This is one of 3 dream trips left on my list that I hope to make one day. The others are the 4 corners and N. California through Oregon. Here's a kicker. I had just about this exact trip mapped out, husband finally retired from working himself crazy for 40 years, we bought a new car for the trip, kids and grands deciding where along the trip they can join us and we were ready to pack up and head out - life seemed good. Then my husband started having some problems, well at least the problems became bad enough we couldn't ignore them - diagnosis: dementia. Fast forward a few years another diagnosis: cancer and the death of one of our sons whose life long dream was to visit Yellowstone. My husband doesn't have another big trip in him and that makes me sad because he worked so hard to provide us with a retirement we could travel on. Life sometimes changes our dreams and it did for us - a farm to leave for our kids and grands that keeps me busy but I sure wish we could make just 1 more big trip. Folks, don't put off your dreams. Eat baloney sandwiches, sleep in your car or tent camp at free sites, pack a cooler. Whatever you need to do to fulfill some of your dreams. We make big plans and work hard saying "one day". Well, we might not get that day. I hope to make this trip and it will be kind of sad because my husband won't be with me but it will also be sweet because I'll remember how much my husband wanted to take the trip and I did it for him, hopefully. Thank you for this video. The pictures alone are inspiring and your enthusiasm is encouraging. ~Sherrie in South Carolina
Sherrie, thank-you so much for your honest commentary, I learned a lot from it, and you are absolutely right. I am from Ontario, Canada, but I have always dreamed of seeing these places. I'm going, I'm not wasting another year. Tomorrow is promised to no one. Thank-you again, and God Bless you and your family. Mary Ann.
Sharon Thank you for being so honest. You are so right. We are planning this trip soon as long as the virus allows us. Im sorry to hear about your husband and son. I have also lost a son. Life can change in an instant.
Thank you for your candid comment. Vertigo through a wrench in my plans. So, I emphatically mirror your feelings toward not putting things off. I wish you the best, and hope you're able to complete your tribute tour.
Sherrie: You might be able to make the trip by flying, if your husband is up to it, to Salt Lake City, Billings, Jackson, Cody, Rapid City, or Missoula, renting a car and driving a few hours from there. That would eliminate the long cross-country driving to get from the SE US to the Rockies. My late wife and I did the trip of a lifetime while she was in partial remission from cancer when we took a archaeology cruise to Greece and Turkey. I agree about doing these kinds of trips when you can. So many plan for someday and someday never comes for so many reasons. I hope you get to Wyoming some day. We retired here and love it.
And Iron Mountain Road to get to Custer from the northeast. Both roads are worth the drive. Might turn your knuckles white, give you or cure anxiety, but well worth it.
Needles highway alone is worth the trip to Custer State Park. We've been there 3 times just for Needles. Was shocked to see it was skipped in this trip. Even though we've been there 3 times, we still haven't made the hike to Black Elk Peak. Didn't know about it the first time and it was foggy the other 2 times. Still want to see it.
Yeah, I was confused by the lack of enthusiasm about Custer State Park. Maybe it's because I'm a North Dakota native who's seen a ton of bison in my life, but the bison definitely aren't the draw for me. There's Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road, Black Elk Peak, Sylvan Lake, and so forth. And the burros are adorable and fun to encounter.
One alternative on leaving Yellowstone is to go out the northeast gate by Cooke City/Silver Gate and take Hwy 212 over the Beartooth Pass. It's an absolutely stunning drive. It will intersect I-90 a bit west of Billings Montana.
Or, go out the Lake entrance & over Sylvan Pass into Cody. From there you can head North & check out the Big Horn Canyon or, South toward Thermopolis & through the Wind River Canyon!
I live in Billings and can confirm. I'm up there whenever I can get a free day and wanna go to the mountains. Of course I know some secret areas being from here. But I'm not giving those away. There is already enough people up there.
Couple thoughts--I'd also add the Crazy Horse Memorial while in the Black Hills. Absolutely fascinating story of this long progressing project. Also, Custer State Park was a wonderful drive to just jam through this beautiful area and spend half a day driving around experiencing it all. I folded in Deadwood and Belle Fourche in there as well. I really loved my time going through that area.
Moving to rapid city in a few weeks. Im from ohio.I can't wait to explore Wyoming and Montana. The eastern united states doesn't offer the same kind of vibe. There is just something majestic about being out west.
i lived there for a year deadwood and lead are beautiful dont go in mount rushmoore there isnt anything inside except binoculars and movies but just west of it is a beautiful lake worth stopping at oh you can also see mt rushmore at multiple viewing lots on the side of the road
im moving to mile city montana in a few weeks cant wait to go back to cowboy hill in rapid city and go mountain biking it was my favorite place in rapid city
That sounds great! I'm from Dayton Ohio, but live in extremely humid North Alabama. Me and my wife are moving to Montana as soon as we get the money. Our choices are either Custer, Dawson, Hill, Fergus, Golden Valley, or Madison counties to begin with. Probably going to start on the east side in Custer county. Stay safe and good luck! 👍
@@bluehusky2154 I can understand that lol. That's about how it is here in winston county AL to us 😂 I love the cold and ready for something new. Just depressing here where we're at and too hot.
I'm not really interested in geography and I never go on road trips, but I keep clicking on and watching your videos. You're passionate about your content, and you make interesting videos. Creators like you are what I like most about TH-cam.
14:02 While the Going-to-the-Sun road in Glacier occasionally does open by Memorial Day, it often opens well into June, and occasionally in early July. If you want to travel the road (and you DO want to), the last week of June is usually a safe bet.
Many of our friends in Australia have tried to go to Glacier but it has been closed every time. All have gone there in July and August. One has tried three times. Our visit was just dumb luck, we rocked in mid August, had a week there and were later told it closed the day we left I owing to snow on the GTS road. It is the only place I would visit twice.
The highlight of my Black Hills experience was probably the Needles in Custer State Park. Really amazing. And we ended with a walk around the perimeter of Sylvan Lake, which may be one of the prettiest lakes I've ever seen. And I've seen my share of stunning mountain lakes.
I think you missed the best part of the black hills in South Dakota. Custer State Park, 110 square miles, lots of wild life and scenery. Immediately South of Mt. Rushmore...Sylvan Lake, a mile high mountain lake, Needles Highway, iron Mountain Road, 1500 head of buffalo. I've done the Tetons, Yellowstone and Black Hills around 10 times. Tetons and Custer State park were my highlights.
Needles? Duh, the loop around Custer national park is worth it for an entire day. Roaming buffalo and the vista's alone are a must. Seeing Mount Rushmore at eye level is something in itself.
Good presentation and advice. I have been to all these places many times and plan to go again. Theodore Roosevelt park is a gem and that it is relatively uncrowded is almost unbelievable. Glacier National Park is, in my opinion, one of the most gorgeous places in the world. I have been many times and backpacked and car camped a lot of it. You realize quickly that many of the calendar pictures you have seen are there. Thanks for our post.
Great video! We did this - sort of - in 2008. We are Australian, so we flew into Seattle after a few days in Honolulu. We drove, stopped at Roslyn WA, then overnight for a few days in Leavenworth WA, Wallace ID, Glacier National Park, Helena MT, had ten days in Yellowstone, a few days each in Jackson, Sheridan and Devils Tower, and a bit over a week around Keystone SD. From Minneapolis we flew to Calgary and drove slowly from there to Drumheller, back to Banff, up the Icefields Parkway and right up to Prince Rupert. After a few days we caught the BC Ferry down to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island. We did a seaplane journey of a few days into the Great Bear Rainforest - amazing! Back at Port Hardy, we drove very slowly down the island, taking a week to get to Victoria - another week there then the Victoria Clipper to Seattle for a couple of weeks. Five nights in Honolulu topped off the trip. Sadly, we both had to return to work, so that was the end of our adventure. Arriving in Sydney, Australia, we spent one night in an airport motel, drove through pouring rain to our home near Canberra - stopped to pick up a new Rottweiler puppy on the way. An exhausting but wonderful holiday. I would do it again in a heartbeat, but there will always be somewhere new to visit.
