We visited several incredible national parks and attractions on this trip as we drove from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone. Our itinerary included Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Crater of the Moon, Beartooth Highway, Bighorn Battlefield, and Devil’s Tower. We flew into and out of Rapid City, SD, for this trip.
This article helps you to decide what is there to see between Mt Rushmore and Yellowstone. You can also do it in reverse as a Yellowstone to Mount Rushmore road trip.
Here is the map of our road trip.
Itinerary
Here is the day-by-day itinerary; click on each location for more information on the top things to do in each place.
Day 1: Badlands National Park
Arrive in Rapid City in the morning, and afterward, continue east to Badlands National Park, known for its rugged terrain and unique rock formations. Enter from the Pinnacle entrance and start with a scenic drive on Sage Creek Road, where you can spot bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and other wildlife.
Take a scenic drive on the Badlands Loop Road, which offers breathtaking views of the park’s unique rock formations and wildlife. Stop at the Pinnacles Overlook and the Yellow Mounds Overlook for some of the best views in the park.
Visit the Fossil Exhibit Trail, where you can see fossils of prehistoric animals that once lived there. Visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, where you can learn more about the park’s history, geology, and wildlife through exhibits and films. Stay the night in Wall, SD.
Day 2: Badlands National Park & Mount Rushmore
Begin your day with a sunrise at the Badlands Wilderness Overlook (Northeast entrance) for stunning photo opportunities.
Take a hike on one of the many trails in the park, such as the Notch Trail or the Door Trail, which offer stunning views of the park’s landscapes and wildlife.
Visit the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, where you can learn about the history of the Cold War and the role of nuclear missiles in U.S. national security.
In the afternoon, head to Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota. Spend the evening exploring the park and taking in the views of the iconic presidential sculptures. Be sure to catch the evening lighting ceremony, which illuminates the faces of the presidents and includes a patriotic program. Stay the night in Keystone, SD
Day 3: Custer State Park & Crazy Horse Memorial
You can stop by Mount Rushmore again in the morning because the lighting is better for pictures.
From Mt. Rushmore, take a scenic drive on Iron Mountain Road, which features tunnels and switchbacks that offer beautiful views of the park.
Take a scenic drive through the Wildlife Loop Road, where you can spot bison, pronghorns, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife.
In the afternoon, continue your day with a scenic drive on the Needles Highway, which offers stunning views of rock formations, forests, and wildlife.
Visit the Sylvan Lake area, where you can swim, rent a kayak, or hike the Sylvan Lake Shore trail for great park views.
In the evening, head to the Crazy Horse Memorial, another impressive mountain carving depicting the Native American leader. Spend some time learning about the history and culture of the Lakota people at the on-site museum.
Be sure to watch the Laser Light Show, which illuminates the mountain carving and tells the story of Crazy Horse and the Lakota people. Stay the night in Custer, SD
Day 4: Drive to Jackson, WY
Depending on your route and any stops you make, it would typically take around 7-8 hours to drive from Custer, SD, to Jackson, WY, without factoring in any traffic or weather delays.
Head to Grand Teton National Park, where you’ll find towering peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and abundant wildlife. Take a scenic drive along the park’s main road or hike one of the many trails. Stay the night in Jackson, WY
Day 5: Grand Tetons National Park
Begin your day with a visit to the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, where you can get information about the park’s trails, ranger-led programs, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Take a hike on the Hidden Falls Trail, which offers views of waterfalls and stunning mountain vistas.
Take a scenic drive on Teton Park Road, which offers stunning views of the Teton Range and the surrounding forests and wildlife.
Take a scenic drive on Signal Mountain Road, which offers panoramic views of the park and the surrounding mountains. Stay the night in Jackson, WY.
Day 6: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone National Park
Begin your day with a visit to the Mormon Row Historic District, where you can see preserved homesteads and barns from the early 1900s.
Drive north on Teton Park Road and visit any other overlooks you missed the previous day. Continue your drive north, and stop at Willow Flats Overlook and Jackson Lake Overlook which offers beautiful views.
Afterward, continue your drive toward Yellowstone National Park, where you’ll explore the park’s incredible natural wonders for the next few days. Some must-see attractions include Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Watch for wildlife like bison, elk, and grizzly bears on scenic drives in Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley.
