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Road Trip Thoughts - Yellowstone, Glacier, Dakotas, Banff, Etc
Posted on 7/7/21 at 1:48 pm
Posted on 7/7/21 at 1:48 pm
We are looking at taking a 12-14 day road trip next year and want to explore several areas. We're trying to imagine how realistic it is to take on several of these parks / areas during one trip, or if we'll find ourselves wishing we had more time in certain spots before moving on. Places on our list that are "near" each other (that's a relative term of course - we don't mind long car rides, but there's a limit to that too):
- Yellowstone and Grand Teton NPs (Wyoming)
- Glacier NP (Montana)
- Banff NP in Canada (near Calgary)
- Theodore Roosevelt NP (North Dakota)
- Mount Rushmore and Badlands NP (South Dakota)
Is it possible to make a trip and hit all of this? Or should we pick one side or the other (either Glacier / Banff OR the Dakotas, but not both)?
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
- Yellowstone and Grand Teton NPs (Wyoming)
- Glacier NP (Montana)
- Banff NP in Canada (near Calgary)
- Theodore Roosevelt NP (North Dakota)
- Mount Rushmore and Badlands NP (South Dakota)
Is it possible to make a trip and hit all of this? Or should we pick one side or the other (either Glacier / Banff OR the Dakotas, but not both)?
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
7
Posted on 7/7/21 at 1:51 pm to DrEdgeLSU
You could a Black Hills/Badlands - Grand Teton/Yellowstone - Glacier trip in 2 weeks
2 days to SD
2 days in Black Hill/Badlands/Rushmore
1 day Jackson Hole
3 days in Tetons/Yellowstone
1 day to Glacier
3 days in Glacier
2-3 days back (depending on your motivation
)
We did this trip multiple times in my youth, although we were typically gone for a full month as we hung out in those areas for a week each
2 days to SD
2 days in Black Hill/Badlands/Rushmore
1 day Jackson Hole
3 days in Tetons/Yellowstone
1 day to Glacier
3 days in Glacier
2-3 days back (depending on your motivation
) We did this trip multiple times in my youth, although we were typically gone for a full month as we hung out in those areas for a week each
This post was edited on 7/7/21 at 1:52 pm
Posted on 7/7/21 at 1:57 pm to Salmon
Thanks! We may fly to maximize "destination time" rather than the long drives to / from that part of the country.
Posted on 7/7/21 at 2:03 pm to DrEdgeLSU
Well if you flew, you could definitely fit Banff into your schedule if you kept all destinations to 3 days
personally, I'd do Yellowstone-Glacier-Banff so that you could have more time at each place
I love the Black Hill area, but it doesn't really compare to those 3
personally, I'd do Yellowstone-Glacier-Banff so that you could have more time at each place
I love the Black Hill area, but it doesn't really compare to those 3
This post was edited on 7/7/21 at 2:04 pm
Posted on 7/7/21 at 2:29 pm to DrEdgeLSU
You could do Yellowstone and the Black Hills, you need several days at each to do them right. Could probably add in Teddy Roosevelt in as well, really only need a day or two there.
Glacier/Banff would likely need to be its own trip as well. To do them all you would be doing way more driving than enjoying the sights. That said if you are going all the way to Banff there are others areas you may want to work into the mix like Jasper National Park.
Glacier/Banff would likely need to be its own trip as well. To do them all you would be doing way more driving than enjoying the sights. That said if you are going all the way to Banff there are others areas you may want to work into the mix like Jasper National Park.
This post was edited on 7/7/21 at 2:32 pm
Posted on 7/7/21 at 3:38 pm to DrEdgeLSU
I’d make Teton/Yellowstone/Glacier one trip. Canada parks one trip.
I might get some heat for this but skip the Dakotas until you’ve gone through all the NPs further west, and only then if you want to check it off the bucket list. They’re cool but I know of tons of very not well known places that I’d rather go to.