I can't believe you did not mention the Crazy Horse sculpture just about 9 miles from Mt Rushmore. Crazy Horse's head is bigger than the President's heads. It is still a work in progress, probably several decades to finish it yet. Also, when leaving Teddy Roosevelt Park, you will find The Enchanted Highway about 40 or 50 miles to the east. The Enchanted Highway is a 32 mile local highway lined with giant scrap iron sculptures of deer, birds, cowboys, grasshoppers, fish, prairie chickens, stage coaches, pheasants, wheat and in the town of Regent is the Dragon. One of the sculptures can be seen from Interstate 94 at the north end of the Enchanted Highway. very well worth the extra hour or two to check it out. No crowds. The Knife River Indian Villages historic sight near Garrison Dam is also quite interesting and educational. North Dakota also has several of the "worlds Largest" . Like the Largest Herford Cow in New Salem and the Largest Bison in Jamestown and just into Minnesota is the worlds largest Prairie Chicken in Rothsay. These are nice places to stop to stretch your legs for a couple of minutes while traveling along Interstate 94. Iwant to get off the boring Interstate 94, go south at Jamestown and then go east on Highway 46 which goes near the Sheyenne National Grasslands . The Sheyenne National Grasslands is a sand wasteland which was the delta of the Sheyenne River where it entered glacial Lake Agassiz. But you are right North Dakota is boring.
Wounded Knee is a little difficult to get to. Its a great place to see if you really love history. I have some Oglala contacts who actually give guided tours of the area.
Theodore National Park in ND is wonderful and do stop at Medora and go to the Medora's house also they have a great show to got to. Scenery is great with buffalo, antelope, wild horses and lots of birds including eagles.
I've been to So. Dakota several times. Custer State Park is as good as a National Park. The best way to visit Mt. Rushmore is to go up Iron Mt. Rd. and view it through that tunnel. Breathtaking. Save the $12 parking, there is nothing to see there. Wind Cave National Park is close as well, I'm surprised you didn't mention it. Also Crazy Horse! EDIT: Whoops! I typed my comment too soon. Sorry, when you went to Wyoming and Devil's Tower, I thought you were finished. PROTIP: If going to Devil's Tower, fill up with gas first. There is no gas anywhere near there. Also, if you are visiting Grand Teton, consider staying in Driggs, Idaho, just on the other side of the mountains. Much less crowded and cheaper than Jackson Hole.
The only thing I disagree with is your comment about Custer State Park in South Dakota. Sure tons of bison, and they have an annual roundup so they can keep their numbers around 3000. However, I loved the fact that you could see Mt. Rushmore many miles to the North. It is a super cool perspective of it. There are a number of mountain roads that have small tunnels carved in them. It is really cool to stand at the South end of one and view Mt. Rushmore to the North. Plus, there are other perspectives of it that really show just how large of an area The Black Hills are. Note about Mt. Rushmore-No where on earth have I ever heard so many different languages of people from around the world as on the main viewing plaza. If people travel there from all over the world then every American should see it.
Best idea if doing the Mt Rushmore/Devils Tower thing is go through Deadwood off I90. Follow US 85 to Cheyenne Crossing. Turn right and your in Spearfish Canyon which is a gorgeous drive. From there get back on 90 and go north to Belle Fourche. Take US 24 through Aladdin and Hullett which takes you to the base of Devils Tower. Take my word for it--this is a gorgeous drive.
drove truck OTR for 16 months after college, hit all 48, and my favorite was Wyoming by far! basically the entire swath of country between I80 and I90 is pure joy...
I'm amused by your comments about Yellowstone being so busy. I agree, it is busy, but if you get onto one of the back roads or trails you can go hours without seeing anyone. It's magical in its remoteness and silence.
We went in August and didn't find it busier than expected. We went to Old Faithful but didn't enjoy it. It was 93° and we have seen thermals ad nauseum in New Zealand, which apparently is not "in the world" according to this guy.
I recommend staying in Cody, Wyoming when visiting Yellowstone. It is a lot cheaper than Jackson and is a really cool, Old West feeling town with a fair amount to do. Also, when heading back East through Montana I think Little Bighorn battlefield is an essential stop. It is quite a ways off the highway in Garryowen/Crow Agency, MT, but well worth it. The ranger led tour we took was the best and most in depth I've experienced at any National Site.
Loved Little Big Horn except for the "Rattlesnakes" signs! We are quite familiar with our native snakes here in Australia but don't know how to behave around Rattlers.
my wife and I went to Yellowstone on the week on Independence Day for our honeymoon. I can confirm that was a terrible idea as the whole place was a kicked anthill. Go the week after a major holiday and it will be slower. Also, pack warm! even in the first week of July we woke up to ice on our tent every morning, but it was 80 degrees an hour after sunrise. Truly bizarre.
Was in Glacier June 30th 2019 and The Going to Sun Road just opened. T shirt weather in camp at St Mary on east side but the pass was rainy/icy and frigid cold. Great video.
If you’re going to Mt Rushmore you need to pass through Custer State Park which comes out right at Mt Rushmore and you can actually get some great views of Rushmore from above.
No mention of the Bighorn Mountains, the town of Cody, Wyoming, or the Chief Joseph and Beartooth Highways? No national parks, but some of the most spectacular scenery you will ever see, plus a rodeo and the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody.
I'm planning a complete Trans America Trail trip (E to W) in Spring '21, and I'm looking for a northern return route through the areas in your video. So, I really appreciate the information. Thank You!
I would add drives up Iron Mountain and one of the best drive in the US is Beertooth highway. The most memorable part of Yellowstone for me was our hike up Mt. Washburn, just under 11k with the most spectacular scenery.
Indeed. While the Going-to-the-Sun Road is a marvel of engineering and an amazing drive worth taking, the Beartooth Highway is one of the most spectacular roads in existence. In a region loaded to the gills with amazing scenery, this breathtaking gem is often overlooked. A drive along this road straight out of a painting should be a part of every road trip through this region.
Going to the Sun Road in Glacier NP usually opens just before the 4th of July. It may open by June 15 some years, but if you are there June 1 you will be out of luck. About 10 years ago I was on Going to the Sun Road the day it opened, July 3, there were 10+ snow drifts still at the top.
We did this trip from Australia in 2008, starting from Seattle and flying out of Rapid City to Calgary, then driving up to Prince Rupert and cruising down to Port Hardy. After a few weeks we ended up back in Seattle. One of the best 9 week periods of my life!
Thanks for the video. I agree with everything you have stated.good advice with cold weather clothes I've worked in Yellowstone several seasons and that is a repeating problem in summer.
My advice for Yellowstone is to visit the major attractions (Old Faithful, the water falls area, Hayden Valley, etc) before 9 am or after 6 pm in the summer. Then you can do some hiking on the trails during the middle of the day.
I still think the best time to see Yellowstone is mid October but I also live close. The disadvantage there is that the weather can easily change from 70 down to -40 well even the hottest month can be below freezing. 40° can feel like 70 and 72 degrees can feel like 40. Even though spring is the peak of tourist season it may still be worth going during that time especially if you want to see baby animals. Weather during that time is also less sporadic
Depending on your trip route, there's a decent argument for traveling through the Big Horn Mountains and Cody. US-14 from Sheridan to Shell, WY (through Shell Canyon) is gorgeous and Cody's museum complex is amazing. And if you go north out of Cody to the NE entrance to Yellowstone, the drive is amazing. We're considering a trip into Big Horn Canyon next year and will probably hit parts of that stretch again. And if you find yourself in Meeteetse, WY, definitely stop at the Meeteetse Chocolatier.
Going via Alt US 14 and hiking to the Medicine Wheel on the west side of the Bighorns is worthy, too. Also, the drive west from Meeteetsee on WY 290 and FS 200 up the Wood river to the old mining ghost town of Kirwin is worth the time.
Agreed. We loved the Buffalo Bill Museum but I slipped up and didn't know about the Irma Hotel. Mea Culpa! We drove Big Horn Canyon fromm Greybull to dodge the North Absaroka fire. Amazing! I think we would have averaged 20 mph over most of it and it was dark when we got to Sheridan.
@@georgem7965 that's the way we had planned to go but the road was closed owing to the North Absaroka fire. Loved what we saw but it was tedious driving!
Bighorn Canyon will blow your mind. Not sure where you're from, but we went there last year (April 2020). We were living in Billings, MT at the time, and despite our experience with mountains and being outdoor people in general, we'll never forget it. 1000' nearly straight down to the river. First, the golden eagles continually fly over the parking lot area with an apparent desire to try human for dinner. Eek. And they're so big it gets a big scary. Second, if you're adventurous, hike around to the edge, but be careful for overhangs. My son and I, who are quite cautious, did this (Ranger's Delight) and later saw that were standing on an overhang. Let's just say that we became hyperaware of our own mortality that day, in a bad way. Another plus is that, being a dead end of sorts, there are very few people up there. North of Lovell.
@@jamesbungert3155 Thanks for the info. We're in Denver metro and travel through the Four Corners area a lot, so we've been to many of the big, well-known canyons. But Big Horn canyon isn't one that we've ever visited, largely because it is a dead end-ish sort of road. Sounds like it's definitely worth the time and effort, though.
