locked on my time to make the trip from Aug 7 and home on the Aug 20. I set the path up to get home on time and not have too long in a driving day as my wife will not take the wheel.

We are driving our 40ft 2011 Berkshire 390BH and pulling a 2012 2 DR Jeep Rubicon. It will be me, my wife, Grandma and our 3 girls ages 4, 6 and 8. I've divided the days up to each stop that give us time to take the Jeep into see something. If we need more or less time and should move the time from one spot to another I'd love your thoughts.


Depart Home 7-Aug
Portal RV Resort - Portal RV Resort, Moab Utah 7-Aug to 9-Aug 2 nights (See Arches NP)
Jellystone of Estes - Estes Park, CO Campground & RV Park - Welcome to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park? of Estes 9-Aug to 11-Aug 2 nights (See Rocky Mtn National Park)
Mt. Rushmore - Mount Rushmore KOA | Camping in South Dakota | KOA Campgrounds 11-Aug to 14-Aug 3 Nights (See Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull)
Grizzly RV Resort - Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park and Cabins 14-Aug to 18 Aug 4 nights (See Yellowstone and Tetoin NP
Thousand Lakes RV Park - Thousand Lakes RV Park, Campground and Cabins - Torrey, Utah - Home 18-Aug to 20-Aug 2 Nights (Drive Hwy12. See Bryce and Capital Reef)
Home by Aug 20

Ok.. These are the RV spots I chose just by googling around and the places we picked out. Any of these good, bad, add this... take away this... be sure to go here? Any help would be great.

Thanks a million!!!!

We have been to all of these places, but not like that!! As already mentioned, you really seem to be attempting to cover a lot of area and attractions. Ask yourself- are you attempting to do that just to check them off a list that says you have "been" there? Or, would you really like to take some time and really enjoy and appreciate the sights your attempting to take in? Also, how much recovery time would you have after getting back home with your schedule? :B

Sounds like you need to stop and reprioritize what is really important for you and your family to take from a trip of this magnitude.

I would drop RMNP, even though we think it is one of our great national parks. You wouldn't even have time to scratch the surface there, especially if you want to get some wildlife sightings.

Your oldest may/should be able to have an appreciation for what Mt. Rushmore represents and what a feat its carving was. It really doesn't take that long if all you want to do is walk in, see it, take a few pictures and then leave. There is a great area at the lower level that explains the entire project that would take more time.

Arches NP can be driven through in a day, with 2 or 3 stops to walk in and get a closer look at them. HOWEVER, that time of year is HOT and there is absolutely NO shade in Arches. The kids may/could have a problem with that, so you would all want to have plenty of water with you.

Bryce Canyon is spectacular, one of all time favorite national parks. I first visited it as a kid and it made a lasting impression on me. When I got back as an adult, it didn't disappoint me/us in the least. It can be covered in one full day from the rim, but would take at least 2. One of the things about our national parks is spending time in the visitors center, seeing the film about the park and letting the kids get involved with the junior ranger programs and activities. That is hard to do in one or two days.

Yellowstone NP - what can I say about one of our national and world wonders? This has so many things and wonders to see, that even your youngest should enjoy it. The wildlife sightings will/should be great and memorable as well. The junior ranger programs will give the kids lots of things to look for and appreciate as well.

My recommendation is to give at least 4-5 days to Yellowstone, several (2) in Bryce and several days for Mt. Rushmore and other attractions in the Black Hills that the kids would enjoy. That would seem to me a more relaxed and enjoyable vacation trip for the entire family over your "endure" proposal!! :B It would also allow you some layover/emergency days as well as time to enjoy the roses and for the kids to run off steam and the extra energy. It would also give you a reason to plan an easier trip to RMNP for the future.

Have lots of memory cards for the cameras. Enjoy your trip, that is what vacations are for!

