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Road Trip From Chicago to Yellowstone One Week No Family

Meet the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower, Yellowstone and more on this ii,800 mile all-American route trip. Start in Chicago on this incredible route through some of the nation's most stunning prairies, broad-open up skies and gorgeous mountain peaks.

From Chicago head west, stopping at the Akta Lakota Museum to discover northern Plains Indian history.

Then caput to South Dakota's Badlands National Park. Across lies Mount Rushmore National Memorial in Keystone, S.D., hot springs in Hot Springs, Southward.D., and two national park sites that requite you a rare glimpse into the Earth's underbelly: Air current and Jewel caves.

Head to the Crazy Horse Memorial, the world's largest monument carving currently in progress. In Sturgis, check out the town'south many festivals and events. Belle Fourche offers a nice residual stop. In Wyoming, Sundance offers like shooting fish in a barrel admission to Devils Tower National Monument while farther due west, Thermopolis has hot springs and bison. In Cody, you'll discover Buffalo Beak Eye of the Due west and correct before you become to Yellowstone, you lot'll find an uncrowded lodging experience. After exploring Yellowstone, head to Billings, Lewistown, Miles City and other Montana towns on your way back to Chicago.

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Road Trip Map

Offset: Chicago

Cloud Gate, a kidney-bean-shaped sculpture in Chicago
Cloud Gate, a kidney-bean-shaped sculpture in Chicago

In Chicago, join locals and travelers alike at Millennium Park downtown. A showcase of who'due south who in architecture, this interactive park is an adult playground. Check out these three architectural gems, Cloud Gate, the kidney-bean-shaped stainless steel sculpture, Jay Pritzker Pavilion designed by architect Frank Gehry, and Crown Fountain which features the faces of one,000 Chicago residents on 2 250-foot glass towers.

South Dakota Plains

Exhibit at the Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center in Chamberlain, S.D.
Showroom at the Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center in Chamberlain, South.D. Courtesy Akta Lakota Museum

Get Full Circle at the Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center
Motility clockwise through the museum from pre-European to "2 Worlds Meet" to "Broken Promises" and finally "Continuity and Modify."

Badlands National Park

A grassy trail through Badlands National Park
A grassy trail through Badlands National Park. Photo: Adobe Stock

48 Hours in the Badlands and Black Hills
Hit the best of the Southward Dakota parks with these acme spots including national parks, steam trains, wild bison and a legendary store.

Minuteman Missile National Celebrated Site
Explore nuclear weapon history near the northeast Pinnacles Entrance to Badlands National Park in South Dakota.

Alternative Rapid Route: Fly Into Rapid Metropolis

Dinosaur park in Rapid City, S.D.
Dinosaur park in Rapid Metropolis, S.D. Photo: Photo past Jacob Moon courtesy of Rapid City Regional Airport

For an alternative launch point to your road trip, fly into the Rapid City Regional Airport. Information technology'south the almost directly route to the Black Hills, Badlands National Park and Mt. Rushmore. While your main destinations may be the national parks, make certain your travel plans include spending time in Rapid City itself.

Wind Cave National Park

Boxwork on a cave's ceiling at Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota
Boxwork on a cave's ceiling at Wind Cavern National Park in South Dakota. Photograph: Depositphotos

Journeying deep into the Earth on a tour of one of the world's most circuitous cave systems. Want more than? Visit Jewel Cavern National Monument nearby.

Mt. Rushmore National Memorial

Stop in the Black Hills on a Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone Road Trip
Mountain Rushmore at sunset. Photo: Depositphotos

Constructed from 1927-41, the memorial features the faces of four U.South. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

Hidden History
Before the faces of iv U.S. presidents were carved into Mountain Rushmore, this mountain was called The Half-dozen Grandfathers by the Lakota Sioux. Learn more than.

Crazy Equus caballus Memorial

Korczak Ziolkowski with Oglala Lakota chief Henry Standing Bear in 1948 in front of a scale model of the Crazy Horse Memorial
Korczak Ziolkowski with Oglala Lakota chief Henry Continuing Behave in 1948 in forepart of a scale model of the Crazy Horse Memorial. Photo: Copyright Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation

Encounter the world'southward largest monument carving in progress, the Crazy Horse Memorial. Seventy years after the commencement blast, you tin lookout man crews drilling, carving and removing rock at the memorial still under construction.

Black Hills Adventures

Hot springs pool at Moccasin Springs in Hot Springs, South Dakota
Hot springs pool at Moccasin Springs. Photo: Courtesy Moccasin Springs

Height half dozen in South Dakota's Hot Springs
Hot Springs is home to the globe-famous Mammoth Site, far-reaching caves and a watery oases. Nestled in the heart of the Black Hills, residents of this expanse have been taking advantage of the healing springs for thousands of years. The Lakota called the warm waters "wiwila kata."

