We’re planning an early fall road trip where we fly (from the East Coast) to either Salt Lake City or Bozeman, head to Yellowstone (never been) and then hit a bunch of destinations until we end up in Minneapolis and fly home from there. Along the way we’ll visit a bunch of states we haven’t been to on our goal to all 50, including Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.
We’re open to suggestions on destinations or things to do along that route. At the very least, we definitely will be seeing Mount Rushmore and Devil’s Tower and passing through Fargo.
Some specific questions:
We’re on the fence about flying into Bozeman or SLC. We have been to SLC multiple times so don’t plan to spend time there. Cost is similar, so the main upside is the ability to drive through Grand Teton along the way. We’ve never been. However, while we’re decent hikers we’re not pro-hikers and are concerned we’re already going to be stretching our endurance with all the other places we’re visiting, including at least several days in Yellowstone right after that. Thoughts on whether it is worth it to do the extra 400 miles total to start in SLC versus going into Bozeman and being a short hop to Yellowstone? We’ll probably travel through Bozeman on the way out of Yellowstone either way.
Is 3 nights a good amount in Yellowstone? Since it’s a road trip and we’re covering a lot of ground and doing other stuff, don’t want to stay too long but also don’t want to regret we missed some of the must-see stuff.
We don’t want to drive too far out of our Eastern path, so skipping the Glacier National Park, for example. But with the path in mind, suggestions on interesting sites or activities along the route? Particularly in North Dakota before we reach Fargo?
Things to do in Bozeman, Fargo and Minneapolis?
Other suggestions in general?
Last Fall we did 11 states and 15 cities in 14 days, from Texas to New Jersey. So we’re used to an aggressive pace. Expect to spend at least as long on this one, so more gentle pace to spend more time as Yellowstone, etc.
Totally agree on Custer State Park. Lots to do and see. The Crazy Horse monument is better than Mt Rushmore (though Rushmore was worth the stop).
Lots to do in Cody, WY. We enjoyed the Buffalo Bill dam, Old West Miniature Village/Museum, Buffalo Bill Historic Center (like 4 museums in one - spent a long time there), and Old Trail Town (home of Butch Cassidy’s Hole in the Wall cabin). Heart Mountain Interpretive Center is worth a visit, as is Wind Cave NP, which are both outside Cody.
Yellowstone is enormous. You could spend a couple of days in each “village” Check out what to do and see in each area to give yourself adequate time.
Mentioned already, I know, but just wanted to emphasize that Mt Rushmore is kitschy and overrated - probably the least interesting thing to do in the Black Hills. Custer State Park is awesome. Theodore Roosevelt NP in Medora, ND, is interesting and worth the trip, though not the kind of place where you stay for days and days.
I’d vote for coming up from SLC to see the Tetons. Breathtaking. When viewed from the Western side in the evening, the peaks turn orange - one of the coolest things I’ve seen at any NP. (The road btwn Jackson and Victor, ID is impassable right now, so that route may not work out this year.)
Well we are in Minneapolis! This sounds wonderful and we have done several versions of this trip. The last time we were in Yellowstone, we did 4 nights. I think 3 is fine is that what is works for your timeline! Also thought Tetons was well worth driving that way.
On the Minneapolis end, a few things I might suggest
Outdoor
rent canoes on the Minneapolis chain of lakes.
Go to Minnehaha Park (south Minneapolis), see the falls and do the hike up and down the creek
Como Park - this could be an in/out hybrid. There is a zoo, conservatory, beautiful park and lake with trails and picnic grounds.
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden (could pair with a visit to the Walker Art Museum or visiting and walking Loring Park)
Indoor
If I am asked to recommend ONE museum in the twin cities for new visitors, I recommend the Mill City Museum for local history. Nice area to explore downtown Minneapolis, you can also walk along the river front here. There is a farmer’s market on Saturday mornings in this area
Minneapolis Institute of Art (free admission!). This is a gem.
