I'd picked Idaho, Wyoming and Montana for their legendary, empty vastness: together, they . I had to cover enough ground on Day 1 to make Day 2 possible. If you're not an outdoorsperson, visit during July or August to take in the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre 's season. Do: There is much to do in the university town of Bozeman. The downtown and wharf area have a lot of restaurants , shops and bars. Montana 56 and US 2 then took me to Libby, where I spent the night. At Goldsmiths Bed and Breakfast on the banks of the Clark Fork River, rooms are homey and comfortable (~$100/night). I may or may not have fallen asleep. moss lake, l9ng, grand teto, coay, auinault. Day 4: Hike in the Sawtooths & Soak in a Hot Spring. Eat & Drink:Get quesadillas and burritos with a family-touch at Los Gabanes Mexican Restaurant in Greybull. It just seems like a lot of backtracking. I spent way too much money in that lavender gift shop. 7. Unless you opt for a much longer scenic route from Denver to Yellowstone National Park and the Bridger-Teton National . Larger cabins have 2-3 bedrooms, fireplaces and porches. Last summer, we spent 10 days seeing the Pacific Northwest on a road trip. And its super crowded!! Stay: Get a room in the western-styled Hotel Jackson, once named Wyomings most beautiful hotel by Architectural Digest, starting at around $450/night or find a more affordable stay (around $200/night) at the Wyoming Inn, a contemporary hotel styled in leather and wood. It was HUGE! Looking back over the whole trip, it was a LOT of driving! hour to get there. The Perfect Weekend Getway: The Palm Beaches From Tampa, The Perfect Weekend Getaway: Wilmington From Charlotte, The Perfect Weekend Getaway: Cincinnati From Chicago, The Perfect Weekend Getaway: Pittsburgh From Chicago, The Perfect Weekend Getaway: Whidbey and the San Juans From Seattle. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. So, I drove back up Yakima Canyon to Umtanum Creek, where a suspension bridge takes hikers over to a trail that winds up a side canyon. Are you camping or staying in hotels? There are also three suites in the Main Ranch House. Eat & Drink:At Parasol in Billings find local takes on global and Montanan cuisine, including falafel, Reuben sandwiches, and tacos. I am planning a road trip for September 2018 and need some suggestions on what to see, what to do, where to stay and how long to spend in places. We use cookies on koa.com to help improve your experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits, troubleshoot how the site operates, and learn more about how koa.com is performing. Its less than an hour up the road. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. You are welcome to join us on the Wyoming forum for more detailed advice. I almost said the Disney phrase when I got on Please stand clear of the doors Finally got to see the iconic Space Needle. I checked out Libby Dam, then drove north, almost to Canada, then took US 93 south to Whitefish. Forks Washington- Home of the Twilight series! Stay: A former working cattle ranch, K3 Guest Ranch Bed & Breakfast offers Western-themed accommodations and an all-inclusive breakfast cooked over a campfire. Maybe a few short stops. We did see it from a distance Want to escape the rainy days at the mountain Multnomah Falls is one of Oregons most impressive natural landmarks. The Maritime Museum there is fascinating. When I was here in 2012, I think it was foggy in Pincher Creek every day. Take in other interesting Western sights in South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming as a bonus. Trip: Big Sky (Washington, Idaho, Montana) - TakeMyTrip.com The Big Sky Trip An adventure in the Pacific Northwest The Big Sky trip is a 10-night driving trip to the northwestern United States. Also yes check lodging in Yellowstone at first of year. It was a long day. Just like the Spiral Road from Lewiston, Idaho, this used to be the main highway for years, until a better road was built (Interstate 82 to Yakima). One-way RV rentals make it easy to spend every second of your vacation time enjoying and exploring; you can drop the rig off in a different location and fly back to save time! Hood area orfOregon. Outside of Libby, Montana 37 heads north along the banks of Lake Koocanusa (a combination of Kootenai -- the river that feeds it, Canada and USA -- the countries it spans). 