We just got back from nearly a month on the road, exploring the Western Plains states with our two boys. If you're already thinking about taking a big family trip next summer, or if you're looking for ideas for one last road trip before school starts, here are details about where we went, what we saw, and tips for managing it all!
We planned this trip for several months, relying on friends who had been to these places, books about the National Parks, social media groups I belong to related to camping and RV travel, and of course, the trusty internet. We purchased an annual pass to the National Parks for just $80; to visit and park in each one separately would cost $30-50. [A note re: lodging: We own a travel trailer, so we didn't need hotel rooms, but hotels were nearby in most locations.]
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- Omaha, NE: We visited USA Today's #1 zoo in the country, the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium! We arrived when it opened and they closed the gates behind us when we left, it was THAT GOOD! We love our Indy Zoo, but at probably twice the size, there was even more to see. We stayed just West of Omaha in Ashland at the Eugene T. Mahoney State Park.
- Tip #1: Outside food is allowed, so definitely pack your own snacks and drinks for the kids. And, just like at the Indy Zoo, you can buy a package of ride/experience tickets rather than one-offs to save money.
- Estes Park, CO/Rocky Mountain National Park: We camped for four nights at an RV resort that was less than 5 minutes from the Beaver Meadows entrance gate into Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park is a small touristy town with all the comforts you might want/need with your family- good grocery stores, good restaurants, a nice local library, mini-golf, rock climbing, and much more. [Note 1: Four days in the park ended up being a day and a half too much for us, mostly due to weather. Note 2: RMNP is one of several NPs across the country that still requires timed-entry passes. Thoroughly review the RMNP website for details.]
- Tip #2: Most National Parks have a Junior Ranger program. Our boys completed the (minor) required activities and earned their badges in all of the NPs we visited! This was great for environmental education as well as a neat keepsake they can only get in the parks.
- Tip #3: We drove about 90% of Trail Ridge Road, which winds up to the highest visitor center (Alpine) and back down. It's a leisurely and comprehensive experience with lots of great scenic stops, photo opps, and visitor centers.
- Grand Teton National Park: We camped about 90 minutes East of GTNP in Dubois, WY, but there are plenty of places closer to the park entrances, including lodging inside the park. Even though we spent less time in this park (just one full day), it is hands-down our favorite of the National Parks we visited.
- Tip #4: Take the ferry across Lake Jenny and hike up to Hidden Falls and then to Inspiration Point (if not farther into the canyon). The views are stunning!
- Yellowstone National Park: We camped for four nights in Gardiner, MT, on the north side of Yellowstone. The north entrance is far less crowded than the others, and Gardiner is a great town with many of the same "comforts" as Estes Park. (We LOVED the pizza at Yellowstone Pizza Company!) The park features a "figure 8" drive called Grand Loop Road. Just one "lobe" or half of the drive can take most of a day, with stops at geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, to watch wildlife (bison, elk, bears, and more!) and to eat (in cafes or picnic-style). I would recommend at least three days to do the park justice.
- Tip #5: Do NOT forget Lamar Valley Road! It's separate from the main loop, but features (by far) the best chances to see wildlife. A massive herd of buffalo (several hundred) makes this area their home most of the year.
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- Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument: This was on my husband's bucket list and it was really impressive and impactful. Your kids will learn a lot about western expansion, Native American history and traditions, and of course, about the battle leading up to "Custer's last stand." White headstones mark where American soldiers died in battle, and red headstones mark where Native American warriors died. The visual from across the prairie and hills is truly breathtaking.
- Tip #6: Watch the introductory video before you take a self-guided or guided tour, AND listen to the Park Ranger's presentation either before or after. They feature different content.
- Rapid City, SD: We set aside a full week here because it's centrally located to MANY places we wanted to visit in the Black Hills, within 90 minutes to two hours away, including Deadwood, Devil's Tower, the Mammoth archeological dig site in Hot Springs, Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, Crazy Horse, Wall Drug (a kitschy must-stop), Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, and much more.
- Tip #7: If you have kids who like geology and/or archeology, plan 1) a half-day visit to the FREE Museum of Geology at South Dakota School of Mines, a highly-ranked engineering university in Rapid City, and 2) a half-day visit to the Mammoth dig site!
- Tip #8: We visited Mount Rushmore on July 3 and the park had a LOT going on to celebrate Independence Day! We found a half-day sufficient for our visit, but there was more we could have done... including eating more delicious ice cream!
- Tip #9: Two places we did not get to but heard nothing but rave reviews about were Bear Country USA and Reptile Gardens, all just southeast of Rapid City. [Stop at Rushmore Candy Company to stock up on your favorite sweets, including lots of "vintage" candy from your childhood!]
In all, our trip took 27 days, from mid-June to early July. We stopped to see family, caught an Iowa Cubs game (Chicago Cubs affiliate), and spent a few days doing nothing more than watching movies, doing laundry, playing mini-golf or running errands. "Down days" are important on any long road trip!
Whether you have a few days or a few weeks, I hope this article shed light on some great family-friendly stops in the Midwest/Western Plains!
