An unforgettable American road journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming

Let’s discuss an incredible American road trip. Since the COVID-19 pandemic forced our New York City offices to close in March 2020, I’ve been staying at my father's ranch in rural Montana. While I miss my coworkers and the city life, this time in the West has opened up amazing opportunities to explore regions of the country I had never visited before, including national parks and states like the Dakotas and Wyoming.

Join me as I embark on a road trip that takes us from Bozeman, Montana, to Bismarck, North Dakota, followed by Rapid City, South Dakota, and onto Cody, Wyoming, with a special stop at Yellowstone National Park back in Montana. Along this route, you’ll encounter iconic sites such as Mount Rushmore, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Devils Tower, and, of course, Old Faithful.

Begin your adventure in Bozeman, Montana

Once a quiet cow town, Bozeman has transformed into a bustling boomtown and is now one of the fastest-growing cities in the West. The picturesque Main Street is filled with numerous shops, bars, and restaurants.

A visit to the Museum of the Rockies is essential. It boasts the largest collection of dinosaur fossils globally, featuring an impressive Tyrannosaurus rex.

There has been remarkable growth at the airport: Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) promotes itself as the "Gateway to Yellowstone." It is the busiest airport in Montana, offering nonstop flights to 19 U.S. cities.

American Airlines has made significant investments in Montana, introducing four seasonal flights in 2020 and adding several more in 2021. The airline offers nonstop flights to Bozeman from Los Angeles (LAX), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Philadelphia (PHL), Phoenix (PHX), and Dallas Fort-Worth (DFW).

I discovered ticket prices ranging from $239 to $425 for the main cabin. For award tickets, the starting price was 12,000 AAdvantage miles in coach class or 50,000 miles for first class, along with $11.20 in taxes and fees.

United Airlines operates flights to Bozeman from six of its major hubs, while Delta Air Lines also flies from six hubs, including Salt Lake City (SLC). Alaska Airlines provides flights from Portland, Oregon (PDX), San Francisco (SFO), San Diego (SAN), and Seattle (SEA), and Allegiant has services from four cities, including Nashville, Tennessee (BNA). Frontier operates flights from Denver (DEN), and Sun Country now has routes from its Minneapolis hub. JetBlue flies from New York-JFK, Boston (BOS), and Los Angeles (LAX).

Several brand-new hotels have opened, including one of my favorites, the four-star Kimpton Armory hotel, which debuted in 2020. Room rates in August and September range from $207 to $299 per night. If you prefer Marriott, there's also a nice new Element Hotel available.

A day spent in Billings, Montana

After finishing your exploration of Bozeman, your road trip truly begins with a little over a two-hour drive on I-90 East to Billings. As Montana's largest city, Billings is also seeing rapid growth. This is essentially where the Great Plains start. Personally, I'm not a big fan of the town, but there are a few attractions worth seeing.

The city and its surroundings offer several walking trails, including routes that provide stunning views of the cliffs surrounding the town and even trails that take you along the cliffs themselves.

One notable location is the Shiloh Conservation Area, a park that has transformed 66 undeveloped acres in West Billings into a wetland to help manage flooding and pollution in the Yellowstone River that runs through the city.

If you're looking to spend the night, Billings has plenty of affordable hotels and motels. I stayed at the Hampton Inn, which was satisfactory. Summer rates start at $136 per night or 30,000 Hilton Honors points.

A detour to Little Bighorn Battlefield National Park

It's just over an hour's drive from Billings to Little Bighorn Battlefield National Park, making it a worthwhile excursion. You can take Interstate 90 in a nearly direct route all the way there.

This national monument serves as a memorial to one of the last significant battles between Native Americans and the U.S. military, featuring the U.S. Army's 7th Cavalry in conflict with warriors from the Arapaho, Lakota, and Northern Cheyenne tribes. Commonly known as Custer's Last Stand, the Battle of the Little Bighorn took place in 1876 and resulted in over 265 fatalities, marking a major defeat for the U.S. Army. The site is now preserved as a poignant tribute to those who lost their lives on both sides of the conflict.

