So I'm gonna throw this out there and say that I can sometimes be a little too ambitious while planning family vacations. Myself, wife, 6 yr old, and 1.5 year old will be traveling from VA to Grand Forks, ND to visit my wife's brother. I have 14 days off between July 23rd and Aug 6th. We're hoping to fly from VA to Grand Forks on July 23rd and spend a couple nights with her brother. Then, I was thinking we could all drive down (rental vehicle) and visit the Badlands, Rushmore, Deadwood (time permitting), and then Yellowstone. I will also say that this is a spur of the moment type trip. We've always talked about doing a Yellowstone trip when our youngest turns 5 or so. BUT since we're visiting my wife's brother who is stationed at Grand Forks AFB, I figured we could make the most of this trip since we are somewhat "close" to Yellowstone. Below is the itinerary broken down day by day. Things I am unsure about are where we’d be sleeping each night. I hear accommodations at Yellowstone book up about a year in advance. Thought about renting an RV but that is crazy expensive. Do you see any flaws with this plan? Be honest please.
July 23rd: Fly to Grand Forks, ND. (approx. 6.5 hours) Spend night w/ in-laws
July 24th: Spend night w/ in-laws in Grand Forks.
July 25th: Drive to the Badlands (approx. 9 hours). Spend night @ ________________?
July 26th: Explore Badlands. Spend night @ _____________?
July 27th: Drive to Mount Rushmore (approx. 1.5 hours). Explore Rushmore and then drive to Deadwood (approx. 1 hour). Spend night @ _______________?
July 28th: Drive to Yellowstone (approx. 8 hours).
July 29th to Aug 1st: Explore Yellowstone. 4 full days for Yellowstone. End up at Grand Tetons
Aug 2nd: Drive to Sundance, WY ( 8 hours)
Aug 3rd: Drive to Grand Forks, ND (approx. 9 hours). Spend night w/ in-laws
Aug 4th: Fly home
Aug 6th: Back to work
July 23rd: Fly to Grand Forks, ND. (approx. 6.5 hours) Spend night w/ in-laws
July 24th: Spend night w/ in-laws in Grand Forks.
July 25th: Drive to the Badlands (approx. 9 hours). Spend night @ ________________?
July 26th: Explore Badlands. Spend night @ _____________?
July 27th: Drive to Mount Rushmore (approx. 1.5 hours). Explore Rushmore and then drive to Deadwood (approx. 1 hour). Spend night @ _______________?
July 28th: Drive to Yellowstone (approx. 8 hours).
July 29th to Aug 1st: Explore Yellowstone. 4 full days for Yellowstone. End up at Grand Tetons
Aug 2nd: Drive to Sundance, WY ( 8 hours)
Aug 3rd: Drive to Grand Forks, ND (approx. 9 hours). Spend night w/ in-laws
Aug 4th: Fly home
Aug 6th: Back to work