Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, etc. during Spring Break, will it be too cold?
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Anonymous
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Our kids have spring break starting March 16 and my DH desperately wants us to take a trip to the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, maybe Yellowstone, and other national parks. The plan had been to fly into Denver, and drive into SD, maybe Wyoming, etc. we will have 10 days. But as I am doing the research it seems it will still be very cold that time of year, with many chances of snow. For example the hotel inside the Badlands National Park is closed for the season then, park still open but accommodations aren’t as available. I have tried to push this trip to the summer but husband is convinced we should do it for spring break. I have done my research on the DCUM thread searches and have found great itineries for a trip like this, but all seem to be during the summer. I personally don’t know anyone who has done this kind of trip (we just love going to national parks, and I’ve never been to this area of the country).
Is it a bad idea to go out there in the middle of March??!! Anyone have any advice? I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance. |
Anonymous
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We live in Colorado and friends of ours went to Mt Rushmore on their way home from somewhere last spring break (last week in March). Most things (besides Mt Rushmore) were closed.
We went in June and stayed at a hotel attached to a water park, the kids liked that. Plus, you could get a big storm then—it’s really iffy that time of year. |
Anonymous
| No way. I went at the end of May and it snowed. March is not doable. |
Anonymous
| PP again, just looked at my friend’s FB page and she said most things are closed up there until Memorial Day. |
Anonymous
| Put your foot down OP. It is very illogical to go that early. |
Anonymous
| Thanks everyone. I can’t control how early our school spring break is, wish it was afte Easter in April. I will keep pushing him to do this over the summer. We did a similar national park/ historic landmark tour a few years ago (grand canyon, Sedona, Hoover dam, Vegas, la, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree) and it was super fun at the same time of the year. But this Badland Trip makes me scared of too much snow. |
Anonymous
Why do you have to keep pushing him to reconsider? Just tell him it’s not happening on spring break. |
Anonymous
What's the name of the hotel, please? 
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Anonymous
| I would never attempt this trip in March! We've been twice, but over the summer. Roads are narrow and mountainous. Would be scary with snow. Sounds like a crazy idea. |
Anonymous
March is a terrible time to go but the roads are not the reason to pass - South Dakota is well served by lightly used interstates and the road to Mt Rushmore is hardly narrow and mountainous - driving up the hill across Rock Creek Park is more hazardous than anything near Mt. Rushmore. |
Anonymous
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Why not do the Utah national parks? I've done them in January and it was fine.
I don't think most of Yellowstone will be accessible in March. |
Anonymous
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Yellowstone will be all but inaccessible.
March is prime blizzard time in South Dakota. Like, white out conditions that will have you stuck in some random roadside motel for daaaaasys. |
Anonymous
Yes, please, name hotel! We are looking at Mt. Rushmore in June/July and need a fun place to stay. |
Anonymous
NOt the PP, but it might be this. We went two summers ago, and I remember seeing it when I did my research (we ended up renting a house instead). http://www.watikiwaterpark.com/ |
Anonymous
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OP here. I sent my husband the link to this thread and told him we aren’t going in March, so now hopefully we will go in August instead, phew.
BTW if you do a search for a trip like this during the summer there are already some great threads on it. But if anyone wants to add some recommendations please post here anyway. Thanks. |