This is one my favorite road trip routes for sure. But I'd say my favorite so far is a 2 week trip my fianceé and I did starting in New York City. Then travelling up the New England coast, staying in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Next stop is Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine. Then, we drove up into New Brunswick, Canada, staying in the awesome little town of St. Andrews and taking a whale boat tour. Then looping all the way around Maine into Quebec and spending a night in Quebec City. Finally, we came back south to the US via Vermont and drove East thru New York to Niagara Falls as the last stop. It sounds like a lot, but with two weeks and a little extra money, it is a fantastic road trip loop to take!
We did a similar trip back in 2004, starting in Niagara Falls and finishing in Quebec City. That was the last component of an 8 weeks trip through Canada, Vermont and Upstate NY. We skipped NY City.
Things I would add for South Dakota: Custer State Park (Needles highway, wildlife drive!), Wind Cave NP, Jewel Cave NM, Deadwood-Lead-Spearfish area. If you’re traveling from the east from June through September it’s worth a stop to see the “World’s Only Corn Palace” in Mitchell. Corn art - various colored cobs attached to the side of the building showing a tableau - scenic/historical etc.
I lived in Kalispell, Montana for the first 22 years of my life with the exception of Bozeman for a semester, and as boring as that town can get, I am glad I got to live right next to glacier. Been there multiple times and it’s always a good time. The lakes are fun to swim in there but they’re all super cold. If you’re brave enough, you might be able to make it on top of an actual glacier.
I went in high school and we had a guided hike to the top of a glacier. Some of the most amazing scenery I've ever seen is in that park. Cant wait for my kids to be old enough to appreciate it and take the road trip again (SC native here-and it's a long way to glacier)
@@ericw270 Well, here’s a late welcome to Montana! I’m glad you got to see glacier, and I really hope your kids get to see it someday, too. She is some of mother nature’s best artwork! I really hope to visit South Carolina sometime! I don’t know too much about it, but I know Charleston seems like a really cool place.
Did all but Glacier this year. I did the Missouri River Breaks and Bighorn Canyon instead. Amazing trip. The North Unit of the park had almost nobody and was my favorite of the two units.
@@GeographyKing Unfortunately, I did a ton of driving as it was a spur of the moment trip so I only got to see breaks from the roads that weren't private.
Love this area of the USA. Blessed to have spent three consecutive summers out there (full-time RVers for 5 years). If you find yourself in Wyoming, headed to the parks, you've got to visit Lander, WY. Quintessential western American town. It is a scenic 2 hour drive to Grand Teton and then on to Yellowstone (and much less expensive than anything in Jackson). Fourth of July is Lander is like no other I've experienced. Parade and fireworks! The townspeople take their fireworks very seriously...understatement of the year. The display the citizens put on rivals any professional display I've ever seen and it goes on for hours all around you. The drive into the Grand Teton area is beautiful, I've been blessed to see it both in Summer and Winter. The Togwotee Pass is incredible and just sets the stage for Grand Teton. Yellowstone so different than the area around it, it is a volcano basin after all. If I had to skip one to see the other, Glacier NP would be my choice every time. Don't forget to pack your nerves of steel if you are privileged to drive the Going to the Sun Road, and try it in a big dually truck for extra kicks! Love the state of Montana, beauty everywhere and the people are awesome. Thompson Falls, Trout Creek and up the Highway 200 to Yaak Valley ( Tom Oar of the Mountain Men) should not be missed.
I took my 3 young kids on a road trip to Yellowstone in 1990. On the way we did both Wind Cave and Jewel Cave. I loved Custer State park and stayed there 6 nights. The drive through the Needles was memorable. Our trip was 3 weeks.
Only been to south dakota - what a great place to see and visit...maybe live. went 3 or 4 years ago...best vacation ever if seeing this country is your goal...from PA took 3 days to get to Rapid City...so much to see along the way. Worth all the time it took. drives to S. Dakota a bit boring, but South Dakota was awesome.
I'm late to this party, but I wanted to pop in and say what a great trip down memory lane this was. I was born in Montana, went through grade school and high school in Wyoming, and spent my college summers in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I have to say, the best three summers of my life were those when I lived in Rapid City. There's tons of activities to keep yourself entertained/busy in the Black Hills. Not mentioned in this video were the lakes (Pactola being my favorite) and also the town of Deadwood, which has a lot of interesting history. BTW, the caving opportunities are definitely plentiful throughout the Hills. Bear in mind, most are all connected and you don't have to go to the "big name" ones to get a good cave tour. And, yeah, Mount Rushmore can be seen quickly. It's a great place to visit if you've never been but you're right that there's not a lot to do there. Get the obligatory photo and maybe grab a bite to eat in the restaurant.
We couldn't get in to the big name caves so went to Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns instead - so much nicer than the photos we have seen of the others. But closed now? A great pity!
You toured through NW Wyoming without visiting the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody? Do you have any idea how crazy that sounds? Five museums, with so much to see, that the standard ticket is a two-day pass. I wouldn't miss BBCW if I ever come to that part of the world.
We have driven throughout the area of this road trip. Great scenery. One word of caution - if you see a gas station, stop as they are far between. Medora ND is a very small town, almost blink you miss it. There is one gas station and a bunch of touristy shops and good restaurants.
Custer National Park - I drove through it with a box truck on my way to Newcastle, Wy. I was delivering something to their airport. A big bison was laying on the road, blocking me. I had to drive in the ditch to get around. ( Don't be foolish and try chase them put of your vehicle! They are dangerous)! Another time, I accidentally ended up on Iron Mountain Road. If it is open in no now inter times, I highly recommend this! It's fantastic! Visit Deadwood, too!
We drove endlessly through the Black Hills and visited Deadwood but couldn't find parking! But the diversion was worth it to pass the Roo Ranch! To our Australian eyes it was hilarious! Kangaroos in South Dakota - Wow! What are they there for?
I got back from Yellowstone a month ago. Flew into Jackson and drove ~2 hours to the southeastern tip of Idaho where we stayed. Absolutely stunning! Highly recommend going in the spring time there was almost no people. It was slightly chilly but very mild and didn’t even have to put on a coat for the majority of the time. Only got to see the western half of the park during that time as some areas don’t open until early summer. Looking forward to seeing the rest. It’s a must!
Bighorn National Recreation Area is a great stop if doing this route. The Southern portion can be accessed from Lovell WY and will come after Devil's tower on this route. If you look at some of the pictures it is like a mini Grand Canyon
Yellowstone was definitely my highlight of this entire area! Old Faithful - eh. Go to the lesser known geysers! This was a fabulous list! A favorite & over the top incredible area of our US travels.
Yellowstone was good this year. Tetons sucked with all the campers. As for what time to go to Yellowstone, my suggestions, what do you want to do or see. Hiking is best at the end of August but also hot so beginning September might be better. As for animals. April, around Easter. Hardly anyone there in April. There were animals in the meadows and animals all over the roads. They were everywhere. The sights aren’t open as the loop may have just opened and there is also all that animals movement. People get too close as it is. Glacier should be a trip of its own. It’s my favorite park for a reason. One-two weeks is usually what I can give it but it’s never enough.
My viewership of Kyle’s challenge just got upgraded from infotainment to utility! I live in the northeast and just landed a travel nursing job in Billings, Montana so I’m super excited to drive out on I-90 and take all of Kyle’s road trip recommendations as well as tips and tricks! I’m most excited for the Black Hills region in particular
Go in early June, once my kids were out of school, it really wasn't that bad! Yellowstone is a must see, went about 3 years ago and it was an amazing place... spent 3-4 days...
Instead of going through great falls do Highway 2 through north Montana to get to ND! Truly an epic road and great way to experience the northern plains. Visit Havre beneath the streets for some history! Also along the way from the Black Hills to Jackson visit the hot springs and dinosaur museum in Thermopolis, Wyoming
Not the same route, but did this years ago. I plan on doing it again with someone who has never been that far west, and my descriptions of it just fall so short. It must be seen to take in exactly how huge and beautiful everything is. Thanks for this video. Side note, I thought I remember the billboards for Wall Drug stating the Free Water was for Astronauts? Sir, you are indeed a traveler! Thanks again!
