Need help planning vacation..... (Cheyenne, Casper: hotel, construction, camping)

[hinke]

Hello,

We are flying into Denver and then driving to the north entrance of Yellowstone.
What should we see along the way in Wyoming? Short stop-offs for great views, etc.? We'll drive half way and spend one night- where would be the best place, in terms of getting there mid afternoon and having something to see and do before moving on?
We have a 6 year old with us.

Thanks in advance!

[jdavid93225]

Well, it sounds like you have a lot of ground to cover in just two days. Is this correct? If so, you will need to move fairly quickly, which will limit your choice of roads you can take, and thus your exposure to scenery along the way.

I have done that trip a couple of times, but on one of those times, I spent two nights along the way. When I did that, I traveled north on I-25 to Cheyenne, then west on I-80 to Rock Springs. This had some pretty places along the way, but not as many scenic opportunities as some other routes you can take. From Rock Springs, where I spent the first night, I headed north on US 191 through Pinedale, and on up to Hoback Junction. From here you can continue north on US 191 through Jackson and Grand Teton National Park, then on up to Yellowstone. When I did the trip, I detoured south on US 89 at Hoback Junction, where I did a small loop through a portion of Idaho before heading back to Jackson. This added a couple hours to my trip, so you should be able to make better time than I did then. I spent my second night on this trip camping in GTNP, and headed up through YNP the next day, and drove past the north entrance on my way to the northeast entrance, where I exited the park. The drive from Jackson through GTNP and YNP will take the better part of a day by itself (even without making many stops), so if you only have two days to make the trip, I'd recommend traveling as far as possible towards Jackson from Denver on the first day if you elect to take this route.

Other possible routes, though I haven't taken them yet, involve traveling further north on I-25 before heading toward YNP. For instance from Casper, you can take US 20 into YNP, which takes you through Worland and Cody. Another option is to take US 26 into YNP, which takes you through Riverton and Dubois, then into GTNP, where you can then turn north to YNP. Other options include staying on I-25 until you reach either Buffalo, or until you merge with I-90 and continue to Sheridan, where you can take any of a number of routes through the Bighorns to reach YNP.

One final option to consider, especially if you're pressed for time, is to take I-25 until it merges with I-90, and continue taking I-90 west into Montana, until you reach Billings. You could spend the night there, then head towards the NE entrance of YNP and into the park the next day. This route takes you through Laurel and Red Lodge, then over the Beartooth Highway before heading into YNP. The scenery along the last leg of this trip is absolutely gorgeous and will take your breath away in many places. From Billings, the drive over the Beartooth and into YNP should only take about a half day, which should give you a little time in the park before you head out again. The first day of this trip will take you mostly through the prairie of eastern Wyoming, but you'll be close to the base of the Rockies most of the way. With what you've written about your projected time frame, this would be the route I would recommend to reach the north entrance of YNP on the second day of your trip. As with my first suggestion, I've also taken this route myself.

Other than the last route I've suggested, I would recommend taking more than two days to reach your destination. Even the last route mentioned will take some time for you to get from Denver to Billings. According to Goole maps, it's a little over 7 1/2 hours, and that does not include making any stops along the way. I've found that Cheyenne has some interesting things to see and do (as do some of the other towns along the way), so you may want to stop there along the way. If you like trains, there is a UP Big Boy steam locomotive on display in Holliday Park, not too far from I-25. There is also a smaller steam locomotive on display in Lyons Park, near the Cheyenne Botanic Garden and the nearby Western Museum. These are also interesting things to see. Here is a link to points of interest in Cheyenne: Welcome to Cheyenne, Wyoming

Hopefully all of these suggestions aren't overwhelming when you read them. I've included them to give you some ideas about various routes to take, but you'll want to explore your options before you make a decision. From my experience, I'd recommend the last option, stopping in Cheyenne for some fun and interesting things to do along the way, before heading to Billings. If you want more information about the routes I've suggested, or my experiences on the routes I've taken, just ask.

[GEORGIAINMT]

I've traveled all of Wyoming and southern Montana for my entire life. I would drive from Denver to Casper, then off the interstate from there to Thermopolis. You'd get there early enough that you could enjoy the hot springs pools. Your child would love it! They are in a large park so you could enjoy some park time, too. There is swinging bridge you can take across the river, which is fun. Then the next day you can go north, then west to the north entrance of the park. That would be my suggestion!

[mtlogger]

Originally Posted by hinke

Hello,

We are flying into Denver and then driving to the north entrance of Yellowstone.
What should we see along the way in Wyoming? Short stop-offs for great views, etc.? We'll drive half way and spend one night- where would be the best place, in terms of getting there mid afternoon and having something to see and do before moving on?
We have a 6 year old with us.

Thanks in advance!

I've driven this route a number of times in the last six months. But, why the north entrance? Going all the way around the top is a waste of gas - with virtually nothing to see along the interstates. It takes a long time to get anywhere because towns are far apart.

The fastest way to the Park is via Moran and the southern entrance. There's two choices - I25 to US287 at Ft. Collins to Laramie to I80W to Green River and up US191 You'll see a lot of pretty country on that route.

The 2nd choice - tho slower is I25 to Casper and US2/26 to Shoshoni, US26 to Riverton, Togwotee Pass and Moran, US89 into the Park. There is road construction on some of the roads, which you can find here WRR: Query Statewide Construction once inside the park there is also construction Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

You can always go out the north entrance.

[Darrow]

Cody is a wonderful destination if you are looking for museums, old trail town, tecumseh village, white water raft trip (tame). The east entrance to the park from Cody is phenominal, your child might see moose, buffalo, grizzly, elk, deer and bighorn sheep from the car...Wyoming is a long drive from 1 end to the other. The quickest way is over I80 and up thru Jackson into the park. I would then travel up to the north entrance and see Mamoth and Lamar Valley - once inside the park. Jackson is very expensive for hotel rooms, and Cody will be too. The "loop" in Yellowstone is a day drive and getting from 1 end of the state to the other also takes 8 hours, the mountains slow you down and the speed limit and sight seers in the park will slow you down...be ready to stop in the park! You are going to feel like you spent the whole time in the car if you don't add a couple of days to see everything.