SLC->Yellowstone->Mt.Rushmore "this road may be seasonally closed"

[ElkHunter]

Wyonewk,

The speed limit betwixt here and Gillette is still "How ever fast you can maintain without hitting critters" right? hahaha

[MRVphotog]

Since it looks like your using the West Entrance into Jellystone should be no problems for road closures but if you take a short side trip thru the South Entrance into Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park be aware that Craig Pass sometimes does not open until June so check the YNP website for updates.

For places to check out along the way I would suggest Medicine Wheel in the Bighorns if your into Native American history and definatley check out Devils Tower the nations first national monument(I think?). In the Black Hills Jewel Cave is really awesome. Ironically Wind Cave NP is also in the Black Hills but is not as good as Jewel Cave. Custard State Park is also cool but you will see plenty of Bison in Jellystone.

[WyoNewk]

Originally Posted by MRVphotog

... Custard State Park is also cool but you will see plenty of Bison in Jellystone.

That's true enough. It's sort of a miniaturized Yellowstone.

[mrdon]

Thanks again for your recommendation. They've been valuable for planning this trip.

We'll be starting the trip this Monday. First stop, Yosemite.

However, as we traced the road for this route. It looks like Yellowstone has received some snowfall and east gate (US14 to Cody) is now closed and there are chain restriction in many parts of the park.

We'll be there from June 6 to June 8. I assume that the snow, chain restrictions will be gone and east gate is open by then. But to be prepared, will getting chains for our car (2WD Dodge Journey) be enough/recommended? --- If East gate is still closed, which route would you recommend got getting to South Dakota/Mt.Rushmore?

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by mrdon

Thanks again for your recommendation. They've been valuable for planning this trip.

We'll be starting the trip this Monday. First stop, Yosemite.

However, as we traced the road for this route. It looks like Yellowstone has received some snowfall and east gate (US14 to Cody) is now closed and there are chain restriction in many parts of the park.

We'll be there from June 6 to June 8. I assume that the snow, chain restrictions will be gone and east gate is open by then. But to be prepared, will getting chains for our car (2WD Dodge Journey) be enough/recommended? --- If East gate is still closed, which route would you recommend got getting to South Dakota/Mt.Rushmore?

That chain restriction may only be for a few hours. It's not a lifetime. hahaha

By the way, 14A is open as of Monday. It closes during the winter due to lack of funding for winter maintainence. Winter is over and the road is open.

[mrdon]

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

That chain restriction may only be for a few hours. It's not a lifetime. hahaha

By the way, 14A is open as of Monday. It closes during the winter due to lack of funding for winter maintainence. Winter is over and the road is open.

I'm pretty nervous about this road condition thing as I've never been to national parks around this time before. So the closing of east gate during the past few days kinda bugs me. But I'm hopeful that there will be no surprises then. Otherwise, I can just take northeast exit and take the beartooth hwy.

[Ann the Artist]

We drove the Beartooth Highway from Clark to Red Lodge Montana last year in mid-June. It was gorgeous and no problems with snow. You are going to love it!