Have you ever thought about RVing in the west? To be honest, no one in my family was sure what it was going to be like to be living in our RV together for almost 2 weeks. We could dream of a pleasurable experience but how far from reality was that going to be?? Amazingly, it was fantastic! We did not feel like sardines in a tin can. Miles upon miles became bearable since the kids could play board games at the table, food was always accessible, there weren’t leaking coolers to worry about and no hauling luggage in and out of hotels and then worrying if we’d forgotten something. Oh, and being able to roll up to our campsite and start cooking dinner without waiting line or crazy high bill: SCORE!
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We picked up our RV in Rapid City, South Dakota. We used Cruise America and were very happy with their service and the condition of the RV. There was a nice cubby, accessible from the outside, that was great for storing camping chairs, fire pit cooking equipment and even small bikes. Having card games, compact board games and books to read was essential.
Mount Rushmore and Vicinity
Mount Rushmore was our first stop. We loved it! It is such an amazing piece of artwork. The thought of chiseling all of that stone is quite daunting. I recommend having binoculars or a really good lens on your camera. This allows you to check out the eyes and other facial features to see the intricate craftsmanship. I love tying in reading to travel so here is a book to pique some interest before the trip.
While we were in the area, we also drove past the Crazy Horse Memorial. Hopefully one of these days we’ll get back out there to see it a bit closer. It wasn’t finished while we were there so we just admired it from the road.
Custer State Park was a big hit for all of us. The switchback curves and rock tunnels set the tone for a giggle-filled excursion. Our family likes to hike to State Highpoints if the location allows. Fortunately, Harney’s Peak, now known as Black Elk Peak, is located within Custer State Park and gave us a great hike to get us moving. I never imagined that rocks could be so beautiful. (I will end up saying that to myself multiple times throughout this vacation) It’s easy to be focused on your footing and forget to look up and check out the ever changing scenery, so keep that in mind.
Cody, Wyoming
Arriving in Cody, Wyoming, we set up our campsite and walked into town to explore. What an adorable western town with all the small town charm you could imagine. There were buffalo scuptures all over town, each painted in a different style. We had fun voting on our favorites and getting silly pictures taken. Dinner at Buffalo Bill’s restaurant exposed us to our first buffalo burger. If you get there early enough, you can snag an table on the patio which gives you prime seats for the nightly mock (abeit cheesy) gunfight just like the wild west is known for. In the evening, we attended a rodeo just outside of town. It was excellent! I would have opted for tickets the very next day if we would have had time it was so good.
Yellowstone, Eastern Side
Yellowstone is so vast it is hard to even explain. Bison greeted us by blocking the road. We found it quite comical. Nature rules around here and you have to savor the moment. My game plan was to start on the eastern side and explore the park going clockwise. *Note that you will want to get camping reservations 9-12 months in advance to make sure you get all the sites on your agenda* A book on Yellowstone is extremely helpful because there are so many options for not just camping but for hiking and sightseeing as well. Our first site was at Fishing Bridge. We were able to hike to the summit of Mt Washburn (elevation 10,243 ft). We could actually see the Grand Tetons from this point! If you can, I highly recommend having at least one meal in the Old Faithful Inn. The ambiance is top notch. We chose to have breakfast there followed by more hiking, waterfalls, rainbows and wildlife. Oh, and be sure to check out Old Faithful, erupting every 27 minutes.
Because you could be stuck in your car at any given time due to the road being blocked by animals, I find it handy to always have an activity book in the vehicle for distraction and education.
Grand Tetons
The following day we headed south to check out the Grand Tetons. There is a photo op at the Continental Divide if you’re interested. It’s a great ‘teachable moment’. This park was amazing and if I were to do this trip over again I’d book a night’s stay and plan for two full days in the area. The lake, the snowy mountains, the lush grass and overall landscape made for phenomenal hikes. There are multiple waterfalls along the main trail so be sure to take those small tributary hikes or else you’ll miss out on them. You can take a boat across the lake to avoid a few miles on your legs which is what we opted for on the way back.
Yellowstone, Western Side
The northern side of Yellowstone is like a world of its own. Amongst all the pines are areas that almost look like deserts, then there’s the rock that looks like it’s covered in foam only to be as hard as can be. Hiking trails are so varied, both in distance and landscape, that it’s hard to know which one to take. The thing is, you can’t go wrong because they each have jaw dropping elements.
Glacier National Park
From here we headed north to Glacier National Park. Just when we thought we had seen beauty! This was our family’s favorite park of the three. The vegetation was more varied, we saw more wildlife, and the ice blue water was astonishing. Although millions of people visit each year, there was still the sense of pureness that made you feel as if you had been dropped off in the wilderness, far away from civilization. Grizzly bears, mountain goats, wild horses, elk and beavers were some of our favorite sightings. *Note: if you want to drive on into Canada to see the rest of the mountain range you now need a passport.
Wall Drug
Heading east toward Rapid City we encountered sign after sign after sign after sign luring you in to stop at Wall Drug. I mean, who can resist free water and 5 cent coffee? The place is a mecca for souvenirs but to drive right past it without stopping almost seems un-American. I’m not big on souvenirs but to ward off the begging we usually opt for the pressed penny machines. Two quarters and a shiny penny and you’re in business. A cool Penny Book helps keep them organized.
Badlands
A short drive from Wall Drugs lies the Badlands. I originally thought we’d take 15 minutes to drive through them and then be on our merry way. Whoa, was I wrong! This place was crazy cool. For one, it’s massive. Two, it’s so quirky and the rock formation views are constantly shifting. Three, this place was like an adult climbing playground. We laughed and laughed as we attempted to keep up with the kids who were like human mountain goats. It’s a good time so be sure to get out and enjoy this unique landscape.
Another quirky stop heading east is the Corn Palace. The murals that have been created by different types of corn make this a must-see stop. If you only have 30 minutes, or if you have 3 hours, it’s worth the detour. The murals are on the outside of the building and there is also a museum inside to go through.
Devil’s Tower National Park
Our final camping experience was at Devil’s Tower. You might think I’m crazy when I say that a rock sticking out of the flat prairie is too cool to explain, but that’s just how it is. We walked the circumference of the rock and the different hexagonal columns on the rock are all so unique, changing the whole view. We were fortunate enough to see climbers scaling the side. They looked like little ants even though we were standing directly underneath them.
We might not have been in a Conestoga Wagon, nor did we witness cowboy and Indian warfare, but we definitely felt as though the Wild West still held on to its name, and rightfully so. The beauty is astounding and I feel everyone should experience it at least once in their life. Here’s to happy travels and safe encounters with grizzles.
Finding a way to commemorate the trip and to keep the memories fresh is not always easy. Playing the Monopoly National Parks board game is one way to do that. These National Parks are places you could visit again every few years. What camping advice or favorite hikes do you have to share?
