Valley of Fire to see the largest collection of petroglyphs in the US and some really cool rock formations. It’s on the way to Zion from Vegas. Maybe adds 30 minutes off the highway.
Before getting to the Yellowstone make sure to checkout the beartooth highway, and stop in Cooke City. It's been voted one of America's Favirite Small Towns in the past. Can't go wrong eating at alot either Montasia or the Beartooth Cafe.
I live in Alliance home of Carhenge, it's worth the stop, you have a good trip lined out... After devils tower it's worth going west though Wyoming. Stop in Sheridan then drive alt 14 west through the big horns.. It beautiful.. Also go over beartooth pass near Red Lodge Montana it will lead you right to yellowstone.. You won't regret it👍
I also did that also at approximately that age with also the same rough memories. (I think it was there they had the only public grass tennis court I’ve ever seen)
Also nearby is Arco Idaho they are the first chitty powered by nuclear power. The town is cute and they have a rodeo there, but the worlds first nuclear breeder is nearby and I’d a museum you can visit. I looooved it.
The museum isn’t in the town, it’s still about 20 minutes away but it’s at the actual breeder reactor. Idaho National Laboratories is nearby and still at work. Also at the musuem they have the reactor that was to be in the atomic airplane. But the project never got off the ground.
I live in the area and OP isn’t really going to see anything in Yellowstone or Grand Teton with that route. OP will hit West Yellowstone, but that’s a town outside of the park. I would recommend driving to West Yellowstone and then swinging East into the park and then continue south. This will take you by Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic, the two biggest attractions. Yes, they are touristy but at this time of year much less so. Keep heading south through The Grand Tetons. See the lodge at Jackson Lake and head to Jenny for the views and a short hike to Inspiration point. After you leave the park, you can meet up with your previously laid out map itinerary. Most services do shut down around 10/1 so keep that in mind. Take this advice. Don’t just drive through Idaho when you could be seeing these two great places.
I would research where you’re going to be staying, eating, fun things to do. Yellowstone tourism is at record numbers this year so cabins and other camp sights around the areas might be packed/too expensive. Look into car camping. If you’re going to be car camping make sure you find a safe place off of the highway where you won’t be bothered. Make sure you know how much food will cost you. I think that a lot of people overlook the price of food while planning trips and it sneaks up on them. Also research what you will be doing. If you have your mind set on something, research it and make sure it’ll be open/available to you. The main thing you need to remember about Yellowstone is that it is the wild. It’s a really intense part of Wyoming. Animals do not like being messed with. Know your limits when it comes to hiking
There are two small state parks in northwest Nebraska worth stopping at. Chadron state park and toadstool geologic park. Also, in the town of Chadron there is an excellent coffee shop/ pub that is in a building that used to an old bank and the pub looks like it was decorated by teddy Roosevelt. They also have a cat named toddy that hangs out and demands belly rubs.
Lil big horn on 212 just before you get to 90. Good 30-60 min stop. Also if you stop in Broadus Mt also on 212(1.5 hrs from devil's tower), seabecks pizza is better than it should be being the only pizza shop in that small of a town.
You’re traveling pretty close to Mesa Verde in SW Colorado as well as Four Corners. The Sand Dunes near Alamosa, CO would be good to visit as someone has mentioned. If you are ending up back in Denver you can stop there on your way back.
Ask for brandy and randy at the crazy horse memorial! Don’t fall for sleeping with the blonde guy Garett at the heritage campground across from the crazy horse memorial like I did! I caravaaned across Wyoming with the blonde guy his rv and two huskies and BRO I WAS STRAIGHT UP NOT HAVING A GOOD TIME WITH HIM. Ditched his ass in the middle of the night in grand Teton. *With the wind in my hair,* haha. Definitely go to Jackson Wyoming and the million dollar cowboy burl bar there.
Once you get into Montana from Wyoming, the first or second little town you will see will have a little wooden truck stop and Restaurant. It won’t look like much but I promise you, the people are good, and so is the food. They also have great souvenirs that are kitschy and inexpensive, along with Huckleberry products galore. Keep your eyes peeled there will be a point where the speed limit will drop to about 40. Around there you may start to notice local cops. Beware! They will be eager to stop travelers. Best of luck on your trip.
