8 days in Keystone, Yellowstone National Park & Colorado Springs Itinerary

Fewer than 400 people call Keystone home year-round, but the population explodes in summer when crowds flock to nearby Mount Rushmore.

Start off your visit on the 27th (Sat): go deep underground at Big Thunder Gold Mine, then examine the collection at National Presidential Wax Museum, then stop by Goodtyme Photo, and finally take some stellar pictures from Breezy Point Picnic Area. On the 28th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: explore the wealth of natural beauty at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, get a new perspective on nature at The Museum @ Black Hills Institute, then learn about winemaking at Twisted Pine Winery, and finally explore the striking landscape at Needles Eye Tunnel.

For where to stay, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Keystone trip tool.

Chicago to Keystone is an approximately 15-hour car ride. You can also fly; or drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. The time zone difference when traveling from Chicago to Keystone is minus 1 hour. Traveling from Chicago in July, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be little chillier in Keystone, with lows of 53°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Mon) so you can travel to Yellowstone National Park.

An exceptionally diverse landscape and varied wildlife have made Yellowstone National Park one of America's most popular parks.

Escape the urban bustle at Grand Prismatic Spring and Uncle Tom's Trail. Attractions like Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center and Artists Paintpots make great kid-friendly stops. When in Yellowstone National Park, make a side trip to see Museum of the Yellowstone in West Yellowstone, approximately West Yellowstone away. There's lots more to do: take in the natural beauty of Midway Geyser Basin, hike along North Rim Trail, stroll through Brink of the Lower Falls Trail, and contemplate the waterfront views at Lehardy's Rapids.

To find photos, reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Yellowstone National Park route maker tool.

You can drive from Keystone to Yellowstone National Park in 9.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive; or do a combination of taxi, bus, shuttle, and car. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from Keystone in July: high temperatures in Yellowstone National Park hover around 73°F and lows are around 39°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Thu) so you can travel to Colorado Springs.

Stunning Garden of the Gods Park scenery, blue skies and the glory of Pikes Peak-America’s Mountain have attracted visitors to Colorado Springs for more than a century.

On the 2nd (Fri), examine the collection at Penrose Heritage Museum, look for all kinds of wild species at North Cheyenne Canon Park, then find something for the whole family at North Pole Colorado Santa’s Workshop, and finally get your game on at Battlefield Colorado. On your second day here, stroll through Seven Bridges Trail, then steep yourself in history at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, and then stop by Garden of the Gods Trading Post.

To find photos, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Colorado Springs online trip itinerary maker.

Getting from Yellowstone National Park to Colorado Springs by car takes about 11.5 hours. Other options: fly; or drive; or do a combination of taxi, bus, shuttle, and train. Traveling from Yellowstone National Park in August, expect Colorado Springs to be somewhat warmer, temps between 83°F and 56°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sat) to allow time to travel back home.