Epic RV Adventure: Badlands, Black Hills, Yellowstone, Grand Teton & Glacier

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Day 1: Badlands National Park – Arrival & Exploration

Morning: Arrive at the Badlands entrance and set up camp at Riverside Campground. Take a short drive along the Badlands Loop Road to stretch your legs and catch sunrise over the rugged prairie.

Afternoon: Hike the Door to the Mound trail for panoramic views of the spires and canyons. Stop at the Ben Reed Visitor Center for a quick geology briefing.

Evening: Return to the campground for a sunset picnic at Pinnacle Overlook. Enjoy stargazing as the night sky opens over the vast plains.

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Day 2: Badlands → Mount Rushmore & Custer State Park

Morning: Pack up and drive 1 hour to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Walk the Presidential Trail and view the iconic carvings up close.

Afternoon: Head to nearby Crazy Horse Memorial for a glimpse of the unfinished monument. Continue to Custer State Park and join the scenic wildlife loop for antelope sightings.

Evening: Set up at Sylvan Lake Campground. Relax by the lake, perhaps rent a kayak, and soak in the Black Hills sunset.

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Day 3: Black Hills Gold – Deadwood & Wind Cave

Morning: Drive to historic Deadwood and stroll Main Street, visiting the Mount Moriah Cemetery where Wild Bill Hickok rests.

Afternoon: Explore the Black Hills Gold Mine for an underground tour and gold‑panning experience. Then head to Wind Cave National Park for a short spelunking walk.

Evening: Return to Custer State Park and enjoy a dinner at the State Game Lodge. Camp under the stars near Lake Rattlesnake.

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Day 4: Drive to Yellowstone – West Entrance

Morning: Depart early and travel the scenic US‑191 northward, crossing into Idaho’s Idaho Falls for a quick coffee stop.

Afternoon: Arrive at West Yellowstone and check into Grizzly Ridge Campground. Grab lunch in town and pick up any park permits.

Evening: Take a leisurely walk along the Madison River trail and watch for elk. Enjoy a campfire dinner under the iconic Yellowstone night sky.

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Day 5: Yellowstone – Lower Loop Highlights

Morning: Drive to Old Faithful and watch the geyser eruption. Continue to the nearby Upper Geyser Basin for boardwalk strolls.

Afternoon: Visit the vibrant Grand Prismatic Spring at Norris Geyser Basin. Then head to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone for breathtaking views from Artist Point.

Evening: Return to the campground, stopping at Hayden Valley for possible wolf sightings at dusk.

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Day 6: Yellowstone – Upper Loop & Wildlife

Morning: Explore the Mammoth Hot Springs terraces and historic Fort Mammoth.

Afternoon: Drive through Lamar Valley, the “Serengeti of North America,” for prime elk and bison viewing. Take a short hike to Trout Lake.

Evening: Set up at Fishing Bridge RV Park. Enjoy a quiet evening by the Yellowstone River.

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Day 7: Yellowstone → Grand Teton National Park

Morning: Depart Yellowstone via the scenic John Dawson Highway into Grand Teton. Stop at Jenny Lake for a quick photo session.

Afternoon: Hike the Hidden Falls trail and then explore the historic Jackson Lake Lodge viewpoint.

Evening: Camp at Colter Bay Campground. Dine in nearby Jackson town if you feel like a treat.

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Day 8: Grand Teton – Lakes & Peaks

Morning: Paddle‑board or kayak on Jackson Lake while admiring the towering Tetons.

Afternoon: Take the moderate Taggart Lake hike for stunning reflections of the peaks. Visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson.

Evening: Return to camp, enjoy a sunset over Signal Mountain, and stargaze from the open meadow.

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Day 9: Grand Teton → Glacier National Park

Morning: Begin the long drive north on US‑89 through scenic Wyoming and Montana valleys.

Afternoon: Stop at Livingston, MT for lunch and stretch. Continue to the Glacier National Park entrance near West Glacier.

Evening: Set up at Apgar Campground. Take an easy walk to Lake McDonald for a peaceful evening.

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Day 10: Glacier – Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road & Many Glacier

Morning: Drive the iconic Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road, stopping at Logan Pass for a short hike to Hidden Lake.

Afternoon: Head east to Many Glacier area; hike the Grinnell Glacier Trail for spectacular alpine views.

Evening: Return to Apgar, relax by the campground fire pit, and enjoy a night of quiet mountain ambience.

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Day 11: Glacier – Final Exploration & Departure

Morning: Take a sunrise boat tour on Lake McDonald or hike the Avalanche Lake trail.

Afternoon: Pack up and begin the drive back south, optionally stopping at Flathead Lake for a final lakeside lunch.

Evening: Arrive back at your home base or continue onward, reflecting on an unforgettable RV road‑trip.

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Time and Cost Estimates

  • Badlands Loop Road – 2 hrs – $0 (park entry $30 per vehicle)
  • Mount Rushmore – 1.5 hrs – $10 (adult ticket)
  • Custer State Park Wildlife Loop – 3 hrs – $35 (annual pass covered)
  • Deadwood historic tour – 2 hrs – $15 (museum fee)
  • Wind Cave tour – 1 hr – $12
  • Yellowstone Lower Loop (Old Faithful, Grand Canyon) – 6 hrs – $35 (park entry $35 per vehicle)
  • Yellowstone Upper Loop (Mammoth, Lamar Valley) – 5 hrs – $0 (included in park entry)
  • Grand Teton – Jenny Lake & Hidden Falls – 4 hrs – $0 (park entry $35 per vehicle)
  • Jackson Lake kayaking – 2 hrs – $30 (rental)
  • Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road – 5 hrs – $0 (park entry $35 per vehicle)
  • Many Glacier – Grinnell Glacier Trail – 4 hrs – $0
  • Lake McDonald boat tour – 1.5 hrs – $25
  • RV campground fees (11 nights) – 11 nights – $660 ($60/night average)
  • Fuel (≈ 3,500 mi @ $3.70/gal, 10 mpg) – 350 gal – $1,295
  • Food & supplies – 11 days – $550
  • Miscellaneous (permits, souvenirs) – – $200
  • Total Estimated Cost – – $3,332

Tips

To shorten the trip, consider skipping the Deadwood gold tour and reducing time in Glacier by focusing only on the Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road; you could trim the itinerary to 8 days. For a more relaxed pace, add an extra night at Yellowstone’s Canyon Village and another at Glacier’s Many Glacier area, allowing for longer hikes and less driving each day. Always check road conditions—especially the mountain passes in spring—and reserve campground spots well in advance.

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