Tap room tour - I’d center around the north loop downtown and NE Minneapolis possibly
Theater! We have an amazing little theater community. Lots of great stuff happening this summer.
If you want to go into downtown Saint Paul there is a large local farmer’s market Sat and Sun mornings, and the science museum downtown is great. You can catch river views from here.
Some people like to visit the Mall of America, this is a big touristy desination of course.
Mt Rushmore is kitschy, but it’s iconic - glad I visted it as a kid and with my own kids. Crazy horse was a vivid memory from that trip (age 6). I also enjoyed with my own kids, shocked that there was not more obvious progress.
Badlands hint: If you go there, try for early or late in the day… more shadows/contrast.
Two things we liked in Bozeman when we visited eons ago: Museum of the Rockies and the Hot Springs. The drive to Yellowstone from Bozeman was not very long.
The Tetons are amazing. Like other posters, I preferred it to Yellowstone. You can take the boat across Jenny Lake and do the short hike on the other side. We did it with small kids, and saw moose there.
In North Dakota, you can drive up the Enchanted Highway to Theodore Roosevelt park. There are large metal sculptures along the way.
In South Dakota we really enjoyed Falls Park in Sioux Falls. Also the rest stop in Chamberlain is pretty great. The Minuteman Missile museum was very interesting. And then the things everyone else mentioned already.
In Yellowstone staying in different hotels is worth it so you don’t back track the same roads daily.
We went in 2017 and then you could call the Old Faithful Inn a couple months ahead and be on the calendar to lower the flags on top of the roof. Great view from there!
We did the reverse trip - South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana to Yellowstone and then Grand Tetons.
We were in Minnesota last summer. We spent most of our time on the north shore of Lake Superior but we did hang out in Minneapolis for a day. We really enjoyed the Walker, the Minneapolis Art Institute (really great) and the sculpture garden. We weren’t that impressed with the park that has the waterfall after everything we’d seen on the north shore. We had a fantastic time at the Dakota Jazz Club.
Another vote for taking the route through Grand Teton. It’s different enough from Yellowstone, more tranquil, and beautiful.
Bozeman is much closer to Yellowstone than Salt Lake. The drive from SLC is about 5 or 6 hours. The route through Logan and Logan Canyon is scenic but long. You could have gone up 15 to Idaho Falls but the road over the Teton Pass from Idaho Falls to Jackson is closed due to a massive landslide.
Yellostone is a huge park with a lot of very interesting geysers, mud pots, waterfalls and wildlife. And crowds. Best to visit early in the season or late.
Yep. We drove into town not knowing what to expect…and the Corn Palace did not disappoint. We have recommended it to a bunch of others who initially thought it was a poor idea…but went anyway…and were glad they did.
It’s definitely a once in a lifetime thing to see.
I don’t know that you’re going to stay in the Tetons, but we stayed at Jackson Lake Lodge and liked it.
We stayed at Old Faithful Lodge, and I would NOT recommend staying there. I would stay in the newer place that’s right next to it, but do go into Old Faithful and walk around. Our room was TINY, and I believe it was NOT air conditioned at Old Faithful. I THINK the other place we stayed was Canyon Lodge, but I could be incorrect.
FYI - The food in Yellowstone was universally bad, in our opinion.
When we visited Yellowstone about 20 years ago in early June, we looked at the weather and ditched our plan to camp due to cool temps. Instead stayed outside the park, in West Yellowstone (over the Montana border). We did enjoy dinner at Old Faithful Lodge, though not easy getting reservations. Loved walking around it.
Later we had an adventure getting locked out of the minivan. That’s how we learned that AAA does not cover calls from the park. Too bad the newbie at the service station we called did not know that. Kudos to the campers who hung with us many hours until finally helped by a ranger. At the time cell signal was bad, so the adventure included walks from the scenic parking lot to a campground. (Family tidbit - son was sorry he ignored my recommendation to stop at the restroom before driving from dinner back to the motel).