Ahh, vacations. What is it about July and August that screams, road trip? We recently enjoyed a week in northern Michigan with my mom and my sister’s family. What a great time!
As much as I love visiting destinations we can drive to in half a day, there are several trips out West I’d love to take, too.
In no particular order:
These are the big three. The ones I will prioritize. And, yes, I’m seeing a theme. They’re all national parks!
I grew up awed by nature. I spent a lot of time outdoors, and we were surrounded by farm fields and forests. Very beautiful. But mountains? Waterfalls? Hot Springs? Giant red rock formations? We didn’t have those.
Why haven’t I gotten out to these fabulous parks yet? Well, I don’t have a good excuse. Just the usual. It’s not cheap to fly out there, rent a car, and pay for lodging. Plus, we prioritized vacations with our kids and close family. Now that it’s just my husband and I, these big trips become more doable.
Let’s start with Yellowstone. Ideally, I’d like to stay in one of the lodge’s within the park. Besides oohing and ahhing over the mountains, I want to tour Historic Fort Yellowstone. What can I say? I brake for forts! American history fascinates me. Mammoth Hot Springs, Fountain Paint Pot, Grand Prismatic Spring, and any hypothermal spot I can find are next on my list. Beyond that, I’d enjoy seeing waterfalls and hiking in general.
As far as Zion National Park goes, I’m mainly there for the geology. I just want to let my jaw drop and gaze in wonder at God’s splendor. Since I love bird-watching, I’d be on the lookout for birds I don’t see in the Midwest.
Mount Rushmore has an information center and BOOKSTORE. That would be our first stop–and our last stop. I love books! I’m not sure what all there is to see besides the national memorial, so anything besides that will be a welcome surprise.
Have you been to any of these national parks? Where do you want to go? Any recommendations for me?
Enjoy your day!
I haven’t been to any of those parks. Would love to see Mount Rushmore.
I would, too!!
I have not been to any of those parks. I have been to The Grand Canyon. It is hard to top that when you speak of God’s splendor.
I’ve seen the Grand Canyon from an airplane but not in person. What an amazing experience it would be!
I’ve never been to a national park so I can’t say. Enjoy your trips!
I hope you get to one someday!
I have been to Zion National Park, twice, it is amazing!
The pictures look amazing! How fun!
I’ve been to Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore National Park. My husband says we’ve gone to Zion National Park, too. I remember being in the area, but I don’t remember the park, so I need to go back. : )
Yes, you definitely need to go back! Haha!
Now that all our kids are grown, my husband and I love road trips. We have found that driving (we have a hybrid, so the gas is not too bad) is a great way to see things unexpectedly. Our last big trip we visited Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, the Badlands, Theodore Roosevelt National Park and several stops along the Oregon Trail. While driving across Minnesota we came on the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum. We have one hotel chain that we always use. I am a “diamond rewards member” so we get discounts and had 3 free nights on that trip. They are not luxury hotels, but clean and comfortable. Our plan is to visit Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon in October. I would recommend doing those trips if you desire it. We have been to 45 National parks and hope to visit many more. Our country is amazing and beautiful and so worth seeing.
Your road trip sounds perfect to see all the West has to offer. And October will be a great time to visit Zion and Bryce Canyon. Have the best time!!
YOSEMITE is a must see – the redwoods are beyond words!! I too want to see Yellowstone and Mt Rushmore!
For sure! I went to Yosemite as a child, but I don’t remember much. Would love to get back!
I love road trips and I have seen a number of national parks but I have not visited any of the three on your list.
I, too, love road trips and National Parks! There are so many on my want-to-see list!
We went out west twice and saw many of the National Parks. They are incredible. We went to the Grand Canyon and it took forever to get in. When it was our turn, the man told us to get a card for our daughter as she is handicapped. So we got in free.
I didn’t realize there can be long lines to get into the Grand Canyon. Shows how much I know! I’m glad you were able to get her in for free!
I’ve lived in the west all my life. I’ve been to all 3 of those national parks and they are incredible! I now live in Wyoming and hope to get to Yellowstone again! It’s been a few years since I’ve been there and I’d love to go again.
Ooh, Wyoming! You’re speaking my language! I hope you’ll be able to get to Yellowstone again, too!
I have never been to any of these parks. I grew up in Wyoming and have always wanted to go to Yellowstone. I love going to Vedauwoo, though. Climbing the rocks or using the trails are a lot of fun.
I’m going to look up Vedauwoo–sounds fun! Thank you!
These are all must sees. You will enjoy them so much. There is so much of Gods Country to see and soak up. This summer my husband and I went to see Zion National Park on our way out to CA. Oh my it is gorgeous. The other two I have been to many times growing up. I wish you the best of everything. You will be happy you went to them.
