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Rspitler · 02-05-2019, 07:32 AM

Getting ready to plan our trip out west and wondering what sights we should not miss! Want a route that takes us through South Dakota, and includes stops at Mount Rushmore and perhaps Yellowstone Park for old faithful, then to California coast.

Any suggestions?

Sue46 · 02-05-2019, 07:44 AM

How long of a trip? What are you driving? Number of people? Kids? What are you intrsted in? Lots of info from Google.

Saltydog44 · 02-05-2019, 07:58 AM

We made a similar trip few years ago. YOu mentioned YS and Rushmore - Here's a list of places that are not as well known.

Theodore Roosevelt NP in Medora and the show in Medora (North Dakota) are places we will go again.

Astoria, WA

Custer State Park near Rushmore

There is an excavation site for a find of Mammoths - not sure where exactly or the name but it's on the 'net (Of course)

Helena (Montana) state house and museum

Grant's Pass and the Rogue River

grindstone01 · 02-05-2019, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rspitler

Getting ready to plan our trip out west and wondering what sights we should not miss! Want a route that takes us through South Dakota, and includes stops at Mount Rushmore and perhaps Yellowstone Park for old faithful, then to California coast.

Any suggestions?

How long of a trip are you planning, even 4 weeks would not be enough time? We did a 2 week trip from Mi to Yellowstone/Glacier and back and it seemed like all we did was drive.

bhammond1980 · 02-17-2019, 07:42 PM

We did the Michigan to Yellowstone in 2017. Stopped at the Bad Lands, Mt Rushmore then on to Yellowstone. The trip was 16 days.
This spring we are heading back along the same route to Custer State Park in SD. We are planning to be there about 5-6 days with 2-3 days travel each way.

dverstra · 02-18-2019, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saltydog44

There is an excavation site for a find of Mammoths - not sure where exactly or the name but it's on the 'net (Of course)

Mammoth Site near Hot Springs. One of our favorite stops!

twogypsies · 02-18-2019, 12:40 PM

There's a lot more to Yellowstone than Old Faithful. I hope this won't be a drive-through! Don't forget Grand Teton Nat'l Park right next door. Also, Glacier national park.

Your plans depends on how much time you'll have. Do you have a particular reason for California? Washington and Oregon have a lot to offer, especially the Oregon coastline state parks. Stay at 3 spots on the coast to cover the whole thing... north, mid and south. Crater Lake Nat'l Park is beautiful as is Mt. Rainier and Olympic Nat'l Parks. South Utah national parks are one of a kind. Tell us more of your plans.