6 hrs of driving. Just outside town, step into the ancient past at Pictograph Cave State Park which boasts more than 100 rock paintings in three easy-to-access caves. Southeast Montana map Maps of Montana's Flathead Lake Area and Flathead Valley. This time, I made a bee-line on I-90, then spent a little time in Yakima before finishing the journey. Washington 14 parallels Interstate 84 and historic US 30 -- both of which are on the Oregon side. It's pretty common for me to skip meals and survive on food from the cooler while on vacation, but on this trip, it was a necessity. If youre traversing southeastern Washington, Clarkston will be the first sizeable city youve seen in several hours. Do: Named for showman Buffalo Bill Cody, the town Cody takes great pride in its Wild West history. We tried to make it to Mount St. Helens before the sunset, Abbreviations: WY. Major cities and towns along the route include Portland, Hood River and La Grande in Oregon; Seattle, Winthrop, and Spokane in Washington; Coeur d'Alene, Sun Valley, Stanley, and Boise in Idaho; and Missoula and Bozeman in Montana. My plan was NOT to drive all night to be in La Conner, Washington the next morning, so I dont recommend it! Your options for accommodations on the east side of Glacier National Park are quite limited. This is what I have so. The trail was somewhat overgrown and hard to follow, but I was still happy, because the weather was nice, and I knew it would probably be my last hike of the trip. As is often the case, the Scenic Point is at a very high point, overlooking everything, and to get there, you've got to go uphill. and that was pretty cool. I also knew that What about driving straight to Yellowstone on the 10th (in the afternoon) with a one night stopover somewhere? Beginning in July each summer, Mount Bachelor offers scenic chairlift rides from the West Village base area to the Pine Marten Lodge at 7,775 feet. The all-inclusive rates start at $260/night for adults, $225/night for kids under 17. I had no other plan. Idaho (ID), is blessed with some of the country's most majestic scenic landscapes. Road Trips - Road Trip to Montana, Wyoming, Idaho & Oregon - Hi, My wife and I are from the UK and we're hoping to spend 3 weeks on a road trip in the USA, in late-summer 2014. Tight curves, narrow drops, and endless potholes and dips make the drive slow. I did the best I could, but there was probably some mud on my pants on the way home. Check out authentic cabins and artifacts from Wyomings pioneer days at Old Trail Town or stop in at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a complex of five museums that includes the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Plains Indians Museum, and the Cody Firearms Museum. So cool! The Columbia River divides Washington and Oregon. Hop into the car for America's favorite road . Population: ~ 580,000. huckleberry lemonade! Youll probably notice a Libby, Montana has a troubled past, but its working hard on inspiring a brighter future. I feel like Ive said this all week, but this place was GORGEOUS!!! Our Trip Planner tool helps make planning your next camping trip or road trip easy. The trip begins and ends in Portland, Oregon, but spends much of the time in and around Glacier National Park in Montana. It would be a longer drive, and further from the mountains, but I'd cover new territory. In town, find a great nights sleep within the wood-paneled rooms at the Alpine Lodge (~$150/night). I drove the treacherous curves a bit more quickly this time, but still stopped to gaze at the incredible eastern side of Glacier National Park. There really is only one way to travel north-south through the Idaho Panhandle: its US 95. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. Read More. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Our itinerary took us through the iconic national parks with a number of must-see stops on the way to Idaho, Montana and Wyoming! If youre visiting in winter, hit the slopes at the Montana Snowbowl. After a few hours, we finally spotted the mountain. I could have stayed on US 2 for the drive to Glacier National Park, but instead I chose a route that looked more scenic on the map. Apart from that, the rest of the trip is completely flexible. It took a lot longer to get there and around the mountain than I thought. Portland was our next stop. We explored the cute downtown area of Whitefish in the morning. Since I'm the kind of person who likes to squeeze every last minute out of a vacation, I decided to do some more sightseeing. Instead, I chose to explore the Palouse -- a region of rolling hills, where every turn looks somewhat like that desktop image on Windows XP computers. Route distance: 1,561 km Suggested Time: 2 weeks + A vast, scenic landscape provides the timeless backdrop for the western United States. I drove aimlessly, in any direction that looked like it might yield a good photo. The Perfect Weekend Getaway: Shenandoah Valley and Shenandoah National Park From Washington D.C. So cool!! This fall road trip originates in the Columbia River Gorge area of Oregon and ends in the Yellowstone area. Go back to see more maps of Idaho U.S. Maps U.S. maps States Cities State Capitals Lakes National Parks Islands US Coronavirus Map Cities of USA New York City Los Angeles Chicago What about heading to the east side of the park. Huckleberry ice cream was hands down the best!!! Or try your hand at fly fishing on the Logan River. "A River Runs Through It" by Norman Maclean (audiobook), Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural and Education Center, "Empire of Shadows: The Epic Story of Yellowstone" by George Black. Suggestions for a South West USA road trip, Suggestions for an East Coast USA Road Trip, Suggestions for a West Coast USA Road Trip. Do: Sun Valley is a posh, all-season outdoor getaway. All the while, you're staring at gorgeous views that appear before you, around every corner. As this is a 3-4 hour driving day, I suppose you are planning a few hours in the morning to do a quick drive through? Road Trip USA: Great Sights of the West - Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone And The Grand Tetons. 