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I’ve done the drive from Wisconsin to Utah a lot. Like, so many times. We counted the other day and since moving to Utah in 2016, we’ve driven across the US 19 times. 19!

They’ve pretty much all been between Wisconsin, Florida, and Utah with varying routes. We like to make stops along the way and have visited lots of National parks and monuments and state parks this way.

And I know there is a lot you could visit on a Wisconsin to Utah road trip but I’ve decided to just pick one rough route that we tend to do the most. I have it starting in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and ending in Moab, Utah.

It will take you through Minnesota, South Dakota, part of Wyoming, and Colorado. But I don’t have any stops in Minnesota included in this, I’m saving it all until South Dakota.

I’ve been to almost all of these places, except like, three or four. Wyoming also only has one stop because it’s practically in South Dakota. So basically this is a South Dakota and Colorado road trip.

I’m not including stops in Utah (except Moab, the destination) or Wisconsin because they’re the start and end points and I’m assuming you live in Wisconsin or Minnesota and are just leaving from home. I’m also assuming you’re doing this in the summer, but have included a few winter suggestions, too.

Also, this would work from Minnesota or even Iowa or Nebraska you just may need to go north a little if you want to do the South Dakota part of this trip. If you’re more interested in the Utah part of this, you can see some of the best places to go in Utah here.

I also just want to say, I haven’t stayed at all of these hotels (I have stayed at some of them) but they’re all hotels I would stay at in the future. Some are budget friendly, others are more of a splurge.

Wisconsin to Utah road trip map

National Park Pass

If you’re planning on visiting multiple parks (3 or more) on this trip or within the year, I would highly recommend getting a national park pass. It’s $80 but will pay for itself in about three trips to parks. It’s so worth it and I buy one every year! They’re also great for gifts for the park lovers in your life.

South Dakota

First up is South Dakota. A place most people think is probably really boring, and maybe some of it is, but it’s also amazing and I love it. The eastern side of the state is, I think, less exciting, but the Black Hills area is incredible.

Corn Palace

We’re starting things off here in South Dakota with a midwest gem: the Corn Palace. This stop may not be for everyone but if you like cheesy roadside attractions, this is perfect for you. This is one of the few places I haven’t been, but someday I’ll go.

Badlands National Park

Now, the first national park of the trip, the Badlands! I’ve been here like, five times and have only done one short hike and I don’t even think we did the whole thing. I hope you can do more here than me.

The Notch Trail is the one that we did and it feels a little adventurous because you have to climb a log ladder! I would definitely recommend this one. If you want something a little longer, the Medicine Root Loop Trail is perfect.

If you decide to visit Badlands National park in winter, just be prepared for possibly freezing weather, like below. zero. And maybe snow, but it could be a little warmer, too, so just be prepared for anything.

Wall Drug

Wall Drug is the crown jewel of cheesy midwest tourist attractions. No matter which direction you’re coming from, you’ll see signs for Wall Drug for literally hundreds of miles advertising cheap coffee and free ice water.

It’s basically a giant drugstore mall/museum but it’s still a fun stop if you’re staying in Wall while you’re visiting the Badlands or even if you just want to stretch your legs driving through the area.

Wall hotels

Wall isn’t super exciting but it’s the most convenient place to stay if you want to be close to Badlands National Park. Rapid City is another option with more hotels and food to choose from.

• America’s Best Value Inn
• Best Western Plains Motel
• Travelodge

Wind Cave National Park

Not far from Badlands, you’ll find a lesser-known national park: Wind Cave! It’s also close to the Mammoth Site if you were planning on visiting that, too.

The main draw of the park is obviously the cave and in my two visits here, I still didn’t get to go into it. I think both times the elevator was under repair. But they offer a few types of tours depending on the amount of adventure you want.

If you don’t want to or can’t go into the cave, there is plenty of hiking you can do. Rankin Ridge is a great easy hike to the highest point in the park. It’s also a great park if you like wildlife. There are bison and prairie dogs all over and it’s actually right by the Custer Wildlife Drive!

Black Hills

The Black Hills area is my favorite place to go in South Dakota and one of my favorite stops on a Wisconsin to Utah road trip. There is so much to do here and I can’t wait to explore even more of it.

You could easily spend weeks here, but with just a day or two, a busy day or two, you can still see a lot. Mount Rushmore is just outside of Keystone, which is where I would recommend staying to explore the area.

There are two great scenic drives that loop through this area: The Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road. I prefer the Needles Highway and think there is more to do along that so if you can only do one, I’d pick that.

