Campsites / POI between Amarillo Tx and South Dakota

[BlkWgn]

We have been putting off a South Dakota trip due to work for quite a while, but it looks sike we are going to be able to make it happen pretty soon. Hunter wants to go to the Grand Canyon so we are thinking of heading out the 40 from SoCal, catching the Grand Canyon and allowing us to pass through the Oklahoma panhandle, Kansas and Nebraska which none of us have been too. Right now our plan consists of 4 way points and about 3 weeks. Grand Canyon, Clayton Lake State Park NM, Custer State Park, and the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis. Depending on time and weather we will possibily add in Rosevelt NP and Yellowstone.

The most direct route from clayton to the black hills is through colorado, but if there is something to see and some camping options it would be great to push farther east.

Any suggestions on campsites (preferably dispersed) or cool road trip POI or preferred routes from basically Amarillo Texas to the Black Hills?

Could also use some stops between Flagstaff and Amarillo

If winter hits too hard then we can just continue out the 40 and see where we end up.

 

[Gallowbraid]

Not quite what you asked for, but I recommend hitting Sunset Crater just north of Flagstaff on the way to or from the Grand Canyon. Depending on the timing of things there's plenty of dispersed camping in that area as well.

 

[BlkWgn]

not a bad idea, we have been right there countless times and never actually stopped.

 

[EchoNova]

or campsites, I’d recommend checking out the National Forests in Colorado, like the San Juan or Routt, which have great dispersed camping options. As for points of interest, definitely swing by Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo,it’s quirky and a fun photo op! Between Flagstaff and Amarillo, consider stopping at the Route 66 attractions in Winslow or the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park for some stunning views. And

 

[richard310]

I've been at Reverend's Ridge Campground at Golden Gate Canyon State Park in Colorado back in March 2014... not a soul was there as there was still a couple feet of snow on the ground, but the roads were plowed and the campground was free and empty. Nice and clean too but that was 10 years ago lol.