Denver to Bozeman Road Trip Guide

If you have extra time, this 30-mile detour from Fort Collins offers spectacular alpine scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities. The Trail Ridge Road provides stunning mountain vistas, though RV length restrictions apply (40-foot maximum). Popular stops include Bear Lake and the Alpine Visitor Center, perfect for stretching your legs and capturing those Instagram-worthy mountain shots.

RV camping is available at Moraine Park and Glacier Basin campgrounds, but reservations are essential during peak season. The park offers excellent hiking trails ranging from easy lakeside walks to challenging mountain peaks.

Wyoming's capital city provides a perfect lunch stop and fuel-up opportunity. The historic downtown area showcases authentic Western architecture, while Cheyenne Frontier Days(July) transforms the city into the world's largest outdoor rodeo celebration. The Wyoming State Museum offers fascinating insights into the region's frontier history.

For RV travelers, several truck stops along I-80 provide easy access for fuel and supplies. The city's elevation of 6,100 feet gives you a taste of the mountain air ahead.

Hell's Half Acre is a rough geological formation about 45 minutes west of Casper, WY on US-26. Contrary to the name, the area is much larger than a half-acre, covering more like 325 acres. The terrain here is exceptionally rugged, more reminiscent of the Badlands than the grassy plains surrounding the site. In fact, the cliffs here offer such a sharp transition from the surrounding areas that the local native American tribes used them to drive herds of bison to their deaths.

Over the years people have attempted to make it a broader tourist attraction, but most of those attempts have failed. It has also been used as a movie set; the site was the used an alien planet backdrop in the 1997 SciFi action adventure movie Starship Troopers.

The land is currently owned by Natrona County and can be visited by the public.

Independence Rock is a Wyoming State Historic Site located about an hour southwest of Casper on US-220. This large sandstone hill measures in at 130 feet high, 1900 feet long and 850 feet high, protruding from the otherwise flat surrounding prairie. Its immense size allowed it to act as an important landmark for those headed west during the pioneer days.

Legend has it that it was understood that you needed to make it to this rock on your way west to California by July 4th in order to have any hope of making it over the Sierra Nevada Mountains before getting snowed in. It was customary to inscribe your name in rock as you passed by and over 5,000 people did so. Many of those names can still be read on the rock today.

The site has hiking trails around the rock that allow you to see the names inscribed upon it. There is also a replica of a covered wagon which is similar to the ones which would have passed by here during the pioneer days.

The Battle of Little Bighorn, also known as “Custer's Last Stand” occurred on this site on June 25 and 26, 1876. The battle was waged between the US 7th Calvary Regiment and a conglomeration of warriors from several local Native American tribes. The US forces were decimated and it was one the worst defeat of the Great Sioux War. Today, the battlefield stands as a national monument with a visitor's center detailing the events of the battle and those leading up to it

The battlefield itself is known for its natural beauty and is worth a look on its own. Reenactments of the battle are also a common occurrence here and you may be able to catch one if you are lucky.

The 7th Ranch RV Camp is located just 12 minutes from the battlefield. This highly-rated park makes for a perfect place to stay in the area.

This stunning valley, surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks, offers world-class scenery and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Jackson serves as the perfect base camp for exploring Grand Teton National Park, with the town's famous elk antler arches marking the town square.

The Teton Range rises dramatically from the valley floor, creating some of America's most photographed mountain scenery. Popular activities include scenic drives, wildlife watching (moose, elk, bears), and easy hiking trails around Jenny Lake. The Jackson Hole area also offers excellent shopping and dining options for restocking your RV supplies.

RV Camping Options: Gros Ventre Campground accommodates larger RVs, while Signal Mountain provides lakeside camping with stunning Teton views. Both require advance reservations during peak season.

This massive high-altitude lake offers excellent fishing opportunities and scenic shoreline drives. The West Thumb Geyser Basin provides unique geothermal features right along the lakeshore, creating a surreal landscape where hot springs meet cold mountain water.

Grant Village area provides full RV hookups and serves as an excellent base for exploring the park's southern regions. The area offers easy access to both Yellowstone Lake activities and the park's backcountry areas.

America's first national park delivers geothermal wonders, diverse wildlife, and iconic landmarks that define the American West experience. The park's Grand Loop Road provides RV-accessible routes to major attractions including Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

Wildlife viewing opportunities are exceptional throughout the park. Lamar Valley, often called "America's Serengeti," offers the best chances to spot wolves, bison, elk, and bears. Early morning and evening hours provide optimal viewing conditions.

Must-See Geothermal Features:

• Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin
• Grand Prismatic Spring (the park's largest hot spring)
• Mammoth Hot Springs terraces
• Norris Geyser Basin (hottest thermal area)

RV Camping: Bridge Bay, Grant Village, and Fishing Bridge RV Park accommodate larger rigs with hookups. Madison and Canyon campgrounds offer sites for smaller RVs. All Yellowstone campgrounds require advance reservations through Recreation.gov.

For more detailed Yellowstone planning, check out our comprehensive Yellowstone National Park guide.

This charming railroad town offers a taste of authentic Montana culture before reaching Bozeman. The historic downtown features art galleries, antique shops, and excellent restaurants serving locally-sourced cuisine. The Yellowstone River provides world-class fly fishing opportunities.

Livingston serves as the northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park's original entrance at Gardiner. The town's elevation of 4,500 feet provides stunning views of the Absaroka and Gallatin mountain ranges. As you approach your final destination, consider Bear Canyon Campground near Bozeman—this pet-friendly spot features a heated pool and full hookups, making it the perfect way to celebrate completing your Rocky Mountain adventure.