Son isn't exactly a planner. Assumed we were done and he was off to his career last year. He starts 10/1 as it turns out. One more trip. After declaring he wanted to travel outside the country, he experssed interst in Yellowstone and Rushmore. Real international, kid. I haven't been to the area since I was about 6. I have to imagine planning this last minute for August or Sept is a nightmare. Yellowstone is HUGE. I figure we have about 6-9 days.
Is it POSSIBLE to say, fly into Jackson Hole maybe. Rent a car. See Geysers and parts of Yellowstone. Then drive to Rushmore? Looks about 8 hours away. And then there's getting back. I am thinking if we can see geysers and some animals in Yellowstone that will be dandy. But I know Jellystone is large and Boo Boo and Yogi don't necessarily hang out in geo-convenient spots for me to drive to Rushmore.
I have never done it but would love to fly into Jackson Hole, drive to Yellowstone. See some bears, geysers, etc. Then drive to Rushmore. My grandpa saw Rushmore being carved on a similar road trip with his kid brother so it sounds fun and similar. If there stuff to break up the trip in between? Like go fro Yellowstone geysers a couple hours and go white water rafting? Drive a couple more hours and see an Indian reservation? Drive a couplle more and stay the night and then maybe ride horses next day? Looking fpr stuff like that as I try not to drive 8 hours to stare at a carving then 8 hours back to Jackson hole.
If anyone has done this or has stops along the way to break it up, that would be most appreciated. I ahve seen something called Devil's Tower. Looks like the mtn in Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind. Probably is. That might work as a stopping point. Wish we could just take the trip one way and then dump the car at rushmore and fly home from there, but I don't see that working.
I just mad a swing through Montana, Wyoming and Utah this past June. Living on the Washington coast and having family and relatives in North Dakota and Minnesota, I have driven that I-90/I-94 more than a few times and didn't want to do it again. I was considering flying into Missoula or Bozeman or Billings and renting a car there but I checked the rental cars and all were over $1000.00 just for my 6 days. I drove (it was a nice relaxing drive) and spent my money elsewhere. Check out flying into SLC.
I can't comment on Yellowstone but we are going in the near future but will take one of those (almost) all inclusive package tours. You just get so much more inforamtion and the best places to go from the Rangers/guides. From SLC, you can hit up Golden Spike (I enjoyed it, don't miss the Ranger presentation when they fire up the locomotives) ), up through Idaho (you can make a diversion to Twin Falls ID where Evil Knievel did the Snake River thing and the bridge on US-93 going into town is where those idiots jump off on their paracutes. That is getting you pretty close to Yellowstone. I then when through Billings and down towards Mt Rushmore and did stop at Big Horn (again, don't miss the Ranger presentation) and swung by Devils Tower (only a 25 mile detour just to say I was there and take a picture) before driving though Sturgis, SD (just because) and staying in Deadwood, SD. Mt Rushmore was as expected but I still liked it anyway. Going back towards SLC through Wyoming was a nice drive and there is an interesting old Territorial Prison in Rawlins, WY. I went around SLC and stopped off at Bear Lake before heading back through cental Oregon and back up to WA.
I got you. Weve done this twice.
Fly into Salt lake city. 4-5 hours to west yellowstone. Stay 2-3 nights as base camp.
Check out firehole river. Best SAFE swimming hole in park. Also went horseback riding up in Gardiner montana. Fun day. I can get name of dude ranch if you want.
Also check out mammoth hotsprings near Gardiner entrance. Also Lamar valley is where wolves/grizzlies are safely seen.
have to hit old faithful. Its a must. Cool old lodge there. Id stay 1-2 nights there.
Go to Yellowstone Lodge. Prob hard to get a reservation.
Then skidaddle south to Jackson Hole. Cody has a nightly rodeo and a few cool Museums. Went white water rafting in Jackson Hole. Fun day. JH is def a two night stay. Some great bars and restaurants and views.
Have to do Rushmore. Your almost there. Keystone City is quaint and worth a day/night IMO.
We flew out of Denver on way back to avoid backtracking.
On way out to Rushmore there is the Battle of Little Bighorn. Devils Tower is a cool stop. Very. As is Sturgis. Spearfish is also a pretty small town.
If I think of anymore Ill let you know....its a great trip. Id do it again in a heartbeat.
Jackson Hole to yellowstone works, but it is a fairly long drive. Ive done the drive in winter, and then went by snow-cat acrosss Yellowstone. Jackson hole in summer has fly fishing, some cool scnery, dog sledding and all the mountain stuff. A couple family members went recently and hired an Orvis guide for fishing; they loved it.
Wife and I are planning similar trip next summer. Flying into Bozeman, going through Yellowstone and Bridger/Tetons, then through Casper to Black hills, then back through Bighorn, then flying back. Don't think I have much of a choice with the Indian reservations, they are everywhere. Gotta roll through slow though and make stern eye contact to remind them who's boss. Don't know about Jackson's hole, but I'm sure someoen on here does. Leave me a sign at one of the lookouts, maybe i'll find it.
Having done many similar trips like this in my life, if you're planning less than six months out, i wish you luck. All the euros visit these areas during August, making it, as you mentioned, a nightmare
Here's a much better idea........ Men's Rugby World Cup is going all over France. Starts September 8th thru late October.....  Does he have a Passport? Fly French Bee airline to Paris.
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/
If its me, I forget Mt. Rushmore. The Black Hills are pretty, but they are not as pretty as the Sierras, and Mt. Rushmore itself is a little underwhelming. You would pass Devil's Tower on the way, but Yellowstone and Grand Tetons are a better trip. There are several segments inside the park , so move around and don't spend the whole time in one spot. FWIW.