Roadtrip with RVshare Dallas to Yellowstone National Park

Visitors come from far and wide to visit Yellowstone National Park. It is not unusual to see vacationers make an RV road trip from Dallas to Yellowstone to see the oldest national park in the world. The park covers sections of three states: Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Including those three states, the journey takes you through seven states that make up the country's heartland. To keep on track, follow this road trip itinerary from Dallas to Yellowstone National Park. It leads you through several major cities and into hundreds of small communities and lets you see the incredible history and scenery of the Great Plains while you visit national and state parks along the way.

Nearby National Parks

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

For the first 882 miles of your road trip from Dallas to Yellowstone National Park, you drive north through the northern panhandle of Texas and the Great Plains states of Oklahoma and Kansas before turning west to enter Colorado. When you reach Denver, you are a mile high in elevation with the Rocky Mountains bordering you on the west. It is time to leave the beaten path to Yellowstone and to take a loop through the mountains to visit two national parks. The first is Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which sits 263 miles southwest of Denver. The park consists of a deep canyon carved by the Gunnison River through black granite over millions of years. Isolated from large urban areas, the park is a phenomenal spot for stargazing. With its terrain full of high cliffs, deep canyons, and a fascinating river, visitors enjoy hiking, fishing, kayaking, and rock climbing.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Continue your loop through the mountains by traveling northeast for 262 miles to Rocky Mountain National Park. Where the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park celebrated the deep gorge carved by the river, this park focuses on the mountains that tower over the surrounding terrain. At over 14,000 feet, Longs Peak is the tallest point in the park. No matter what season you visit this park, the rangers hold organized outdoor activities that provide information about the nature of these mountains, including their dangers, history, and future. Hiking, skiing, snowboarding, and fishing are a few of the many activities that draw visitors to this park. After experiencing the park, drive east for 77 miles through the mountain communities of Estes Park and Loveland to return to the direct path that is your road trip from Dallas to Yellowstone National Park.

Grand Teton National Park

The next 485-mile leg of your Dallas to Yellowstone National Park road trip takes you north to Cheyenne, WY, then west through Rock Springs, and then north again to Jackson Hole, WY, which is the gateway to Grand Teton National Park. The Grand Teton Mountains are unusual in that they include very shallow foothills so that they appear to leap out of the ground. Inside the park, visitors find incredible rock-climbing opportunities, hiking trails, crystal blue mountain lakes, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking views. 

Glacier National Park

From Grand Teton, it is a short distance to the 2,219,791-acre Yellowstone National Park. After a journey of discovery through the park, extend your Dallas to Yellowstone National Park road trip by traveling an extra 394 miles north to see Glacier National Park. Unlike Yellowstone, where intense human presence has encouraged the encroachment of invasive plant and animal life, the isolated status of Glacier National Park has preserved nature as it was when early explorers discovered it. The mountains, valleys, rolling hills, rivers, and lakes that make up the park are in as near-pristine condition as possible. Visitors who come to this park enjoy fishing, hiking, and cross-country skiing. 

Nearby State Parks

Cedar Hill State Park  

Located 20 miles from downtown Dallas, the 1,200-acre Cedar Hill State Park is an urban oasis that attracts locals for its natural beauty and for the activities it holds. The park is the perfect place to stay a day or two to familiarize yourself with your RV before taking off north on the first leg of your Dallas to Yellowstone National Park road trip. There are several miles of hiking and biking trails to enjoy with scenic views of the 7,740-acre Joe Pool Lake. Fishing, swimming, boating, kayaking, and canoeing are favorite activities that draw visitors, especially during the hot days of summer. 

Lake Thunderbird State Park

Lake Thunderbird State Park is 200 miles into your Dallas to Yellowstone National Park road trip. This 1,184-acre park, which seems to emerge from the flat plain like an oasis, is a welcome stop for a night to rest before taking up the road again the next day. If you arrive early enough, you will find hiking and biking trails that run throughout the park. Fishing from the banks of the lake or a boat is one of the favorite activities that draw visitors to the shores of the 5,384-acre Lake Thunderbird. 

Cherry Creek State Park

Cherry Creek State Park is the perfect spot to park your RV for a time to explore Denver. Situated in the heart of the city, the 3,346-acre park sits beside an 880-acre reservoir that invites guests to swim, fish, boat, canoe, kayak, and paddleboard in its calm waters. Its location facilitates the visitation of the fantastic restaurants, shops, and points of interest found in Denver. 

Along the Way

Smoky Hill Museum

When you reach the city of Salina, KS, you are 450 miles into your Dallas to Yellowstone National Park road trip. While you are in the town, drop by the Smoky Hill Museum. Dedicated to the local history from the creation of the city to the present day, the museum researches, verifies, and publishes stories of local citizens who impacted the town's development. 

Big Boy Steam Engine

The Big Boy Steam Engine is the largest steam locomotive ever created and used. It sits in Cheyenne, WY, as a commemoration for those engines and railroad crews that helped to build the American West. Cheyenne — 973 miles into your road trip from Dallas to Yellowstone National Park — is the first city you see crossing from Colorado to Wyoming. 

White Mountain Petroglyphs

When you reach Rock Springs, WY, you are 1,225 miles into your Dallas to Yellowstone National Park RV road trip. While in Rock Springs, you have an opportunity to view some ancient etchings. Centuries ago, Native Americans carved images into the rocks of the White Mountains. The petroglyphs include elk, buffalo, horses, teepees, and multiple stick images of humans. The arid conditions that dominate the region's climate helped preserve these images for visitors to see today. Geologists point to these carvings as evidence that the environment of southeastern Wyoming has remained arid for centuries if not longer.

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City is a major traffic intersection for the entire country. Its location encouraged the growth of small businesses like restaurants and shops early in its history. Today, those businesses reflect a diverse culture that exemplifies America. While you are here, you can take advantage of the multiple dump stations and campgrounds in the area.

Salina, Kansas

Salina is an example of those cities that you should stop and visit before proceeding on your road trip from Dallas to Yellowstone National Park. The town has a deep history that reflects several cultures, including European, French, Hispanic, and Native American. It is a success story that needs to be seen to be appreciated. While you are in town, use one of the dump stations to clean your waste tanks, and take on clean water before registering at one of the campgrounds that the city offers.

Denver, Colorado

The incredible city of Denver that grew from a miner's campsite to a city of over 100,000 people in five years is a destination in itself. Stopping in Denver gives you a chance to rest on the road trip from Dallas to Yellowstone National Park while visiting some of the most interesting restaurants and shops found in America. While you are in the city, take advantage of one of its dump stations. To stay awhile, check out the nearby campgrounds.

Find Adventure from Dallas to Yellowstone National Park

Find your One-Way Rental

When you follow this road trip itinerary from Dallas to Yellowstone National Park, you will enjoy historic locations and beautiful scenery along the way. If you want to travel in comfort and style, consider an RV rental from RVshare. From large motorhomes to compact campervans, there is a rig that will meet your travel and budget needs. Once you hit the road, you are protected by our renter guarantee and 24/7 roadside assistance. Find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs in Dallas or Yellowstone National Park.