Enter Yellowstone Park from the south entrance and drive to the West Thumb Geyser Basin, which features hot springs and geysers near the edge of Yellowstone Lake.
Finish your day with a visit to the Hayden Valley and Mud Volcanos, where you can see more wildlife and take in the park’s beautiful scenery. Stay the night in Yellowstone Park.
Day 7: Yellowstone National Park
Begin your day at the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center and watch the famous geyser erupt.
Stroll around the Upper and Midway Geyser Basin to explore other geysers and hot springs, such as the Grand Prismatic Spring, Castle Geyser, and Morning Glory Pool. Stay the night in Yellowstone Park.
Day 8: Yellowstone National Park
Head north to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, where you can take in the stunning views of the canyon and waterfall from several overlooks.
Visit the Norris Geyser Basin, home to the park’s hottest and most acidic thermal features.
Drive North toward Gardiner, Montana, where you can stay for the next two days or in any other lodging in the park.
Day 9: Yellowstone National Park
Visit the Mammoth Hot Springs, where you can see terraces of travertine mineral deposits formed by hot springs over time.
Visit the Tower Fall, a 132-foot waterfall near the Tower-Roosevelt Junction, and a popular photography spot.
Optional: You can take a day trip to the Craters of the Moon National Monument from Yellowstone. Drive approximately 160 miles west to the Craters of the Moon National Monument, where you can spend the day exploring this unique geological wonder. You can stop for lunch or dinner in Idaho Falls on the way there and explore the city’s downtown area.
Day 10: Beartooth Highway & Bighorn Battlefield
Begin your day with a scenic drive to the Lamar Valley, known for its abundant wildlife, including herds of bison, pronghorns, and wolves.
Exit from the Northeast entrance and continue your scenic drive on the Beartooth Highway, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and wildlife.
Take a hike on the Beartooth Pass Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s landscapes and wildlife.
Stop at the Rock Creek Vista Point, which offers a panoramic view of the Beartooth Plateau and the surrounding mountains.
Drive approximately 120 miles south to visit the Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. You can take a self-guided battlefield tour and learn about the historic battle between the US Army and the Lakota and Cheyenne tribes. You can stay the night in Gillette, WY, or a nearby town.
Day 11: Devils Tower National Monument
Begin your day by driving north to Devil’s Tower National Monument in Wyoming, a striking rock formation sacred to Native American tribes. You can hike around the base of the tower or try your hand at rock climbing. Spend the morning exploring Devil’s Tower National Monument and taking in the stunning views of this unique geological formation.
Drive approximately 65 miles east to Spearfish Canyon, where you can drive the beautiful Scenic Byway, which features towering limestone cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests. The canyon is home to several stunning waterfalls, including Bridal Veil Falls, Roughlock Falls, and Spearfish Falls. Take a short hike to see these natural wonders up close.
Drive approximately 45 miles south to visit the historic town of Deadwood, where you can learn about the town’s rich history and connections to the Wild West. Continue your drive towards Rapid City and stay the night there.
Day 12: Rapid City & Fly home
Explore the historic downtown area of Rapid City and see the City of Presidents, a collection of life-size bronze statues of former US presidents.
Additional Things to know
We flew in and out of Rapid City, SD; other airport options are Salt Lake City, UT, or Denver, CO. Some smaller airport options are Jackson Hole, WY, and Bozeman, MN, although the route may change accordingly.
You can also do this itinerary in reverse order. Depending on your interests and travel style, you may want to add or subtract activities to suit your needs.
Tips: If you plan to stay inside the park, make reservations for your accommodations well in advance, especially for hotels for Yellowstone National Park.
Typically, hotels have check-out times between 10:00-11:00 am and check-in times around 2:00-3:00 pm. We utilized this time to travel to our next destination. However, if you stay overnight within the national park, you’ll have the opportunity to witness both the sunset and the sunrise.
Rental Car
While a regular vehicle would suffice for this journey, SUVs provide a more comfortable experience for extended road trips. You can rent any car that best caters to the needs and comfort of your family.
National Park Fee
The America Beautiful National Parks pass costs $80 and include entrances to all National parks and Monuments for one year. If you plan to visit three or more parks in a year, purchasing the annual pass is a good idea. We visited three national parks and monuments on this trip.
If you include state parks on this trip, you must pay their entrance fee because they are not covered in The America Beautiful National Parks pass.