We are planning a trip next September to go to Yellowstone for several days. We will be driving and are trying to find any recommendations on things we may want to see and do won the way and while we are at Yellowstone. We will be driving through SD and stopping at Rushmore for sure.

Know what is best about Mt Rushmore?

Bring binoculars for wildlife viewing. Bring fishing gear- the fishing licenses are free in Yellowstone. Fish for Cuttthoats in the Yellowstone River at Buffalo Ford. Bring a camera or at least a Smartphone and take lots of pictures. Bring warm clothing and snacks for munching in the car. Rushmore is good for 15-20 minutes at best. You’ll think “Oh cool let’s take a picture” and move on.

Cody Wyoming , there's 5 different museums there dealing with the old west, Indians,
guns, mountain men and such .

Be sure to stop by n see Kevin Costner

Lamar Valley in the evenings is great for wolf watching. A spotting scope is a must have. My two favorite hikes were trout lake and mount washburn. I loved Yellowstone, but loved the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole even more. We went in June and it was wonderful, but very extreme changes in the weather. Cody and Gardner were cool areas outside of the park, especially the wolf and grizzly center. Cooke City is a neat little town with a cool Saloon to hang out at. My wife and I will be going to Jackson Hole next December or January to experience the park in the winter. You are going at a perfect time of year.

And be sure to see the Old West Trail Town in Cody. It’s almost as good as the Bill Cody museum, and you can see Jeremiah Johnston’s grave.

Badlands , Wall Drugs, the Corn Palace, Devils Tower, I loved The Little Big Horn but my wife didn't care for it . Lots in SD !

-Tourist stop/lunch at Wall Drug Store
-Badlands visitor center
-Badlands Highway 240 driving loop
-Light hiking in the badlands
-Hiking throughout Black Hills
-Trail ride on horses
-Wildlife Loop Road at Custer S.P.
-Visitor Center at Custer S.P.
-Devil's Tower (Wyoming)
-Mount Rushmore
-Crazy Horse Memorial
-Broken Boot underground goldmine tour and gold panning in Deadwood
-Walk around downtown Deadwood
-Silverado Franklin Grand Buffet restaurant in Deadwood

The rooms within the park book up a year in advance so plan early! We liked Cody and the museum and rodeo. Stayed at Old Faithful Inn and the inn at the north end of the park. Also got a cabin at Dornan's just north of Jackson, WY. Buy Gypsy travel guide app and it will be the best money you spend on the trip. It will guide you through Yellowstone and you won't miss a thing.

Watch our for all the Japanese people. They are rude and will flat our run you off the board walks in Yellowstone. Get up early to get to park. By 10 it is pack and you will have to walk and park a mile away from things to get there. By evening they are gone and it's not as busy. It doesnt get dark until late 10:30 or 11.

No way I would go in September. There will be a million people there.
I might consider December, but the March / April time frame is best.

The best times to visit Yellowstone National Park are from April to May and between September and October. These shoulder months offer mild weather and fewer crowds. July and August are the most popular months to visit: The kids are out of school, and the weather is warm enough to sleep outside. From the web.

We went in early September this year - had a great time too. We did stay at the Old Faithful Inn (because everyone said it’s a must). I wouldn’t do it again. It’s a great place to visit, but I wouldn’t pay that kind of money again. And the restaurant there was ok, but we paid $$$ for “ok” food. Where I would stay is at the Canyon Village lodge. That place is nice, and it has air conditioning.

As far as the park itself, just drive the Grand Loop and stop to see anything/everything that interests you. There’s tons of wildlife to see, and like others have said, take some quality bino’s at a minimum. We saw a ton of elk and bison while there. The gypsy guide app was the best money we spent the entire trip.

If you go to West Yellowstone, there’s a great restaurant called The Bison Bar. That place has amazing food, and I’d eat there again in a heartbeat.

When we went there in early September there was NOT “a million people there” like Outback alleged. We didn’t wait on anything, zero lines, etc. one day it was 39° that morning, and got up to 82° that afternoon. Hope y’all have a great time there! Yellowstone is an amazing place!

If you can tour the park in a rubber tired vehicle it's the wrong time of year to tour the park.

No Lie about the Asians, they travel in herds. And if they're at the Breffus Buffet just go back to your room.

Whats up with all the orientals there?

Ditto about the Asians @ Yellowstone, Glacier and Banff parks.....they are many and they rude!

last 3 times we have been its been mid setpember. i think it the best time. we have tent camped almost every time. we camp in madison campground. allow at least 4 to 5 days to see it all and you wont see it all even then. on the way home and going thru casper, douglas area stop at the Guernsey ruts. you can see where the wagons on the Oregon trail cut thru the rocks. also stay on hwy 26 on to scottsrock, nebraska. lot of historical sites on that hwy. the way your going up be sure to go thru bighorn canyon west of buffalo wy.

scott

get some good shoes & do plenty of walking before your trip; then get on some trails in the park & enjoy. take a ultralite spinner and catch some trout. take binoculars and spotting scope if u got one and a good camera with a zoom. kids enjoyed the trail ride/ dinner cookout in Lamar Valley; the Tetons are the prettiest part of the area, do the hike/boat ride to Jenny Lake. Yellowstone Falls is worth the effort to walk down to the base. Cody is worth at least a day. wish I was there right now