Kicking Off Our Great National Parks Adventure

In September 2024, Reedi and I embarked on what turned out to be our most adventurous trip yet! We loaded up Nigel and pointed him west, leaving Louisiana with our sights set on the incredible national parks out west. Our very first stop, still close to home, was Memphis, Tennessee. Of course, you can’t pass through Memphis without paying homage to the King, so we pulled over to snag a few quick photos of Elvis’ Graceland Mansion. It was a fun and iconic start to what would be an unforgettable journey filled with natural wonders!

Badlands Beauty & Wall Drug Whimsy

First up, Badlands National Park. Our afternoon in Badlands was a fantastic whirlwind of unique landscapes and stunning geological formations. We pulled Nigel into the park and immediately knew we were in for a treat. The colors of the buttes and pinnacles were incredible, and we loved exploring the visitor center to learn more about how this amazing place came to be.

Next up was a quick stop at the legendary Wall Drug! After all those billboards, we had to check it out. It’s a true American roadside icon, and we loved wandering through all the quirky shops, grabbing some 5-cent coffee, and of course, getting our free ice water. There’s so much to see, from the giant jackalope to all the fun souvenirs. It was the perfect place to stretch our legs and soak in some classic Americana before hitting the road again.

Deep Caves, Wildlife Wonders, and Presidential Icons

From the quirky fun of Wall Drug, we then dove deep into the earth with a tour of Jewel Cave National Monument! We were absolutely amazed by the incredible geology down there. The caverns stretched on, revealing stunning formations like glittering calcite crystals, delicate cave popcorn, and even “cave bacon” (you’ll see what we mean in the photos!). It was truly breathtaking to see how millions of years of natural processes created such a spectacular underground world. Our ranger guide was fantastic, sharing all sorts of interesting facts about the cave’s history and how these “jewels” came to be. It was an unforgettable experience, and the photos really don’t do it justice!

We then made our way over to Wind Cave National Park. While the caves at Wind Cave were unfortunately closed during our visit, we still made the most of our time enjoying the beauty above ground! We explored some of the scenic driving loops, which offered incredible views of the rolling prairies and pine forests, and we were thrilled to spot some of the park’s famous bison and even a few prairie dog towns. It just goes to show there’s always something amazing to discover, even when plans change a little! Being so close, we also couldn’t resist popping over to Custer State Park. That place is just breathtaking! We drove the Wildlife Loop Road, and it felt like a real safari, with huge herds of bison and graceful pronghorn, and even some begging burros coming right up to Nigel. The Needles Highway was another highlight, with those dramatic granite spires and winding roads – truly a sight to behold. We enjoyed every moment of soaking in the stunning Black Hills scenery.

Of course, no trip to South Dakota would be complete without a stop at Mount Rushmore National Park! We spent a couple of hours taking in the sheer scale and artistry of this iconic monument. As the sun began to dip lower, the light hitting the carved faces was just magical. The warm, golden hues really made the presidents stand out against the rock, and the long shadows stretching across the mountainside created such a dramatic and wonderful sight. It was truly humbling to see such an impressive piece of American history, and we hope our photos capture the breathtaking beauty of those twilight colors.

Wild West History and Towering Legends

Early the following morning, we headed to the historic town of Deadwood. We absolutely loved walking the streets, which felt like stepping right back into the Wild West! We explored the old saloons and buildings, learning so much about the town’s colorful and sometimes wild history. We even saw where some of the famous figures like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane made their mark. It was such a fascinating place, and as we wandered, we couldn’t help but think how much my dad would have absolutely loved it. He’s such a big fan of Wild West history, and this town would have been right up his alley!

After three National Parks, a National Monument, a state park, and one lawless town, we finally left South Dakota and drove west to Wyoming and Devil’s Tower National Monument. This iconic geological wonder rises dramatically from the rolling landscape, and looking up from its base, we truly understood how many of the Native American legends about its formation might have started. The sheer scale and unique columnar formations of the tower are just incredible, making it feel like something truly ancient and powerful. It’s easy to imagine stories of giant bears clawing at its sides as it grew, or people being lifted to the sky on its immense structure. We visited the information center stopped at a lookout area near its base, craning our necks to take in every angle of this majestic and mysterious landmark. The photos really highlight its impressive presence!

A Magical Evening with Wildlife

Our stop that evening was at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, and what a magical welcome we received! We arrived a bit late and were pretty exhausted from our day of exploring, so we decided to simply set up camp and prepare to watch the sunset from our spot. To our absolute amazement, as the sun was nearing the hilltops, a heard of wild horses gracefully passed along the river right below us. It was such an unexpected and beautiful treat!

As if that wasn’t enough, we then came face to face with a bison making its way right through the campsites! We all know the National Parks insist that visitors and bison remain a safe distance apart from each other, but apparently, no one told this particular bison! It was a thrilling, if slightly startling, encounter. What an incredibly special and memorable evening that turned out to be, filled with unexpected wildlife encounters right at our doorstep.

Majestic Montana

Our adventure then took us to Montana and our next incredible stop: Glacier National Park. We were so excited to drive along the iconic ‘Going-to-the-Sun Road,’ and while it turned out to be more of a ‘Going-to-the-Clouds Road’ the day we visited, we still had a wonderful time! The fog and mist gave the mountains a mysterious, ethereal beauty.

