Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
After wrapping up a degree in Ohio this June, I will be driving back to Northern California and plan to do some sight-seeing on the way. I know it's quite a detour but I conceive that I will pass through S. Dakota (Badlands, Rushmore) then to Wyoming (Yellowstone, Teton), then south to Utah (Bryce, Horseshoe Bend, North Rim Grand Canyon, Zion) and then to sweet home. I know these are the major spots I would want to hit before getting back home. But I am wondering of any other spots/scenic byways that I should consider hitting on the way; it needs not to be necessarily landscape and can encompass other points of interest (historical sites, oddities etc.)
Particularly, I am not as familiar with the large number of Midwest states that I would crossing and S Dakota/Wyoming/Northern Utah are also bit unfamiliar to me.
Check out the cabins that they rent within Badlands NP at Cedar Pass Lodge. Great way to have the park mostly to yourself when It is experienced the best: sunset, night-time and sunrise. General Store and Bar/Restaurant within a short walk as well.
The other thing I've always wanted to see in the area is the Minuteman/ICBM Launch silo that the NP Service runs right nearby Badland NP. You need to get on a reservation list as they only take a few people down into the silo at a time. Not for everyone I know but seems like a blast to me.
Thanks for that everyone! Definitely will take the beartooth highway
Ghengis: What do you recommend that I see at Badlands during my very short visit (2hr)?
Thanks!
Thanks for that everyone! Definitely will take the beartooth highway
Ghengis: What do you recommend that I see at Badlands during my very short visit (2hr)?
Thanks!
the main park road is a 40 mile loop just off I90. Two hours gives you enough time to drive the loop at a leisurely pace and get out once or twice and take some short walks to some of the overlooks. I'd recommend stopping for a few minutes at the 1st overlook you get to after you drive through the East Entry. Spend a half-hour or so as well at the Door Trail and walk around to the left of the Buttes in front of you in the parking lot and take the half-mile trail out onto the top of the shelf for a great 270 degree view to the south.
Thanks for that everyone! Definitely will take the beartooth highway
Ghengis: What do you recommend that I see at Badlands during my very short visit (2hr)?
Thanks!
After you go through the Black Hills region, make sure you swing down into the tip of Wyoming and see Devil's Tower. If you plan to take the Beartooth you will probably want to head back up into Montana which will take you right by Custer's Last Stand. Then you can take the Beartooth back down into Yellowstone and over to Teton. If you haven't been to Teton before you will not want to miss it. I live in the region and Grand Teton always makes my jaw drop. It's just beautiful. I'm Guessing Glacier National Park is too far out of your way. If you have the time, it's worth the extra miles.
THanks all for the advice!
What short hikes/view points at Teton should I not miss? I remember seeing some spectacular pictures from Snake River Overlook (?)
See Crazy Horse, Wall Drug, and the Badlands of South Dakota! Nice places!
In Northern California, I would stop in Monterey and Big Sur. Breathtakingly beautiful!
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