Make sure to take a break in the delightful cowboy town of Miles City, Montana. I refueled here last summer and visited the renowned Montana Bar on Main Street. Established in 1908, it’s regarded as one of the best-preserved Western bars in the state.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

The drive to Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota takes about four hours via Interstate 94. It's advisable to plan an overnight stay in nearby Medora or Dickinson, North Dakota, unless you're okay with a six-hour drive straight to Bismarck. That wouldn't leave you much time to explore Little Bighorn or Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Medora's Badlands Motel offers simple accommodations priced between $119 and $172 per night.

Covering 70,400 acres of badlands, the park features numerous hiking trails. In my view, a day is sufficient to experience it, although it is certainly worth the visit. I spent about two hours on a short hike starting from the parking area at the Painted Canyon Visitors Center. If you're keen on hiking, you could easily spend a few days exploring various trails within the park.

Bismarck, North Dakota

It's an additional two-hour drive to Bismarck, the state capital of North Dakota, where you can find a variety of moderately priced hotels for an overnight stay.

I had a great time strolling around the state capital building and discovering the historic downtown area, which includes Camp Hancock State Historic Site established in 1872. There's also a fascinating old train station nearby, and you can explore the entire town in just a few hours.

There are plenty of mid-range hotels to select from, including Radisson, Holiday Inn, Courtyard by Marriott, and Home2Suites by Hilton. Prices range from $84 to $127, which is quite reasonable for peak summer travel.

Rapid City, South Dakota

The journey from Bismarck to Rapid City takes a long five hours, so you'll spend a good portion of the day in the car. However, the reward is the charming town known as the City of Presidents.

There are five national parks within driving distance of Rapid City: Badlands National Park, Devils Tower National Monument, Jewel Cave National Monument, Wind Cave National Park, Minuteman Missile Silo National Park, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Also accessible is the Crazy Horse Memorial, the Native American equivalent of Mount Rushmore, featuring the enormous face of Oglala Lakota leader Crazy Horse carved into a mountain in the Black Hills.

If you have the time, you could easily spend a week based in Rapid City and take day trips to all these national parks and memorials. The town also boasts a vibrant restaurant scene.

This summer, I found mid-range hotels priced from $85 to $250 per night. The Hilton Curio Collection Alex Johnson hotel in Downtown Rapid City appeared charming, though it is already fully booked on many dates this summer.

You're less than thirty minutes away from Mount Rushmore while in Rapid City, so it's a great idea to make the town your home base.

Mount Rushmore

No visit to the Dakotas would be complete without stopping at Mount Rushmore. It absolutely amazed me and was far more impressive than I had anticipated during my first visit a few years ago. It's a must-see for every American's bucket list.

It's a quick drive from Rapid City, so be sure to watch for mountain goats along the way to the park.

There is no entrance fee to visit, but you will need to pay a parking fee of $10 per vehicle or RV. For senior citizens, it's just $5. Keep in mind that there is a bit of a hike from the parking area to walk around the base of the mountain. Wheelchairs are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis.

Make sure to take the short hike around the monument to truly appreciate its scale and magnificence.

Deadwood, South Dakota, and a drive through Sturgis

While traveling from Mount Rushmore, it's definitely worth stopping in Deadwood, South Dakota, which is about an hour and a half away. The drive there is absolutely beautiful, and you might even want to spend a day or two exploring the area.

This delightful little "Old West" town is filled with charming shops and unique finds. It was founded in the 1870s during the Black Hills Gold Rush, and the entire town is designated as a National Historic Landmark. Today, it's better known for a different kind of gold rush—gambling has been legal here since 1989.

