Visit to Rushmore and other places

[perezjuanf]

This summer my wife and I are planing to visit Salt Lake City, from there we want to visit Mount Rushmore and other places, we are traveling from Florida to SLC by train after spending a 2 or 3 days touring SLC I am planning to rent a Car and travel to visit Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower and etc. my wife has a problem walking long distances so we are not too sure what else to see any recomendations? Once we finish visiting Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower and other I am plannig to drive to Denver, Co where I am planning to take the train for the trip back.

Any sugestions, idea

Thanks

Juan F. Perez

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

One thing I have found much to my delight as I get older is that the National Parks are truly set up for everyone, including those among us with limited athletic abilities. Yes, you can certainly go off for multi-day strenuous hikes through untouched wilderness, but it is also possible at early every park to have a rewarding experience while only traversing relatively short distances on paved walkways. The Black Hills area that you are gong to visit is a case in point. Both Mount Rushmore and Devils Tower are viewable from parking lots, or you can take short strolls to other viewing points. Badlands National Park has a road through it with multiple viewing points. Wind Cave can be explored via the quarter-mile Garden of Eden Tour which is "designed for people with limited time or abilities." At Jewel Cave, the Discovery Tour uses an elevator and is wheelchair accessible but does involve negotiating 15 steps. In addition to such short walks, essentially all national parks offer ranger-conducted talks, either indoors or out, that will give you incredible insights into these natural and historic wonders. Your first stop when arriving at any national (or state) park should be to check with the rangers or park guides at the visitors center to see just what is available. Also, as you head down to Denver, plan on making some stops at landmarks of the old Oregon Trail such as Chimney Rock and Courthouse & Jail Rocks near Bridgeport NE.

AZBuck