Living in Texas, my family hasn't got to visit Yellowstone and the area nearly often enough. We did go once prior to the big fires in 1988 and the reintroduction of wolves in 1995. Even though it was beautiful and heavily wooded in many areas with elk everywhere, it almost seemed like a drive through a zoo instead of a national park. Going back twice since about once every 10 years and staying in West Yellowstone once and Gardiner the last time we concentrated on different parts of the park more each time. Going to the Lamar Valley early each morning for several days was great seeing lots of bison and some elk and bear. Finally on the third or fourth morning we saw wolves which was our primary objective that trip. What we saw seemed more natural as far as animal numbers and concentrations was concerned and it felt more "real" instead of the first time where the elk were far more numerous and did not act the least bit wild. Obviously the Yellowstone River and lake and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Mammoth, Norris, Old Faithful are a must every time you visit. I really want to go back in midwinter some time to see if it would be even better than summer!
I went in a road trip from my house in Massachusetts to south Dakota up to North Dakota thru Minnesota and Wisconsin and thru the entire of Michigan back to my house it was awesome
Last time visiting Yellowstone was the week before Memorial day. Everything was open, it was still a little chilly, but crowds were very manageable had a great time! Don't go in July, it will greatly diminish your experience.
Drove out a couple of years ago from the East Coast. South Dakota was fascinating just because it was so empty. Yes, go to Mount Rushmore, but be advised that even if you have a NPS pass, you still have to pay for parking ($17!). I would highly recommend visiting the Crazy Horse Memorial, just half an hour from Mount Rushmore.
There are some smaller but cool sights to see in Montana. Pompey’s Pillar is right off the interstate and is cool to see Lewis’s signature. Many cool ghost towns in Montana. He is totally right that crowds are small in Theodore Roosevelt Park. In Cooperstown ND you can make an appointment to see the Ronald Reagan Minuteman missile site. It’s a totally historically preserved decommissioned missile launch facility and you can go down in an elevator and see the actual missile launch desk and underground facility. Very very cool. Outside of Wall SD right off I90 is the Delta 09 Missile Site where you can see a decommissioned but real nuclear missile in the silo.
Also in the Billings area is the Pictograph Caves, a small site but a neat place to see native pictographs in caves (duh), the oldest artifacts and paintings being 2000+ years old.
If you're interested in history and westward expansion, come across i80, hit Pioneer Village at Minden, Bailey yard and Traveller's Rest at North Platte, and catch 26 west out of Ogallala to see Oregon Trail landmarks, catch the Legacy of the Plains museum at the foot of Scott's Bluffs, Fort Robinson state park in Chadron has a nice camp ground, and come into the black hills area from the south. Also, hop off the interstate at Glendive and follow the Missouri up to North Dakota, and follow either highway 1804 or 1806 along Lake Sacagawea and the Missouri back to i94. 1804 and 1806 are numbered for the years Lewis and Clark started and ended the Corpse of Discovery.
We should have stopped there! I did lots of research but missed the rodeo and the Irma Hotel. Must have had an off day! I would have loved to stay at the Irma. But as it was our trip took more than eight weeks and our government expected my husband back at his desk once his leave was exhausted. 😭
Would like to see more of these road trip videos, please! Also viewed the 'single day' and multiple day' national park visits! Interesting and very helpful! Great to budget time when there is so much to see!
About the only thing I would say is that Custer SP does actually have some very attractive and unusual scenery, but it's not really on the Wildlife Loop Road. You have to get north of the thru highway and into the Pinnacle/Needle/Sylvan Lake drives. Not great for wide vehicles, as some parts of the road go through tight stone tunnels. But quite a bit different than much of the other scenery you'll run across. It also makes a nice pairing with Mt Rushmore, esp if you are disappointed with the lack of things to see there. Custer SD also makes a nice base town (with a good pizza joint!)
We went to Yellowstone in June of 1978 and there was nobody there! Even Old Faithful was deserted! Those pictures of hordes of people were shocking to me. Saw Glacier park in the summer of 1992. Just jaw dropping beauty. Mother Nature on steroids.
Kyle, one thing I did that helped a lot was to get to the places that were jammed the day before early in the morning--just like at Disney World and the country's amusement parks. Sadly, when I was at Old Faithful a few years ago, it was a cloudy day, so I could see it coming--when it erupted (on cue, as promised), it was hard to tell what was clouds, and what was the geyser spray.
Just moved to Montana absolutely love it. Cannot wait to see Glacier in the spring. Did see the Black hills in the Badlands in South Dakota beautiful had no idea. Did see Mount Rushmore and devils tower. Pretty cool. But for those who haven't visited Montana it's so worth it. It's beautiful and the people are amazing.
I'm starting to plan our (belated) honeymoon for next summer! We'd be starting in south central Texas and the goal is to go to Rocky Mountain National Park, the Black Hills, Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons.
You missed the ND 22 from Killdeer to New Town (features several badlands dropoffs), ND 23 (Crows High Fly Butte, driving across the 4 Bears Bridge with moon reflecting from the Missouri River, casinos, plethora of powwows, historical Native MHA village), ND 1806 riding through White Shield (incredible vistas and scenery paralleling the Missouri River), ND 1806 (Williston to New Town including scenic links golf course about 15 miles from Williston), and Standing Rock (ND 6 is very scenic, Sitting Bull gravesite). In South Dakota, the many wacipis are awesome to attend.
Don't discount Custer, SD. There is a wonderful place to drive through near the park. Needles Highway is a wonderful drive as long as no one is fearful of heights. Probably the most fun is watching a tour bus negotiating the tunnel. Just driving through with a car is an experience. Many places to stop to take pictures.
Something worth a quick visit north of Yellowstone is earthquake Lake. It's just outside of Ennis Montana and a very short drive from West Yellowstone.
Great memories! As Australians we didn't bother much with the thermal features in Yellowstone (not much different from the ones in New Zealand) but enjoyed the animals immensely. We saw the lot, even a Pica. We also saw the North Absaroka fire in 2008, very tame compared with Australian bushfires. We had a week at Glacier, two weeks at Yellowstone / Grand Teton and a week in SD. We would cheerfully do it again but there is so much world we haven't visited yet. For me, Glacier is way nicer than Yelliwstone. Thanks for the memories 😆
Take a leisurely walk around behind Mt. Rushmore to stretch your legs where it was not so crowded in 2013 and 2015. It was very Cool! We prepared our trips with multiple focal points so along the way we never bored, but excited to get out a see joys wherever we were.
Did this recently and i recommend get off the interstate at Sheridan and take ALT 14 west thru Bighorn. Then head to Redlodge and take Beartooth pass south into Yellowstone. Way better than West Yellowstone which is awful.
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This is one of 3 dream trips left on my list that I hope to make one day. The others are the 4 corners and N. California through Oregon. Here's a kicker. I had just about this exact trip mapped out, husband finally retired from working himself crazy for 40 years, we bought a new car for the trip, kids and grands deciding where along the trip they can join us and we were ready to pack up and head out - life seemed good. Then my husband started having some problems, well at least the problems became bad enough we couldn't ignore them - diagnosis: dementia. Fast forward a few years another diagnosis: cancer and the death of one of our sons whose life long dream was to visit Yellowstone. My husband doesn't have another big trip in him and that makes me sad because he worked so hard to provide us with a retirement we could travel on. Life sometimes changes our dreams and it did for us - a farm to leave for our kids and grands that keeps me busy but I sure wish we could make just 1 more big trip. Folks, don't put off your dreams. Eat baloney sandwiches, sleep in your car or tent camp at free sites, pack a cooler. Whatever you need to do to fulfill some of your dreams. We make big plans and work hard saying "one day". Well, we might not get that day. I hope to make this trip and it will be kind of sad because my husband won't be with me but it will also be sweet because I'll remember how much my husband wanted to take the trip and I did it for him, hopefully. Thank you for this video. The pictures alone are inspiring and your enthusiasm is encouraging. ~Sherrie in South Carolina
It makes me happy to know you enjoyed the video, and your story, although saddening, is also encouraging. I hope you are able to make the trip.
Sherrie, thank-you so much for your honest commentary, I learned a lot from it, and you are absolutely right. I am from Ontario, Canada, but I have always dreamed of seeing these places. I'm going, I'm not wasting another year. Tomorrow is promised to no one. Thank-you again, and God Bless you and your family. Mary Ann.
Sharon Thank you for being so honest. You are so right. We are planning this trip soon as long as the virus allows us. Im sorry to hear about your husband and son. I have also lost a son. Life can change in an instant.
Thank you for your candid comment. Vertigo through a wrench in my plans. So, I emphatically mirror your feelings toward not putting things off. I wish you the best, and hope you're able to complete your tribute tour.
Sherrie: You might be able to make the trip by flying, if your husband is up to it, to Salt Lake City, Billings, Jackson, Cody, Rapid City, or Missoula, renting a car and driving a few hours from there. That would eliminate the long cross-country driving to get from the SE US to the Rockies.