Oh, wow! You went this summer! I’m so glad you were able to get there! Thank you!!
We have been fortunate enough to visit a number of the national parks. They are all amazing. the Grand Canyon is unbelievable, as are Yellowstone, Glacier, Arches, the Badlands, Devil’s Tower, Mount Rushmore, Zion, Everglades, Shenandoah, Hot Springs, Canyonlands, the Grand Tetons, Denali, Death Valley, the Petrified Forest, and closer to home, the Great Smokey Mountains. WOW! Didn’t realize I had been blessed to visit so many until I started this list. You need to go. Hope you are able to. We are no longer able to travel like that anymore.
Well, I might just copy your list as a must-see guide! Wow!
I haven’t been to these national parks. I have been to Andersonville, though, and I loved going to Savannah and St. Augustine. I love old buildings, the different architecture, and the historical aspects. You have to stop at any and all bookstores!!
I, too, love old buildings, architecture and any historical sites. And bookstores–yes!!
I have not been to any of the national parks you mentioned. I would love to do a road trip to visit some of the national parks.
I would, too!!
We got to see Mount Rushmore in 2023 when we went to Deadwood, and it was FABULOUS. If you have time, though, you really need to drive the short distance to Sylvan Lake. It’s a small little lake that has beautiful rock formations. My favorite photos from our trip were taken there. And since you like waterfalls (like I do!), Spearfish Falls has a short hike and a lovely waterfall. Definitely worth doing.
Ooh, I’m adding Sylvan Lake to my wish-list itinerary! Thanks for recommending it!
We have been to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. We thoroughly enjoyed both of them. Perhaps Glacier Park in Montana was our most favorite. I believe you would be pleased to make this trip.
So Glacier Park is your favorite? I’m adding it to my list!!
I’d recommend flying to Salt Lake City to rent a car to experience Utah and then take Hwy 89 up through Logan Canyon, truly a gorgeous and underrated drive and you’d be heading north to cover the parks you’ve mentioned. Cody Wyoming is a must see imho. I’d get a one way rental and drop the car in Rapid City ND after looping through the parks I wanted to visit which is all of ‘em.
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s brother-in-law named Mount Rushmore and if you have an interest in that topic, Carrie Ingalls Swanzey lived and worked as a reporter in Keystone SD.
What a great idea to start in Salt Lake City and drop the rental car off in ND. Perfect! Cody is definitely a must-see for me!
I didn’t know that about Laura Ingalls Wilder! Wow!
Living in Wyoming I’ve been to both Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore numerous times. In my opinion the best time to visit is in September or October. School is back in session, tourists have headed home – so no fighting crowds, mother nature is changing colors, temperatures are cooling down and assuming you’re lucky you’ll hear elk bugling as the rut begins. If you plan on driving from Yellowstone to Mt. Rushmore, a side trip to the Little Big Horn Battlefield (Custer’s Last Stand) would be something to consider. Devils Tower, just north of Sundance, is on the way to South Dakota. The Black Hills are full of interesting places, consider Deadwood where Wild Bill Hickok was gunned down. Wyoming is great for history buffs. The Oregon and Mormon Trails run through the state, so history abounds. Ft. Laramie, site of the largest and best-known fort on the northern plains, is 10 miles down the road from me. A quick FYI, don’t plan your trip for the first couple of weeks in August unless you want to get caught in the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally madness! Sturgis is west of Mt. Rushmore. I’ve been to Zion, but much prefer Bryce for the geological interest. Hoodoos, the rock formations that make Bryce unique are a must see. I’ve traveled the world, seen many, many places and really don’t have a bucket list though there are some places I’d like to revisit to see how they’ve changed.
Not that my kids are grown, a September or October trip is doable. I appreciate all your advice! I’m a big history buff when it comes to American history. I do NOT want to get caught in the motorcycle rally! Ha ha!
Thank you!!
The railway has a trip through several of the national parks. A little pricy, but everything is included. My husband and I thought to take it but then covid hit and parks were closed for a while. His health failed and it has been put off. Don’t wait too long to do the things you want. A cruise down the Rein, Seine or any European country would be awesome, too.
I’m sorry your husband’s health failed. You’re right. We shouldn’t put off the things we want to do. I appreciate it.
If you are road tripping it’s relatively easy to do the Badlands, MtRushmore and other Black Hills sites as you drive to or from Yellowstone. As I write this l keep thinking of more places between Western South Dakota and Northwest Wyoming which would add more days and miles to the trip 🙂 I live in Central Washington State and have driven this way with our three daughters on the way to visit my family in Northeastern New York State. There are so many state and national parks, historical sites, and museums of all kinds that we miss out on if we always fly to our destinations. But, sometimes there is just not enough time and we have to fly. Hopefully when we land and rent a vehicle there is time to see some of the sites nearer to our destination.
