Summer Trip Suggestions

[jabber]

In less than a month we will be heading north for a 11 day trip. The current plan is to push hard from Houston to South Dakota for Mount Rushmore, then do the Keystone - Hill City train ride, then Deadwood. From there head to Devils Tower, Little Bighorn Battlefield, visit some ghost towns (I got a Montana ghost town map coming) then hit Yellowstone & Grand Teton NPs. From there down to Bryce Canyon & Zion in Utah, then over to Pioche NV for a little elk scouting before heading into Arizona. We plan on hitting the Grand Canyon, Canyon De Chelly, Lower Antelope Canyon, Lee's Ferry and 4 Corners before making it into Colorado to Mesa Verda NP then heading back to the heat of South Texas.

As you can see the items that are on our agenda, is there any suggestions for someplace I should add? We will do some light hiking, no fishing. I plan on taking a ton of pictures.

 

[1_pointer]

When your near Rushmore, I'd make a point to swing through Custer State Park. Fun place to see bison and other wildlife. Nice hotels as well.

Not sure the route you are taking from Grand Teton into UT, but the drive south through Hoback Canyon is a prettier drive IMO than over to Driggs and down through Idaho Falls. Once you get headed south out of Pinedale, it's not much of a hop over to Bear Lake on the ID/UT border. Be sure to get a shake at Lebeaus! From there you can go through Logan Canyon into Logan to catch I15 that will take you towards Bryce. A bit faster route from Bear Lake, but much less scenic, is to take the highway south to Evanston, WY then take I80 into Salt Lake City where you can hit I15. Which ever way, try not to time it during rush hour as the traffic in/around SLC blows.

 

[Sawtooth]

If you want a steak that will rival anything you got in Texas (I know that statement is close to blasphemy), go to the Alpine Inn in Hill City, SD. Also make sure to get a desert as well. There will be a wait to be seated so get your name on the list as soon as you get off the train and then look around town a little. Lunches are good there as well, but they are known for their dinner steaks.

 

[kansasdad]

While in Rushmore region, a stop and tour of Wind Cave is a nice easy plunge below the earths surface.

If you are really doing all that you outlined in your first post, you may want to explore an annual pass and save yourself some $ on entry fees to the national parks. (I think my suggestion of a Wind Cave tour would not be covered by your annual pass)

 

[rlmmatt]

Don't worry you won't be able to see everything on your list already I've spent three days in ynp and still haven't driven all of it. I took ten days last year to do the trip your talking about in reverse starting at yellowstone,gt,Custer national batlefield,devils tower,blackhills,rushmore,crazyhorse,needles, and the badlands. I feel as though I flew through it and barely got out of the car I needed another week at LEAST to due it some justice

 

[grizzly_]

There's a road near Rushmore with all sorts of pigtails and tunnels through the Black Hills that is beautiful that I'd definitely recommend while you're there (I think its called Needles Highway). You can catch glimpses of Rushmore from it as well. I wish I would've skipped Crazy Horse. I thought it was too commercialized, that's just me though. Deadwood is awesome.

Also, if you are spending enough time in the Bryce Canyon area to see Lower Calf Creek Falls and Coyote Gulch (Peek-A-Boo and Spooky slot canyons are the highlights) I think you'll find them worth the short hikes. Here's some pics off Google of the southern Utah stuff I mentioned.

 

[RobG]

Take Beartooth pass to the east entrance of Yellowstone Park near Cooke City.

 

[jabber]

Great suggestions, thank you all.

kansasdad, got an annual pass ordered already.

rlmmatt, that is a concern I have on the time too.

grizzly_ those pictures are exactly what I want to see in person.

1_pointer & RobG thanks for the suggestions, getting into and out of the Yellowstone & Grand Teton have had a little confused on the best route....will give yours a shot.

Keep them coming.

 

[Sawtooth]

If you are going through Cody, Wyoming go to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and the Cody Gun Museum. If you have any interest in firearms or the old west, you could spend three days in these two Museums and not get bored.