Grand Teton, Glacier, Dakotas, Yellowstone National Park Road Trip

Day 1: Arrival in Bismarck, North Dakota

Fly into Bismarck Airport and pick up your rental car. Spend the night in Bismarck at one of the many hotels available, such as the Radisson Hotel Bismarck or Staybridge Suites Bismarck.

Day 2: Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Drive approximately 140 miles (225 km) west to reach Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Start by visiting the South Unit Visitor Center to learn about the park and get maps.

Activities:

• Scenic Drives: Drive the 36-mile (58 km) loop through the South Unit of the park, featuring scenic overlooks and wildlife viewing opportunities.
• Hiking: Hike the Wind Canyon Trail for incredible views of the Little Missouri River.
• Wildlife Watching: Spot bison, elk, prairie dogs, and wild horses throughout the park.

Accommodations:

• Camping: Stay at Cottonwood Campground, located within the South Unit of the park.
• Hotels: Medora, a nearby town, offers hotel options like Badlands Motel and Rough Riders Hotel.

Day 3: Theodore Roosevelt National Park – North Unit

Drive about 70 miles (113 km) north to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Activities:

• Scenic Drives: Drive the 14-mile (22 km) Scenic Drive, which features overlooks and trailheads.
• Hiking: Hike the Caprock Coulee Nature Trail to see unique geological formations.
• Wildlife Watching: Look for bighorn sheep, mule deer, and bison in the North Unit.

Accommodations:

• Camping: Stay at Juniper Campground, located within the North Unit of the park.
• Hotels: Watford City, a nearby town, offers hotel options like Teddy’s Residential Suites and Little Missouri Inn & Suites.

Day 4: Glacier National Park

Drive approximately 500 miles (805 km) northwest to reach Glacier National Park in Montana.

Activities:

• Scenic Drives: Begin the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road, a 50-mile (80 km) drive through the park, featuring stunning views and wildlife.
• Hiking: Hike the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail or the Trail of the Cedars.
• Boat Tours: Take a boat tour on Lake McDonald or St. Mary Lake.

Accommodations:

• Camping: Camp at Apgar Campground or St. Mary Campground.
• Hotels: Stay at Village Inn at Apgar or St. Mary Lodge & Resort.

Day 5: Glacier National Park

Continue exploring Glacier National Park.

Activities:

• Scenic Drives: Continue driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road, stopping at scenic overlooks and trailheads.
• Hiking: Hike to Grinnell Glacier, Iceberg Lake, or Highline Trail for more incredible views.
• Wildlife Watching: Look for mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and bears in the park.

Accommodations:

• Camping: Camp at Rising Sun Campground or Many Glacier Campground.
• Hotels: Stay at Many Glacier Hotel or Swiftcurrent Motor Inn & Cabins.

Day 6: Glacier National Park

Finish exploring Glacier National Park.

Activities:

• Scenic Drives: Complete the Going-to-the-Sun Road and explore other scenic drives in the park, like Camas Road.
• Hiking: Hike the Avalanche Lake Trail, or visit the Two Medicine area for less crowded trails.
• Horseback Riding: Take a guided horseback ride through the park’s backcountry.

Accommodations:

• Camping: Camp at Fish Creek Campground or Two Medicine Campground.
• Hotels: Stay at Lake McDonald Lodge or Glacier Park Lodge.

Day 7: Missoula, Montana

Drive approximately 150 miles (241 km) southeast to reach Missoula, Montana.

Activities:

• History: Visit the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula to learn about the area’s history.
• Breweries: Sample local brews at Missoula’s numerous craft breweries, such as Big Sky Brewing Company or KettleHouse Brewing Company.
• Outdoor Attractions: Explore the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness or hike Mount Sentinel.

Accommodations:

• Hotels: Stay at Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown or DoubleTree by Hilton Missoula Edgewater.

Day 8: Missoula, Montana

Continue exploring Missoula, Montana.

Activities:

• Art: Visit the Missoula Art Museum and the Montana Museum of Art & Culture.
• Shopping: Browse local shops and boutiques in downtown Missoula.
• River Activities: Rent a kayak or take a guided rafting trip on the Clark Fork River.

Accommodations:

• Hotels: Stay at Comfort Inn University or Courtyard by Marriott Missoula.

