Looking for Advice/Suggestions on Cross country NJ to WY trip

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Shooter307

Shooter307

10 Year
Joined
Mar 30, 2014
Threads
38
Messages
200
Location
Cody, WY
Going to be packing all my stuff in the 80 along with my dog and driving with a friend from Southern New Jersey to Cody, (North-western) Wyoming. Not sure exactly my route although it's going to be one of the few I see on google maps with some possible deviations:
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My question is: Is there anything along the way that I seriously don't want to miss? Or advice on the trip at all? Due to friend I have to stop in Harrisburg, PA and that stop is set in stone, otherwise nothing else is really final. Would like to try to do it in 3-4 days depending on stops and schedule.

I'm open to some light wheeling or exploring but I don't want to have to resort to road-side fixes that I don't need to.
 
bad lands south dakota and mount rushmore is a must see as well as a slight detour to devils tower wyoming. There is a dirt road that is shortcut over to devils tower that cuts throught the forrest and has amazing scenery. Due to it being dirt it doesnt save any time but does save a few miles.
 
roma042987 said:
bad lands south dakota and mount rushmore is a must see as well as a slight detour to devils tower wyoming. There is a dirt road that is shortcut over to devils tower that cuts throught the forrest and has amazing scenery. Due to it being dirt it doesnt save any time but does save a few miles.
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Thanks for those suggestions, I was kind of on the fence about Mount Rushmore but looking at it now it is pretty much along our route so I'll try to stop there. Badlands sounds awesome, I can't believe I hadn't thought of it before!

The dirt road to devils tower, how passable is it? My 80 has about 1.5" of net lift on 285s so I have no worries there but another person is going to be following in a regular sedan so will they have troubles or is it kept fairly groomed? Does the shortcut have a specific name? Going to do some more research. If I don't devils tower on the way I will definitely go there in the following months.
 
Cook lake maybe, I believe if one is careful you could take a sedan over that pass, but it might be in bad shape after the winter we just had.

Def tour the black hills if your passing through on I90


Pm me if you need any info

Just some thoughts

Sylvan lake/harney peak
Needles highway
Mount Rushmore
Custer state park
Spearfish canyon
Bear butte
Crow peak
Mammoth site
School of minds geology museum
Buffalo grasslands
The badlands
The moonshine gulch saloon
Castle Creek campground
Castle Peak
Crow peak brewery
Keystone
Alpine inn in hill city for dinner
1880 train
Deadwood
Black Hills Cruiser Classic is at the end of July .
...via IH8MUD app
 
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i took the dirt road in a sedan four years ago which was before i had my first cruiser. i cant remember the name i'll have to see if i can find it.

Looks like it was Warrens peak rd going up bear lodge mountain and then lytle creek road that ends almost directly at devils tower. Its a must see.
 
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roma042987 said:
i took the dirt road in a sedan four years ago which was before i had my first cruiser. i cant remember the name i'll have to see if i can find it.

Looks like it was Warrens peak rd going up bear lodge mountain and then lytle creek road that ends almost directly at devils tower. Its a must see.
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Yep I see what road you mean now, that looks perfect. If the road seems too much for the sedan we've agreed to have the sedan take the main road to the monument and have the 80 take the Warrens Peak/Lytle Creek route and then we can meet there at devils tower. Thanks I would have never thought of taking that way, I'm excited it looks like an awesome drive:steer:

Redgrrr said:
Cook lake maybe, I believe if one is careful you could take a sedan over that pass, but it might be in bad shape after the winter we just had.

Def tour the black hills if your passing through on I90


Pm me if you need any info

Just some thoughts

Sylvan lake/harney peak
Needles highway
Mount Rushmore
Custer state park
Spearfish canyon
Bear butte
Crow peak
Mammoth site
School of minds geology museum
Buffalo grasslands
The badlands
The moonshine gulch saloon
Castle Creek campground
Castle Peak
Crow peak brewery
Keystone
Alpine inn in hill city for dinner
1880 train
Deadwood
Black Hills Cruiser Classic is at the end of July .
...via IH8MUD app
Click to expand...

Gonna go ahead and shoot you a PM after I look up all of these suggestions, thanks!
 
When you get to the Bighorns you will have a few options across. My vote is for 14A through Dayton to Lovell. Make sure and stop at Medicine Wheel just west of Burgess Jct. Also, along the highway you will see a natural spring or 2 spewing water out of pipes, don't miss your chance for some amazing crystal clean mountain water. On the other hand, Hwy 14 through Tensleep has some amazing waterfalls along through Shell Canyon. Oh how I miss the Bighorns and the Black Hills ( I highly recommend Jewel Cave and Crazy Horse near Rushmore as well) Lucky you! Take as much time as you can because there is way more to see than you will have time to take in.

E
 
Subscribed. We'll be driving through here on our return from our overlanding trip - will be leaving the Cheyenne area middle to late July, headed to the U.P. of MI. My plan is to do some exploring in the Black Hills and see Mt. Rushmore...this list has some fantastic ideas!

More proof this site rocks.
 
Subscribed as well. Headed to Ouray a bit early to spend a day or two in SD/WY. Coming from Northern VA. Will be in white 100 series with M416 in tow.... May see ya'll!

I can also vouch for the Badlands. Spent a night camping at the NP there when I was 19... Amazing at sunset.

Any insight on trail camping and how that works? I'm assuming there are spurs along the way? Will be my first "expo"... So totally new to camping anywhere other than a camp site.

Thanks to all who have posted and for future info as well!
 
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