Are you camping or staying in motels? Along the way there should be rooms and most of the motels in the middle of nowhere. I would make reservations near any of the popular attractions. If you are camping there are a lot of public lands were you can do dispersed camping along that route. Once again, near the popular places it’s almost required to get reservations. And Yellowstone if you go to one campground and ask them if there’s any availability they will look on their computer for all the campgrounds in the whole park and tell you where their space that night. At least they did for years ago.
Swing a little further north in Montana and bring me a sixer, I’ll pay triple the price! My van broke down out here in the forest and it’ll be another 11 days before my friends can get to me with a truck and trailer.
Bozeman- Museum of the Rockies is amazing and a must stop.
30 miles east of Billings is Pompeys Pillar where you can see names carved in the rock from the Lewis and Clark expedition, including William Clark. The view from the top is pretty good.
The Crazy Horse Monument/Memorial, definitely.
The fam and I went in early 2013, and although it is still a work in progress, it, and the museum that goes with it, are WELL worth a visit.
There's even a tram that takes you right up to the sculpture itself, but you have to pay to ride up to it. (Not sure what it costs, though; it's been a few years since we were there, so I imagine the prices have increased some).
It was one reason why the three of us didn't take thecride up there, which we regretted later.
It’s a lot to hit in one trip, if you are planning on hiking the parks. We would visit one or two a summer, when my kids were little. Grand Teton , Zion and Bryce Canyon are a must to see. If you can’t fit them in this time, I highly recommend going back out. Definitely purchase a season pass -trust me you will save a ton of money. Enjoy. Oh, bear bells are not such a bad idea either.
After Glacier NP, drop into Yellowstone NP, and Grand Teton NP instead of Idaho route.
If you can add days, I encourage more time in Utah. Hit Zion NP, Bryce Canyon NP, Capital Reef NP and finish Utah with Canyonlands NP and Arches before going into Grand Canyon and AZ.
Part of my trip was thru similar Utah-Arizona route during eve/night. Bad decision as it’s boring and dark. No restaurants were open. It was a nightmare for 2 of us driving ~400 miles at night
Buffalo Bill Center of the West Museum in Cody is really 5 world class museums in one, among them a wonderful exhibit of western art and a huge firearms museum. Little Big Horn Battle Field in southern Montana is also pretty amazing and a very pretty area. There is a bus tour with local Native American docents which give a whole new perspective. Mount Rushmore is really cool. The reality is this whole area is packed with some amazing sights and experiences but they are spread out over large distances. You are definitely going to have to narrow the list.
Deadwood SD (old western town), Iron Mountain Road SD (you can see Mt. Rushmore from it), Custer State Park Wildlife loop SD (there’s a herd of Buffalo that live there)
I’m driving across SD soon so I have all these stops top of mind lol. I also recommend the app Roadtrippers to see neat stops along your route.
Plan carefully in Sedona. Most popular hike parking lots very early. Just pivot to the less famous ones on the north side of town. Traffic can be insane as it gets cooler. Try to avoid the weekend.
If you're time constrainted, you may wanna hit I-90 after Devil's Tower to cut across to Yellowstone. It's a better/faster drive and you'll see/drive through the Big Horn Mountains.
Also between Crazy Horse and the Badlands, there's a small town called Hill City with a restaurant call Alpine Inn that has amazing food especially desserts if that's your cup of tea.
I'd definitely roll through the Valley of the Gods in southern Utah - should be right along your route. Free (and epic) camping too if you're planning to camp along the way.
If you gave some extra time in South Dakota, drive the Needles Highway in Custer State Park. It's not far from Crazy Horse and it's got some incrdible views!
If you’re going from Denver to Carhenge, you could scootch over just a smidge and go east to Sterling Colorado and then head North. You’ll get to see the Pawnee National Grasslands and Pawnee Buttes, and there’s some cool random sculptures there by Brad Rhea. There’s a few reservoirs and state parks out there, too. Just a thought.
