We decided to go on a road trip through the west this summer, passing through Yellowstone National Park. Olympic National Park. Canyonlands National Park. And Arches National Park. We weren’t prepared for the incredible highlights we found on our road trip! This article highlights our 10-day car camping trip. We love national parks, but we also want to show off all the amazing things you can do between them!
#1: 1880s Town in Midland, South Dakota
I’ve travelled to South Dakota many times, and I don’t know how I missed the Town of the 1880s, just off I-90. Over 30 historic buildings are located in the 1880s Town, and you can explore several of them. It is well-known for being the location of Dancing with Wolves. This 1880s Town has gem panning, costume rental, a 1950s diner, and a saloon with live performances.
You can also visit a prairie homestead if you walk behind the last set of buildings. Otis, the camel, and several farm animals live here. It was a lot of fun to walk through the prairie and see all the animals. The Texas Longhorns are quite impressive. In the 1880s, the Town also allows pets.
#2: Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Crow Agency, Montana
This monument is a memorial to the US 7th Calvary and the Native American tribes of Crow, Arikaras, Lakotas, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe, who fought to protect their way of life.
It is a place to reflect and see so much. You can drive a 4.5-mile route where you will see each headstone marking the exact spot where a warrior or soldier had fallen. The Little Big Horn Battlefield National Monument is a cemetery, and the Indian Memorial has a memorial honouring the horses who died in one of history’s most famous battles. The visitor’s centre has a lot to see, and you can also book tours.
# 3: Pictograph Cave State Park, Billings, Montana
The beauty of the Middle, Ghost, and Pictograph caves was breathtaking. They are all hidden away in Billings. The caves reminded me of my visit to the Hieroglyph Cave in Sedona, Arizona. We began our tour in the visitor centre, which was a great place to learn more about the symbols and meanings of the cave drawings before you actually saw them.
We then began our own guided tour of the ghost cave. Ghost Cave has fewer Pictographs but is higher and offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area. We hiked from here to the famous Pictograph Cave. The majority of cave drawings can be found here, although many are faded. There is an informational plaque you can use to identify some of the drawings that are as old as 2,000 years. The cave drawings are fragile, so it’s important to remain behind the fence.
#4: Beartooth Pass from Red Lodge, Montana, to Yellowstone, Wyoming
You are missing out if you haven’t driven Beartooth Pass/Highway. It has been dubbed ” One of the Most Beautiful Highways in America“. It’s easy to see why. Beartooth Pass is nicknamed the “Highway to the Sky” because it climbs to 10,497 feet above sea level. We were literally driving on the summit of the Beartooth – Absaroka Mountain Range. Plan to spend at minimum 3 hours on the scenic drive. You can hike along the marked trails and enjoy several overlooks and 950 alpine lakes. This area is also home to a variety of animals. We saw a mountain goat, grizzly, and bison.
Beartooth Pass begins in Red Lodge. This cute little Town is known for its unique dining options, impressive ski resorts, Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary, and dozens of lakes. The highway ends at the Northeast entry of Yellowstone National Park. We made several stops along the route, including Rock Creek Switchbacks and Vista Point Rest Area. Other notable stops were Gardner Lake Pullout and The Bear’s Tooth. Check out the Beartooth Pass Brochure to see a full map and a list of highlights.
#5 – Northeast Entrance Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming
The highlights of our last visit to Yellowstone National Park were Old Faithful Geyser and Grand Prismatic. We just relaxed and enjoyed the meadows, wildlife and the dusk. If you are looking to see wildlife, you should go to the northeast entrance near Lamar Valley. We watched thousands of bison graze. Also, we saw a mountain goat and a fox.
The first time I visited Yellowstone, it was very crowded. We felt that we could not stay anywhere for too long. This time, our experience was peaceful. You will also pass through Silver Gate and Cooke City. Both are adorable small towns where you can fuel up in their local stores or restaurants. Grizzlies have also been known to frequent the area.
#6: Bozeman Hot Springs Camping Resort in Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman Hot Springs Camping Resort is worth a visit if you’re passing through. This resort was a great addition to our camping trip in Montana. They also rent out small cabins if you don’t own an RV or trailer.
You can reserve a campsite and have full access to the 12 pools. The temperature of each pool varies from a cold plunge to 110 degrees. On-site, they also offer a sauna, steam room, showers, and locker rooms. The campsites include an electrical and water connection.
#7 – Nimrod Hot Springs, 30 minutes west of Missoula in Montana
Looking for a rustic, rugged hot spring experience in Montana? Nimrod Hot Springs is located just off I-90 and 30 minutes west of Missoula in Montana. Parking is available at a large gravel pullout off I-90. The gravel trail begins behind the guardrail. You will walk about 5 miles to reach the overlook of the springs. Around the corner, you will find beautiful waterfalls.
The water is turquoise and clear. It stays at 70 degrees. We climbed into the water near the waterfalls when we went swimming. The water in the sea cave area is slightly cooler than the other areas, but it’s still refreshing! Nimrod Hot Spring was once a resort but closed in the 1950s and 1960s when I-90 construction began. I would highly recommend adding this to your itinerary, but please swim at your own risk and with caution.
#8: Petrified Forest State Park in Vantage, Washington
Vantage is a great place to stop if you’re travelling from the East through Washington. This Town is “otherworldly”, to say the least. The Columbia River, Wild Horses Monument, and Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park are all located here. What’s the best part? All of these attractions are in one place!
Stop at the Columbia River scenic viewpoint if you’re heading west. You can also walk the trails and get a great view of Vantage Bridge. You can also see the Wild Horses Monument and then cross the bridge for Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park. A neat Gem Shop is nearby, which you should check out!