Day 9: Craters of the Moon National Monument

Drive approximately 330 miles (531 km) south to reach Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho.

Activities:

• Scenic Drives: Drive the 7-mile (11 km) loop road through the park, stopping at scenic overlooks and trailheads.
• Hiking: Hike the North Crater Flow Trail or the Inferno Cone Trail for unique volcanic landscapes.
• Spelunking: Explore the park’s numerous lava tubes and caves, like Indian Tunnel and Boy Scout Cave.

Accommodations:

• Camping: Stay at Lava Flow Campground, located within the park.
• Hotels: Arco, a nearby town, offers hotel options like Mountain View Motel or Y-Inn at Arco.

Day 10: Craters of the Moon National Monument

Continue exploring Craters of the Moon National Monument.

Activities:

• Hiking: Hike the Tree Molds Trail, Devil’s Orchard Trail, or the Wilderness Trail for more volcanic features.
• Wildlife Watching: Look for antelope, mule deer, and numerous bird species within the park.
• Visitor Center: Visit the Robert Limbert Visitor Center to learn more about the park’s geology and history.

Accommodations:

• Camping: Stay at Lava Flow Campground, located within the park.
• Hotels: Arco, a nearby town, offers hotel options like DK Motel or Sage Motel.

Day 11: Grand Teton National Park

Drive approximately 260 miles (418 km) southeast to reach Grand Teton National Park.

Activities:

• Scenic Drives: Drive the Teton Park Road, offering incredible views of the Teton Range.
• Hiking: Hike the Taggart Lake Trail, Jenny Lake Loop, or the Cascade Canyon Trail.
• Boating: Rent a canoe or kayak on Jackson Lake, or take a scenic cruise on Jenny Lake.

Accommodations:

• Camping: Camp at Jenny Lake Campground or Colter Bay Campground.
• Hotels: Stay at Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge, or Signal Mountain Lodge.

Day 12: Grand Teton National Park

Continue exploring Grand Teton National Park.

Activities:

• Scenic Drives: Drive the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive and Moose-Wilson Road for more stunning views.
• Hiking: Hike the Death Canyon Trail, Two Ocean Lake Trail, or the String Lake Loop.
• Wildlife Watching: Look for moose, elk, bison, and bears within the park.

Accommodations:

• Camping: Camp at Gros Ventre Campground or Lizard Creek Campground.
• Hotels: Stay at Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa, Hotel Terra Jackson Hole, or Snake River Lodge & Spa.

Day 13: Yellowstone National Park

Drive approximately 10 miles (16 km) north to reach Yellowstone National Park.

Activities:

• Geysers and Hot Springs: Visit Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Norris Geyser Basin.
• Hiking: Hike the Mystic Falls Trail, Artist Point Trail, or the Lamar Valley Trail.
• Wildlife Watching: Spot bison, elk, wolves, and bears throughout the park.

Accommodations:

• Camping: Camp at Madison Campground or Grant Village Campground.
• Hotels: Stay at Old Faithful Inn, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, or Canyon Lodge and Cabins.

Day 14: Yellowstone National Park

Continue exploring Yellowstone National Park.

Activities:

• Waterfalls: Visit the Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls and Tower Fall.
• Hiking: Hike the Mount Washburn Trail, Fairy Falls Trail, or the Beaver Ponds Loop Trail.
• Scenic Drives: Drive the Grand Loop Road and the Firehole Lake Drive for stunning views and geothermal features.

Accommodations:

• Camping: Camp at Bridge Bay Campground or Mammoth Hot Springs Campground.
• Hotels: Stay at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, Roosevelt Lodge Cabins, or Old Faithful Snow Lodge.

Day 15: Yellowstone National Park

Finish exploring Yellowstone National Park.

Activities:

• Geysers and Hot Springs: Visit the West Thumb Geyser Basin and the Mud Volcano area.
• Hiking: Hike the Storm Point Trail, Lone Star Geyser Trail, or the Natural Bridge Trail.
• Boating: Take a scenic boat tour on Yellowstone Lake or rent a canoe at Bridge Bay Marina.

Accommodations:

• Camping: Camp at Fishing Bridge RV Park or Slough Creek Campground.
• Hotels: Stay at Lake Lodge Cabins, Grant Village, or Canyon Village.

