July 09 from Chicago to Yellowstone

Hello group,

Thanks for such a great site! We are planning a road trip this summer (likely after 7/4) and spending 8 days with our 8 yrs twins from Chicago to Yellowstone Park. We are planning to stop by South Dakota for a day to sightsee and then move on to Yellowstone Park. I have read up on many good write up about a similar journey and would like to know what will be a good plan for things to do with 2/3 days at Yellowstone Park? We enjoy the history and the culture aspect of this trip and light hiking (challenging with a set of 8 yes old girls). So, are there any suggestions on what to do to maximize our experience visiting the Park? Also we are looking any good clean and family friendly logging suggestions?

We enjoy photography/hiking/walking/cycling (hopefully there is rental)/family activity.

Thank you in advance!

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

At a shade over 1,400 miles the trip from Chicago to Yellowstone can be made in three comfortable days with time for some limited stops along the way (each way). Two days is enough to get a sample of what Yellowstone has to offer, but not everything, and not in great depth. Still, this is definitely a trip worth doing and if you really do have 8 days for a one-way transit, then you are indeed sitting pretty. So, along the way: the Circus Museum in Baraboo WI, Corn Palace in Mitchell SD, Badlands National Park and Mt. Rushmore near Rapid City SD, Devils Tower northwest of Sundance WY, Little Bighorn Battlefield near Crow Agency MT, and the Beartooth Scenic Byway in MT and WY. In Yellowstone: Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, Fountain Paint Pots, Norris and West Thumb Geyser Basins, Mammoth Hot Springs. Most if not all of these are reachable by short scenic hikes, but be sure to check with a visitor center or ranger station to find out which trails are best suited to your group.

Also, although I can't offer any specific suggestions, you should be looking to book your accommodations near Rapid City and Yellowstone very soon as July is close to the height of tourist season in those areas and romms will fill up soon if they haven't already.

AZBuck

We visited Yellowstone last summer the week after July the 4th. We spent 3 days/2 nights in the park. We tried to see all of it we could in the little time we had.

Day One (Entering form the Tetons)
We headed North West through the park stopping at the major look offs.
Old Faithful lodge and all Geysers
Upper Geyser Basin
Lower Geyser Basin
Firehole Road
Gibbon Falls
Sheep sheerer Cliff
Mammoth hot springs
Chased grizzly and black bear to Tower Junction
Back to Gardiner MT to our hotel

Day Two
Petrified tree
Tower Falls
Grand Canyon
Chasing more Bear
Mud geysers
Fishing Bridge
West Thumb
Lamar Valley
Cooke City to our hotel

Day Three
Wolves in Lamar
Moose in Lamar
Back to Mammoth for the scenic drive
Beartooth Highway back to Wyoming.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by markroskowske

We visited Yellowstone last summer the week after July the 4th. We spent 3 days/2 nights in the park. We tried to see all of it we could in the little time we had.
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Hi Mark and welcome to the R.T.A. forums.

Thanks for coming on board and sharing your experience with others, it is most welcome and helpful to others.

Enjoy the forums !

Thank you all for the replies. Great information and can't wait to get on the road trip.