Road Trip to Yellowstone National Park from Mount Rushmore
Take a road trip from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park to see Wyoming’s wild beauty. On this road trip, Every place offers a variety of stunning views of the natural world.
From wild grassy plains to majestic mountain ranges and alpine lakes. Enjoy the Old Western era of America in the towns you pass along the way.
Driving the 450 miles to Yellowstone from Mount Rushmore takes at least eight and a half hours. Grand Teton National Park, Bighorn National Forest, Casper, Devil’s Kitchen, Driggs, and Black Hills National Forest are remarkable sights to see along the way.
Wyoming’s natural beauty can be experienced by traveling through the Grand Tetons or taking the direct route, which takes you through the heart of the Old West. To find out more about each route, where to stay and when is the ideal time to travel, keep reading.
Distance and travel time from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park?
| Route | Distance | Time |
| Direct Route | 446 miles | 8 hours 15 minutes |
| Grand Teton Route | 676 miles | 12 hours |
You will need about 8 hours and 15 minutes to complete the 446-mile Direct Route without stopping. Most of this route will take you through Wyoming’s historic Old West towns.
With no breaks, the longer Grand Teton Route covers 676 miles and takes approximately 12 hours. Along the way, you can take in several stunning hikes and a wider variety of natural beauty.
While you could complete the road trip in a few days, we suggest allowing you at least two or three days to make sure you have enough time to enjoy yourself in everything these routes have to offer.
The best route from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park
Both routes are significantly different from one another and have a lot to offer. We suggest taking the direct route if you enjoy studying Wild West culture and would like to know more about its history.
The Grand Teton route is the best option if you prefer to hike and take in the breathtaking scenery.
Both routes are quite different from one another and have a lot to offer. We advise taking the Direct Route if you are passionate about Wild West culture and would like to know more about its history. The Grand Teton route is an excellent option if you prefer to hike and take in the stunning views.
The fascinating history of the Old West era that shaped this region can be seen in the small towns along the Direct Route.
On the other hand, the Grand Teton Route is full of spectacular hikes through incredible mountainous forests and well-known ski resorts.
People who prefer to learn about Wyoming through hiking rather than visiting museums will enjoy this more rugged adventure route.
The Direct Route
Begin by heading west on SD-244 until it joins with US Highway 16 towards Custer State Park.
From here, the road will remain the same for about four and a half hours, changing from US-16 to I-90 and back to US-14 West. As you drive, take in the stunning views of Thunder Basin National Grassland.
You will have a chance to stop at Bighorn National Forest about an hour and a half after leaving I-90 (by Forest Rd 17 and then Battle Creek Road). Before heading back to the road, take in the fresh forest air and stretch your legs here.
After that, continue to US-14 via Forest Rd 17. After there, travel west on US-14 for about two and a half hours until you reach Yellowstone National Park.
The route of Grand Teton
Follow SD-244 on the Direct Route until you join onto US-16 in West Pennington. You’ll use this to get to Wyoming, where you’ll arrive in Weston County on the WY-450.
After nearly an hour on this road, you will arrive in Wright. From there, take WY-59 northward. Moving from this point, you will proceed along I-25 S through Natrona County for approximately sixty minutes until you arrive at US Highway 26 in Casper.
Stay on this route for nearly two hours, via Wind River Reservation, until you approach WY-134. After you continue on this road, it will take you thirty minutes to return to Highway 26.
Once you reach Moran’s village, you should continue south on Highway 89 beyond Moose to Jackson and the well-known Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. This part of the trip travels by spectacular viewing spots, such as Albright View and Snake River Overlook.
Spend some time enjoying Teton County and all of its wonderful attractions. Make sure to spend some time in the charming town of Jackson and go on some hikes.
Drive for thirty minutes on this route until you come to US-20, which leads you via Harriman State Park to West Yellowstone, the entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
Best sites for a stop-over between Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park
Numerous little Old West colonies with plenty of culture and scenic beauty will pass by on your journey. To maximize the scenery and allow you plenty of time to explore, we’ve picked some of our favorite spots to stop.
Experience Buffalo’s Old West heritage
Almost halfway along the Direct Route, Buffalo provides travelers with an opportunity to fully experience this stunning Western town.