I might get some heat for this but skip the Dakotas until you’ve gone through all the NPs further west, and only then if you want to check it off the bucket list. They’re cool but I know of tons of very not well known places that I’d rather go to.
Posted on 7/7/21 at 3:48 pm to DrEdgeLSU
Banff should be it’s own. There is so much to see and do, incredible landscapes that you don’t want to rush through. The hiking and biking in that area is absolutely amazing.
There’s a reason they call it God’s country.
There’s a reason they call it God’s country.
Posted on 7/7/21 at 4:05 pm to TigerSaintInDallas
quote:
I’d make Teton/Yellowstone/Glacier one trip.
How many days would you say would be required for this trip, and what would be the best order?
My first thought would be fly in to Kalispell and do Glacier first, thinking 3 days. Then drive down and do Yellowstone for 3 days, and then drive down and do Tetons/Jackson Hole for 3 days then fly out of Jackson/Idaho Falls.
In my mind I have the above trip (roughly) and then a separate trip for Banff/Jasper.
I've been to none of the above though so I'm just spitballing because I want to do those trips as well.
This post was edited on 7/7/21 at 4:11 pm
Posted on 7/7/21 at 6:13 pm to DukeSilver
I think 12-14 days is perfect for those three.
If you’re really into hiking, I’d do Yellowstone for 2 days and Teton for 3-4 days. Glacier for 3-4 days. 2-3 days for traveling depending upon how quickly yall want to get where you’re going.
Add a day or two to Yellowstone and subtract a day or two from Teton if you’re more into wildlife than hiking.
Glacier is my favorite park in the US so I’d personally try to bump up my time there to 4-6 days. 2 days at Teton and Yellowstone each. Missoula and Bozeman are both amazing as well. Whitefish too. That’s just personal preference though.
Your flight plan sounds good, I’ve never flown to those places, only driven, but it sounds like a solid plan.
If you’re really into hiking, I’d do Yellowstone for 2 days and Teton for 3-4 days. Glacier for 3-4 days. 2-3 days for traveling depending upon how quickly yall want to get where you’re going.
Add a day or two to Yellowstone and subtract a day or two from Teton if you’re more into wildlife than hiking.
Glacier is my favorite park in the US so I’d personally try to bump up my time there to 4-6 days. 2 days at Teton and Yellowstone each. Missoula and Bozeman are both amazing as well. Whitefish too. That’s just personal preference though.
Your flight plan sounds good, I’ve never flown to those places, only driven, but it sounds like a solid plan.
This post was edited on 7/7/21 at 6:20 pm
Posted on 7/7/21 at 8:34 pm to DrEdgeLSU
I was lucky enough to see all the sites you listed. I believe you could set a route is going to Mount Rushmore first then heading west on into Yellowstone seeing the grand Tetons and Yellowstone park and then from there he had to Montana to glacier and then from glacier go to Lake Louise in Canada. Lake Louise would be a nice layover. From there take the ice field Parkway which you will pass in front of several glaciers all the way to Banff. That would be a trip of a lifetime to catch in probably every site listed as top 10 in the world as far as beauty. I spent the night on the snake river at the foot of the grand Tetons on a motorcycle trip to Alaska. I also spent the night in glacier National park. As you exit glacier national Park you go right into Canada and from there a full days drive to Lake Louise. I’m going to do that same trip again in a year or two before I get too old to drive.
Posted on 7/8/21 at 8:50 am to DrEdgeLSU
quote:
Is it possible to make a trip and hit all of this?
No. Just driving to and visiting Yellowstone/Rockies/Grand Tetons took us 14 days. Way too ambitious.
Posted on 7/8/21 at 9:16 am to DrEdgeLSU
Better hope Canada opens up
Posted on 7/8/21 at 11:19 am to alajones
quote:
No. Just driving to and visiting Yellowstone/Rockies/Grand Tetons took us 14 days. Way too ambitious.
