Diane - how LONG are they plannig on being over here?
Keep in mind, that beginning of August is a motorcycle rally in Sturgis, SD. All hotels are packed and so all the attractions in Black Hills.
ONe can see Mnt.Rushmore in a day and move on. Or 3-4 days could be spent between Badlands (loop drive/hikes), Black Hills, Custer SP and caves.
On a way to Yellowstone is Devil's Tower - does not require a lot of time, but must be seen and walked around.
Rt. 14 after Sheridan thru Cody into Yellowstone - goes through Bighorn N.Forest. It's a long drive on a small road, but the views are beautiful.
Yellowstone - again, how long are they going to be there?
Grand Tetons must be seen while they are in the area.
After that it's UTah on a way to Las Vegas - we have spent there at least 3 weeks a year for the last 7 years... still find places that MUST be seen (our family loves Utah, can you tell).

I think they will be in US for 2 weeks. I'll get more details on Mon.
Diane

Diane, have them take a look at some of the escorted trips out that way. Even if they are doing it on their own they can follow the route and itinerary of the experts. The tours are going to stop at the most important sites along thw way. Here's a good starting point, they can go into the day by day itineraries to see what the tour entails. If they are interested they can search for more info and do it on their own.

Here is a link that might be useful: Options

If you are members of AAA -- you might do a trip-tic & mail it to then well in advance -- along with a couple of the state books.... [I think the books are free -- if not, I always see them at goodwill/salvation army...]

I agree with Lynn--if possible have them do guided tours whenever they can. They will see so much more and get good information. In fact, if they have just two weeks, they will not see a whole lot because they are not familiar with roads etc. I would suggest that they get at least a 10 day trip and many travel agencies will do custom tours. Even with all the driving we have done in those area I would not even attempt driving that much. Motels/hotels could be full and very expensive, over 100.00 day etc Have they driven in the US before?
Are the flying in/out of Las Vegas? Don't forget it will be very hot also. Children?
Yes there is alot to see and wish them the best.

I like the idea of the trip-tic: includes detailed maps, things to see, etc. If you're not in AAA ... do you have a friend who is?

ole joyful

Have they visited the US before? Sometimes it's overwhelmingly BIG to visitors from small countries. When a friend's son was married at a winery north of San Francisco relatives from Holland rented a van to drive across the nation. They had a month and enjoyed it, but were still a bit awed by our wide open spaces!

After Mt. Rushmore, swing down to Devil's Tower. Its on the Wyoming-S. Dakato border just inside Wyoming. Then, head for Yellowstone. Several routes across Wyoming may be taken. There are two routes across the Big Horn mountians if they choose to crsoo these, or a route around these can be taken. The climb up this mountain is abrupt out of either Buffalo or Sheridan; The Sheridan route has the steeper climb. Once on top of the Big Horns, it is serene, isolated, and rather flat and picturesque. On the West side of the mountain, US 14 drops abruptly down the west side and the landscape change is fast. You go from a high mountain folage to dry, western desert in a span of 30 miles.

Plan on using 2 days to tour Yellowstone. Years ago, when I was there, tent camping was not allowed becasue of potential for a bear raid. Only hard-side camper were allowed. Plan to stay outside the park. If you can snag a reservation at the historic inn near Old Faithful, that would be worth it.

Driving south of Yellowstone, one could go through Jackson, WY. Jackson is a tourist trap type of town, but the views along Jenny Lake in front the Tetons are beautiful. This best seen before the sun crosses mid sky. After 2pm, the east side of the Tetons are shaded.

There are several sites in Utah worth seeing: Zion, Bryce Canyon (which is not a canyon, but is filled with fantastic eroded columns), Arches, Natural Bridges, and Momument Valley. Of these, I recommend Arches, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Momument Valley. If you are pressed for time, you can skip Natural Bridges. It is anti-climatic after seeing Arches. There are only 3 main bridges to be seen. Stay a Moab and paln to use most of a day to tour Arches. Yes, you could buzz through it in car in a half day, but it is best enjoyed by hiking the paths and coming in contact with the terrain. The signature, Delicate Arch, is accessible only by hiking. Its about a mile off the roadway.

South of Arches is Momument Valley which is part of the Navajo Reservation. There is lodging at Blanding. The motel there offers views of the rising sun.

From Momument Valley, find you way to Grand Canyon. It is the grandest view of all. Its immensity is hard to envision and awe inspiring. The Grand Canyon park itself has been cloed to private auto touring. However, you can park you car and hike the rim or opt to use tram, a train of open air carts. The trams stops at all the rim viewpoints. You may exit at any viewpoint and then catch another tram. When I was there, the trams ran on 15 minute intervals. The only caution is to make sure that you do not miss the last tram of the day, else you will find yourself hiking back to the parking lot and that could be several miles.

The fast way to las Vegas from Grand Canyon is to go south to I40 and then west. But if you have the time, you may wish to backtrack a bit and find a way to Washington-St. George, Utah by crossing the Colorado river using US 89. The drive SW of St. George (I-15) along the Virgin River is scenic.

Thanks everyone, I'll pass this on to them. There will be 4 adults (40ish) no kids. Knowing Paul I wouldn't advise him to do the tour thing, he's very loud and outspoken but following the tour route is a good idea. It took me almost a year of working together to get to know the "softer" side. Yes he has driven in US and Canada. A lot of the driving is rather desolate in some areas as I remember (from driving from Nebr to Calif and Nev)
Thanks again.
Diane