We'd love to hear from you! In the comments section of this page, please provide any recommendations, tips or other bits of advice regarding our trip out west. Take a look at our map-which spots do you suggest we definitely visit...definitely avoid? Any hiking trails we shouldn't miss in the National Parks...any sites not worth seeing? Did you go to a little diner in St. Louis that we shouldn't miss? Any little places along our route that we should stop and check out, like the "Giant Ball of String"?
Of course, we can't possibly do everything that everyone else has done, but we have had so many people say things like, "You really should make sure you go to...." and we are afraid that we are going to forget by the time we get there!
Here are the major places we are already planning on visiting---the cities at the beginning and end will most likely be just overnights--- any tips about any of these places are welcome!
Creation Museum, Kentucky
St. Louis, MO
Omaha, NE
Badlands, South Dakota
De Smet, South Dakota (Laura Ingalls Homestead)
Mount Rushmore & Black Hills, South Dakota
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Grand Tetons, WY
Boise, Idaho (visiting family)
Bonneville Salt Flats, UT
National Parks in Utah (possibly Zion, Bryce, Arches, Grand Staircase)
Grand Canyon, AZ
Petrified Forest & Painted Desert, AZ
Albequerque, NM
Amarillo, TX
Tulsa, OK
Memphis, TN
Knoxville, TN
Wow, quite the odyssey! Sounds like the way we travelled when I was a kid. Badlands National Park is worth the detour for the views, as is Wall Drug for a stretch break just because its so over-the-top tourist trap. But the water is free. After Badlands/Rushmore, the drive from Sheridan through Bighorn National Park to the Yellowstone East entrance is quite beautiful (Hwy 14/20). You can also drive from Cody into Yellowstone, see Old Faithful, and get out the North Entrance in a day.
ReplyDeleteSouth of Salt Lake I found the jog east to Moab on Interstate 70. Head south from there and see Arches and/or Canyonlands National Parks. Also some Anasazi ruins along that route, then follow 160 to Grand Canyon. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science in Albuquerque is superb though very evolution oriented.
North of Oklahoma City, the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is a fun spot where you can camp and also dig for natural salt gypsum crystals. Crater of Diamonds and Hot Spring, Arkansas are also nice little side-trips as well.
Thank you for all of the suggestions!!! I think Badlands detour has officially made it onto our route-
DeleteI loved Wind and Jewel Cave in the Black Hills when I was younger. They are not far from Mount Rushmore. Zion is my favorite of all of the National Parks. It is amazing. I enjoyed it more than even the Grand Canyon. My mom and step-dad's favorite was Arches. Sounds like your trip is very similar to one I went on when I was Eric's age. Enjoy your time with the family in God's creation!
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