This. My father in law had a place in Jackson Hole he sold this past year. 7-10 days is a great time between Yellowstone and Jackson Hole/ Tetons. Its a great western trip and never ending stuff to do. I would maybe look to add Glacier to that, or maybe the Dakotas drive there or back or something. Definitely NOT Banff and definitely not multiple.
Jackson Hole/ Yellowstone is much more than just "seeing", same for Glacier and Banff FWIW. You want to experience and do them also. You want to have time to get to Lamar Valley early and wait for a Grizzley, to complete the long hike and not just the 1 mile because you are in a hurry, etc.
That area is a fantastic place to take your time, breath the mountain air, and enjoy the boundless activities in outdoors for all ages.
ETA: Also, you drive A LOT in yellowstone. You don't leave the park wishing to be in the car more. GTNP is a little better, but its still the West and spaced OUT. So if you go to Glacier, GTNP, and Yellowstone I don't see anyone leaving that trip wanting to drive at all.
This post was edited on 7/8/21 at 11:28 am
Posted on 7/8/21 at 1:45 pm to baldona
Thanks, all for the advice.
It seems most are suggesting that time is better spent staying close to Yellowstone / GT / Glacier rather than adding in the Canada leg or the Dakotas leg. For my wife and I it's been 25+ years since we've been in that area so it'll be "brand new" for both of us and our kids.
Is it better to find a place to stay in Jackson Hole as a home base, or stay in some of the park lodging in YNP?
It seems most are suggesting that time is better spent staying close to Yellowstone / GT / Glacier rather than adding in the Canada leg or the Dakotas leg. For my wife and I it's been 25+ years since we've been in that area so it'll be "brand new" for both of us and our kids.
Is it better to find a place to stay in Jackson Hole as a home base, or stay in some of the park lodging in YNP?
Posted on 7/8/21 at 2:01 pm to DrEdgeLSU
quote:
Is it better to find a place to stay in Jackson Hole as a home base, or stay in some of the park lodging in YNP?
Jackson Hole is a great base for exploring the town of Jackson and GTNP. For Yellowstone you really need to be in park lodging. Jackson Hole is just too far away and Yellowstone is too spread out.
Posted on 7/8/21 at 2:23 pm to Cash
quote:
Jackson Hole is a great base for exploring the town of Jackson and GTNP. For Yellowstone you really need to be in park lodging. Jackson Hole is just too far away and Yellowstone is too spread out.
From Wilson, it took us 2.5hrs to get from the condo to Old Faithful FWIW. This could be cut down to 2hrs even if you leave early enough and don't get stuck behind a fricking clown asking the ranger a million questions.
Yellowstone is huge and to get from one area to another takes a lot of time. Also, the rangers we spoke to said that park attendance is up over 50% this year. The traffic coming into Jackson was amazing for a town that small.
Posted on 7/8/21 at 10:16 pm to Cash
West Yellowstone is fine to stay to explore the park
Posted on 7/10/21 at 8:36 am to kciDAtaE
I’ve never done West Yellowstone. You may be right.
My experience is solely based on entering the park from the south.
Even so Yellowstone is huge and driving anywhere in the park takes longer than it looks on a map.
My experience is solely based on entering the park from the south.
Even so Yellowstone is huge and driving anywhere in the park takes longer than it looks on a map.
Posted on 7/10/21 at 3:31 pm to Cash
quote:
Even so Yellowstone is huge and driving anywhere in the park takes longer than it looks on a map.
This is true. 45 mph max throughout park. Plus there are always people who are seemingly driving through elevation for the first time ever and very scared. Add in the inevitable animal traffic jam and it’s slow going.
On a positive note, it is most likely the best place on earth to drive slow and get caught in traffic. Just spent 4 days there and headed home.
Posted on 7/10/21 at 10:29 pm to kciDAtaE
Where did y’all stay if you don’t mind me asking?
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