south dakota is a must badlands mt rushmore rushmore caves also on way back go through north dakota to see medora it will be the best show you will see and the location is awesome it is a outside theater cut out in the side of a hill great camping also
A nice side trip off I-80 in eastern Iowa, if you go that way, would be the Amana Colonies.
If you like antique dolls, there's the Enchanted World Doll Museum across the street from the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD.
People laugh at Wall Drug in Wall, SD, but I think it's worth the stop. Heck, it's free if you want it to be, and if you like souvenir shopping, it's hard to beat.
Custer State Park in the Southern Hills has a nice assortment of wildlife; just take the wildlife loop in the early morning or late afternoon. For wildlife viewing, Yellowstone NP is about the only thing better. Jewel Cave or Wind Cave in the Hills is also a good stop.
1. Corn Palace-Mitchell SD & Wall Drug - pure Americana schlock, but can both be seen in an hour or 2 each, and ech is right off of I-90.
2. Black Hills SD - Mt. Rushmore, Chief Crazy Horse Monument, Custer SP & Needles Hiway (don't take RV on Needles!) & maybe Deadwood City, but was disappointed in that. Great Wild Bill Hickok bronze statute however and he is buried there in "boot hill"! Lots of other touristy things there, would depend upon your time.
3. If you have time, drive through the canyon from Spearfish - sorry I can't remember the name of it.
4. Devil's Tower (Close Encounters of the 3rd. Kind) in the northeast corner of Wyoming. Heading west on I- 90 just into Wyoming take the 14 loop north & west around to Devil's Tower. You'll go through some of the most beautiful rolling ranch country you will see as well as Hulett, a true western working town. You'll expect to see John Wayne come riding over the hills driving the "little doggies" to market!
Several of those drives in the Black Hills can be done in a day. Count on at least a day for Mt. Rushmore and Chief Crazyhorse.
If you take 14/16 into the east entrance of Yellowstone, you'll go through Cody. Take time to take in the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum.
Oh, watch your timing so you don't hit Sturgis during bike week in Aug. For about 3 weeks, you won't get within 90 miles of that area to stay!! Forgot what your time frame was.
Enjoy your trip.
Ron & Carolyn
Sadie the Irish Terrier
Happy the Lakeland Terrier
From sailing yacht to land yacht
KE7BZC
M/V Lothlorien GO HUSKIES
Here are some of our favorite stops along I-90 in South Dakota...
-If you wanted to spend some time in Sioux Falls, SD there is quite a lot to see and do there. There is a zoo, a butterfly house & garden, a big mall, a WWII Memorial, and I'm sure lots I'm forgetting about. There is a Cracker Barrel restaurant if you like those.
-The Corn Palace in Mitchell is worth a stop for a half hour or so, it's interesting to see how they decorate it with ears of corn, and it smells like caramel corn inside Also in Mitchell is a big WalMart and Cabela's and tons of restaurants. There are also a few nice antique stores not too far from the Corn Palace, in the old downtown area.
-The Lewis and Clark Visitors Center near Chamberlain-Oacoma is a great SD visitors center, with absolutely beautiful views of the Missouri River and "West River" South Dakota.
-Al's Oasis near Chamberlain-Oacoma is a great stop for gas, groceries, gifts, and a meal in their restaurant. Nothing fancy, but good pie and great coffee. Great people watching, as all the ranchers and cowboys and local folks come there to eat. At that same exit there is a great antique store if you like antiquing.
-1880 Town is one place we've always meant to get to but haven't yet. All authentic buildings were moved there and made into a town showing how they lived back then. You can see it right off the interstate so there's no missing it if you do want to stop.
-At Interior we like to stop at the Ranch Store, a teeny little gift store, but the fun thing is that you can buy some peanuts and feed their colony of prairie dogs. They come right up to you and take the peanut from your hand.
-As you're passing Badlands National Park it's easy to get off the interstate and take the park's Loop Road that goes past some of the nicest scenery/features in the park. Our stop at the Ben Riefel Visitor Center was really interesting. You can follow the loop road all the way back to Wall and the interstate.
-Of course it goes without saying WALL DRUG... after seeing hundreds of billboards you almost have to stop They have very good donuts and coffee, and a great restaurant too. And all of the souvenirs you could ever want. I have noticed that they do have very good prices on jewelry, especially Black Hills Gold, so if you're interested in that you might save money buying there.
That will take you to the Black Hills, about an hour further west of Wall. There is so much to see and do there. If you're planning on spending some time there, do a search here or post again and you'll get lots of great advice. Have a great trip!
Goodness - looks like we could spend all our time in SD before we even get to YNP! Going to have to really sit down and plan.
Sturgis should not be a problem - going end of Aug or maybe even after Labor Day. Will know better at end of next week.
Is the Cabelas in SD or NE? I have read both. Which one to stop at for an overnite?
Thank you all for the great info! These boards are amazing.
Ann
As you can see, you could easily spend your entire trip either in the Black Hills or YNP/GTNP and not be bored. Or you can make this a "survey" trip, hit everything briefly and take notes of where you'd like to return. I've spent 8 weeks in YNP/GTNP and 5 weeks in the Black Hills in the last three years and I will return again.
Cabela's in Sidney, NE is the only one with a real RV park, but most if not all of the others around the country have an overnight parking area ala WalMart.
Ahhhh I forgot Pioneer Auto Show in Murdo, SD... collections of antique cars, tractors, and a whole bunch of other stuff too. It's a fun stop for an hour or two!
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Also in Mitchell is a big WalMart and Cabela's and tons of restaurants. There are also a few nice antique stores not too far from the Corn Palace, in the old downtown area.
