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Old 07-16-2019, 11:00 AM   #1
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Through Big Horn National Forest?

I'm planning a trip for mid September that has us traveling from Mt. Rushmore to Yellowstone. The route I'm looking at has us stopping in Sheridan WY and then traveling US 14 through the Big Horn National Forest to Yellowstone. I'm new to pulling a TT in the mountains and some research has me concerned about Granite Pass. Looking at the southern route using US 16 through Powder River Pass seems worse. Am I overthinking this, or should I try a different approach to Yellowstone?
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Old 07-16-2019, 04:39 PM   #2
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Old 07-16-2019, 05:06 PM   #3
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Hwy 14 is plenty steep going up and down. After leaving Dayton Wy. it's a long steep, switchback climb all the way to the top. Last time I pulled that grade was July 2016 with a load of four quads on a car trailer. My brother was pulling his 5th wheel with his F250 7.3 diesel. We just took it easy and had no problems.

I haven't been down the other side since 1973.
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Old 07-16-2019, 05:24 PM   #4
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When I went to Yellowstone back in 2017, The Big Horns were my favorite part of the drive. We took Rte 14 up and over and loved it. Yes it's a steep drive but If your truck is properly sized for your camper, you will have no problems.
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Old 07-16-2019, 07:04 PM   #5
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16 is easier than 14, but if you take 14 be sure to stay on 14 and do not get on 14A. You will see the signs in the beautiful section of high country.
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Old 07-17-2019, 11:12 AM   #6
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Thanks! I'm going to reroute to Buffalo WY instead and then take 16.
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Old 07-17-2019, 11:32 AM   #7
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Thanks! I'm going to reroute to Buffalo WY instead and then take 16.
That is the route we took from Custer to Cody. Every imaginable landscape between the two cities. We did encounter high winds while on 20 going north. Had our slide toppers fly up a couple of times, but just slowed down a bit and all was fine.
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Old 07-17-2019, 12:14 PM   #8
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Good call on taking hwy16 it's a lot easier. Leaving the Black Hills with a stop at Devils Tower makes for a good day traveling to Buffalo Wy. The KOA there is pretty nice.
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Old 07-17-2019, 12:27 PM   #9
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Like others have said, it is well worth the drive. Here are a few pictures after I went over the top. You can see how the switch backs are in picture 1 ,2 and 4. Picture 3 is a dirt road across the valley. We took it slow and stopped to take in the scenery. Enjoy the trip!
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Old 07-17-2019, 12:41 PM   #10
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16 is easier than 14, but if you take 14 be sure to stay on 14 and do not get on 14A. You will see the signs in the beautiful section of high country.

Not heading there yet but why not 14A? Looks like a good road on google earth.
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Old 07-17-2019, 01:33 PM   #11
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Keep an eye on the weather; very unpredictable.

Some 30 years ago tried entering from the east entrance/Cody side early September and the entrance was closed due to snow. Opened up the next morning after the plow crews cleared the roads.

Safe and happy travels.
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Old 07-17-2019, 02:24 PM   #12
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Black Hills Plan

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Good call on taking hwy16 it's a lot easier. Leaving the Black Hills with a stop at Devils Tower makes for a good day traveling to Buffalo Wy. The KOA there is pretty nice.
We're looking to stop at Mount Rushmore KOA, spend a day seeing Rushmore and Crazy Horse, then driving to Black Hills KOA the next day, for the night, to see Devils Tower, then off to Buffalo KOA the next day. Sound about right?
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Old 07-17-2019, 02:52 PM   #13
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Anyone been that way in gas Georgetown with the triton v10?
I have a 2017 364 TD with 6 speed transmission? Can I go that way on 14?
Been there 6 times on motorcycle but I loved the hills and curves back then and the views were amazing!
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Old 07-17-2019, 02:53 PM   #14
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We're looking to stop at Mount Rushmore KOA, spend a day seeing Rushmore and Crazy Horse, then driving to Black Hills KOA the next day, for the night, to see Devils Tower, then off to Buffalo KOA the next day. Sound about right?
Maybe skip the Black Hills KOA and go straight to Devils Tower. There is a KOA there. Last year I left The Custer KOA (pit) and made a fast pass at Devils Tower and then on to Buffalo. This made for too long of a long day.
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Old 07-17-2019, 05:02 PM   #15
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Made this trip last year. F150 ecoboost pulling a 26ft TT. Traveling West we took Hwy 16 and then up to Cody and Yellowstone. No big deal. Traveling East we took Hwy 14 over the Big Horns. Spent 1 night at a National Forest Campground along 14. Nice place with electric and water. Hwy 14 is much more manageable traveling East. A bit of a climb but not as steep as the route down on the East side. Going down I had to put it in 1st gear and travel about 20 mph. That way I didn't need to brake too much. There are a lot of pull offs if you get some idiot in back of you. I also thought it was the best part of the trip. Beautiful and lots of fun driving.
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Old 07-17-2019, 06:26 PM   #16
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Black Hills KOA

