Morning: Depart St. Louis early and head west on I‑70, then north on I‑80. The drive offers scenic stretches of the Midwest plains, perfect for quick photo stops.
Afternoon: Cross into South Dakota and pull into the Badlands National Park visitor center for maps and ranger tips. Take a short loop on the Badlands Loop Road to catch the iconic layered rock formations.
Evening: Set up camp at the Cedar Pass Campground, enjoying a sunset over the jagged ridges. A campfire dinner under a star‑filled sky rounds out the first night.
Find HotelsMorning: Hike the Notch Trail for panoramic views of the prairie‑to‑mountain transition; the trail is moderate and takes about 2 hours.
Afternoon: Drive to the historic town of Wall and visit the Wall Drug Store, a quirky roadside attraction. Continue north to the Black Hills for a scenic drive through pine‑covered valleys.
Evening: Arrive at the Black Hills Campground near Rapid City, where you can relax by the fire and plan the next day's activities.
Find HotelsMorning: Arrive early at Mount Rushmore National Memorial to beat the crowds and capture the sunrise on the presidential faces.
Afternoon: Head to Custer State Park for the famous wildlife loop; keep an eye out for bison, elk, and prairie dogs.
Evening: Return to the campground for a relaxed dinner, perhaps trying a local bison burger, and enjoy a ranger‑led talk about the region’s history.
Find HotelsMorning: Depart early and travel north on US‑85, then west on US‑191, crossing into Wyoming’s high plains.
Afternoon: Stop at the historic Fort Laramie for a quick museum visit before continuing to the park’s West Yellowstone Entrance.
Evening: Set up at the Madison Campground, enjoy a sunset over the geyser basins, and prepare for full park exploration tomorrow.
Find HotelsMorning: Explore the iconic Old Faithful geyser and nearby Upper Geyser Basin; watch several eruptions and wander the boardwalk trails.
Afternoon: Drive to the Grand Prismatic Spring at Midway Geyser Basin, taking the short hike to the overlook for vivid colors.
Evening: Return to the campground, soak in the natural sounds of wildlife, and enjoy a campfire dinner with park‑approved cooking.
Find HotelsMorning: Visit the dramatic Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, walking both the North and South Rim trails for waterfall vistas.
Afternoon: Spot wildlife in the Lamar Valley, often called “America’s Serengeti,” where bison, wolves, and elk roam freely.
Evening: Head back to the campground for a quiet night, possibly joining a night‑time ranger program on nocturnal wildlife.
Find HotelsMorning: Drive south along the scenic U.S. Highway 191 into Grand Teton, stopping at the Jenny Lake visitor center.
Afternoon: Take the Jenny Lake Loop hike or a boat ride to Cascade Canyon for stunning mountain reflections.
Evening: Camp at the Colter Bay Campground, enjoying a sunset over the Tetons and a peaceful lakeside dinner.
Find HotelsMorning: Depart early, heading north on US‑89 through the breathtaking Flathead Valley of Montana.
Afternoon: Stop at the historic town of Whitefish for lunch and a quick stroll along its charming downtown.
Evening: Arrive at the Apgar Campground near the west entrance of Glacier, set up camp, and relax with a lakeside view of Lake McDonald.
Find HotelsMorning: Drive the iconic Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road, stopping at Logan Pass for the Hidden Lake Trail hike.
Afternoon: Continue to the spectacular vistas at the Sunrise and St. Mary Lakes, capturing panoramic mountain photos.
Evening: Return to the campground for a relaxing evening, sharing stories of the day’s alpine scenery.
Find HotelsMorning: Explore the Grinnell Glacier Trail for a challenging hike with breathtaking glacier views.
Afternoon: Begin the long drive back east, stopping at the historic Glacier Park Lodge for a quick lunch and souvenir shopping.
Evening: Arrive back in St. Louis, unload the RV, and reflect on an unforgettable 10‑day adventure.
Find HotelsIf you need more time, add an extra day in Yellowstone to explore the remote Hayden and Lamar valleys, or spend an additional night in Glacier to hike the Highline Trail. To shorten the trip, skip the Black Hills Gold loop and head straight from Badlands to Yellowstone, reducing the itinerary by two days while still hitting the major highlights.