If you don't mind being in a crowded setting, consider stopping by Sturgis, South Dakota. For an extra thrill, plan your visit to align with the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Sturgis is primarily known for its numerous bars, which is a recipe for a good time for many visitors.

Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming

The drive from Deadwood to Devils Tower takes about 90 minutes. This was likely the highlight of my Western road trips last summer—truly a breathtaking natural wonder. You can spend several hours hiking around the towering rock formation, and many visitors come for the stunning views at sunrise or sunset. If you're adventurous, there's even rock climbing available on the steep faces of the butte.

Designated as the first national monument in the United States by Theodore Roosevelt in 1906, Devils Tower is also famous for being the filming location of a notable scene in the 1977 movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." The atmosphere here feels incredibly other-worldly.

Cody, Wyoming

The drive from Devils Tower to Cody, Wyoming takes about five hours, and it's advisable to spend the night there before continuing to Yellowstone. The east entrance of Yellowstone is only an hour and 15 minutes away from Cody.

In this rugged Wyoming town with a population of under 10,000, there's plenty to explore. I highly recommend visiting the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which features five museums. Colonel William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody was instrumental in founding the town in 1896 and became one of the most iconic figures of the Old West, renowned for his buffalo hunting, cowboy skills, and showmanship.

You can find a Holiday Inn at Buffalo Bill Village with rates around $181 per night in June, or you can opt to use 47,000 IHG Rewards points.

There is also a Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton, which appears quite basic, with rates at approximately $185 per night or 56,000 Hilton Honors points.

Yellowstone National Park

If you spend the night in Cody, you'll have an entire day to explore Yellowstone. Enter via U.S. Highway 14/20, which is approximately 53 miles to the park's East Entrance. This scenic route will take you through the eastern part of Yellowstone and around the stunning Yellowstone Lake.

You'll have a chance to stop at the museum and visitor center near Lake Village, with numerous hiking opportunities and scenic overlooks along the way. After enjoying the Yellowstone Lake area, make your way to Old Faithful, a massive geyser known for its reliable eruptions every 60 to 110 minutes. Located in the Upper Geyser Basin, it is easily accessible by road, and park rangers can inform you about the next eruption time. If you happen to miss one, don't fret—Old Faithful erupts around 20 times a day, with water and steam reaching heights of up to 180 feet!

Keep an eye out for the buffalo that often hang around the area.

If you're considering an overnight stay, you can actually find accommodations right at Old Faithful. I put together a comprehensive guide on where to stay in Yellowstone. Be sure to check it out for suggestions, and if your group isn't too large, consider staying in one of the cozy little cabins.

The drive from Old Faithful to West Yellowstone is packed with incredible sights, including numerous stunning geysers and hot springs. You'll also find hiking opportunities and plenty of wildlife roaming about.

West Yellowstone, Montana

Your road trip concludes in West Yellowstone, Montana. It’s advisable to spend the night here before embarking on your long journey back to Bozeman, which will take about two and a half hours.

In West Yellowstone, there's a respectable Holiday Inn, where last-minute bookings in August start at $370 per night. While that’s quite pricey, early reservations can yield better prices. A long weekend in September will cost you around $306 a night, or you can redeem 33,000 IHG Rewards Club points for a stay. I stayed here in 2020, and while it was simple, it was clean. Personally, I wouldn't consider it worth the $300 price tag.

You can also consider the Days Inn by Wyndham West Yellowstone, which starts at 15,000 Wyndham points per night. If you have Best Western Rewards points, check out the Best Western Desert Inn or the Best Western Weston Inn, both available for 28,000 points per night.

West Yellowstone offers a variety of activities that don't require re-entering the park. The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is highly recommended for an up-close experience with live bears and wolves. Additionally, you can enjoy zip-lining and river rafting in the area.

Don't forget to visit the local visitor information center, wander through the quirky tourist shops that line the streets, and make sure to treat yourself to some huckleberry ice cream. It’s just one of the many delightful memories you'll create on your road trip.