My late wife and I did the trip of a lifetime while she was in partial remission from cancer when we took a archaeology cruise to Greece and Turkey.
I agree about doing these kinds of trips when you can. So many plan for someday and someday never comes for so many reasons.
I hope you get to Wyoming some day. We retired here and love it.
Custer State Park also has some beautiful roads, most notably Needles Highway.
And Iron Mountain Road to get to Custer from the northeast. Both roads are worth the drive. Might turn your knuckles white, give you or cure anxiety, but well worth it.
Needles highway alone is worth the trip to Custer State Park. We've been there 3 times just for Needles. Was shocked to see it was skipped in this trip. Even though we've been there 3 times, we still haven't made the hike to Black Elk Peak. Didn't know about it the first time and it was foggy the other 2 times. Still want to see it.
It does. Loved the Mammoth site and got trapped in the midst of the begging burros. My husband "helped" by photographing me in the crowd of burros.
Yeah, I was confused by the lack of enthusiasm about Custer State Park. Maybe it's because I'm a North Dakota native who's seen a ton of bison in my life, but the bison definitely aren't the draw for me. There's Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road, Black Elk Peak, Sylvan Lake, and so forth. And the burros are adorable and fun to encounter.
@@ParksLover Yes it is beautiful !!!
I've been there several times !!!
Wouldn't bypass that!!! 👍👍
One alternative on leaving Yellowstone is to go out the northeast gate by Cooke City/Silver Gate and take Hwy 212 over the Beartooth Pass. It's an absolutely stunning drive. It will intersect I-90 a bit west of Billings Montana.
I loved the set of bins in the Cooke City general store that held coffee, a great antique. "Gunpowder" puzzled us: apparently it's a type of tea.
Or, go out the Lake entrance & over Sylvan Pass into Cody. From there you can head North & check out the Big Horn Canyon or, South toward Thermopolis & through the Wind River Canyon!
R r eEa
@Jason Johnson 19 of them to be precise.
The bear tooth pass between Cooke city and red lodge has always been my favorite part of Montana for some reason.
This guy really loves what he’s doing you can tell 💪🏼
He's consistently enthusiastic in every video and oh boy is he knowledgeable.
He is super helpful as well
I'd also recommend driving the Beartooth Highway if possible
Yes, absolutely
Hard to find a better road anywhere in the world!
Yes !!! Beautiful !!! 🎯
I live in Billings and can confirm. I'm up there whenever I can get a free day and wanna go to the mountains. Of course I know some secret areas being from here. But I'm not giving those away. There is already enough people up there.
Best alpine drive in the lower 48 in my opinion.
Deadwood is a must to visit while in the Black Hills.
Couple thoughts--I'd also add the Crazy Horse Memorial while in the Black Hills. Absolutely fascinating story of this long progressing project. Also, Custer State Park was a wonderful drive to just jam through this beautiful area and spend half a day driving around experiencing it all. I folded in Deadwood and Belle Fourche in there as well. I really loved my time going through that area.
Moving to rapid city in a few weeks. Im from ohio.I can't wait to explore Wyoming and Montana. The eastern united states doesn't offer the same kind of vibe. There is just something majestic about being out west.
i lived there for a year deadwood and lead are beautiful dont go in mount rushmoore there isnt anything inside except binoculars and movies but just west of it is a beautiful lake worth stopping at oh you can also see mt rushmore at multiple viewing lots on the side of the road
im moving to mile city montana in a few weeks cant wait to go back to cowboy hill in rapid city and go mountain biking it was my favorite place in rapid city
That sounds great! I'm from Dayton Ohio, but live in extremely humid North Alabama. Me and my wife are moving to Montana as soon as we get the money. Our choices are either Custer, Dawson, Hill, Fergus, Golden Valley, or Madison counties to begin with. Probably going to start on the east side in Custer county. Stay safe and good luck! 👍
@@BrianAlexDavisMontana406 I live in Custer County, MT. Nice to know people actually want to move here.
@@bluehusky2154 I can understand that lol. That's about how it is here in winston county AL to us 😂 I love the cold and ready for something new. Just depressing here where we're at and too hot.
I'm not really interested in geography and I never go on road trips, but I keep clicking on and watching your videos. You're passionate about your content, and you make interesting videos. Creators like you are what I like most about TH-cam.
Thank you!
rewatching this since i’m thinking about a road trip to the region. wanted to say THANK YOU for your knowledge and guide!!!
14:02 While the Going-to-the-Sun road in Glacier occasionally does open by Memorial Day, it often opens well into June, and occasionally in early July. If you want to travel the road (and you DO want to), the last week of June is usually a safe bet.
Many of our friends in Australia have tried to go to Glacier but it has been closed every time. All have gone there in July and August. One has tried three times. Our visit was just dumb luck, we rocked in mid August, had a week there and were later told it closed the day we left I owing to snow on the GTS road. It is the only place I would visit twice.
The highlight of my Black Hills experience was probably the Needles in Custer State Park. Really amazing. And we ended with a walk around the perimeter of Sylvan Lake, which may be one of the prettiest lakes I've ever seen. And I've seen my share of stunning mountain lakes.
Loved "Clinton Rock"!
Thanks for the tip on Theodore Roosevelt National Park. He's my fave President!
I think you missed the best part of the black hills in South Dakota. Custer State Park, 110 square miles, lots of wild life and scenery. Immediately South of Mt. Rushmore...Sylvan Lake, a mile high mountain lake, Needles Highway, iron Mountain Road, 1500 head of buffalo.
I've done the Tetons, Yellowstone and Black Hills around 10 times. Tetons and Custer State park were my highlights.
Needles? Duh, the loop around Custer national park is worth it for an entire day. Roaming buffalo and the vista's alone are a must. Seeing Mount Rushmore at eye level is something in itself.
Good presentation and advice. I have been to all these places many times and plan to go again. Theodore Roosevelt park is a gem and that it is relatively uncrowded is almost unbelievable. Glacier National Park is, in my opinion, one of the most gorgeous places in the world. I have been many times and backpacked and car camped a lot of it. You realize quickly that many of the calendar pictures you have seen are there. Thanks for our post.
Where us glacier national park located
Great video! We did this - sort of - in 2008. We are Australian, so we flew into Seattle after a few days in Honolulu. We drove, stopped at Roslyn WA, then overnight for a few days in Leavenworth WA, Wallace ID, Glacier National Park, Helena MT, had ten days in Yellowstone, a few days each in Jackson, Sheridan and Devils Tower, and a bit over a week around Keystone SD. From Minneapolis we flew to Calgary and drove slowly from there to Drumheller, back to Banff, up the Icefields Parkway and right up to Prince Rupert. After a few days we caught the BC Ferry down to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island. We did a seaplane journey of a few days into the Great Bear Rainforest - amazing! Back at Port Hardy, we drove very slowly down the island, taking a week to get to Victoria - another week there then the Victoria Clipper to Seattle for a couple of weeks. Five nights in Honolulu topped off the trip. Sadly, we both had to return to work, so that was the end of our adventure. Arriving in Sydney, Australia, we spent one night in an airport motel, drove through pouring rain to our home near Canberra - stopped to pick up a new Rottweiler puppy on the way. An exhausting but wonderful holiday. I would do it again in a heartbeat, but there will always be somewhere new to visit.
What an epic journey. Most people from overseas just go to the big cities or visit a national park or two. Your trip was something really special.
I can't believe you did not mention the Crazy Horse sculpture just about 9 miles from Mt Rushmore. Crazy Horse's head is bigger than the President's heads. It is still a work in progress, probably several decades to finish it yet.
Also, when leaving Teddy Roosevelt Park, you will find The Enchanted Highway about 40 or 50 miles to the east. The Enchanted Highway is a 32 mile local highway lined with giant scrap iron sculptures of deer, birds, cowboys, grasshoppers, fish, prairie chickens, stage coaches, pheasants, wheat and in the town of Regent is the Dragon. One of the sculptures can be seen from Interstate 94 at the north end of the Enchanted Highway. very well worth the extra hour or two to check it out. No crowds.
The Knife River Indian Villages historic sight near Garrison Dam is also quite interesting and educational.
North Dakota also has several of the "worlds Largest" . Like the Largest Herford Cow in New Salem and the Largest Bison in Jamestown and just into Minnesota is the worlds largest Prairie Chicken in Rothsay. These are nice places to stop to stretch your legs for a couple of minutes while traveling along Interstate 94.
Iwant to get off the boring Interstate 94, go south at Jamestown and then go east on Highway 46 which goes near the Sheyenne National Grasslands . The Sheyenne National Grasslands is a sand wasteland which was the delta of the Sheyenne River where it entered glacial Lake Agassiz. But you are right North Dakota is boring.