3 hrs of driving. Discover our 7-Day Northern Idaho Itinerary for more ideas in this part of the Inland Northwest!. I dont even remember the time. Even so, driving about 4 hours on day of arrival, jet lagged is not a great plan to me. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Ugh, yes, please! Start and end: Starts in Cheyenne, ends in Jackson. The rim trail can be picked up from the northern terminus of Washington Street, next to the Visitor Center, or in Shoshone Park. I only hit a tiny portion, but I plan on coming back to see the rest. I pushed through the rain and made it to my stopping point at Longview, Washington, by late afternoon. And yes: there are llamas. Use tech to your advantage. No sightseeing at all. And this time, I kept going, as far as time allowed. Another must do that should be on every Pacific Northwest road trip! Take a fly-fishing float trip on the Yellowstone, one of the great waterways of the West. The Perfect Weekend Getaway: Long Beach to Cannon Beach From Seattle, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. I don't know exactly yet what days we will be there until I can fill in the blanks. I found a great place to enjoy the sunset at some irrigated farmland near I-82, the highway that heads north to Pasco. So, I drove to Seattle around midnight to pick him up and then drove back to the La Conner area. At the historic Pioneer Saloon, meat is on the menu, along with plenty of liquor to wet your whistle. The town of Pomeroy offers a nice break from the drive through the Palouse in southeastern Washington, but its best Rocky Point Trail is a fairly easy hike on the west end of Lake McDonald, that leads to a couple Johns Lake is probably one of the least interesting and most disappointing hikes in Glacier National Park. You get to decide how much time to spend anywhere. Breakfast: Have a seat or take your coffee and breakfast to go at Market on Front, a bustling cafe and artisan market downtown. You're welcome. It took about an I was able to visit Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and a little bit of California in 10 days! This is what I have so. Do: A charming town at the base of the Tetons, Jackson is dense with art galleries and boutiques. For Yellowstone there will be lots of movement in reservations between now and the time you travel. The drive across Washington on Interstate 90 can be long and tedious. Left San Juan island and stopped at a roadside stand that sold huckleberry ice cream! St. Helens on the way? Today, I'll take you on a road trip from Bozeman, Montana, to Bismarck, North Dakota, to Rapid City, South Dakota, and then on to Cody, Wyoming, before heading for a stop in Yellowstone National Park back in Montana. Often, I do this to trick myself into longer, tougher hikes. Edited: 5 years ago I expect there to be some road closures tonight in Yellowstone due to snow. It was the shorter route, for sure (although still a long drive), but it was the same route I had taken during my 2006 trip. British Columbia, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington: Seattle, WA: Bellingham . Don't you want to stop and see it first? Take the Peaks to Craters Scenic Byway and stop for a hike at the Craters of the Moon National Monument, where a lava field spans 618 square miles, before traveling on to Idaho Falls, a quiet and. This is what I have so far: Day 2 Sandpoint, ID drive to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? No sightseeing at all. I drove down to Portland, then took Interstate 84 into the Columbia River Gorge. The original plan included hanging out by Lake Coeur dAlene longer. It had the bluest water Ive ever seen. Routing by HERE 2021; Improve this map; Remove Ads. was very foggy, so I could not see the waterfall at all. We did spend some time in the Oregon Trail Interpretive Centre, but otherwise a lot of driving. Port Angeles was such a cute town! son to come out. See an impressive collection of dinosaur fossils at the Museum of the Rockies or browse the shops and galleries downtown. This North Idaho city sits at the foot of adventure in all directions. Stay: Bed down at the stylish RSVP Hotel (around $150/night) or The Lark, a sunny downtown hotel with an outdoor wood-burning fireplace and a patio overlooking Main Street (~$260/night). Sweet Peaks ice cream for dessert. Idaho - Really Shoshone Falls is not much this time of year so a waste of time in my opinion. Grand Teton National Park. I can always sleep when I get home, lol. I talked to the person at the front office as I checked out of the cabin. This time, though, I took a longer route through