Day 16: Beartooth Highway and Red Lodge

Drive approximately 70 miles (113 km) northeast to reach the Beartooth Highway, a scenic mountain pass that offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Spend the night in the nearby town of Red Lodge.

Accommodations:

• Hotels: Stay at Rock Creek Resort, Beartooth Hideaway Inn & Cabins, or The Pollard Hotel.

Day 17: Wind Cave National Park

Drive approximately 350 miles (563 km) southeast to reach Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota.

Activities:

• Cave Tours: Join a guided tour of Wind Cave, exploring its unique boxwork formations and underground rooms.
• Hiking: Hike the Rankin Ridge Trail, the Lookout Point Trail, or the Wind Cave Canyon Trail.
• Wildlife Watching: Look for bison, elk, and prairie dogs in the park’s mixed-grass prairie.

Accommodations:

• Camping: Camp at Elk Mountain Campground, located within the park.
• Hotels: Stay at K Bar S Lodge, USA Stay Hotel and Suites, or Comfort Inn & Suites in nearby Hot Springs, SD.

Day 18: Wind Cave National Park

Continue exploring Wind Cave National Park.

Activities:

• Cave Tours: Join a different guided tour of Wind Cave, such as the Fairgrounds Tour or the Wild Cave Tour.
• Hiking: Hike the Centennial Trail, the Cold Brook Canyon Trail, or the Sanctuary Trail.
• Visitor Center: Visit the Wind Cave Visitor Center to learn more about the park’s geology and wildlife.

Accommodations:

• Camping: Camp at Elk Mountain Campground, located within the park.
• Hotels: Stay at Best Western Sundowner Inn, Americas Best Value Inn, or Econo Lodge in nearby Hot Springs, SD.

Day 19: Badlands National Park

Drive approximately 100 miles (161 km) east to reach Badlands National Park in South Dakota.

Activities:

• Scenic Drives: Drive the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway, stopping at overlooks and trailheads.
• Hiking: Hike the Notch Trail, the Door Trail, or the Castle Trail.
• Wildlife Watching: Look for bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs in the park.

Accommodations:

• Camping: Camp at Cedar Pass Campground or Sage Creek Campground, both located within the park.
• Hotels: Stay at Cedar Pass Lodge, located within the park, or at local hotels in nearby Wall, SD, like Best Western Plains Motel or Americas Best Value Inn Wall.

Day 20: Badlands National Park

Continue exploring Badlands National Park.

Activities:

• Visitor Centers: Visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center and the White River Visitor Center to learn about the park’s geology and history.
• Hiking: Hike the Fossil Exhibit Trail, the Saddle Pass Trail, or the Medicine Root Loop Trail.
• Star Gazing: Join a ranger-led night sky program to learn about constellations and the Milky Way.

Accommodations:

• Camping: Camp at Cedar Pass Campground or Sage Creek Campground, both located within the park.
• Hotels: Stay at Cedar Pass Lodge, located within the park, or at local hotels in nearby Wall, SD, like Super 8 by Wyndham Wall or Travelodge by Wyndham Wall.

Day 21: Badlands National Park and Departure

Spend the morning enjoying your last moments in Badlands National Park. Then, drive approximately 60 miles (97 km) east to reach Rapid City Regional Airport in South Dakota.

Activities:

• Scenic Drives: Complete any remaining portions of the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway.
• Hiking: Squeeze in a short hike, like the Window Trail or the Cliff Shelf Nature Trail, before departing.
• Photography: Capture some final photos of the park’s stunning landscapes to remember your trip.

Departure:

• Return your rental car at Rapid City Regional Airport and catch your flight home.

Final Thoughts

This 22-day road trip takes you on a journey through some of the most breathtaking national parks and scenic landscapes in the United States. From the rugged Badlands to the icy peaks of Glacier National Park, each day offers new adventures and opportunities to explore the beauty of America’s natural treasures. With a combination of outdoor activities, like hiking and wildlife watching, and cultural experiences in cities like Missoula, this itinerary truly has something for everyone.

Remember to plan ahead and make reservations for accommodations and activities, as many popular sites and services can book up quickly, especially during peak travel seasons. Don’t forget to pack appropriate clothing, gear, and supplies for the various activities and weather conditions you may encounter. Most importantly, take the time to soak in the beauty of these remarkable destinations and create memories that will last a lifetime. Safe travels!