Crazy Horse monument is cool and close to Mt. Rushmore. Wounded Knee too in the SW part of SD
Wounded Knee is a little difficult to get to. Its a great place to see if you really love history. I have some Oglala contacts who actually give guided tours of the area.
Theodore National Park in ND is wonderful and do stop at Medora and go to the Medora's house also they have a great show to got to. Scenery is great with buffalo, antelope, wild horses and lots of birds including eagles.
Check online before going to Glacier. Sometimes it takes until the first week of July to clear the snow from the Going to the Sun road.
I've been to So. Dakota several times. Custer State Park is as good as a National Park. The best way to visit Mt. Rushmore is to go up Iron Mt. Rd. and view it through that tunnel. Breathtaking. Save the $12 parking, there is nothing to see there. Wind Cave National Park is close as well, I'm surprised you didn't mention it. Also Crazy Horse! EDIT: Whoops! I typed my comment too soon. Sorry, when you went to Wyoming and Devil's Tower, I thought you were finished. PROTIP: If going to Devil's Tower, fill up with gas first. There is no gas anywhere near there. Also, if you are visiting Grand Teton, consider staying in Driggs, Idaho, just on the other side of the mountains. Much less crowded and cheaper than Jackson Hole.
The only thing I disagree with is your comment about Custer State Park in South Dakota. Sure tons of bison, and they have an annual roundup so they can keep their numbers around 3000. However, I loved the fact that you could see Mt. Rushmore many miles to the North. It is a super cool perspective of it. There are a number of mountain roads that have small tunnels carved in them. It is really cool to stand at the South end of one and view Mt. Rushmore to the North. Plus, there are other perspectives of it that really show just how large of an area The Black Hills are. Note about Mt. Rushmore-No where on earth have I ever heard so many different languages of people from around the world as on the main viewing plaza. If people travel there from all over the world then every American should see it.
Same with Niagara falls, never heard so many languages in one area!
Little Big Horn National Battlefield is a worthwhile stop and explore
Best idea if doing the Mt Rushmore/Devils Tower thing is go through Deadwood off I90. Follow US 85 to Cheyenne Crossing. Turn right and your in Spearfish Canyon which is a gorgeous drive. From there get back on 90 and go north to Belle Fourche. Take US 24 through Aladdin and Hullett which takes you to the base of Devils Tower. Take my word for it--this is a gorgeous drive.
drove truck OTR for 16 months after college, hit all 48, and my favorite was Wyoming by far! basically the entire swath of country between I80 and I90 is pure joy...
I'm amused by your comments about Yellowstone being so busy. I agree, it is busy, but if you get onto one of the back roads or trails you can go hours without seeing anyone. It's magical in its remoteness and silence.
We went in August and didn't find it busier than expected. We went to Old Faithful but didn't enjoy it. It was 93° and we have seen thermals ad nauseum in New Zealand, which apparently is not "in the world" according to this guy.
I recommend staying in Cody, Wyoming when visiting Yellowstone. It is a lot cheaper than Jackson and is a really cool, Old West feeling town with a fair amount to do. Also, when heading back East through Montana I think Little Bighorn battlefield is an essential stop. It is quite a ways off the highway in Garryowen/Crow Agency, MT, but well worth it. The ranger led tour we took was the best and most in depth I've experienced at any National Site.
Loved Little Big Horn except for the "Rattlesnakes" signs! We are quite familiar with our native snakes here in Australia but don't know how to behave around Rattlers.
my wife and I went to Yellowstone on the week on Independence Day for our honeymoon. I can confirm that was a terrible idea as the whole place was a kicked anthill. Go the week after a major holiday and it will be slower.
Also, pack warm! even in the first week of July we woke up to ice on our tent every morning, but it was 80 degrees an hour after sunrise. Truly bizarre.
Was in Glacier June 30th 2019 and The Going to Sun Road just opened. T shirt weather in camp at St Mary on east side but the pass was rainy/icy and frigid cold. Great video.
If you’re going to Mt Rushmore you need to pass through Custer State Park which comes out right at Mt Rushmore and you can actually get some great views of Rushmore from above.
No mention of the Bighorn Mountains, the town of Cody, Wyoming, or the Chief Joseph and Beartooth Highways? No national parks, but some of the most spectacular scenery you will ever see, plus a rodeo and the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody.
Don’t forget to stop at Wall Drug! It’s so kitschy you’ve gotta love it. Hey they have 5 cent coffee!
Rewatching this in prep for my honeymoon roadtrip. After watching a few younger youtubers, im glad to hear from Kyle again!!
I'm planning a complete Trans America Trail trip (E to W) in Spring '21, and I'm looking for a northern return route through the areas in your video. So, I really appreciate the information. Thank You!
I would add drives up Iron Mountain and one of the best drive in the US is Beertooth highway. The most memorable part of Yellowstone for me was our hike up Mt. Washburn, just under 11k with the most spectacular scenery.
Indeed. While the Going-to-the-Sun Road is a marvel of engineering and an amazing drive worth taking, the Beartooth Highway is one of the most spectacular roads in existence. In a region loaded to the gills with amazing scenery, this breathtaking gem is often overlooked. A drive along this road straight out of a painting should be a part of every road trip through this region.
Going to the Sun Road in Glacier NP usually opens just before the 4th of July. It may open by June 15 some years, but if you are there June 1 you will be out of luck. About 10 years ago I was on Going to the Sun Road the day it opened, July 3, there were 10+ snow drifts still at the top.
We did this trip from Australia in 2008, starting from Seattle and flying out of Rapid City to Calgary, then driving up to Prince Rupert and cruising down to Port Hardy. After a few weeks we ended up back in Seattle. One of the best 9 week periods of my life!
Thanks for the video. I agree with everything you have stated.good advice with cold weather clothes I've worked in Yellowstone several seasons and that is a repeating problem in summer.
My advice for Yellowstone is to visit the major attractions (Old Faithful, the water falls area, Hayden Valley, etc) before 9 am or after 6 pm in the summer. Then you can do some hiking on the trails during the middle of the day.
I still think the best time to see Yellowstone is mid October but I also live close. The disadvantage there is that the weather can easily change from 70 down to -40 well even the hottest month can be below freezing. 40° can feel like 70 and 72 degrees can feel like 40. Even though spring is the peak of tourist season it may still be worth going during that time especially if you want to see baby animals. Weather during that time is also less sporadic
Did a good bit of this in September and it was just perfect
I was born and raised in the suberbs of Rapid City South Dakota. I recomend hiking Black Elk Peak. This peak is the highest peak east of the Rockies.
Depending on your trip route, there's a decent argument for traveling through the Big Horn Mountains and Cody. US-14 from Sheridan to Shell, WY (through Shell Canyon) is gorgeous and Cody's museum complex is amazing. And if you go north out of Cody to the NE entrance to Yellowstone, the drive is amazing.
We're considering a trip into Big Horn Canyon next year and will probably hit parts of that stretch again.
And if you find yourself in Meeteetse, WY, definitely stop at the Meeteetse Chocolatier.
Going via Alt US 14 and hiking to the Medicine Wheel on the west side of the Bighorns is worthy, too. Also, the drive west from Meeteetsee on WY 290 and FS 200 up the Wood river to the old mining ghost town of Kirwin is worth the time.
Agreed. We loved the Buffalo Bill Museum but I slipped up and didn't know about the Irma Hotel. Mea Culpa!
We drove Big Horn Canyon fromm Greybull to dodge the North Absaroka fire. Amazing! I think we would have averaged 20 mph over most of it and it was dark when we got to Sheridan.
@@georgem7965 that's the way we had planned to go but the road was closed owing to the North Absaroka fire. Loved what we saw but it was tedious driving!
Bighorn Canyon will blow your mind. Not sure where you're from, but we went there last year (April 2020). We were living in Billings, MT at the time, and despite our experience with mountains and being outdoor people in general, we'll never forget it. 1000' nearly straight down to the river. First, the golden eagles continually fly over the parking lot area with an apparent desire to try human for dinner. Eek. And they're so big it gets a big scary. Second, if you're adventurous, hike around to the edge, but be careful for overhangs. My son and I, who are quite cautious, did this (Ranger's Delight) and later saw that were standing on an overhang. Let's just say that we became hyperaware of our own mortality that day, in a bad way.
Another plus is that, being a dead end of sorts, there are very few people up there. North of Lovell.