[WyoTraveler]

I couldn't even follow that schedule. I lived 40 years in Torrance. I used to drive to Cody, WY where we owned a ranch. In my PU I made several trips a year. I drove straight through. Just stopped to sleep 15 or 20 minutes at a time when I was tired. Driving at 70 mph. Took 23 1/2 hours. You will encounter secondary roads in WY with steep grades and winding roads. Slow going in many areas. Driving at night, or even in the day if you are not alert you can hit a deer on the road which will ruin a great trip in any vehicle. When driving my MH and being practical I leave the Cody area and my first stop is at Little America on I-80. (just west of Rock Springs) Long tiring trip first day. Second day at Nephi Utah where I stay at the pilot truck stop. third day I get to vegas and forth day Los Angeles in the Long Beach area. That is a destination not a sight seeing vacation.

I drive from Cody to Devils Tower in two days. One more day to Mount Rushmore. I wouldn't plan on more than 300 miles a day. I realize there is a lot to see in this country but you can't possibly see it all on one vacation. If I were planning a vacation like this I would be driving a little rice rocket and staying in motels. That way all can drive and you could cover a lot of miles.

[Michael_in_MN]

That first day sounds like a stretch with an RV and kids. RV's don't cruise at 80mph like cars do, so the mapping web sites will underestimate your drive time by quite a bit. I'd estimate that door-to-door on that leg would be 14-15 hours.

I'd break that in half and skip RMNP per 2gypsies suggestion. The Tetons have snow too 🙂 If you can't do that, then to get 725 mi in one day, I'd break it up into two legs with a 4am start, a couple hours rest mid-day, and a late arrival. Figure a 4am launch time with an arrival in Moab late evening.

You can do Rushmore, Crazy Horse & a few other sites in the hills in a day - easily. That might free up a night for some place else. The National Park cave tours in the southern hills are great. Jewel Cave was wonderful when I was there a few decades ago.

Sounds like an adventure.

[DesertHawk]

Wow! Long Trip - Short Time Frame.

Checking Google Maps, by going to Moab & RMNP first & second, really puts a large loop to the east by going to West Yellowstone after RMNP.

I'd say dead head to West Yellowstone right out of the starting gate. Maybe do a drive over to Bryce & Zion (could stay near Bryce, do Zion as a day trip by swing up via Cedar Breaks National Monument). Or just find an overnight site & head straight to West Yellowstone. Spend as much time at Yellowstone as possible.

Seeing the Tetons from West Yellowstone will take a lot of driving, just to get there. But doable, one could at least see a few of the high spots (pun intended) with a long day (early start & late finish).

If wanting to do the Black Hills/Rushmore, a somewhat straight shot to east. Likewise a somewhat straight shot south & a little west to get from Rushmore area to Estes Park.

Drop down south from Estes Park to I-70 W to Moab. Then a little (slight) Zig Zagging over to Capital Reef & to Bryce. After visiting Bryce years ago, we went to the cooler area by Panguitch Lake, then did a day trip to Zion from there via Cedar Breaks NM.

Then I-15 back to Orange County.

Leaves time to adjust if wanting to stay longer in Yellowstone or Wherever. Without the unsightly loop bulge in the start, no rapid to the east, then back to the west, then on to the east.

Post Edit:
Places to Overnight CA/UT Border Area. Note: Cherry Creek would not be wise with your rig, too small of sites. We stopped at a Walmart in Springville before going up to Cherry Creek, the folks at Wally World said people do overnight there. Large parking lot. It is listed as one which does allow overnighting Allstays: Walmat - Utah If yellow W ok to overnight.:

Walmart Supercenter
660 S 1750 W, Springville UT
801-489-6293

Using Santa Ana as a starting point, Orange County to Cedar City, UT is 436 mi, 6 hours 27 mins.

Orange County to Provo is 643 mi, 9 hours 25 mins. Utah Lake State Park is near Provo.

Here's a Recent Post on Yellowstone & Wyoming Sites & Sights, maybe something in it will be of help.