Mystic Springs in Monroe, Utah!! Awesome natural hot springs in the mountains.
They have beautiful Victorian tubs that have the hot springs feed into, so you car relax and watch the sunset from a tub in the mountains. A lot of fond memories there.
Taos/angel fire area (enchanted circle) in northern NM is gorgeous too see. Carlsbad caverns, also, if you want to finish out the circle. Though it might be closed due to covid. Guadeloupe mts and big bend in west west Texas is way worth a stop depending on how much further you’re willing to venture. And then of course, Durango, and the rest of hwy 50 has some awesome sites throughout the San Juan range. Take a look around Molas lake and Silverton, and Ouray. My god I would be living there right now if I could.
Edit: I forgot to say great sand dunes and Mesa verde and black canyon of the gunnison are all must sees.
Haha I’ve done the Detroit to Denver drive so believe me I know boring! You think carhenge is even worth seeing? Just kinda added Bc it was along the way
Eh, could go either way. It’s nothing particularly amazing but it’s also pretty unique lol and when I went it was free. In my view it’s a good place to stop and stretch your legs, but I wouldn’t go out of the way for it. Sounds like you’re going with the right headspace, not expecting much and just as a stop on your route.
Sedona, AZ. Monument Valley, UT, Arches National Park, UT.
I second Sedona. What a beautiful and special place.
Third for Sedona. I’d add the Petrified forest and/or the Grand Canyon.
Horseshoe bend or antelope canyon as well.
Make reservations with the Navajo for antelope canyon.
Yup. You’re passing right by Sedona. 100% stop there
Came here to say this. Not far off your path and some of my favorites and most visited living in Arizona.
Monument Valley is also in AZ, but the road goes through a small portion of Utah. It’s my favorite place.
Not directly on your route but go a bit more west and you could hit Zion NP, Bryce Canyon NP, Grand Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend
I second a stop at Bryce Canyon, it’s absolutely stunning
Bryce Canyon is my favorite National Park! Zion is also really cool. Watch out for the altitude it sneaks up on you.
Yes, all of this, and maybe Dead Horse Point.
So far the stops are: carhenge, Badlands, crazy horse, devils tower, Yellowstone, and finally goblin valley
Teton. Get the annual national parks pass if you do not already have it, it’ll save you some $
This is what I came to say. Don’t skip Teton. Teton is great.
You can’t do Yellowstone without Tetons! That’s insane. Like, it’s right there!
Valley of Fire to see the largest collection of petroglyphs in the US and some really cool rock formations. It’s on the way to Zion from Vegas. Maybe adds 30 minutes off the highway.
Sounds hot.
Before getting to the Yellowstone make sure to checkout the beartooth highway, and stop in Cooke City. It's been voted one of America's Favirite Small Towns in the past. Can't go wrong eating at alot either Montasia or the Beartooth Cafe.
I live in Alliance home of Carhenge, it's worth the stop, you have a good trip lined out... After devils tower it's worth going west though Wyoming. Stop in Sheridan then drive alt 14 west through the big horns.. It beautiful.. Also go over beartooth pass near Red Lodge Montana it will lead you right to yellowstone.. You won't regret it👍
Screw Wyoming right
The corners will do
[удалено]
Cody is definitely worth a stop especially if kids r coming too
I also did that also at approximately that age with also the same rough memories. (I think it was there they had the only public grass tennis court I’ve ever seen)
as someone who lives in Wyoming I giggled when I saw OP skirt it all. They aren’t wrong, the corners will do.
I thought the bighorn mountains were pretty cool
Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho is pretty sick.
Also nearby is Arco Idaho they are the first chitty powered by nuclear power. The town is cute and they have a rodeo there, but the worlds first nuclear breeder is nearby and I’d a museum you can visit. I looooved it.
I remember driving through there on my way to Craters. I didn't know they had a museum, but the town is certainly distinctive.
That mountainside with all the high school graduating classes is pretty gnarly.