@@jamesbungert3155 Thanks for the info. We're in Denver metro and travel through the Four Corners area a lot, so we've been to many of the big, well-known canyons. But Big Horn canyon isn't one that we've ever visited, largely because it is a dead end-ish sort of road. Sounds like it's definitely worth the time and effort, though.
This is one my favorite road trip routes for sure. But I'd say my favorite so far is a 2 week trip my fianceé and I did starting in New York City. Then travelling up the New England coast, staying in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Next stop is Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine. Then, we drove up into New Brunswick, Canada, staying in the awesome little town of St. Andrews and taking a whale boat tour. Then looping all the way around Maine into Quebec and spending a night in Quebec City. Finally, we came back south to the US via Vermont and drove East thru New York to Niagara Falls as the last stop. It sounds like a lot, but with two weeks and a little extra money, it is a fantastic road trip loop to take!
We did a similar trip back in 2004, starting in Niagara Falls and finishing in Quebec City. That was the last component of an 8 weeks trip through Canada, Vermont and Upstate NY. We skipped NY City.
Things I would add for South Dakota: Custer State Park (Needles highway, wildlife drive!), Wind Cave NP, Jewel Cave NM, Deadwood-Lead-Spearfish area. If you’re traveling from the east from June through September it’s worth a stop to see the “World’s Only Corn Palace” in Mitchell. Corn art - various colored cobs attached to the side of the building showing a tableau - scenic/historical etc.
Thank You for this channel. Love Geography.
Didnt go by Little Bighorn? Worth seeing
I lived in Kalispell, Montana for the first 22 years of my life with the exception of Bozeman for a semester, and as boring as that town can get, I am glad I got to live right next to glacier. Been there multiple times and it’s always a good time. The lakes are fun to swim in there but they’re all super cold. If you’re brave enough, you might be able to make it on top of an actual glacier.
I went in high school and we had a guided hike to the top of a glacier. Some of the most amazing scenery I've ever seen is in that park. Cant wait for my kids to be old enough to appreciate it and take the road trip again (SC native here-and it's a long way to glacier)
@@ericw270 Well, here’s a late welcome to Montana! I’m glad you got to see glacier, and I really hope your kids get to see it someday, too. She is some of mother nature’s best artwork! I really hope to visit South Carolina sometime! I don’t know too much about it, but I know Charleston seems like a really cool place.
Did all but Glacier this year. I did the Missouri River Breaks and Bighorn Canyon instead. Amazing trip. The North Unit of the park had almost nobody and was my favorite of the two units.
Thank you for your comment. I'd love to do a canoe trip on the upper Missouri River and I agree that the north unit is my favorite of the two.
@@GeographyKing Unfortunately, I did a ton of driving as it was a spur of the moment trip so I only got to see breaks from the roads that weren't private.
You missed the best part.
@@Rottnwoman Unfortunately so.
Love this area of the USA. Blessed to have spent three consecutive summers out there (full-time RVers for 5 years). If you find yourself in Wyoming, headed to the parks, you've got to visit Lander, WY. Quintessential western American town. It is a scenic 2 hour drive to Grand Teton and then on to Yellowstone (and much less expensive than anything in Jackson). Fourth of July is Lander is like no other I've experienced. Parade and fireworks! The townspeople take their fireworks very seriously...understatement of the year. The display the citizens put on rivals any professional display I've ever seen and it goes on for hours all around you. The drive into the Grand Teton area is beautiful, I've been blessed to see it both in Summer and Winter. The Togwotee Pass is incredible and just sets the stage for Grand Teton. Yellowstone so different than the area around it, it is a volcano basin after all. If I had to skip one to see the other, Glacier NP would be my choice every time. Don't forget to pack your nerves of steel if you are privileged to drive the Going to the Sun Road, and try it in a big dually truck for extra kicks! Love the state of Montana, beauty everywhere and the people are awesome. Thompson Falls, Trout Creek and up the Highway 200 to Yaak Valley ( Tom Oar of the Mountain Men) should not be missed.
I took my 3 young kids on a road trip to Yellowstone in 1990. On the way we did both Wind Cave and Jewel Cave. I loved Custer State park and stayed there 6 nights. The drive through the Needles was memorable. Our trip was 3 weeks.
These parks and other areas are all definitely on my bucket list. I hope to see them all soon! Thanks for the review. Peace!
Only been to south dakota - what a great place to see and visit...maybe live. went 3 or 4 years ago...best vacation ever if seeing this country is your goal...from PA took 3 days to get to Rapid City...so much to see along the way. Worth all the time it took. drives to S. Dakota a bit boring, but South Dakota was awesome.
I'm late to this party, but I wanted to pop in and say what a great trip down memory lane this was. I was born in Montana, went through grade school and high school in Wyoming, and spent my college summers in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I have to say, the best three summers of my life were those when I lived in Rapid City. There's tons of activities to keep yourself entertained/busy in the Black Hills. Not mentioned in this video were the lakes (Pactola being my favorite) and also the town of Deadwood, which has a lot of interesting history. BTW, the caving opportunities are definitely plentiful throughout the Hills. Bear in mind, most are all connected and you don't have to go to the "big name" ones to get a good cave tour. And, yeah, Mount Rushmore can be seen quickly. It's a great place to visit if you've never been but you're right that there's not a lot to do there. Get the obligatory photo and maybe grab a bite to eat in the restaurant.
We couldn't get in to the big name caves so went to Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns instead - so much nicer than the photos we have seen of the others. But closed now? A great pity!
Best thing about Rushmore for me was the mountain goat grazing on the roof of the carpark.
You toured through NW Wyoming without visiting the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody? Do you have any idea how crazy that sounds? Five museums, with so much to see, that the standard ticket is a two-day pass. I wouldn't miss BBCW if I ever come to that part of the world.
Yes! I should have scheduled more time for that. We only had a day and it wasn't nearly enough.
We have driven throughout the area of this road trip. Great scenery. One word of caution - if you see a gas station, stop as they are far between. Medora ND is a very small town, almost blink you miss it. There is one gas station and a bunch of touristy shops and good restaurants.
Custer National Park - I drove through it with a box truck on my way to Newcastle, Wy. I was delivering something to their airport. A big bison was laying on the road, blocking me. I had to drive in the ditch to get around. ( Don't be foolish and try chase them put of your vehicle! They are dangerous)!
Another time, I accidentally ended up on Iron Mountain Road. If it is open in no now inter times, I highly recommend this! It's fantastic! Visit Deadwood, too!
We drove endlessly through the Black Hills and visited Deadwood but couldn't find parking! But the diversion was worth it to pass the Roo Ranch! To our Australian eyes it was hilarious! Kangaroos in South Dakota - Wow! What are they there for?
I got back from Yellowstone a month ago. Flew into Jackson and drove ~2 hours to the southeastern tip of Idaho where we stayed. Absolutely stunning! Highly recommend going in the spring time there was almost no people. It was slightly chilly but very mild and didn’t even have to put on a coat for the majority of the time. Only got to see the western half of the park during that time as some areas don’t open until early summer. Looking forward to seeing the rest. It’s a must!
Bighorn National Recreation Area is a great stop if doing this route. The Southern portion can be accessed from Lovell WY and will come after Devil's tower on this route. If you look at some of the pictures it is like a mini Grand Canyon
I did this trip in May of 2008 and it was pretty amazing. I may do it again someday.
You are smarter than us! We did in August. HOT.
Yellowstone was definitely my highlight of this entire area! Old Faithful - eh. Go to the lesser known geysers! This was a fabulous list! A favorite & over the top incredible area of our US travels.
Yellowstone was good this year. Tetons sucked with all the campers.
As for what time to go to Yellowstone, my suggestions, what do you want to do or see.
Hiking is best at the end of August but also hot so beginning September might be better.
As for animals. April, around Easter. Hardly anyone there in April. There were animals in the meadows and animals all over the roads. They were everywhere. The sights aren’t open as the loop may have just opened and there is also all that animals movement. People get too close as it is.
Glacier should be a trip of its own. It’s my favorite park for a reason. One-two weeks is usually what I can give it but it’s never enough.
My viewership of Kyle’s challenge just got upgraded from infotainment to utility!
I live in the northeast and just landed a travel nursing job in Billings, Montana so I’m super excited to drive out on I-90 and take all of Kyle’s road trip recommendations as well as tips and tricks! I’m most excited for the Black Hills region in particular
Go in early June, once my kids were out of school, it really wasn't that bad! Yellowstone is a must see, went about 3 years ago and it was an amazing place... spent 3-4 days...
Thanks for good tips, very helpful for our next trip
I'm glad you found some useful information in the video. Hope you have a great trip.
Custer is worth stoping at.!!!
Sylvan lake!!!