Stage in downtown Sturgis, S.D.
Don't miss the summer concerts in Sturgis. Photo by Bob Davis courtesy of Official Sturgis Events

Find More Than the World's Largest Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis
Learn the history of the town's famous motorbike rally merely likewise explore its outdoor recreation and year-round events.

This Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone road trip goes passes by the Center of the Nation Monument in Belle Fourche, S.D.
Centre of the Nation Monument in Belle Fourche. Photo past Jon Larson courtesy of Tri-State Museum and Visitors Eye

The Tri-State Museum is almost the Geographic Heart of the Nation
See silver spoons that traveled on the Mayflower in 1620 and antique saddles at the Tri-State Museum. Then accept a selfie at the Geo-Center monument.

ATVing through the Black Hills National Forest with Black Hills Outdoor Fun
ATVing through the national woods. Photograph: Courtesy Black Hills Outdoor Fun

ATV in the Black Hills National Forest
Ditch the map and follow Black Hills Outdoor Fun on a four-hour ATV or UTV tour through the national forest. blackhillsoutdoorfun.com

Black Hills Residual stops:

The Social club at Deadwood
Experience the past in the luxury of today. The Lodge at Deadwood Gaming Resort is one of the newest, most beautiful Deadwood hotels.

Executive Lodging of the Black Hills in Sturgis & Deadwood
Rustic homes, log cabins, luxury accommodations, a clubhouse with a swimming pool, and everything in between.

Super 8 Belle Fourche
Situated on Route 85, our Super viii Belle Fourche hotel is just minutes from popular attractions similar the Centre of the Nation Monument and Tri-Land Museum.

Devils Tower National Monument

Devils Tower National Monument is a popular stop on this Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone road trip
Devil'due south Tower in eastern Wyoming. Photo: iStock

The Magic of Devils Tower
Travelers roaming through the northeastern Wyoming prairie volition be treated to a strange and wonderful sight: a hit rock column rising seemingly out of nowhere.

Exhibit of bones at the Vore Buffalo Jump in Sundance, Wyoming
Exhibit of basic at the Vore Buffalo Jump in Sundance. Photo: Courtesy Wyoming Office of Tourism

The Other Black Hills in Sundance
In the heart of the Blackness Hills merely away from the commercialization and traffic, Sundance, Wyo., offers a deep dive into the Old Due west and is the closest town to Devils Tower.

Buffalo and Kaycee, Wyo.

Mural in downtown Buffalo, Wyo.
Mural in downtown Buffalo, Wyo. (Photo: Courtesy of Johnson County Tourism Association)

6 Means to Feel the One-time W
Get on a trail ride, visit a saloon and larn about Wyoming's history in the towns of Buffalo and Kaycee, Wyo.

Thermopolis, Wyo.

Thermopolis Hot Springs
Thermopolis Hot Springs. Photo: Grant Ordelheide

The Globe'southward Largest Mineral Hot Spring is in Thermopolis
Information technology's a small, picturesque town where the superlative is higher than the population. Come soak in the famous mineral hot springs. And at one of the best dinosaur museums in the earth, locate the prehistoric dinosaurs beneath Thermopolis on a Dig for a Twenty-four hour period chance.

Working on an excavated dinosaur bone at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis
Working on an excavated dinosaur os at the Wyoming Dinosaur Middle in Thermopolis Photograph: Hot Springs Travel & Tourism

Detect the Wild Due west in Cody

Buffalo Bill Cody c1892
Buffalo Bill Cody c1892. Photo: Public Domain

Locals similar to brag Cody and the surrounding expanse is where your nifty American risk begins. Here is our list of the top 10 things to practice in this boondocks founded past Buffalo Neb Cody.

Horseback trail rides from Buffalo Bill Center of the West
Horseback trail rides are one of the many Western experiences yous can have from Buffalo Neb Center of the Westward. Photograph: Buffalo Bill Centre of the Due west

Don't miss:

Buffalo Neb Center of the W, Smithsonian-Affiliated v-Museum Complex
He rode for the Pony Express, entertained Queen Victoria, called Marker Twain a friend. Learn well-nigh the fable and the world and culture Buffalo Bill loved.

Also:

  • Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Heart
  • Dan Miller's Cowboy Music Revue
  • Cody Firearms Feel
  • Cody Stampede Rodeo
  • Sleeping Giant Zipline (closed summer 2021)

Residuum Stops:

Buffalo Pecker [Cabin] Village at Buffalo Beak Village Resort in Cody
These 83 historic cabins maintain the exterior historic cowboy hand hewn log; the interior is a complete, full service non-smoking hotel room.
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Comfort Inn at Buffalo Beak Village Resort in Cody
The Condolement Inn is located 52 miles from the East Entrance of Yellowstone/One thousand Teton National Parks and eight blocks from the Buffalo Neb Historical Center. Complimentary deluxe continental breakfast.
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Vacation Inn Buffalo Bill Village Resort in Cody
Cody's just total-service hotel is conveniently located downtown, 52 miles from Yellowstone's east entrance and 8 blocks from the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.
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Pahaska Tepee Resort
Originally Buffalo Bill's hunting social club, the Pahaska Tepee Resort is the closest lodging to the park's E Entrance at only 2 miles.
Read more than.

