Chicago Denver Road Trip: 10 Reasons to Take the Northern Route

Planning a road trip from Chicago to Denver? There are two main options: the faster, direct southern route or the scenic, adventure-filled northern path. The traditional route across Nebraska on I-80 averages 14-15 hours of driving time. The northern route on I-90 via Rapid City, South Dakota, takes 19 hours. Why should you drive the extra 5 hours? Here are the top 10 reasons that the northern route will make your Chicago to Denver road trip a truly memorable experience.

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Top 10 Reasons to Take the Northern Route

• Hiking Trails
• Bike Trails
• Paddle Boarding, Kayaking, and Canoeing
• Unique Museums
• Beautiful Waterfalls
• Botanic Gardens
• Badlands National Park
• Custer State Park
• Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial
• Wind Cave National Park

1. Hiking Trails

Hikes are a great way to stretch your legs during long driving days. The drive along I-90 across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and South Dakota offers tremendous opportunities for hiking within a few miles of the highway. The subsequent drive south through Wyoming and Colorado just adds to the possibilities for hiking. Some of the trail highlights include:

• Fern Dell Trail at Mirror Lake State Park, Wisconsin Dells
• Grandad Bluff in La Crosse Wisconsin
• Great River Bluffs State Park, Winona, MN
• Notch Trail in Badlands National Park, South Dakota
• Cathedral Spires Trail in Custer State Park, South Dakota
• Blackberry Trail, Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
• Freedom Trail to Hot Springs Waterfall, South Dakota
• Curt Gowdy State Park, Wyoming

Don’t miss out also on Denver’s incredible red rocks day hikes.

2. Bike Trails

For cycling enthusiasts, the northern route includes many rails to trails options, as well as other convenient bike pathways. Our favorite rails to trails route is Sparta, Wisconsin’s Elroy-Sparta State Trail. In addition to the great trails, the train station is converted to a visitor’s center, with water refills, restrooms, and all the bike tools you might need to adjust your bike. They are the self-proclaimed bicycling capital of America. Some of our recommended trails on the northern route include:

• Elroy-Sparta State Trail in Wisconsin
• La Crosse River State Trail in Wisconsin
• Sioux Falls River Greenway in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
• Leonard Swanson Memorial Pathway in Rapid City, South Dakota
• George S. Mickelson Trail in South Dakota (near Custer State Park and Crazy Horse Memorial)
• Greater Cheyenne Greenway, Cheyenne, Wyoming
• Poudre River Trail, Ft. Collins, Colorado

3. Paddle Boarding, Kayaking, and Canoeing

With all the river crossings and lakes along your route, you’ll have no shortage of water sports options. Paddle boarding, kayaking, and canoeing are all great options for a break from your driving. Getting out in nature allows you to clear your head and get some exercise. Our recommendations here are all places where you can rent boats onsite. If you bring along your own boat, you’ll have many additional options for paddling.

• Lake Delton, Wisconsin Dells
• La Crosse River, La Crosse, Wisconsin
• Lake Okabana, Worthington, Minnesota
• Lake Mitchell, South Dakota
• Missouri River, Chamberlain, South Dakota
• Sylvan Lake and Legion Lake in Custer State Park, South Dakota
• Horsetooth Reservoir, Ft. Collins, Colorado

4. Unique Museums

Discover quirky, unique, and educational museums along your route. Some of these are even free of charge.

• National Mustard Museum, Middleton, Wisconsin
• Spam Museum, Austin, Minnesota
• Corn Palace, Mitchell, South Dakota
• Laura Ingalls Wilder House, De Smet, South Dakota
• Lewis and Clark Museum and Dignity Statue, Chamberlain, South Dakota
• Mammoth Site, Hot Springs, South Dakota
• Cowgirls of the West Museum, Cheyenne, Wyoming

5. Beautiful Waterfalls

The Chicago Denver northern road trip route is dotted with beautiful waterfalls. Our recommended stops along the route include:

• Falls Park, Sioux Falls, Wisconsin
• Sunday Gulch Trail, Custer State Park
• Hot Springs Waterfall, Hot Springs, South Dakota
• Cascade Falls, Hot Springs, South Dakota

6. Botanic Gardens

Travelers along the northern route from Chicago to Denver can enjoy the variety and accessibility of botanic gardens. Our recommended stops include:

• Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison, Wisconsin
• Riverside International Friendship Gardens, La Crosse, Wisconsin
• Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum and East Sioux Falls Historic Site, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
• Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, Cheyenne, Wyoming
• The Gardens of Spring Creek, Ft. Collins, Colorado

The Chicago Botanic Garden and the Denver Botanic Gardens are also worth a visit, on either end of your trip.

7. Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park in western South Dakota offers a remarkable landscape of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires. You can easily add the drive on the Badlands Loop Road to your Chicago Denver road trip. If you enter from the East in Incline and exit in Wall, you’ll add about 1.5-2 hours to your overall drive, depending on how often you stop.

If you’d like, add a few short hikes along the way, such as the Notch, Window, and Doors Trail. The Pinnacles, Badlands, and Yellow Mounds Overlooks are also great stops on your journey. You can see quite a bit in a half-day in Badlands National Park.

8. Custer State Park

Custer State Park was the highlight of a recent road trip, with its variety of things to do, ranging from hiking to fishing, wildlife safari’s to trail rides. There are several scenic drives to take advantage of, including the Wildlife Loop with buffalo and antelope, the Needles Highway with its incredible rock formations, and Iron Mountain Road.

The hiking is incredible, whether you’re looking for an easy trail around Sylvan Lake with a waterfall or a challenging hike to Black Elk Peak. Don’t miss the annual buffalo roundup at the end of September—an awe-inspiring spectacle. Using Custer State Park as a base camp for your stay in western South Dakota is a great idea, whether you visit the campgrounds or stay at lodging within in Custer State Park. The park has such a breadth of activities, and you can easily access Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore for more fun.

9. Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial

No trip through South Dakota would be complete without visiting Mount Rushmore. This iconic site celebrates America’s history through the monumental carvings of four U.S. presidents. The photo below is from a recent rainy day visit, where some say the presidents look like they are crying. Enjoy the museum and hiking to enhance your visit.

Just a short drive from Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial is a tribute to the Native American warrior, Crazy Horse. The Native American museum, sculpture gardens, and nature gates all help to make this a memorable experience. If you visit in early June or late September, try to align your visit with the Volksmarch, which lets you hike up to the sculpture itself.

10. Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park is known for its complex cave system and the unique formation of boxwork calcite. Unfortunately, the cave tours are closed during the summer of 2024, while they perform maintenance on the elevator that is used for tours.

Even without a visit to the caves, the drive through Wind Cave National Park is worthwhile. The road passes through the mixed-grass prairie, home to bison, elk, wild turkeys, and other wildlife. The photo below is from an early morning drive through the park in May. Don’t miss hikes on the shorter Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail and the more moderate Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Loop.

Taking the northern route between Chicago and Denver enhances your road trip with stunning natural scenery and rich history. It also offers a diverse range of activities, whether you enjoy outdoor adventures or unique museums. Stay safe on your road trip! If you have other recommendations for places to stop on the northern route, please add them in the comments!

Best Places to Stay on the Northern Route

There are many great towns to visit during your Chicago Denver road trip on the northern route. These recommended stops break the route up into 3 main driving days. The times listed are average driving times.

• 8 hours from Chicago: Sioux Falls, South Dakota (alternatively, Mitchell, or Chamberlain)
• 5-6 hours from Sioux Falls: Custer State Park or Rapid City, South Dakota
• 5-6 hours from Custer State Park to Denver, Colorado

Sioux Falls Lodging

Comfort Inn & Suites at Sanford Sports Complex	Top rated hotel with suites just off of I-90 with Indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center.
Hyatt Place Sioux Falls South	Hotel close to I-90, with indoor pool and fitness center.
Historic Victorian Inn	Bed & breakfast with tennis court and garden.

Rapid City Lodging

Staybridge Suites Rapid City – Rushmore, an IHG Hotel	Excellent suites hotel with full kitchens, free laundry, indoor pool, fitness area. Free dinners are included some nights of the week.
Best Western Plus Rapid City	Highly rated 3-star hotel with indoor pool and fitness center, conveniently located to the highway.
Priceless Black Hills View	2-bedroom apartment with views of the Black Hills. Access to outdoor swimming pool.

Custer State Park Lodging

There are four main areas of the park, which we describe in more detail here.

• Best for Families, History- and Wildlife-Enthusiasts: State Game Lodge & Cabins
• Best for Hikers, Photo- and Lake-Enthusiasts: Sylvan Lake Lodge & Cabins
• Best for Families and Small Groups: Bluebell Lodge & Cabins
• Best for Groups and Family Fun by the Lake: Legion Lake Lodge & Cabins

Each of these areas has cabins, most have lodge rooms and campgrounds.

Denver Lodging

Denver has many diverse areas to stay for your visit. Some top options close to the main sights in Denver include:

Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver	Full service hotel in the heart of downtown with fitness center and private parking.
Flora House Denver	This top rates B&B is just minutes away from the Botanical Gardens, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and the Zoo. It offers suites, a peaceful setting, and easy parking.
Element Denver Downtown East	Marriott hotel with convenient downtown location, fitness center, garage parking, and free bikes to use to explore town.

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