Wishing you time for a long road trip:)
We would definitely be renting a car, so we could check out all those places! We might have to break it into more than one trip! Thank you!
Hi, I have not been to any of these, but I have gone to lots of them in NM and some in Texas. We went to Yosemite and I loved it, it’s been awhile though. How exciting for you. Enjoy your trip.
Never been to any of those National Parks but would like to go especially Mount Rushmore sounds exciting
Any of the parks will be wonderful. We have been to quite a few and honestly, Mt. Rushmore was a disappointment. When you watch people pull up in their high end cars, wearing a suit with her in a dress and heels, they walk up to the wall, see the rock face, then get back in your car and leave, not my personal idea of a park visit. The park office was small with little on the history or carving of the mountain. That is all in a private museum in town. The bulk of the area (which is laid out nicely) is commercial – restaurant and store. there is a hiking path. The Crazy Horse sculpture is not far away and is much more impressive. The museum and displays are well done and lovely. The work progresses on this massive project.
We have traveled that area several times. and you can see so much. From Ohio You could take the northern route stopping to see the Dignity of Earth and Sky statue near Chamberlain, South Dakota at the Interstate 90 Welcome Center at exit 263 or 265. The visitor center has nice displays. Well worth the stop. From there you can go through the Badlands National Park and hit Deadwood which has some interesting history. Custer State Park. Spearfish Canyon, Jewel Cave National Monument, Wind Cave National Park, The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs is worth a visit are nearby . If interested, you can go through Sturgis, just avoid the bike rally week. On the way to Glacier, we stayed at the historic Sacajawea Hotel in Three Forks, Montana ( just checked prices and they were NOT that expensive when we stayed there) and drove about 100 miles to Deer Lodge, MT. They have several very interesting museums – the old state prison, one of the most interesting car museum I have ever visited, a doll museum, and one other. We also visited an historic ranch and the Lewis and Clark Caverns (they were never there). Glacier National Park (nice park lodges) and visit Missoula, Montana where the Northern Region Smoke Jumpers headquarters is. They have a nice little visitors’ center. South from there to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The lodges fill up fast, so if you can, make reservations. Yellowstone has a nice variety of lodges and cabins. We missed staying in the historic lodge and stayed in cabins in two different areas the times we visited. South from there, you can swing west to take in the Idaho and Utah National parks. We have been to Zion and Bryce Canyon. They are so very different and spectacular in their own way. I love Bryce. Depending on how you are routing your trip, you can go through Dinosaur National Park into Colorado. Rocky Mountain National Park is a nice visit, Denver has much to offer, the Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs is a nice stop. If you are in the mood, go to the Flying W Ranch for their Chuckwagon Dinner. They have a village to visit beforehand and the Flying W Wranglers Western group (second oldest in the country) perform at dinner. From there go south to Durango and take the roundtrip train to Silverton. Do go to Mesa Verde National Park. It is a favorite of ours. There is so much to see.
That is the northern swing we did with our grandson years ago, although we came up through New Mexico and started at Mesa Verde. The West has so much to see the southern route has its own special sites to offer. Mesa Verde could be considered part of the Southern swing, but we visit it whenever we are back out that way. We have some National Parks in that area we have missed and hope to finish them up next year.
I hope you have a great trip. If you can manage the timing, there is a Mountain Man Rendezvous at Fort Bridger State Park, Wy. 8/29 to 9/1. We accidentally were there on one of our trips and it was a wonderful experience. Finding a hotel was difficult. I think we stayed over an hour away. There are many other things to see in the area. We found a nice mountain man museum in a neighboring town.
Sorry this was so long. I planned the trip with our grandson to include as much as we could and had every day planned and nights reserved. We normally don’t plan trips that tightly. We are retired and can be flexible. I hope you have an enjoyable trip. If you need anymore suggestions, I am glad to share.
Jill, I just got back from a trip to Big Sky, MT. It was amazing! Drove the hour to Yellowstone and saw the geysers and the hot springs, which were just spectacular! Ousel Falls in Big Sky was gorgeous, and the drive to Virginia City was so very different from the pine-covered mountains of the Big Sky area. I did come home with Covid–not a bit of fun, but all is all, I’d highly recommend the trip! Just mask up on the plane and in the airport!
Zion’s my favorite park.
I also like Olympic and Glacier.
Yellowstone and Rocky Mt were too busy!