#9 – Olympic National Park, Port Angeles, Washington
If you enjoy variety and diversity, then Olympic National Park should be on your list. You’ll fall in love with it! Our adventure began at the Port Angeles Visitor Centre. I would suggest that you drive the Hurricane Ridge from here. It is slightly out of the way for the rest of the scenic drive. You can then take a short walk to a series of waterfalls. We hiked up to Madison and Marymere Falls. Marymere Falls hike is longer (over one-mile round trip), but it’s worth it to see the beautiful Redwoods along the way and the infamous trees covered in moss!
Lake Crescent is one of our favourite parts of the Olympics, and the parking lot for Marymere Falls is right next to it! This glacial lake has neon blue water surrounded by mountains and forests. As a Minnesota Great Lakes Girl, I was blown away by my surroundings! We spent more time at Lake Crescent. There is a nearby restaurant and several options for lodging. Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park is the ideal place to swim if you want to do water sports.
The Hoh Rainforest is the first stop after Lake Crescent. Rialto Beach is famous for its hole-in-the-wall rock. Ruby Beach has scenic sea stacks and a Tree of Life. Hoh Rainforest contains the Hoh River, which is a Quileute term for “snow stream” or “fast-moving water”. The Spruce Trail (1,2 miles) and The Hall of Mosses (0.88 miles) are two of the most famous trails in the Hoh Rainforest. Quinault Rainforest is another beautiful rainforest in Olympic National Park. Drive 32 miles to see jewelled lakes, ice peaks and moss-covered forests.
Many people ask whether they should go to Rialto Beach or Ruby Beach. Visit both beaches if you are able! If I had to choose, would you prefer scenic views or hiking? Rialto Beach, near Forks, Washington, is ideal for hiking. The round-trip trail from the cliffs up to the hole in the Wall is 3.3 miles. Ruby Beach offers a scenic walk along the beach.
#10 – Mangold’s Store & Motel, Mangold, Montana
During our trip, we were unable to continue our route through Oregon because of a large wildfire in eastern Oregon. On our way to Utah, we decided to go back to Montana. I wanted to taste huckleberries during our road trip. Huckleberry only grows in northwest areas. A charming motel sold everything, Huckleberry! We enjoyed a huckleberry drink, liquorice and tea, as well as pretzels. The owner of the store was so kind to let us enjoy our treat on his back patio, which happened to be a small river under a mountain.
#11 Dead Horse State Park, Moab, Utah
When I think about Utah, I immediately think of its “Mighty 5” National Parks, which are, of course, stunning. One of my most memorable experiences was in Dead Horse State Park. It is a lesser-known but equally beautiful park. The view was breathtaking. We had reserved a site here (Kayenta Campground). Our campsite overlooked the canyon rim and sunset, as well as the most beautiful night sky that I’ve ever seen.
The name Dead Horse State Park comes from a cowboy legend of the 1880s, when they would herd wild horses up to the edge of the cliff. Cowboys would pick the horses they wanted and then barricade all the rest of the horses to the edge, where they died just below the Colorado River. The legend began when someone found the remains of the horses. You can learn more about this area by visiting the awesome cowboy museum at the visitor’s centre.
Dead Horse State Park’s Dead Horse Point is the highest point in the park, where you get the best views of the Colorado River. The West Rim Trail began at our campsite. We got up early and hiked it. We would not have seen the stunning views we saw on this 5-mile round trip hike (I recommend Shafer Canyon) if we had driven. You will also be taken to the Dead Horse Point and Visitors Center. Last but not least, be sure to lie under the stars in the evening. Dead Horse State Park has been rated as one of the top places to view the stars in the United States.
#12: Discover the charm of Moab in Utah
Consider visiting the charming, small Town of Moab if you’re looking for a great base camp to explore the nearby national parks. Moab has a downtown where you can park and then walk around to see everything! We chose to go to Spoke Downtown for drinks. There is a wide variety of food on the menu. We then explored the shops downtown. The outdoor shops and desert-themed stores were a great combination. The downtown shops are close to the Moab Coffee Roaster if you want coffee.
The food truck court is a must-see in Moab! There is food for EVERYONE and a misting station to cool off on hot summer days. After hiking 12 miles, Hawaiian Shaved Ice was the perfect way to end our day.
#13: Arches National Park in Moab, Utah
One of Utah’s most famous National Parks is only five miles away from Moab: Arches National Park. You will need to reserve if you plan to visit between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. during summer. We went after 4 p.m., just before the visitor centre closed, and did not require an extra permit.
Arches, with its over 2,000 rock pinnacles, arches, and balanced rocks, is no wonder it is called the “Red Rock Wonderland.” To explore Arches, you will need to travel a 25-mile paved road. You should definitely plan to spend extra time in this area, with all of the hiking possibilities!
The highlights of Arches National Park include Landscape Arch (50-minute hike) in Devil’s Garden; Delicate Arch (3-mile round trip hike); Balanced Rock; Eden’s Garden; Double Arch and Windows Section. I was able to climb the Double Arch to the window area and watch the sunset. This was my favourite part of the road trip.
#14: Canyonlands National Park in Moab, Utah
Canyonlands National Park is located 15 minutes away from Dead Horse Park. Canyonlands has four distinct sections: Needles, The Maze and The Rivers. Needles has stunning pinnacles and long hiking trails. Island in the Sky is home to hiking trails, canyon overlooks and a scenic drive of 34 miles. I’d recommend starting with Island in the Sky and stopping at the visitor centre first. We explored the Canyonlands and hiked up to the famous Mesa Arch. We will definitely return to this park and explore the other sections.
Follow the Leave No Trace Principles when you travel through our National Park. Also, make sure to bring a paper map with you, as WiFi does not work here. In the summer, this area can be very hot. Bring plenty of water and hydrating snacks. Plan to hike in the early morning hours or at sunset. Doing research is very important before you go.
