I'm planning our big trip through the northern plains to Yellowstone.Normally this is no big deal for me since we usually don't make reservations, and just go with the flow. However, since we must have reservations for Yellowstone, it isn't possible on this trip.We plan on visiting several national and state parks before getting to Yellowstone. I'd like to have some idea how much time to allow for each of these places.We will be leaving from Omaha Nebraska on the 5th of May next year. We plan on stopping at Badlands National Park, Hot Springs, SD, Custer State Park (including both Mt Rushmore & Crazy Horse Memorial), and maybe an overnighter at Deadwood. Then we'll stop at Little Bighorn National Battlefield Monument in Montana. After leaving Little Bighorn, we'll stop in Cody, Wyoming before heading into Yellowstone. We plan on staying at Fishing Bridge while there.I'm thinking up to 4 days in Yellowstone, and a day or two in Grand Tetons.One thing to keep in mind. We will not be doing a lot of hiking. Easy trails we can do if they aren't extra long. Medium to hard trails we will not do at all.Long story short, I'm trying to get a feel of how long to allow between the first weekend in May in Omaha and arranging reservations at Yellowstone.

When you leave Mt Rushmore parking lot, turn to the right, and go about 1/4 mile to the small parking lot, where you can get a side shot of Washington. Also there are four tunnels on highway 16 between Custer and Mt. Rushmore. I was able to pick them out from the Mt Rushmore top floor of the parking lot, because there are rows of 'missing trees' cut down so that you can see the monument from the tunnels, and also it was early morning, with sunshine behind the mountains streaming through the tunnels. Take pictures from tunnel 2 and 3, the others are very crowded as people see them first, and guess it is the only tunnel that they can take a picture of the monument through the center of the tunnel!Fred.

Depends on how many hours a day you like to drive among other factors but my plan would be: Day 1 - drive to Badlands NP vicinity Day 2 - tour Badlands and Wall Drug, drive to Hot Springs Day 3 - tour Hot Springs(Mammoth Site?) and move to Custer SP Day 4 - Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Deadwood Day 5 - Drive to MT and tour Little Bighorn Day 6 - To Cody and Buffalo Bill Museum Day 7 - YellowstoneThis would be our itinerary but we have no reason to be in a hurry and do not get up and get going very fast and we like to be in camp by 4 pm. You may wish to travel differently. Also keep in mind you could run into snow anywhere along the route and although it would likely only last until the sun came out it could cause delays. The timetable above would probably allow for that.

I would allow one day in the Tetons and add an extra day to Yellowstone. Also in May the roads in Yellowstone may not all be open yet. Middle of June was when we heard they all opened and we were there in middle to late June and some roads were still closed when we got there but opened before we left. Also there was lots of construction starting.

We just returned from a trip to the Black Hills, didn't have near enough time to see the sights we wanted to see. We did spend time at Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park. For me, Custer SP is a full day to enjoy all the sights there, including the Wildlife Loop. Minimal hiking required and while we were there, we got to see hundreds of Buffalo up close and personal....literally! There were several hundred of them on the roadway in one section and would come up to the cars driving through, without any fear (on their part!) The motorcycle tourists behind us? Not so sure!!! The Black Hills have very distinct regions, the southern part around Hot Springs and Wind Cave NP, the middle part around Custer/Hill City/Keystone area, and then the northern part around Lead/Deadwood/Sturgis area. Each has it's own unique things to see and do while in those areas, so look to determine what area you'd prefer and make plans accordingly.

Yellowstone park roads don't usually open until mid or late May. A couple years ago, we went out there the last week of May and it was still snowing in the park with lots of snow on the side of the road... not real good for hiking, I think.It will be some better down in the Teton area. The Black Hills should be ok in all of May. Cody should be ok and there should be some good hiking around that side of the Rockies.

Question on the Black Hills area of SD. | Good Sam Community

Teach2332
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
OK I'm getting ready to take this trip as well, I'll be going from Rochester NY on 90/80. Stopping in Sandusky OH, Davenport IA, Sioux IA, Rafter J Bar Ranch Campground in Hill City SD, then to Cody. My Main concern is Tunnels, I found out recently I have an issue driving a 36ft Class A thru these long tunnels. I hear that there is the one between Cody and Yellowstone. Where else might I run into Tunnels?
rolling_rhoda
Explorer
Jul 31, 2014
If you have the luxury of time, I suggest going from Deadwood to Devil's Tower in WY to Sheridan, then up to Little Bighorn Battlefield. It adds about 100 miles and and hour of drive time, but you get to see two great sites: Devils Tower(the first national monument) and Trail End State Historic Site.