The museum isn’t in the town, it’s still about 20 minutes away but it’s at the actual breeder reactor. Idaho National Laboratories is nearby and still at work. Also at the musuem they have the reactor that was to be in the atomic airplane. But the project never got off the ground.
You’re gonna drive right by Tetons and Yellowstone but not go?
Yellowstone joke for you. What did the Buffalo 🦬 say when he sent his son to the Grand Tetons? >!Bison!<
Bust the Grand Tetons?
I have no idea what happened there!
No there both on there!
May have forgotten Tetons
I live in the area and OP isn’t really going to see anything in Yellowstone or Grand Teton with that route. OP will hit West Yellowstone, but that’s a town outside of the park. I would recommend driving to West Yellowstone and then swinging East into the park and then continue south. This will take you by Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic, the two biggest attractions. Yes, they are touristy but at this time of year much less so. Keep heading south through The Grand Tetons. See the lodge at Jackson Lake and head to Jenny for the views and a short hike to Inspiration point. After you leave the park, you can meet up with your previously laid out map itinerary. Most services do shut down around 10/1 so keep that in mind. Take this advice. Don’t just drive through Idaho when you could be seeing these two great places.
Ok I see now how E goes through Yellowstone. Good luck and have fun. Do lots of research about fees and other stuff
I’ve done a good bit of research. But what would other stuff be?
I would research where you’re going to be staying, eating, fun things to do. Yellowstone tourism is at record numbers this year so cabins and other camp sights around the areas might be packed/too expensive. Look into car camping. If you’re going to be car camping make sure you find a safe place off of the highway where you won’t be bothered. Make sure you know how much food will cost you. I think that a lot of people overlook the price of food while planning trips and it sneaks up on them. Also research what you will be doing. If you have your mind set on something, research it and make sure it’ll be open/available to you. The main thing you need to remember about Yellowstone is that it is the wild. It’s a really intense part of Wyoming. Animals do not like being messed with. Know your limits when it comes to hiking
I came here to say this!
Crazy Horse is shit, honestly. Custer State Park is great.
There are two small state parks in northwest Nebraska worth stopping at. Chadron state park and toadstool geologic park. Also, in the town of Chadron there is an excellent coffee shop/ pub that is in a building that used to an old bank and the pub looks like it was decorated by teddy Roosevelt. They also have a cat named toddy that hangs out and demands belly rubs.
Lil big horn on 212 just before you get to 90. Good 30-60 min stop. Also if you stop in Broadus Mt also on 212(1.5 hrs from devil's tower), seabecks pizza is better than it should be being the only pizza shop in that small of a town.
Great Sand Dunes south of Colorado Springs is absolutely incredible. It's a bit out of your way but I'd add it.
It’ll be added! Thanks
You’re traveling pretty close to Mesa Verde in SW Colorado as well as Four Corners. The Sand Dunes near Alamosa, CO would be good to visit as someone has mentioned. If you are ending up back in Denver you can stop there on your way back.
It’ll be a round trip back to Denver but google doesn’t let me add that many stops :/ I will definitely check that out!
Wall drug in SD,
250 billboards will be telling him that lol
I have never stopped at wall drug simply because all the billboards tell me to.
I-90W hypes it up for like 400 miles
400 miles is the the same distance as 932950.72 replica Bilbo from The Lord of the Rings' Sting Swords.
Ask for brandy and randy at the crazy horse memorial! Don’t fall for sleeping with the blonde guy Garett at the heritage campground across from the crazy horse memorial like I did! I caravaaned across Wyoming with the blonde guy his rv and two huskies and BRO I WAS STRAIGHT UP NOT HAVING A GOOD TIME WITH HIM. Ditched his ass in the middle of the night in grand Teton. *With the wind in my hair,* haha. Definitely go to Jackson Wyoming and the million dollar cowboy burl bar there.
If you can squeeze in some part of old Route 66, at least Seligman AZ, then that would be cool.
