7 Must-See Stops on Your Drive to Yellowstone

What's the best part of a trip? Getting there of course!

That's what appeals to me so much with road trips. You never know what each hour in the car will bring - will you see some crazy car or perhaps you'll pass 100s of billboards advertising a MUST-STOP, middle-of-nowhere destination. There's no way to tell & you can't plan for it & to me that's the magic of driving to your destination.

Now, I didn't always used to feel that way - I thought my time would be much better spent AT the destination, but I have since reformed my ways.

Are you planning a road trip to Yellowstone National Park soon? The route I took from Kansas City was 17.5 hours (even more with all the fun stops below..) but I was surprised with just how much this route packed in. It felt like there was something to look forward every couple of hours which made the time fly by.

Below I've noted the stops I took my road trip from Kansas City to Yellowstone as well as a few notes of my favorite (or most surprising things) at each stop and how long to account for each destination.

1. Sioux Falls, SD

Time Needed: 1-2 hours, depending on how long you feel like exploring

This was the perfect spot for a leg stretch and food break. We grabbed dinner from a local restaurant and used this scenic spot for a picnic. The path along the falls is peaceful and you end with some breathtaking views of THE falls. This is also a wonderful spot for kayaking or biking if you wanted to spend more time.

2. Corn Palace

📍Mitchell, SD

Time Needed: less than an hour

Who wouldn’t want to see an entire facility made of corn? Ok, it’s not entirely made of corn, but murals line the outside walls and change each year making this a fun and CORNY spot to see year after year. It’s free to head inside and pick up a corny souvenir of this heartland monument.

3. Wall Drug

📍Wall, SD

Time Needed: 60 - 90 minutes depending on how much shopping/eating you want to do

As you near Wall, SD it’s hard not to notice the hundreds of billboards advertising WALL DRUG! This quirky establishment is part mall, part restaurant and totally eccentric. Be sure to try their famous $.05 coffee for a caffeine boost before getting back on the road.

4. Badlands National Park

Time Needed: ~90 minutes is perfect to drive through & explore a few spots

Just 10 minutes South from Wall Drug is Badlands National Park. This park is a nice appetizer to the sights you’ll see on the rest of your journey - from canyons and cheerful wildlife roaming the plains. If you’re going to Yellowstone National Park, you probably already have your America the Beautiful pass. If so, you'll need it to get into Badlands National Park, and if you don’t - what are you doing?

This pass is mere dollars more than a single entry to Yellowstone and grants you access to all the National Parks for a full year! Which is a great excuse to see more of the parks, in my opinion! ;)

5. Mt. Rushmore National Memorial

📍 Keystone, SD

Time Needed: 30-60 minutes without any trails

This is the classic patriotic place to visit. With the America the Beautiful pass it’s free to get in and see for yourself just how big these larger-than-life carvings are. While you are there you have to try Jefferson’s Vanilla Ice Cream in the cafe for a treat. It's made from his family's hundred year-old recipe & it's GOOD!

There are a few hiking trails around the monument but it was rainy the day we were there so we didn't get to explore those. Be sure to allow for more time if you plan on doing any of the trails.

6. Red Lodge, MT

Time Needed: 60+ minutes for exploring

Red Lodge is a quaint & picturesque small town. The main drag is lined with plenty of shops and restaurants to explore. Be warned, this is your last semblance of humanity until you get to Yellowstone, and even then you are limited, so be sure to stock up on any essentials you might need before heading into the park.

If you are lucky enough to be there on the 4th of July you HAVE to stay for the parade. It’s a surprisingly elaborate parade for such a small town.

7. Beartooth Highway

📍 Starting point at Red Lodge, MT will take you to the entrance of Yellowstone National Park

Time Needed: 3+ hours for driving and exploring

I’ll let you in on a little secret. This might’ve been my favorite thing we did related to Yellowstone! Beartooth Highway is dubbed the most beautiful road in America for good reason. On this 68-mile route, you’ll experience multiple switchbacks as you rise to an elevation of 10,947 ft and take in breathtaking views of mountains as you cling to the narrow roads. This is not a trip for the faint of heart! Be prepared for some serious weather swings. In July there was still SNOW on the ground at the top! Be sure to pick up a guide at the visitors center for a mile-by-mile guide of this extreme route.

This route does close for the winter and when there is too much snow, so be sure to check the travel conditions ahead of time.

Phew, all that and I hadn't even arrived at Yellowstone yet. Can you see why I tend to like the journey just as much as the destination?

Have you been to Yellowstone National Park yet? How did you get there?

Stay tuned to hear about our experience at Yellowstone and all the stops we had on the way back!