For the Tetons, you might consider leaving West Yellowstone via the National Park drive US 191/287 to the Moran area in the Tetons. Colter Bay RV Park has full hookup, I believe. Then leave the Tetons at Moran Junction via US 26 to Casper. Then swing over to Custer, SD. If wanting to see more of the Tetons.

What I have on the Black Hills Area of SD.

Never been to this one, but many people give it rave reviews: Rafter J Bar Ranch Resort - Hill City.

http://www.rafterj.com/

Many RV parks in & around Custer as well. RV Park Reviews Custer, SD

We have only stayed in the State Park campgrounds & at a Nat'l Forest CG.

There is also a private Horse Thief RV Resort which is also close to Hill City.
http://www.horsethief.com/

Don't forget the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Aug 5-11. A heavy use time in the BlackHills. Might be over depending when you get there.

We really enjoyed the Glass Blowing Studio between Hill City & Keystone. Black Hills GlassBlowers - Keystone
We saw someone waving at a glass blowing shop when riding the Hill City Tain; we went back to see it, a neat place, friendly people.

Deadwood is northwest of Custer.....lot of History happened there, but is more of a Gaming Center now if into gambling. We stopped once years ago, when out kids were young; I wanted to see where Wild Bill Hickok was killed. We did go to a melodrama while there, but mainly just walk around some. It was just starting to become a gaming center at that time. Not stopped since.

[MarkTwain]

Sounds like a real adventure! Just another perspective: typically most RVers will drive about 400 miles per day and then find a RV park to rest for the night. Yes one can drive 700 miles in one day but you will pay the price physically and start the next day still tired. Driving an RV on a long trip like you have planned can have a culumative physical strain on the body and enjoyment. For grins, use the 400 number and route your trip to help you get a more realistic picture of your trip. In addition, having 2 youngsters can add additional considerations as children tend not to handle long periods of confinment. Be well and enjoy a great trip. Personally, I would not miss Bryce Canyon or the north side of the Grand Canyon

[2gypsies1]

I think it would be best to drop Rocky Mtn. N.P. With your 3 young children (& grandma) that's just too much hard driving. The Tetons will give you the same snowcapped mountain experience as Rocky Mtn. and in our opinion, much prettier since Rocky has a lot of forest beetle kill. Personally, I would also eliminate Mt. Rushmore area but that's just us.

Concentrate on the Utah parks and Yellowstone and don't forget Grand Teton Nat'l Park. Utah will be hot so plan any walking early morning and get on those wonderful Jeep trails in the afternoon or early evening.

Teton N.P. - try to get into Colter Bay RV park - a very scenic area. The town of Jackson's parks are parking lots. Everyone would enjoy the gentle raft trip down the Snake River within the park and you might even see moose in the water with you! There are plenty of easy beautiful short hikes that the girls could do. Also you could take the Gondola ski lift ride which the girls would love. Jackson has a nice rodeo and shops. Also, just south of Jackson on your way in will be 2 major groceries for stocking up before the Tetons and Yellowstone. (No big groceries there) Also a laundry and liquor store in the same place (Smith's on the west side of hwy). Albertson's is on the right.)

Since your wife won't drive - she really should learn 🙂 - you'll have long driving days ahead of you and you'll be exhausted. The kids will get antsy. If you have limited days it's best not to cram them full. Vacations are for relaxing, too! Have fun. . . and get on those reservations now.

[kknowlton]

I definitely approve of the choice of Grizzly RV for a rig your size. If you don't yet have reservations, get them NOW!! (Yesterday would be even better.) August is still high season for YNP. 4 nights there is good; that gives you 3 full days to see Yellowstone AND the Tetons, which are right next door. You'll wish you had more time, but for hitting the highlights, three days is good.

