Chicago to Sheridan, WY - Places to see?

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Hi everyone - I just joined here.
I am going on a short(ish) road trip from Chicago to Sheridan, WY (my friend is moving there). It doesn't seem like there is that much to see along this way? We are most interested in natural beauty, interesting wildlife, etc.

Please tell me what you think of my plan so far and if I am missing anything. We plan to stay in inexpensive hotels along the way. We are going at the end of June.

Day #1 - Chicago to Madison, WI - 2 hours - start from Chicago on the later side - stay in Madison for night #1

Day #2 - Madison to Sioux Falls, SD - 7 hours -get to Sioux Falls at dinner time - stay there for night #2

Day #3 - Sioux Falls, SD to Badlands, SD - 7 hours - stay there for night #3 and #4

Day #5 - Badlands to Sheridan - 4.5 hours - arrive in Sheridan late afternoon on Day #5

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

Actually, there are plenty of things along the way that are filled with natural beauty.

On your first day, you could use US-12 from Madison to Wisconsin Dells and take a drive through the scenic Baraboo Hills, maybe stopping at Devils Lake - the most popular state park in Wisconisn. Alternatively, you could take the Merrimac Ferry, which is a free ferry across the Wisconsin River. Those would both be relatively quick diversions off of I-90.

Of course there is also Wisconsin Dells. With all of the waterparks and other uber-touristy activities, its easy to forget the place originally became popular because of its natural beauty.

Working farther west on I-90, you'll run into the Mississippi River at LaCrosse. There is a rest area and a lock and dam right along the river on the Minnesota side, where you can enjoy the river or watch a barge go through the locks. There are also scenic overlooks on the bluffs that surround both sides of the river.

From there, you could detour onto MN-16, and take a drive along the Root River, which is a nice scenic drive that runs parallell to the Interstate.

Continuing West on I-90, you'll run through the Minnesota Prairie, which has a few fun touristy spots that pay tribute to the area's agriculture, like the Spam Museum in Austin, and a Giant Jolly Green Giant Statue in Blue Earth.

As you approach South Dakota, you'll be within 30 minutes of the Pipestone National Monument. And once you get to Sioux Falls, the Falls in which the town is named after are a nice stop at the end of the day.

Moving West through South Dakota, you'll pass by Mitchell, home of the Corn Palace, and you'll get to the Missouri River, where again there is a very nice Interstate Rest Area, this one that provides a great overlook into the valley below. From there, you'll be getting close to the badlands, but if you look carefully, you can see the landscape transition from Midwest Farm Country to more of a Western Ranchland feel.

And of course, once you get to the Badlands, you'll be on the brink of the Black Hills, with enough scenic beauty to fill weeks worth of activities. Custer State Park would be a great place to see some Bison and other great wildlife.

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Thanks for the great ideas!
I am wondering if there is anywhere in southeast Montana that I could swing through on the say to Sheridan - I have never been to Montana before.

[Midwest Michael]

The Little Bighorn Battlefield is in Montana, about an hour north of Sheridan, just off of I-90.