One unexpected bonus of the cloudy weather was that the park wasn’t very crowded at all. It felt like we had entire stretches of that majestic park almost entirely to ourselves, which was such a unique and peaceful experience. We took our time, soaking in the views whenever the clouds parted, and truly appreciated the raw, untamed beauty of the landscape. Even with the fog, it was an absolutely unforgettable visit!

Yellowstone: Three Days of Wonders

From Glacier National Park, we turned southward and ventured into Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, where we dedicated three full days and two nights to exploring all corners of this truly extraordinary place. We made sure to hit all the iconic spots, from the mesmerizing eruptions of Old Faithful and the vibrant colors of Grand Prismatic Spring to the thundering Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

We crisscrossed the park, driving through valleys where bison roamed freely and along scenic routes offering breathtaking views of geysers, hot springs, and mudpots. Each day brought new discoveries and encounters with Yellowstone’s incredible geothermal features and abundant wildlife; Nigel was even visited by a moose! Again, the wildlife really need to practice safe distanceing! We truly immersed ourselves in the park’s diverse landscapes, and the photos from these three days capture just how much there is to see and experience!

Grand Tetons: A Picture Perfect Hike

Our journey continued southward to the stunning Grand Teton National Park. This place is just breathtaking, with those jagged, snow-capped peaks rising dramatically from the valley floor. We spent a wonderful time hiking around Jenny Lake, a true gem nestled right at the base of the towering Tetons.

The views across the lake to the mountains were absolutely picture-perfect, and the clear, calm water reflected the peaks like a mirror. The trail around the lake was just beautiful, winding through the forest and offering incredible perspectives at every turn. It was such a peaceful and refreshing way to experience the park’s majestic beauty, and our photos from Jenny Lake really capture that iconic Grand Teton scenery.

From Mountains to Dinosaurs

Our adventure then took us on a whirlwind tour through a few more amazing spots! We dipped into Idaho for a bit, then spent a night enjoying the city lights of Salt Lake City, Utah. The next day, we made a quick stop at Timpanogos Cave National Monument. While we didn’t go into the caves, the winding road through the mountain pass to get there was absolutely incredible (Nigel definitely loved tackling those curves!).

Then our journey brought us to Dinosaur National Monument, a place that truly transported us back millions of years. Reedi and I hiked our way up to the fascinating Quarry Exhibit Hall, where we were absolutely captivated by the sheer number of dinosaur bones preserved in the rock face. We learned all about the incredible fate of the dinosaurs found there and, to our excitement, even got to touch a real dinosaur fossil in situ! It was an amazing experience to be so close to such ancient history.

Colorado Adventures and Soaking in History

After our fascinating step back in time at Dinosaur National Monument, we left Utah and headed east for a few fun-filled days in Colorado. Our first stop was a truly unique experience: the beautiful historic Orvis Hot Springs.

Since we stayed onsite, we were lucky enough to have unfettered access to the hot springs overnight. And believe me, we took full advantage of that! We soaked in the warm, mineral-rich waters late into the night under the stars and were back in the pools bright and early to watch the sun rise the next morning. It was incredibly relaxing and rejuvenating. You won’t find any pictures of the springs, unfortunately, as Orvis is clothing-optional and strictly no cameras are allowed. Did we keep our swimsuits on? Well, you know what they say: what happens at the hot springs, stays at the hot springs! We’ll never tell!

Still in Colorado, our journey continued along the incredibly scenic Million Dollar Highway. This iconic stretch of road truly lives up to its name with breathtaking mountain vistas around every turn! We had a fantastic time visiting several historic towns nestled in the San Juan Mountains along the way.

Each town had its own unique charm, steeped in the rich history of mining and the old west. We explored the charming streets, admired the Victorian architecture, and imagined what life must have been like during the boom years. The dramatic landscapes combined with the captivating history made for an unforgettable part of our Colorado adventure.

Great Sand Dunes and a Wild Welcome

After leaving the relaxing waters of Orvis and the majestic views of the Million Dollar Highway, we set our sights on our final National Park of this incredible trip: Great Sand Dunes National Park. We received quite a thrill as we were approaching the park! We watched a massive dust devil form and make its way across the landscape right in front of us, only for it to cross the road exactly as we were passing. It shook Nigel violently! We certainly know now to avoid driving through those things in the future.

Despite the wild welcome, we arrived at the park shortly thereafter and spent a truly memorable afternoon. We visited the information center to learn about the unique ecosystem and then ventured out onto the vast, very windy, Great Sand Dunes themselves. Hiking on those enormous piles of sand felt like being on another planet, and the strong winds created mesmerizing patterns on the dunes. It was an unforgettable way to experience the park’s unique beauty, and the photos really show off the incredible scale of those dunes!

Homeward Bound and a Texas Treat

After leaving the incredible landscapes of Colorado, we began our drive home, making our way through New Mexico and across the vast expanse of Texas. For our final mini-adventure of the trip, we made a fun stop in Fort Worth, Texas, where we had the unique experience of witnessing the daily cattle drive through the historic Stockyards streets! It was quite a sight to see the longhorns being herded right down the road, a real taste of the Old West in a modern city.

And just like that, our incredible cross-country journey came to an end. It was another fantastic road trip across America, filled with breathtaking national parks, fascinating history, and unforgettable moments with Nigel.