Buffalo is best known for its stunning countryside and for being home to Wyoming’s oldest hotel, which has hosted notable visitors including Teddy Roosevelt, “Buffalo Bill” Cody, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Our suggestion is to stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites Buffalo since it’s very close to the town. This hotel is located in a quiet neighborhood close to several major attractions, just outside the town center.
This hotel is just a half-hour walk from the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum and a ten-minute drive from the Clear Creek Trailhead.
After an exhausting day of driving, this stylish and cozy hotel is the perfect spot for relaxing. You can relax in the hotel’s jacuzzi or swimming pool after a long day.
Delight in the beauty of Teton Village
Teton Village, around two-thirds of the way down the Grand Teton Route, is a lovely spot to stop and take in the stunning alpine landscape.
Teton Village is well-known for being close to Jackson Hole Ski Resort and Grand Teton National Park. Make sure to take a ride on the famous red cable car of the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram while you’re here, where you may hover over the breathtaking scenery.
Teton Pass offers lovely walks that allow you to reach Glory Mountain and enjoy breathtaking views from the top. Of course, you should also make time to visit Grand Teton National Park, the main draw, which is home to numerous animals and breathtaking landscapes.
The Teton Mountain Lodge and Spa is the best place to stay while you’re here. The Grand Teton National Park is conveniently located just one mile from this hotel providing easy access to the breathtaking national park.
With the hotel’s vicinity to Jackson Hole—less than five minutes walk away—it offers great access to whatever the area has to offer. Lastly, it just takes 20 minutes to drive from the hotel to Teton Pass.
Enjoy a luxurious stay in this stylish and peaceful hotel with cutting-edge spa services; after a hard day of sightseeing, cool off in one of the two hotel pools, which includes a beautiful outdoor pool; then relax even more with a soothing massage.
Lodging for people visiting Yellowstone
You will enjoy a few days at Yellowstone to experience the park’s natural beauty because there is so much to see and do there.
You want to spend a few days at Yellowstone to experience the park’s natural beauty because there is so much to see and do there.
The Kelly Inn West Yellowstone is perfectly situated to optimize your time at Yellowstone Park, just a three-minute drive from the park’s entrance.
This hotel has all you need to relax after exhausting days of travel and sightseeing, including comfortable and spacious rooms, a heated indoor pool, and spa services.
Additionally, the Grizzly and Wolves Discovery Centre, where you can learn more about the park once you arrive, is only a three-minute walk from this hotel.
Things to see while traveling from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone
This stunning trip offers amazing scenery at every turn and travels through some gorgeous historic Wild West locations. We have selected a few fantastic locations along the roughly 500-mile journey that are worth taking the time to stop and enjoy.
The Direct Route
1-Buffalo: This welcoming city lies in the foothills of the beautiful Big Horn Mountains, equidistant between Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. Discover the fascinating heritage of one of the American West’s most historic cities.
2-Bighorn National Forest- is a vast area spanning over a million acres, featuring majestic mountains, vast valleys and canyons, and naturally, alpine tree forests. When you’re tired of hiking, use the Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway for stunning views of this exceptional natural beauty area.
3-Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite- Discover the amazing array of preserved dinosaur footprints and experience the resurrected past. Find out about the site’s history and the geological research team that found them.
4-Devil’s Kitchen: Picture yourself stranded on the moon’s surface in this amazing geological formation just outside of Greybull. This park, famous for its unusual geological properties, has mind-boggling scenery.
5-Cody- you’ve arrived at the heart of the Wild West! Renowned for the Buffalo Bill Museum which reflects the life of William F. Cody, the town’s founder. A reproduced boondocks town lies beyond Cody, complete with 1800s log lodges and a cantina.
6-West Yellowstone: The town known as the entry point to Yellowstone and closest to the spectacular national park is West Yellowstone, which can be reached by driving around Yellowstone National Park.
The Grand Teton Route
1-Casper: known for its world-class fly-fishing, Casper is a charming mountain town with museums showcasing the area’s natural history and scenery, as well as modern art venues. Casper Mountain, a nearby ski resort, has a waterfall and ski slopes for the winter.
2-Boysen State Park: This park, located on the banks of the Boysen Reservoir, provides hikers with a demanding trip along the southern edge of the Owl Creek Mountains and the Wind River Canyon, as well as excellent fishing opportunities.