Two of those awesome things to do are hiking the Sylvan Lake Loop and the incredible Cathedral Spires Trail. I loved both of these and in the fall, they’re even better with pops of yellow all over.

Keystone hotels

Keystone is a classic tourist town but it’s the most convenient for visiting pretty much all of the Black Hills attractions, hikes, and drives, especially Mount Rushmore.

• Under Canvas Mount Rushmore
• Quality Inn
• Powder House Lodge

South Dakota tours

• Black Hills hot air balloon ride
• Mount Rushmore Black Hills full-day tour

Wyoming

I only have one stop in Wyoming but it’s just barely over the South Dakota border in Wyoming: Devils Tower. This is super easy to add to a trip to the Black Hills and easy enough to take off of this road trip, too.

Devils Tower

Devils Tower is a massive geologic feature (is this considered a butte?) in eastern Wyoming made of igneous rock. It’s also known as Bear Lodge Butte (I guess it is) and different cultures in the area have different histories of the formation. You can read more about those right here.

There is a hike you can do around the base of it and if you’re really adventurous (and experienced) you can even rock climb here, which is wild to me!

Colorado

Colorado is really where this Wisconsin to Utah road trip starts to take off. I haven’t included every single thing to do in Colorado or place to go, but I have included quite a few. You’ll be able to check off a lot stuff from your national park bucket list here!

I didn’t really include cities/towns other than Denver because I haven’t been to them but Vail, Aspen, Durango, Ouray, and Breckenridge are all places I would want to go in the future.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Like Badlands, I’ve been to Rocky Mountain National Park and still haven’t done anything, not even one hike! I did get to see elk here though, so I guess that’s exciting. There are a whopping 355 miles of hiking trails here so you’ll be able to stay busy, for sure.

But as far as hikes go that I would like to do, Emerald Lake Trail, Sky Pond, Gem Lake, Dream Lake, and Alberta Falls. This is just a few, but they’re some of the more popular/easier hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and a great place to start on a visit here.

Stanley Hotel

Next up is my favorite, the Stanley Hotel! If you want a really cool place to stay in Estes Park, this would be my choice. I can’t wait to stay here. And you can even stay in the haunted rooms!

If you want to visit but can’t/aren’t staying here, you can do a Stanley Hotel ghost tour. I did this and I loved it so much! We got to learn about the hotels spooky history and it’s ties to Stephen King and The Shining. You can do tours at night or during the day depending on when you’ll be there. I went at night and it was perfect.

Estes Park hotels

If you want to visit both of the above, Estes Park is the perfect place to stay. You won’t have to drive as far as if you were staying closer to Denver and if you’re staying close to downtown Estes Park, then you don’t have to fight traffic if you want to walk around there.

• Sonnenhof Lakewood Manor Bed and Breakfast
• The Inn on Fall River
• Streamside on Fall River
• Swiftcurrent Lodge
• The Historic Crag’s Lodge

Denver

I probably wouldn’t spend tons of time in Denver, but I’m not a big city person (small towns, yes, big cities, less). That said, there are some great things to do in Denver if you do want to spend a day or two there.

The Denver Art Museum, Meow Wolf, breweries for days, 16th Street Mall, MCA Denver (Museum of Contemporary Art), Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and Mount Evens Scenic Byway are just a few things I would love to do there.

Denver hotels

• Moxy Hotel
• The Ramble Hotel
• The Art Hotel
• Warwick Denver Hotel
• Kimpton Hotel Born
• Ember Hostel

Garden of the Gods

These next two you could either do as day trips from Denver or spend a night in Colorado Springs. First up is Garden of the Gods, probably one of the most popular outdoor places in Colorado. It’s for good reason though.

There are tons of hiking trails here, rock climbing options, and even bike trails. While it’s not every outdoor activity, there are plenty of great things to do here. It is busy, but it’s beautiful.

Pikes Peak

Next up is the scenic drive to the top of Pikes Peak. It’s a 19-mile paved road that takes 2-3 hours with stops (but no hikes). There are hikes you can do along the way, no hiking on the highway, and if you’re really determined and physically prepared for it, you can hike to Pikes Peak via Barr Trail instead.

Colorado Springs hotels

• Mecca Motel
• Garden of the Gods Club and Resort
• Best Western Plus Peak Vista Inn & Suites
• The Lodge at Flying Horse

Great Sand Dunes National Park

The next national park we’ve got