Lodges of East Yellowstone
The Lodges of East Yellowstone offer some of the almost cute views with the closest access to east Yellowstone. Choose betwixt a variety of lodges, guest ranches, hotels and RV sites.
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Elephant Head Order
Less than 12 miles from the park, this minor resort sits along a national forest. Stay in a log cabin listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Yellowstone National Park

Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Lower Falls in the Grand Coulee of the Yellowstone on the east side of the park. Photograph: Depositphotos

Enter E Entrance

48 Hours in Yellowstone
Only have 48 hours? Make the near of your time past visiting some of our favorite spots in the park.

GyPSy Guide'south Narrated Driving Tour App
Download the Yellowstone tour app that's similar having a tour guide in your car. GyPSy Guide automatically plays interesting and entertaining commentary as y'all go.

Lookout man Wildlife in Yellowstone's Lamar and Hayden Valleys
Yellowstone's huge, broad valleys make excellent habitat for wildlife. For your all-time hazard of spotting them, indicate your compass toward the Lamar and Hayden.
Read more than.

Exit Northeast Entrance

Silverish Gate Lodging Has the Closest Cabins to Yellowstone
A 1/two mile from Yellowstone's northeast entrance, this placidity cabin resort is surrounded past snowcapped mountains and wildlife. silvergatelodging.com

Eastern Montana

Driving over Beartooth Pass, northeast of Yellowstone National Park
Driving over Beartooth Pass, northeast of Yellowstone National Park. Photo: Adobe Stock

Drive the Dramatic Beartooth Highway Northeast of Yellowstone
One of the virtually scenic routes to Yellowstone is the 68-mile stretch of the Beartooth Highway – named a National Scenic Byway's "All-American Route."

Downtown Red Lodge, Montana
Downtown Red Lodge, Montana (Photograph: Grant Ordelheide)

Montana's Charming Town of Red Lodge
From incredible outdoor recreation in every direction to world-class rodeo and unique glamping, plus a scenic drive on the stunning Beartooth Highway, Ruddy Lodge is a can't-miss stop.

Overlooking Billings at Swords Rimrock Park
Overlooking Billings at Swords Rimrock Park. Photograph: Courtesy Visit Billings

Top 7 Places to Detect Food and Lore in Billings, Montana
Northeast of Yellowstone, find a brewery district, gluten-costless pancakes and Old West charm in this city of 110,000.

Night sky in Medicine Rocks State Park in Southeast Montana
Nighttime sky in Medicine Rocks Land Park in Southeast Montana Photo: by Nathan Satran Photography courtesy of Visit Southeast Montana

Become Big in Southeast Montana
When yous drive through the towns of Southeast Montana, like Billings, Glendive and Miles Urban center you'll notice that the skies are big and that ways that when the dominicus goes downwardly, the stars are big, too. After boating and hiking in Bighorn Canyon and learning almost history at the Piffling Bighorn Battlefield, explore the stars at local parks and recreation areas.

Sentinel Wild fauna and Scenery from a Train in Lewistown
From big game hunting to angling, camping, biking, hiking and skiing, take advantage of the outdoor recreation opportunities in the cute Judith Basin.

The Calvert Hotel in Lewistown, Montana
The Calvert Hotel. Photo by Leah Lensmire courtesy of the Calvert Hotel

Accept an Celebrated Stay at The Calvert Hotel
This historic building is beautifully remodeled to retain the classic design of the by while adding luxury amenities to provide the utmost in comfort.

The Sand Arroyo Badlands in the Charles M. Russel National Wildlife Refuge
The Sand Arroyo Badlands in the Charles M. Russel National Wildlife Refuge Photograph: past Bradley Castaneda courtesy Visit Montana

Lose the Crowds in Northeast Montana
Go wild animals watching at the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, which hugs the shores of Fort Peck Reservoir. Information technology's the largest body of water in the state, with more miles of coastline than all of California. Or attempt your luck panning for gold and see where dinosaurs roamed near these small Montana towns.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Badlands Formations in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Badlands Formations. Photo: Depositphotos

This 3-unit park is known for amazing wildlife (bison and elk), 95 miles of hiking trails, horseback riding, h2o sports, and inspiring a president.

End: Chicago

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Source: https://www.yellowstonepark.com/road-trips/road-trip-itineraries/chicago-dakota-to-yellowstone-road-trip/

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