3-Crowheart Butte: is a remarkable rock formation that rises dramatically from the Wind River Valley. It was the location of a fight between the Shoshone and Crow tribes in 1866. Hike to the summit for a 360-degree view.
4-The Bridger-Teton National Forest: is home to breathtaking views of wild forests, massive rock formations, and lovely rivers. Compared to Yellowstone, this is the third largest national forest outside of the US and offers a very different experience.
5-Teton Grand National Park: Widely recognized for its breathtaking snowy landscape and abundant animals, this vast park covers 310,000 acres. With more than 200 kilometers of hiking paths, there are many chances to lose yourself among the stunning alpine scenes, clean lakes, and mountain ranges.
6-Teton Village: Situated at the foot of the mountain and part of the well-known Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, this community offers some of the best views of the surrounding mountains.
7-Driggs: At an elevation of more than 6000 feet, Driggs serves as a center for outdoor exploration and scenic views. This area offers cross-country skiing, hiking, and biking against a beautiful and rocky natural landscape.
8-Caribou-Targhee National Forest: Enjoy a hike through this vast national forest to see amazing, vibrantly alive valleys and attractive rivers.
9-Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge- is the largest wetland system in the region and a remote portion of the Yellowstone ecosystem. Visit here for a truly unique experience of Yellowstone, far different from the hot geyser.
On Both Routes
1-Black Hills National Forest: is a charming place with amazing animals, rock formations, and a breathtaking golden hour. Hike to the north of the park to witness waterfalls running into the abundantly wildlife-filled Spearfish Canyon, or hike to the south for views of the famous Mount Rushmore sculpture and roaming elk.
2-Jewel Cave National Monument: is a very fascinating site. As you climb through the amazing cave formations, massive Limestone crystals shine from the cave walls, and stalactites and stalagmites tower you.
3-Thunder Basin National Grassland: With almost 200 different kinds of wild birds living there, this vast grassland contrasts the tall spires of the Black Hills National Forest. This level area is sandwiched between the Black Hills and the Big Horn Mountains and offers great hiking, cycling, fishing, and camping opportunities.
The Best time to visit Yellowstone from Mount Rushmore?
Irrespective of the weather, Yellowstone National Park is a genuine year-round destination that offers amazing natural sights and experiences. Travelers should, however, prepare for cooler weather because bad weather can close several park roads and attractions.
Yellowstone’s summertime highs can reach 85 degrees Fahrenheit, though they typically around 70. Even while afternoon storms are usually short-lived, they frequently occur.
During the summer, Yellowstone National Park, one of the most visited national parks in the United States, gets extremely busy and crowded.
With 150 inches of snowfall on average each winter, Yellowstone rangers frequently have to close portions of the park’s highways. But this time of year provides a unique experience and better opportunities to view wildlife. Hiking trails wind across icy meadows, scorching hot springs, and winter forests.
With the shifting of the seasons, fall is a breathtaking season to visit. During this time of year, temperatures can vary; they typically average between 20 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, with a sharp drop in temperature after sunset.
When you decide to visit the national park, you will be in for a treat because of its extensive and exciting calendar of activities, which includes everything from book signings to ranger-guided tours.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Where should I stop between Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone?
1-Crazy Horse Memorial
2-Custer State Park
3-Devils Tower National Monument
4-Wind Cave National Park
5-Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
6-Deadwood
7-Bighorn National Forest
8-Cody, Wyoming
What is halfway between Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone?
Buffalo, Wyoming, is midway between Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. This charming town is located at the base of the Bighorn Mountains and offers a great spot to rest, explore the historic downtown, and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Bighorn National Forest.
Is there a train that travels from Yellowstone to Mount Rushmore?
There is no direct train service between Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park. You would need to drive or take a combination of buses and other transportation to travel between the two.
Is Mount Rushmore close to the Grand Canyon?
No, the Grand Canyon is not close to Mount Rushmore. The distance between them is approximately 900 miles (1,450 km)**, which would take around 14-15 hours by car.
Which state is close to Mount Rushmore?
The state closest to Mount Rushmore is Wyoming, Mount Rushmore is located in South Dakota, near the Wyoming border.
For more details from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone Nationalpark, Kindly visit http://www.nps.gov/
And more on road trips to Yellowstone kindly visit https://travelingwhispers.com/salt-lake-city-to-yellowstone-national-park/