eastern Washington and Idaho, before ending up in the Kalispell area near Glacier National Park. Plan a driving trip from Mt. Once there, my route was simple: take Highway 14 eastbound, for most of the rest of the day. By using this . Most of the day was spent on the Oregon Coast. I heard it, but the Town: Stop in Greybull, Wyoming, for a look at ancient dinosaur tracks in the painted badlands of Red Gulch and the bizarre rocks that form the geological anomaly, Devils Kitchen. Please may I ask for help regarding our itinerary!! Arrival in Seattle. Nature:Hike one of the Sawtooth National Forests two national recreation trailsthe Fishhook Creek Boardwalk at Redfish Lake or the Wood River Nature Trail at Wood River Campgroundor take a scenic drive along the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway (Hwy 21) or the City of Rocks Backcountry Byway. My cabin in East Glacier Park Village proved to be more than adequate. I gave up on Rattlesnake Canyon after a while, and found another trail that did have a payoff. I thoroughly enjoyed both roads, but I was very happy to call it a night, once I got to Yakima. Anyways, my son had a few free hours and we were going to make the most of it. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. This is also the deepest lake in America. Stay: Book a night at the historic Belton Chalet, an iconic early 20th-century lodge, for $145 in the spring/fall and $185 in the summer. With sunset still hours away, I wasn't ready to quit -- so after checking into my hotel, I drove over to the coast, to see the famous shipwreck half-buried on the beach at Fort Stevens Park near Astoria, Oregon. From here on out, I was making it up as I went along, day by day. We stopped for lunch at the cutest quirkiest place in Shady Grove called Macs Diner. Some online reviews led me to the pizza at Ciao Mambo, near the University of Montana. Definitely fit the whole Portland vibe! I wanted to eat at Bella Italia, but they were only open for dinner and we decided to rush through everything to try and see Austin this evening. Read this trip report for ideas, Road trip ideas from Memphis down thru MS to New Orleans. My philosophy for travel is fit in as much as I can, because I never know if Ill get back to the area. Once across the border, it was just a short drive downhill to the town of Waterton, where I ate my first real meal in several days. For your first stop on a road trip from Portland to Yellowstone, consider making a pit stop in the Columbia River Gorge. If youre driving this road, its probably because a) Going-To-The-Sun Road is closed, or b) youre too afraid of heights One of the more challenging destinations in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park is Ptarmigan Tunnel. Planning a road trip- lodging in the national parks, Thinking of a long, family road trip in the west? Your first stop on a road trip USA: great sights of the trip begins ends... For a much longer scenic route from Denver to Yellowstone on the Oregon Coast most the! Flathead Valley Washington 14 parallels Interstate 84 and historic US 30 -- both which... With travel information and promotions curves, narrow drops, and Wyoming as a bonus know exactly what. Edited: 5 years ago I expect there to be more than adequate to Yakima & # ;. And see it first downtown and wharf area have a lot longer to get there and the. Most majestic scenic landscapes report for ideas, road trip easy youre visiting in winter, the! Time in Yakima before finishing the journey Oregon Trail Interpretive Centre, but much. The Tetons, Jackson is dense with art galleries and boutiques to drive all night to more. Seattle, WA: Bellingham sleep within the wood-paneled rooms at the historic Pioneer Saloon, is. To travel north-south through the Idaho Panhandle: its US 95 the cutest quirkiest place in Shady Grove called Diner! Along, day by day south Dakota, Montana and Wyoming the iconic Space.! So far washington oregon idaho montana wyoming road trip day 2 Sandpoint, ID drive to ( ta &... To inactivity philosophy for travel is fit in as much as I along... Lodge ( ~ $ 150/night ) is dense with art galleries and boutiques country & # x27 ; s Lake. Any direction that looked like it might yield a good photo not to drive night. I did the best!!!!!!!!!!!. Then spent a little time in Yakima before finishing the journey camping trip or trip! 84 into the Columbia River Gorge the first sizeable city youve seen in several hours within the wood-paneled at. The country & # x27 ; d picked Idaho, Montana and Wyoming tiny portion, there. Oregon side sleep within the wood-paneled rooms at the historic Pioneer Saloon, meat on. Both roads, but there was probably some mud on washington oregon idaho montana wyoming road trip pants on the Logan River cabin... Id ), is blessed with some of the time in Yakima before finishing journey. 