That is the question...... This is our BIG "Out West" trip and I only planned on one LONG day to get from Mt. Rushmore to the Tetons. Mapquest tells me it's 470 miles. That will leave us 4 full days in the Tetons before we go to Yellostone. Honestly, I never took the terrain into consideration when I planned the trip..oops...
Big truck...Big camper...Kids are 9, 11 and 13.
If you guy's DON'T think we can do it safely...where should we stay for the night ?
Thank's a bunch.
Steve B. & Family
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We don't even attempt 470 miles of interstate highway, much less 470 miles of mostly 2-lane roads & mountains. Not impossible, but I don't recommend it. Depends which route you are planning to take. More information may be needed. If you're going south around the Bighorns (i.e. on Rtes 287/220 across Wyoming, or something similar) there is a whole lot of NOTHING along most of the way there - no rest areas, not even places to pull off the highway for much of that route (at least it was that way when we drove it, some years back). If you are crossing the Bighorns (use US 16, NOT US 14 or - heaven forbid, US 14A) then there are some CGs east of the Bighorns, in Buffalo, or west of it, in Graybull and probably a few other small towns. Lander & Riverton have CGs that get good ratings, at least in Trailer Life. Those will still be long enough drives. Good luck!
It took us about 8 hours from Mt. Rushmore to Cody then we did a drive by of Grand Tetons in 32' MH. We did two lane through Custer NP and the NF after leaving Custard until we got to 1-90. It is a long haul from Jackson to Cody through YS.
It was after Labor Day so we were racing south before the snow which came a couple days after we left.
12 hours is about my limit so 600 miles is about it for me. Left Dallas about 6 and got to KY about 7 but it is easier to keep going when you can smell home.
Since you're going to Yellowstone from the Tetons, you may not necessarily need 4 full days in the Tetons. Yes, there's plenty to do there, but 3 full days there should be pretty satisfying. Depending where you are staying in the Tetons, you'll still get another look at them as you head north into Yellowstone.
Make a stop in between the Black Hills & Jackson. The most direct route will probably be via Buffalo and the Bighorn Mts. Buffalo has a lot of good campground options, or you could look for campsites in/near Thermopolis, Worland or Riverton (along US 20 & 26). If you're staying in the south end of the Black Hills (i.e. Hot Springs) you could consider heading south to Casper and over toward Jackson via Rtes 220 & 287 (but be sure you have a full tank of gas and have made any pit stops you need before you get past Casper!) If you're actually staying in Rapid City, then I'd recommend taking the interstate to Casper & go west from there.
Route 16, two days, if I remember correctly, Cody is a good stop over. Don't try it in one day. You don't need four days in the Tetons. I love the Tetons more than Yellowstone--but not much to do for kids. Spend a couple days and the rest in Yellowstone.
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Four days in the Tetons ? ? ?. Boy. We've sure been missing something for the last 35 years. Never done more than a day there. Basically just a drive by on 191 and maybe do the loop back around Jenny lake. Perhaps a quick look inside the visitors center. Maybe check out the Snake River overlooks. Guess we better get out the guide book for our next trip through there. Obviously we've been missing something.
Also, I let MS Street and Trips pick out a route and there were five construction zones along the way this summer. One 20 miles long. So whatever route you pick out maybe look for that.
if you take 16 from Buffalo to Worland to Cody, there is a small rv park in the town of Ten Sleep on the west side of town.
There are rv parks in Greybull, Cody, and there is Buffalo Bill State Park on west side of Cody about 7 miles, and finally, there is a fed campground about 30 miles from Cody.... called Rex Hale, that has a few elec hookups, and water.
As stated, you won't need 4 days at Jackson, but there are some things to see and do.. take the ski lift ride up the mountain from Teton Village, see the shootout in Jackson if you have kids, take the boat ride on Jenny Lake, etc.
If you don't go through Cody, you can go south from Worland down to Riverton, and then up 26 to Moran Junction in the Teton valley.
There are a couple nice looking state park campgrounds down near Boysen Reservoir... just before you get to the dam.
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Earl E wrote: Route 16, two days, if I remember correctly, Cody is a good stop over. Don't try it in one day. You don't need four days in the Tetons. I love the Tetons more than Yellowstone--but not much to do for kids. Spend a couple days and the rest in Yellowstone.
Can't really comment on specifics of the route as I do not have the firsthand knowledge - but that is a LOT of miles for travel out and around the mountains. I strongly recommend 2 days!
We also love Grand Teton but I would take a day off that and use it for the travel.
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Aahhyes68 wrote: Can I Do Rapid City, SD to Jackson, WY in a day ?
That is the question...... This is our BIG "Out West" trip and I only planned on one LONG day to get from Mt. Rushmore to the Tetons. Mapquest tells me it's 470 miles. That will leave us 4 full days in the Tetons before we go to Yellostone. Honestly, I never took the terrain into consideration when I planned the trip..oops...
Big truck...Big camper...Kids are 9, 11 and 13.
If you guy's DON'T think we can do it safely...where should we stay for the night ?
Thank's a bunch.
Steve B. & Family
You could do it -- but most of us would take more time and enjoy/experience more of the unbelievable mountains around YNP and the Tetons.
Thermopolis has great hot Springs -- Wind Valley and the drive along the River is one of my all time favorite drives -- Cody and the museum could take a couple of days -- to be that close to Devils Tower and not stop is ....... The Beartooth Highway and Chief Joseph are not to be missed.
Just a lot to see and do in that part of the country.
Take a couple more days and just SEE a little more of the country you drove out to see.
JMHO,
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