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Northern US National Park RV Road Trip from St. Louis, MO

Viewed by 106 travelers

Day 1: Departure & Travel to Sioux Falls

Morning: Leave St. Louis early and head west on I‑70, stopping in Kansas City for a quick fuel top‑up and breakfast. The drive is smooth, and you’ll enjoy the rolling plains as you cross Missouri.

Afternoon: Continue on I‑35 north, crossing into Kansas and then South Dakota. Stop at the scenic Fort Riley Museum for a short stretch and lunch in Manhattan, KS.

Evening: Arrive at the Sioux Falls KOA, settle into your RV site, and enjoy a relaxing dinner by the falls.

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Day 2: Badlands National Park

Morning: Drive the 3‑hour stretch from Sioux Falls to the Badlands Entrance Station. Pay the park fee and head straight to the Badlands Loop Road for panoramic views.

Afternoon: Explore the iconic White River Overlook and take a short hike to the Notch Trail, spotting ancient fossils and prairie wildlife.

Evening: Catch the sunset at Pinnacle Overlook, then camp at the Cedar Pass Campground under a starry sky.

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Day 3: Travel to Yellowstone National Park

Morning: Depart Badlands early and head west on US‑85, crossing into Wyoming. Stop for coffee in Buffalo, WY.

Afternoon: Arrive at the North Entrance of Yellowstone, drive to Mammoth Hot Springs and wander the terraces.

Evening: Set up camp at Mammoth Campground, enjoy a campfire dinner, and listen for wildlife at night.

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Day 4: Yellowstone Highlights & Grand Teton

Morning: Visit the famous Old Faithful geyser and watch its eruption, then stroll the nearby boardwalks.

Afternoon: Head to the Grand Prismatic Spring at Midway Geyser Basin for vivid colors, then have lunch at the West Thumb Visitor Center.

Evening: Drive south to Grand Teton National Park, checking in at Colter Bay Campground for a peaceful night by the lake.

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Day 5: Grand Teton Exploration

Morning: Hike the scenic Jenny Lake Loop, with options to take a shuttle boat across the lake for a shorter trek.

Afternoon: Drive the Signal Mountain Summit Road for sweeping valley views, stopping for a picnic at the summit.

Evening: Return to the campsite, relax by the fire, and enjoy stargazing over the Teton peaks.

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Day 6: Journey to Glacier National Park

Morning: Begin the 7‑hour drive north on US‑89, crossing the scenic Bighorn Mountains.

Afternoon: Arrive at the West Glacier Entrance, set up at West Glacier Campground, and take a short walk on the Trail of the Cedars.

Evening: Dine at the campground’s kitchen and prepare for the next day’s mountain road adventure.

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Day 7: Glacier’s Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road

Morning: Drive the iconic Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road, stopping at the Logan Pass Visitor Center and the Hidden Lake Overlook for breathtaking vistas.

Afternoon: Hike the Hidden Lake Trail, spotting marmots and alpine wildflowers, then descend to the Lake McDonald shoreline.

Evening: Begin the return leg, staying overnight at the North Dakota KOA in Bismarck to break up the drive.

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Day 8: Return to St. Louis

Morning: Depart Bismarck and head south on I‑90, crossing into Nebraska.

Afternoon: Stop for lunch in Kearney, NE, and stretch your legs at the Great Platte River Road Archway.

Evening: Arrive back in St. Louis, unload the RV, and reflect on an unforgettable northern adventure.

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Time and Cost Estimates

  • Badlands Loop Road – 2 hrs – $30 (park entry)
  • Pinnacle Overlook – 0.5 hrs – Included
  • Mammoth Hot Springs – 2 hrs – $35 (Yellowstone entry)
  • Old Faithful – 1 hr – Included
  • Grand Prismatic Spring – 1.5 hrs – Included
  • Jenny Lake Loop – 2 hrs – $35 (Grand Teton entry)
  • Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road – 3 hrs – $35 (Glacier entry)
  • Hidden Lake Trail – 2 hrs – Included
  • RV Campground Fees (7 nights) – 7 nights – $25/night → $175
  • Fuel (≈ 1,200 mi @ $3.80/gal, 10 mpg) – ≈ $456
  • Total Estimated Cost: $1,141

Tips

To extend the trip, add an extra day at Glacier to explore the Two Lake Loop or a day in Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon area. If you need to shorten the itinerary, skip the Grand Teton segment and head straight from Yellowstone to Glacier, or replace Glacier with a day‑trip to the nearby Mount Rushmore region for a quicker return.

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