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Maybe skip the Black Hills KOA and go straight to Devils Tower. There is a KOA there. Last year I left The Custer KOA (pit) and made a fast pass at Devils Tower and then on to Buffalo. This made for too long of a long day.
FYI - the Black Hills KOA is the KOA at Devils Tower. So, yupp, that's the plan! Thanks!
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Old 07-17-2019, 07:06 PM   #17
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Not sure if I should of started new thread or ask here while the topic is the same area. We are going to Yellowstone end of September. Heading east Oct 6, to Cody, Staying there one night. From Cody east on 14. The northern 14 must be the 14A, as it says closed in the winter. After Big horn on 40 to Rapid City Staying in Hermosa just south of Rapid City. Staying couple days to do Mt Rushmore, as well other sights there. Question is, Will we be able to make it from Cody to Rapid City in less than 7 hours going on 14. Goolge says 6 hours and 20 minutes. We are thinking 90 might be better! But, 90 looks like a very windy road? Greatly appreciate you guys thoughts? The last thread on this was a few years ago.

I know WE risk snow issues that time of year and all of this may mean nothing, if we get bad luck with weather.
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Old 07-17-2019, 07:14 PM   #18
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Watch for closing campgrounds

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Not sure if I should of started new thread or ask here while the topic is the same area. We are going to Yellowstone end of September. Heading east Oct 6, to Cody, Staying there one night. From Cody east on 14. The northern 14 must be the 14A, as it says closed in the winter. After Big horn on 40 to Rapid City Staying in Hermosa just south of Rapid City. Staying couple days to do Mt Rushmore, as well other sights there. Question is, Will we be able to make it from Cody to Rapid City in less than 7 hours going on 14. Goolge says 6 hours and 20 minutes. We are thinking 90 might be better! But, 90 looks like a very windy road? Greatly appreciate you guys thoughts? The last thread on this was a few years ago.

I know WE risk snow issues that time of year and all of this may mean nothing, if we get bad luck with weather.
Another risk is closing campgrounds. The 3 campgrounds we are looking at in that area close around 10/1.
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Old 07-17-2019, 07:31 PM   #19
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Not heading there yet but why not 14A? Looks like a good road on google earth.
14A, or alt 14, is higher elevation and steeper roads. Often closed for snow. But if you go that way stop by Medicine Wheel at the top of the mountain. It is a spiritual native American site, often depicted in movies.
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Old 07-17-2019, 07:51 PM   #20
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Recently made this same trip (May 26th - June 10th). Spent the night at Crooked Creek Campground after touring Mt. Rushmore. Wonderful camp and great hosts. Traveled the next day to Devil's Tower and then the Buffalo, WY. There were 4 families traveling together, 2 fifth wheels and 2 bumper pulls, we opted for the southern route over 16. Spent the night in Ten Sleep, WY at the Ten Broek RV Park. Was a great overnight camp ground. We too were concerned with traveling over the Big Horn Mt., but had absolutely no problems at all. Took our time and enjoyed some very great scenery. Some of the best star gazing in Ten Sleep I've ever seen.
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