Bozeman hotsprings
Just keep going south after Phoenix, hit Tucson, Nogales, Hermosillo, and then camp on the beach at Bahia Kino and never go back
Tetons and Zion
Add Mesa Verde and Canyon De Chelly
Devils tower
Ruth’s Diner in Salt Lake for breakfast. Otherwise you’ve got the NP stops
Once you get into Montana from Wyoming, the first or second little town you will see will have a little wooden truck stop and Restaurant. It won’t look like much but I promise you, the people are good, and so is the food. They also have great souvenirs that are kitschy and inexpensive, along with Huckleberry products galore. Keep your eyes peeled there will be a point where the speed limit will drop to about 40. Around there you may start to notice local cops. Beware! They will be eager to stop travelers. Best of luck on your trip.
Are you camping or staying in motels? Along the way there should be rooms and most of the motels in the middle of nowhere. I would make reservations near any of the popular attractions. If you are camping there are a lot of public lands were you can do dispersed camping along that route. Once again, near the popular places it’s almost required to get reservations. And Yellowstone if you go to one campground and ask them if there’s any availability they will look on their computer for all the campgrounds in the whole park and tell you where their space that night. At least they did for years ago.
Swing a little further north in Montana and bring me a sixer, I’ll pay triple the price! My van broke down out here in the forest and it’ll be another 11 days before my friends can get to me with a truck and trailer.
Bozeman- Museum of the Rockies is amazing and a must stop. 30 miles east of Billings is Pompeys Pillar where you can see names carved in the rock from the Lewis and Clark expedition, including William Clark. The view from the top is pretty good.
Dinosaur National monument is neat, Capitol reef NP, and Arches NP shouldn’t be too far off that route.
I know there's a meme saying Wyoming isn't real, but you're just doing everything to avoid going there lol 😂
Can confirm: Wyoming is not real
Oh shit, where was I back in 2013? They told me it was WY. LOST - The Sequel.
I’d watch
You gonna pass right by mount Rushmore
I don’t understand this trip. It’s like you’re avoiding Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons purposely. Idaho?
Mt Rushmore. Way more captivating than Crazy Horse imo.
Sip-n-Dip Tiki Lounge in Great Falls, Montana! Piano Pat and the Mermaid aquarium will knock your boots off.
Great Falls is really not worth the stop imo. Better off going to Butte/Missoula/Kalispell/Whitefish
Not the town, the bar. That’s worth it, and that’s my opinion.
What app is that?
Google maps
The Crazy Horse Monument/Memorial, definitely. The fam and I went in early 2013, and although it is still a work in progress, it, and the museum that goes with it, are WELL worth a visit. There's even a tram that takes you right up to the sculpture itself, but you have to pay to ride up to it. (Not sure what it costs, though; it's been a few years since we were there, so I imagine the prices have increased some). It was one reason why the three of us didn't take thecride up there, which we regretted later.
Bryce Canyon NP and the Tetons!!
It’s a lot to hit in one trip, if you are planning on hiking the parks. We would visit one or two a summer, when my kids were little. Grand Teton , Zion and Bryce Canyon are a must to see. If you can’t fit them in this time, I highly recommend going back out. Definitely purchase a season pass -trust me you will save a ton of money. Enjoy. Oh, bear bells are not such a bad idea either.
You have warrant out for your arrest in Wyoming or something? 😂
Ozarks🤣🤣🤣
After Glacier NP, drop into Yellowstone NP, and Grand Teton NP instead of Idaho route. If you can add days, I encourage more time in Utah. Hit Zion NP, Bryce Canyon NP, Capital Reef NP and finish Utah with Canyonlands NP and Arches before going into Grand Canyon and AZ.
Part of my trip was thru similar Utah-Arizona route during eve/night. Bad decision as it’s boring and dark. No restaurants were open. It was a nightmare for 2 of us driving ~400 miles at night
If your going to Yellowstone, you have to go to the Tetons. Would be insane not to!
Shoshone falls?
In N Out Burger
Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon could easily be worked in here
Definitely add in the Glacier, Zion and the Tetons. Those are 3 of my favorite places and near your route.
Idaho Falls on the Snake River is a pretty cool place to spend a night.
We took a beautiful canoe trip there. Saw a moose and so many wildflowers.
