Hello, I am in the midst of planning a 2018 summer trip and would love some advice as I begin to piece together details. We've never rented an RV, but plan to take 12 days out in Aug and cruise around the mid-west area. We're a family of 4 -> 2 adults, 2 kids (10, 7). We'll be flying into Denver from NY area (chose Denver as it has nice flt options and seemed to have good selection of rentals and RT itinerary). I'm somewhat nervous about a large RV and have been looking into campervans (w/ roof tents) and small (>25') RVs - Apollo RV and Escape Campervans seem reasonable (though very much open to any other suggestions/advice).
Route wise I was thinking the following, but having never driven the area, please let me know if I am completely off base or missing good things:
Day 1 - Arrive Denver AM/ Stay near Cheyenne
Day 2 - Devil's Tower / Stay by there
Day 3 - Deadwood / Crazy Horse / Mt Rushmore (if time, otherwise in AM following day) / Stay in Custer
Day 4 - Badlands / Wall / Stay near Rapid City
Day 5 - Theodore Roosevelt National Park (I know ND is out of the way, but we want to hit that state) / Stay near there or possibly out by Billings
Day 6 - Get to Yellowstone / Stay in Yellowstone
Day 7 - Stay in Yellowstone
Day 8 - Stay in Yellowstone
Day 9 - Grand Tetons / Jackson Hole / Stay there
Day 10 - Dinosaur National Monument / Stay nearby there
Day 11 - Arrive back to Denver Area
Day 12 - Return RV / Fly home
I calculate it should be about 2200-2300 mi total, but feel like it is broken up ok. Any feedback/advice would be greatly appreciated!
The only specific question I have is about booking campgrounds - is it necessary for Aug? I will definitely book for Yellowstone, but for the others, is it recommended to book spots in the parks or would I be ok playing it more loose?
Thank you in advance.
Route wise I was thinking the following, but having never driven the area, please let me know if I am completely off base or missing good things:
Day 1 - Arrive Denver AM/ Stay near Cheyenne
Day 2 - Devil's Tower / Stay by there
Day 3 - Deadwood / Crazy Horse / Mt Rushmore (if time, otherwise in AM following day) / Stay in Custer
Day 4 - Badlands / Wall / Stay near Rapid City
Day 5 - Theodore Roosevelt National Park (I know ND is out of the way, but we want to hit that state) / Stay near there or possibly out by Billings
Day 6 - Get to Yellowstone / Stay in Yellowstone
Day 7 - Stay in Yellowstone
Day 8 - Stay in Yellowstone
Day 9 - Grand Tetons / Jackson Hole / Stay there
Day 10 - Dinosaur National Monument / Stay nearby there
Day 11 - Arrive back to Denver Area
Day 12 - Return RV / Fly home
I calculate it should be about 2200-2300 mi total, but feel like it is broken up ok. Any feedback/advice would be greatly appreciated!
The only specific question I have is about booking campgrounds - is it necessary for Aug? I will definitely book for Yellowstone, but for the others, is it recommended to book spots in the parks or would I be ok playing it more loose?
Thank you in advance.