TravelGuides

(TGA) - Feb 07, 2010, 9:19 AM
im flying into Denver middle may and plan to do a road trip taking in the following ; Mt Rushmore , Deadwood , Devils tower, Yellowstone , Grand Teton , Salt lake city , Canyon lands, Bryce and Zion and finish with a rest in Vegas ,
any good advice for anything mentioned or anything i have missed thats worth seeing ,best routes etc any advice graetfully accepted thanks oh i plan on doin this in 14 days ............... am i mad ?
Andy
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Not mad Andy, but you are underestimating distances and the time you'll need for visiting the NP's. This isn't a 2 weeks trip imo. You already can spend 2 weeks just visiting , South Dakota and Yellowstone/Grand Teton NP flying to Denver and leaving from Salt Lake City.
If you decide to do all of this follow this route: Denver-South Dakota-Yellowstone-Grand Teton NP-Salt Lake City-Moab (Arches, Canyonlands)-Torrey (Capitol reef)-Bryce-Zion-Las Vegas. Or in reverse.
Tet
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spend some time on gearth and add up the miles and factor in time to tour each location. You have a 3 week trip planned
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welcome! glad you found the road trips forum and yes.... you are mad! LOL
The problem here is the time needed in these places.
Mt Rushmore area really requires 3 days/night.
A long day trip thru Deadwood and Devils Tower with an over night in Cody, Wy
Yellowstone: 4 days/nights
Tetons: 2 days/nights
Moab: 2 days/nights
Bryce and Zion 3 days/nights
that comes up to 15 nights and doesn't include Denver, SLC or Vegas. I would consider those minimum times in each of those areas too.
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Welcome to the forum, andydoc.
Yep, your a bit mad. This is the classic "10 pounds of stuff in the 5 pound sack" trip. While you could dash from point-to-point in the 2 weeks you have planned, you will not be able to really experience most of the destinations. Wings hit it on the head, you need to plan several days in most of the places you have on your list. You either need more time, or less places to visit.
BTW, I would suggest more time in Moab (at least 3 days/nights).
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thanks a lot guys , i thought i was asking a bit much of myself lol , but ive got flights booked already , in to Denver and out of Vegas , so what do suggest i visit , ive already booked 2 nites in west yellowstone on 19/20th may . Should i forget Mt Rushmore ? or ..................
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When do you arrive Denver and what date for the Las Vegas departure? Maybe you can change the Yell reservation. Also, how is your travel style? Hiking, longer stays, or just see the most scenic spots and drive on.
Tet
Edited: 4:51 am, February 08, 2010
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I think you could have a pretty nice two week trip without going to South Dakota or Yellowstone at all. It is a long drive from Denver. Next time, fly in to Billings or Bozeman and do a loop of those two areas.
There are easily 14 days of things to see from Rocky Mountain National Park to Vegas.
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arrive 16th may depart 30th , cant change accom yellowstone now , but i want to see the important things and drive on ,maybe a hike in YNP and Moab areas , i know its a flying visit , mainly cos i want to check out the best bits for a longer more protracted stay next time ,
but thank for all the good advice guys ,
oh yeah one last ques , what the score with snow around this time in YNP etc ? will a suv like Saturn Vue be ok or shall i get a more workman like 4x4 ie blazer or similar , there is only me after all ?
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weather is always hard to predict but in mid may i would expect snow at higher elevations although you could run into a freak snowstorm at lower elevations.
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