wrk1234 Loc: Russellville, Arkansas

Two of us old timers (60+) are planning a trip from Arkansas to Wyoming next summer. Thinking about traveling through Kansas and continuing up into Nebraska, instead of going through Colorado (been there, done that). I am looking for sights to shoot from North Platte, Nebraska to Jackson, WY. Is there anything to see/shoot by continuing on I 80 over to Rock Springs versus going up to Scottsbluff and Casper. Anything I need to stop and see along either route? The trip, as now planned, is Grand Tetons (4 days), Yellowstone (4 days), Beartooth Pass on the way to Devil’s Tower, then on to the Black Hills. Thanks in advance for any insights.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Wind River mountains N of Rock Springs awesome.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_River_Range

Or head N from 80 towards Fossil Butte NM then up past Bear Lake. Beats SLC.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_Butte_National_Monument

If not you can still head N of SLC towards Ogden UT to 15.

Don’t miss the caves near Black Hills and catch Badlands NP as you circle back.

MarcusTitus Loc: Dallas

Wife and I stayed off the Interstate, followed US 26 out of North Platte and followed it all the way to the parks. Couple of nice stops along route. PM if you'd like list of stops we did.

TBPJr Loc: South Carolina

Don't skip Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, the mammoth site in Hot Springs, SD, or Custer State Park (all west of Rapid City, and well west of the Badlands. Also, Rapid City has bronze, slightly larger than life-sized statues of almost all the presidents on corners of the downtown.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Here is a map I built using the suggestions from you and others here. It doesn't show the highway numbers, unfortunately, but I think you'd be able to figure them out.

(Download)

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

tripadvisor.com

DoyleY Loc: Worland, Wyoming

Big Horn Canyon east of Lovell Wyoming is nice and kind of off the beaten path. You may see some moose on 14A too close to Bear Lodge on the Big Horns.

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

I'll second this route. Take Route 29 North to Sioux City and then hop on Route 90 west (looks like that's what he's showing) First stop; the Badlands near Rapid City SD where you'll find some great photo opportunities especially if a thunderstorm passes at the Golden hour to really bring out the color in the formations. No argument with the rest of David's itinerary.

bdridaho

You don't say which part of summer, but best photos are earlier rather than later to avoid summer wildfire smoke/haze.
ALSO: avoid first and second week of August as your path will be crowded/impacted by Sturgis 2021! Waited in line at Devil's Tower with 100 bikers for over an hour 2 summers ago!

wildconc2001 Loc: Chicagoland

I lived most of my life in Rock Springs and Green River and documented the landscape and history of Wyoming for many years. I don't know your time frame but what you have drawn out is exactly the trip I would plan for you. If you would like to spend a day or two at Laramie, You could make a short side trip through the Snowy Range and come out at Rawlins on I-80 and continue on to Rock Springs. Much of your I-80 trip is desert country which offers some fine sunrise and sunset shots. Teton and Yellowstone are what they are, great. Beartooth pass is a must and Devil's Tower is awfully nice and nostalgic. I think you have mapped it perfectly. If you would like to see many of these places you might check my website.

wrk1234 Loc: Russellville, Arkansas

The map almost exactly mirrors the route I was considering. We will be going to the Grand Tetons through Nebraska and coming back through South Dakota. I just want to make sure I don’t miss something very photogenic close to the route that I might not be aware of.

wrk1234 Loc: Russellville, Arkansas

We plan on leaving Arkansas on June 18 and taking 2 weeks. Hope this is the right time period to go!

OKsprat Loc: Oklahoma

We did a very similar route in 2015, and did a lot of these recommended items. One other place we visited that was well worth our time was the Little Bighorn battlefield National Monument on the Crow reservation in Montana. It’s between Beartooth pass and Devil’s Tower and only took a few hours. Very moving.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Actually, the map I created went in the opposite direction (note the numbered boxes) because that was the way the OP indicated. It leaves Russellville, AR on I-40 going west to Webber Falls, OK; the Muskogee Tpk (OK-165/US-64) to Tulsa, OK; US-412 to I-35; I-35 north to Wichita, KS; I-135/US-81 north to US-24; west on US-24 to US-281; US-281 north to Smith Center, KS; US-36 west to Phillipsburg, KS; US 183 north to I-80; I-80 west to Ogallala, NE; US-26 west to I-25; I-25 (and US-20) to Casper, WY; US-20 to Shoshone, WY; US-26 west to Grand Teton NP; US-191 to Moose, WY and US-189 south to Jackson, WY. Then US-189 north to Grand Teton NP (again) and US-191 north to West Thumb, WY (inside Yellowstone NP); US-20 through the park to US-212; US-212 east thrugh Beartooth Pass to Laurel, MT; I-90 east to Moorcroft, WY; north on US-14 (with bypass on MT-24 to Devil's Tower) back to I-90; I-90 east to Rapid City, SD. From Rapid City, take US-16 south to Mt. Rushmore NM and Custer State Park. When US-16 turns north at Custer State Park - East, take SD-36 to US-161 north near Hermosa, SD; entering Rapid City again, take US-16 north to I-90; I-90 east (long drive) to Sioux Falls, SD; I-29 south to Kansas City, MO (passes 100 yds from my cousin's house in Craig, MO); US-71 south (becomes I-540) to I-40; I-40 east to Russellville.

It sounds complex, but that's what Streets & Trips created. This route is 3,250 miles long. Note that Grand Teton NP, Yellowstone NP, and Custer State Park are all quite large and there are numerous roads traversing them. Many different paths to and through them are possible, so I recommend checking local maps when navigating them.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

I've been there twice, in 2009 and 2017. Fort Laramie, WY is another interesting place -- it is on US-26 and would be on the early part of the journey going to Jackson, WY.