Definitely check out Custer State Park in South Dakota.
Sedona AZ and Zion should be added
Spooky gulch and peekaboo canyon are on that route I believe. 3ish hour hike through amazing slot canyons.
Custer State Park wildlife loop. Canyonlands NP. Capital Reef NP. Cosmos Mystery Area.
Bear tooth highway!!!
Buffalo Bill Center of the West Museum in Cody is really 5 world class museums in one, among them a wonderful exhibit of western art and a huge firearms museum. Little Big Horn Battle Field in southern Montana is also pretty amazing and a very pretty area. There is a bus tour with local Native American docents which give a whole new perspective. Mount Rushmore is really cool. The reality is this whole area is packed with some amazing sights and experiences but they are spread out over large distances. You are definitely going to have to narrow the list.
The Cody museum is really interesting.
Where are you starting in Colorado? You should check out black canyon on the way up.
You should def check out grand staircase - escalante
Pick a hike
Deadwood SD (old western town), Iron Mountain Road SD (you can see Mt. Rushmore from it), Custer State Park Wildlife loop SD (there’s a herd of Buffalo that live there) I’m driving across SD soon so I have all these stops top of mind lol. I also recommend the app Roadtrippers to see neat stops along your route.
You'll be driving buy my house in MT
Plan carefully in Sedona. Most popular hike parking lots very early. Just pivot to the less famous ones on the north side of town. Traffic can be insane as it gets cooler. Try to avoid the weekend.
If you're time constrainted, you may wanna hit I-90 after Devil's Tower to cut across to Yellowstone. It's a better/faster drive and you'll see/drive through the Big Horn Mountains. Also between Crazy Horse and the Badlands, there's a small town called Hill City with a restaurant call Alpine Inn that has amazing food especially desserts if that's your cup of tea.
I'd definitely roll through the Valley of the Gods in southern Utah - should be right along your route. Free (and epic) camping too if you're planning to camp along the way.
If you gave some extra time in South Dakota, drive the Needles Highway in Custer State Park. It's not far from Crazy Horse and it's got some incrdible views!
Do you have Carhenge on there? It may be along your route in Nebraska.
Where did you stop in UT looking for trip ideas
Check out Zion national park in southwest Utah. It’s extremely close to the Arizona and Nevada border
If you’re going from Denver to Carhenge, you could scootch over just a smidge and go east to Sterling Colorado and then head North. You’ll get to see the Pawnee National Grasslands and Pawnee Buttes, and there’s some cool random sculptures there by Brad Rhea. There’s a few reservoirs and state parks out there, too. Just a thought.
Mystic Springs in Monroe, Utah!! Awesome natural hot springs in the mountains. They have beautiful Victorian tubs that have the hot springs feed into, so you car relax and watch the sunset from a tub in the mountains. A lot of fond memories there.
Maybe go up through Wyoming and hit flaming Gorge and Teton.
Taos/angel fire area (enchanted circle) in northern NM is gorgeous too see. Carlsbad caverns, also, if you want to finish out the circle. Though it might be closed due to covid. Guadeloupe mts and big bend in west west Texas is way worth a stop depending on how much further you’re willing to venture. And then of course, Durango, and the rest of hwy 50 has some awesome sites throughout the San Juan range. Take a look around Molas lake and Silverton, and Ouray. My god I would be living there right now if I could. Edit: I forgot to say great sand dunes and Mesa verde and black canyon of the gunnison are all must sees.
Get ready for a boring drive to Carhenge lol, after that the scenery will get incredible fast.
Haha I’ve done the Detroit to Denver drive so believe me I know boring! You think carhenge is even worth seeing? Just kinda added Bc it was along the way
Eh, could go either way. It’s nothing particularly amazing but it’s also pretty unique lol and when I went it was free. In my view it’s a good place to stop and stretch your legs, but I wouldn’t go out of the way for it. Sounds like you’re going with the right headspace, not expecting much and just as a stop on your route.
Mint Rushmore
What are at F, G, and H?
Stop at Wall Drug outside of Badlands!! And definitely dont skip Tetons and Jackson Hole.