Devils Tower is a very interesting piece of geology and Native American culture. It has a nice paved trail around its base.

Trail End is the mansion of a cowboy who became a cattle baron and Senator. Beautiful home with very interesting stories - take the tour.
ChiMom
Explorer
Jul 31, 2014
Our first big trip after retirement was to Yellowstone. We spent 6 weeks and loved every minute of it. If you've never been to that area before, please leave yourself time to explore and time to just sit at the campsite and enjoy. The Black Hills are fabulous and Custer State Park is a good base. Plan on 3-4 nights in that area. We went later in the summer. Our friends went to Yellowstone in June and weathered a snowfall or two while there. It takes ALOT of driving to see Yellowstone, so give yourself plenty of time to see things and time to hang out. Have fun planning!
TyroneandGladys
Explorer
Jul 31, 2014
Corky12 wrote:
Depends on how many hours a day you like to drive among other factors but my plan would be: Day 1 - drive to Badlands NP vicinity
Day 2 - tour Badlands and Wall Drug, drive to Hot Springs
Day 3 - tour Hot Springs(Mammoth Site?) and move to Custer SP
Day 4 - Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Deadwood
Day 5 - Drive to MT and tour Little Bighorn
Day 6 - To Cody and Buffalo Bill Museum
Day 7 - Yellowstone
This would be our itinerary but we have no reason to be in a hurry and do not get up and get going very fast and we like to be in camp by 4 pm. You may wish to travel differently. Also keep in mind you could run into snow anywhere along the route and although it would likely only last until the sun came out it could cause delays. The timetable above would probably allow for that.
X2 and add Devils Tower
dieseltruckdriv
Explorer II
Jul 31, 2014
Keep one thing in mind, we were getting snow here in Lead until the middle of May this year. It was a little later than normal, but not uncommon.

Also, that time of year, you may not be able to get into Yellowstone from Cody, again, depending on the weather.
DrTanTodd
Explorer II
Jul 31, 2014
I would allow plenty of time for all those sites. That will be prime tourist season in the area. If you are going to Deadwood you will want to check out Spearfish Canyon. There is also the 1880 Train in Hill City. I could go on and on and on about the sites there.

I am from South Dakota and can give you lots of great sites / eating areas etc if you would like them. Many that most people have no clue about. We head out that way every Aug / September for two weeks.

Feel free to PM me here.
WE-C-USA
Explorer
Jul 31, 2014
That time of year, I'd take it slow.
2-3 nights in the Badlands-Wall Drug & Missile tour.
1-2 nights in Hot Springs.
3-4-5 nights in Custer - Rushmore, Wind Cave, Custer SP, Needles Highway, etc.
1-2 nights in Deadwood, depending on how much you like to gamble.
The trip from Deadwood thru Spearfish Canyon to Devils Tower is worth another overnight stay there.
You'll need to allow at least 6-7 hours at the Battlefield, so plan on somewhere close.
At least 2 nights in Cody.
Even at this schedule it puts you in Yellowstone somewhere around May 20-21.
NiasWagn
Explorer
Jul 30, 2014
We made that trip a few years ago. We took HWY 2 (that's a unique drive) across Nebraska and then spent the night in Cody. I had to fix a flat at the KOA there. Then we drove North and eventually made it up in Yellowstone. It was a fun trip and I hope to do it again soon. It sounds like you're doing the same trip we did except backwards. I also enjoyed Cody. They have some pretty strange caves there which were easy walking. We spent about 3 or 4 days in Yellowstone and visited Grand Teton on the way up for a day. I also thought the Chief Joseph HWY was amazing (on the bike). Devils Tower was fun to see too. We stayed at Grant in Yellowstone but visited Fishing Bridge. Make sure you wave when passing through town here! :)
bgum
Explorer
Jul 30, 2014
I would not and did not make reservations. We started out about the same time as you plan and stayed at Fishing Bridge with no res. You plan on leaving 5/2/15 and that would put you at FB about 7-10 days later. Have a good trip.
TexasShadow
Explorer II
Jul 30, 2014
Yellowstone park roads don't usually open until mid or late May. A couple years ago, we went out there the last week of May and it was still snowing in the park with lots of snow on the side of the road... not real good for hiking, I think.
It will be some better down in the Teton area. The Black Hills should be ok in all of May. Cody should be ok and there should be some good hiking around that side of the Rockies.