Beautiful.!!!
I've been to Yellowstone 22 times Flyfishing!
Instead of going through great falls do Highway 2 through north Montana to get to ND! Truly an epic road and great way to experience the northern plains. Visit Havre beneath the streets for some history! Also along the way from the Black Hills to Jackson visit the hot springs and dinosaur museum in Thermopolis, Wyoming
Not the same route, but did this years ago. I plan on doing it again with someone who has never been that far west, and my descriptions of it just fall so short. It must be seen to take in exactly how huge and beautiful everything is. Thanks for this video. Side note, I thought I remember the billboards for Wall Drug stating the Free Water was for Astronauts? Sir, you are indeed a traveler! Thanks again!
Living in Texas, my family hasn't got to visit Yellowstone and the area nearly often enough. We did go once prior to the big fires in 1988 and the reintroduction of wolves in 1995. Even though it was beautiful and heavily wooded in many areas with elk everywhere, it almost seemed like a drive through a zoo instead of a national park. Going back twice since about once every 10 years and staying in West Yellowstone once and Gardiner the last time we concentrated on different parts of the park more each time. Going to the Lamar Valley early each morning for several days was great seeing lots of bison and some elk and bear. Finally on the third or fourth morning we saw wolves which was our primary objective that trip. What we saw seemed more natural as far as animal numbers and concentrations was concerned and it felt more "real" instead of the first time where the elk were far more numerous and did not act the least bit wild. Obviously the Yellowstone River and lake and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Mammoth, Norris, Old Faithful are a must every time you visit. I really want to go back in midwinter some time to see if it would be even better than summer!
I went in a road trip from my house in Massachusetts to south Dakota up to North Dakota thru Minnesota and Wisconsin and thru the entire of Michigan back to my house it was awesome
My fave states...visited with my wife when we were college students and had a $30 tent and a salvaged Focus.
This is a fantastic video. Well done!
Last time visiting Yellowstone was the week before Memorial day. Everything was open, it was still a little chilly, but crowds were very manageable had a great time! Don't go in July, it will greatly diminish your experience.
Drove out a couple of years ago from the East Coast. South Dakota was fascinating just because it was so empty. Yes, go to Mount Rushmore, but be advised that even if you have a NPS pass, you still have to pay for parking ($17!). I would highly recommend visiting the Crazy Horse Memorial, just half an hour from Mount Rushmore.
There are some smaller but cool sights to see in Montana. Pompey’s Pillar is right off the interstate and is cool to see Lewis’s signature. Many cool ghost towns in Montana. He is totally right that crowds are small in Theodore Roosevelt Park. In Cooperstown ND you can make an appointment to see the Ronald Reagan Minuteman missile site. It’s a totally historically preserved decommissioned missile launch facility and you can go down in an elevator and see the actual missile launch desk and underground facility. Very very cool. Outside of Wall SD right off I90 is the Delta 09 Missile Site where you can see a decommissioned but real nuclear missile in the silo.
Also in the Billings area is the Pictograph Caves, a small site but a neat place to see native pictographs in caves (duh), the oldest artifacts and paintings being 2000+ years old.
If you're interested in history and westward expansion, come across i80, hit Pioneer Village at Minden, Bailey yard and Traveller's Rest at North Platte, and catch 26 west out of Ogallala to see Oregon Trail landmarks, catch the Legacy of the Plains museum at the foot of Scott's Bluffs, Fort Robinson state park in Chadron has a nice camp ground, and come into the black hills area from the south.
Also, hop off the interstate at Glendive and follow the Missouri up to North Dakota, and follow either highway 1804 or 1806 along Lake Sacagawea and the Missouri back to i94.
1804 and 1806 are numbered for the years Lewis and Clark started and ended the Corpse of Discovery.
Also if visiting Glacier National Park, Drive up the dirt road to Bowman Lake and Kintla lake will be worth it for the amazing views and pictures.
We enjoyed the small town of Cody, WY & their famous rodeo
We should have stopped there! I did lots of research but missed the rodeo and the Irma Hotel. Must have had an off day! I would have loved to stay at the Irma. But as it was our trip took more than eight weeks and our government expected my husband back at his desk once his leave was exhausted. 😭
First time viewer! Enjoyed this! Thanks!
I'm glad you liked the video!
Would like to see more of these road trip videos, please!
Also viewed the 'single day' and multiple day' national park visits! Interesting and very helpful! Great to budget time when there is so much to see!
About the only thing I would say is that Custer SP does actually have some very attractive and unusual scenery, but it's not really on the Wildlife Loop Road. You have to get north of the thru highway and into the Pinnacle/Needle/Sylvan Lake drives. Not great for wide vehicles, as some parts of the road go through tight stone tunnels. But quite a bit different than much of the other scenery you'll run across. It also makes a nice pairing with Mt Rushmore, esp if you are disappointed with the lack of things to see there. Custer SD also makes a nice base town (with a good pizza joint!)
not to mention it's right next to wind cave national park.
I saw old faithful erupt all by myself at 5:24 am. It was great
We went to Yellowstone in June of 1978 and there was nobody there! Even Old Faithful was deserted! Those pictures of hordes of people were shocking to me. Saw Glacier park in the summer of 1992. Just jaw dropping beauty. Mother Nature on steroids.
I went on this road trip because of this video. Thank you
How much time did you plan for your trip? We are thinking of doing it next year. I just have no idea how much time to plan
Kyle, one thing I did that helped a lot was to get to the places that were jammed the day before early in the morning--just like at Disney World and the country's amusement parks. Sadly, when I was at Old Faithful a few years ago, it was a cloudy day, so I could see it coming--when it erupted (on cue, as promised), it was hard to tell what was clouds, and what was the geyser spray.
Just moved to Montana absolutely love it. Cannot wait to see Glacier in the spring. Did see the Black hills in the Badlands in South Dakota beautiful had no idea. Did see Mount Rushmore and devils tower. Pretty cool. But for those who haven't visited Montana it's so worth it. It's beautiful and the people are amazing.
If you don't go to Glacier, I recommend taking the Beartooth Scenic Biway...
I'm starting to plan our (belated) honeymoon for next summer! We'd be starting in south central Texas and the goal is to go to Rocky Mountain National Park, the Black Hills, Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons.
Excellent commentary, very good job!
You missed the ND 22 from Killdeer to New Town (features several badlands dropoffs), ND 23 (Crows High Fly Butte, driving across the 4 Bears Bridge with moon reflecting from the Missouri River, casinos, plethora of powwows, historical Native MHA village), ND 1806 riding through White Shield (incredible vistas and scenery paralleling the Missouri River), ND 1806 (Williston to New Town including scenic links golf course about 15 miles from Williston), and Standing Rock (ND 6 is very scenic, Sitting Bull gravesite). In South Dakota, the many wacipis are awesome to attend.
This video was so helpful! Thank you so much!
While in South Dakota, plan a visit to the Cosmos Mystery House, where you can stand on the walls and balls roll up hill.
Don't discount Custer, SD. There is a wonderful place to drive through near the park. Needles Highway is a wonderful drive as long as no one is fearful of heights. Probably the most fun is watching a tour bus negotiating the tunnel. Just driving through with a car is an experience. Many places to stop to take pictures.
I prefer Theodore Roosevelt NP over Badlands NP. It was quite green with red rocks. I also saw more bison there as well.
Something worth a quick visit north of Yellowstone is earthquake Lake. It's just outside of Ennis Montana and a very short drive from West Yellowstone.
Great memories! As Australians we didn't bother much with the thermal features in Yellowstone (not much different from the ones in New Zealand) but enjoyed the animals immensely. We saw the lot, even a Pica. We also saw the North Absaroka fire in 2008, very tame compared with Australian bushfires. We had a week at Glacier, two weeks at Yellowstone / Grand Teton and a week in SD.
We would cheerfully do it again but there is so much world we haven't visited yet. For me, Glacier is way nicer than Yelliwstone. Thanks for the memories 😆
Loved this information, thank you!
Thank you, great video, very informative.
Thanks. I'm glad you were able to find the information useful.
The best sights near Mount Rushmore are in Custer State Park. There are several great lodges in Custer State Park as well as two scenic drives.
Take a leisurely walk around behind Mt. Rushmore to stretch your legs where it was not so crowded in 2013 and 2015.
It was very Cool!
We prepared our trips with multiple focal points so along the way we never bored, but excited to get out a see joys wherever we were.
Did this recently and i recommend get off the interstate at Sheridan and take ALT 14 west thru Bighorn. Then head to Redlodge and take Beartooth pass south into Yellowstone. Way better than West Yellowstone which is awful.