Mt. Rushmore itself is worth an hour or so, but there are tons of good things to do in the Black Hills; we once spent a week there and could have spent longer. As with Yellowstone, reservations are a must and you should already have them. Your schedule has you arriving a little after the big Sturgis motorcycle event, I think, but not much, so CGs may be very full during those dates. Your timeframe is probably not extendable, so you may have to decide to go again sometime. I think I wouldn't shave off more than 1 day from the Black Hills at most. Personally, I'd skip RMNP and allow yourself more time to get to Yellowstone & the Black Hills, and to spend time in the places you have as the main goals for this trip. You could break up that 11-hour drive the first day and not be exhausted when you finally get to the "main attractions."

Good alternate choice for the Black Hills if the KOA is full: Rafter J Bar Ranch CG. Great place, but also very popular.

Good luck!

[LindaAnn]

Just a couple of comments:

1. We have stayed at the Mt Rushmore KOA--There's a lot to do at that RV park and I think the whole family will enjoy. Plus it's just a short drive to Mt Rushmore. While there, the children (and adults) might enjoy Bear Country USA a few miles away--a drive-thru park with lots of bears, wolves, elk and at the end a zoo of baby animals.

2. We have stayed in Moab at a different RV park, but loved the area..Arches is beautiful. Just south of town is a fun place called Hole in the Rock that the children might enjoy.

3. We also stayed at Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone. If you only have a few days at Yellowstone, I would recommend getting a map beforehand or as soon as you get there--West Yellowstone has a great visitor center with Rangers who are very helpful. You can drive the two different loops on two different days. Old Faithful erupts every 79 minutes or so and is worth the stop.

On one hand, 13 nights is not a long time to see everything, but you sound like someone who has planned to see what you want to see in a few days--sometimes it's good to do that and then you'll know what you want to go back and see when you have more time!

Have a great trip!

[agesilaus]

Well I've been to both. I didn't think much of Rushmore to tell you the truth. It's a big parking lot and a trail. There are lots of other things to do in the area but Rushmore is a half day in our book. But Wind Caverns is worth a day as is Badlands NP. Custer SP is in the area and there is also Wall Drugs (heh).

RMNP you could spend a week in easily and Yellowstone a month.

[doctormdj]

agesilaus wrote:
Day one 725 miles? Assuming you are coming from LA. That's a long drive, I guess you may have three drivers tho. But you'll lose an hour because of time zones and get there late and tired. That really will give you one day at Arches, just enough for a drive thru. If you want to do some back road driving then that is one of the best areas in the country for it with Canyonlands right there.

The same for RMNP, you will only have one day there really. And you aren't going to visit Bryce from Torrey, it's a long drive. That is another prime off road area with the Burr Trail and other trails in the area. We spent a week at Torrey last year and 8 days at Escalante.

I think you are biting off too much. I'd drop Rushmore and RMNP and concentrate on Utah and Yellowstone/Tetons.

BK

Good thoughts. Yes, the first day is 11 hours of driving heading straight through. I wonder if we should take a day away from Rushmore and add it to Bryce or kill RMNP and make it an overnight stop over only... giving us an extra day in Bryce and an extra day Arches. We've been to Zion earlier this year... Beautiful. Don't want to kill ourselves... but then again.. coming out of LA... our goal is Rushmore and Yellowstone. Those are the 2 big ones but we are passing through Utah so wanted to add it to the mix. Not sure how many days we need to really enjoy it. I wonder is Rushmore needs 1, 2 or 3 days. It's the highlight for us to see.

[agesilaus]

Day one 725 miles? Assuming you are coming from LA. That's a long drive, I guess you may have three drivers tho. But you'll lose an hour because of time zones and get there late and tired. That really will give you one day at Arches, just enough for a drive thru. If you want to do some back road driving then that is one of the best areas in the country for it with Canyonlands right there.

The same for RMNP, you will only have one day there really. And you aren't going to visit Bryce from Torrey, it's a long drive. That is another prime off road area with the Burr Trail and other trails in the area. We spent a week at Torrey last year and 8 days at Escalante.

I think you are biting off too much. I'd drop Rushmore and RMNP and concentrate on Utah and Yellowstone/Tetons.

BK