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Hi, just discovered this website, hoping you can help me out.
Husband and I are planning a roadtrip from Dayton, OH to Richland, WA in September. We hope to camp most of the way there and back. Thinking about taking IH 90 out there and stopping at Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone, then IH 80 back for different scenery. We plan on 6-7 days each way. Any suggestions for places to camp or things to see on the way?
Thanks
When we did the camping routine, we always tried to find state parks or national forest campgrounds that weren't too far off of our planned route. They were usually less expensive, with more space in each site, than in private campgrounds or RV parks with tent sites. (I'm assuming that by "camp", you mean with a tent.) If you're a AAA member, you can also get Camp Books for the states you are planning to drive through.
As for things to see on the way - it would help us if we knew a little more about the types of things you like (historical? scenic? touristy? off the wall?). There are also quite a few things listed on this site that might intrigue you.
I do like your idea of using a loop instead of taking the same way back as you took out. It's much more fun.
Donna
Hi, and Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum.
Some of I-90 can almost be regarded as a destination in itself, once you get to SD. There really is a lot for you to choose from - tacky touristy things to great natural sites.
To mention just a few along my favourite stretch... there is the Corn Palace in Mitchell; WallDrug in Wall; Badlands NP; Custer SP; 'Center of the Nation' at Belle Fourche. Into WY, if time allows, you may like to take route 14 at Ranchester (exit 9) and follow Alt 14 to Lovell (and 310 back to I-90), over the Big Horn Mts, the Medicine Wheel and Bighorn Canyon.
Lifey
Thanks! We like historical, and scenic places with the occasional off-the-wall stop if it's not too far out of the way. And yes, tent camping, or bed of pick up truck camping if we're too lazy to set up a tent. :) I had no idea SD was scenic, now I'm extra excited. Looking forward to wide open spaces. Also, we will probably stop at Yellowstone for 1-1.5 days. What are the must-sees or tips for making the most of a day in Yellowstone?
An interest in history is, in my opinion, one of the greatest assets there is to making any travel a success. Everywhere is steeped in its own history, you just have to open your eyes and ears. A trip 'out west' calls to mind certain eras and aspects of American history, so let's just touch on a few of those whose important sites you'll be passing by.
Coming from Dayton, you may think you've seen it all regarding the Wright brothers, but have you been to Wilbur's birthplace in Indiana? And speaking of birthplaces, near Galesburg, IL are both Wyatt Earp's and Carl Sandburg's. The Amana Colonies in Iowa provide a bit of living history. Near Mason City, Iowa is a bit of recent history, the site where the music died. And you don't have to wait until you're way out west before you have the chance to visit a re-creation of an historic fort. Nevertheless, one of the most famous western battlefields is near your route as well. A visit there would also wet you up for the most scenic entry road to Yellowstone, US-212 - the Beartooth Highway. As for Yellowstone, just plan to drive as little as possible, don't backtrack, and use the footpaths and trails whenever they present themselves. If you enter on US-212 and leave through West Yellowstone, then a route through Tower Junction, Lake, West Thumb and Old Faithful will take you by most of the highlights of the park including mud pots, a natural bridge, Yellowstone lake, geysers, and fumaroles. Finally, between Missoula and Richland, take US-12 and follow the route of Lewis and Clark through Lolo Pass.
Of course, there are just as many sites on your return trip, covering as it does the basic route of the old Oregon Trail, but I'll leave the discovery of its wonders to you.
AZBuck