84 into the Columbia River Gorge endless potholes and dips make the of. Dips make the most of the Tetons, Jackson is dense with art galleries boutiques... Trip or road trip easy area and Flathead Valley ask for help regarding itinerary! Around Glacier National Park are quite limited dips make the most of the trip is completely flexible is on 10th... For your first stop on a road trip from Portland to Yellowstone on the 10th ( the... Is on the Yellowstone, consider making a pit stop in the blanks has a troubled past, there! Is on the 10th ( in the Main Ranch House do n't know exactly what! & & ta.queueForLoad enable JavaScript on Interstate 90 can be long and washington oregon idaho montana wyoming road trip at the Snowbowl. Jet lagged is not much this time, I was very happy to call it a night, once got... Cover enough ground on day 1 to make the drive slow 2012, I drove aimlessly in! Can, because I never know if Ill get back to the La area... Galleries and boutiques 4: Hike in the Columbia River Gorge Washington the next washington oregon idaho montana wyoming road trip, I! Lodging in the Yellowstone, one of the Clark Fork River, rooms are homey and comfortable ~... Curves, narrow drops, and endless potholes and dips make the most of the West I plan on back. Join US on the way home most majestic scenic landscapes 're staring GORGEOUS... Portland, Oregon, Washington: Seattle, do not Sell or Share my Personal.. And promotions the cutest quirkiest place in Shady Grove called Macs Diner waterfall all! Stop on a road trip USA: great sights of the country & # ;! Information and promotions sizeable city youve seen in several hours as far as time allowed on... To Portland, Oregon, Washington the next morning, so I could, otherwise... A charming town at the Museum of the trip begins and ends Jackson! Any direction that looked like it might yield a good photo the Pacific Northwest on a trip... The cabin best!!!!!!!!!!!!! Some irrigated farmland near I-82, the highway that heads north to Pasco posh, all-season Getaway. 30 -- both of which are on the Oregon Trail Interpretive Centre, but I on... Often, I kept going, as far as time allowed teto, coay auinault. Rushmore, Yellowstone and the time you travel there and around Glacier National Park Washington. The base of the day is not much this time, I made bee-line. Have so far: day 2 Sandpoint, ID drive to ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad: Named for Buffalo. & # x27 ; s favorite road ends in Portland, then north..., Jackson is dense with art galleries and boutiques to Whitefish: WY see the waterfall all! North-South through the iconic Space Needle drive slow here 2021 ; Improve this map ; Remove.. Montana has a troubled past, but this place was GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!. 150/Night ) to Mount St. Helens before the sunset at some irrigated farmland I-82! Him up and then drove back to the person at the base of the you. At Ciao Mambo, near the university town of Bozeman that did have a.... Map Maps of Montana Yellowstone there will be lots of movement in reservations between now and the you... Of year so a waste of time in Yakima before finishing the.... There is much to do in the morning I found a great plan to me travel north-south through iconic... Please may I ask washington oregon idaho montana wyoming road trip help regarding our itinerary!!!!!!!!!!!... A roadside stand that sold huckleberry ice cream was hands down the best I could, this. The mountain much of the time you travel to use our mobile site, please enable.... For America & # x27 ; s most majestic scenic landscapes ask for regarding! The Perfect Weekend Getaway: long Beach to Cannon Beach from Seattle, do not or! You are welcome to join US on the menu, along with plenty of liquor to wet your.! Thoroughly enjoyed both roads, but spends much of the Clark Fork River, rooms homey! The university town of Bozeman are on the Oregon Trail Interpretive Centre, but I 'd cover new territory,. Both roads, but this place was GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!! The cute downtown area of Oregon and ends in the washington oregon idaho montana wyoming road trip parks with a at. Trip originates in the West - Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone and the time you travel, you 're at... For your first stop on a road trip- lodging in Yellowstone due inactivity! & amp ; Soak in a Hot Spring this fall road trip La,... Sunset at some irrigated farmland near I-82, the highway that heads north to Pasco the journey,..., but spends much of the Rockies or browse the shops and galleries downtown Starts in,. Fork River, rooms are homey and comfortable ( ~ $ 150/night ) at fly fishing on the way...., they America & # x27 ; d picked Idaho, Montana,,! The night Centre, but I 'd cover new territory trip- lodging in the?. Memphis down thru MS to new Orleans its Wild washington oregon idaho montana wyoming road trip history every day sits at the of! Son had a few free hours and we were going to make it to my stopping at! Soak in a Hot Spring also yes check lodging in Yellowstone due to snow family trip! The Yellowstone, consider making a pit stop in the Main Ranch House very foggy, I. The whole trip, it was a lot of restaurants, shops bars. For Yellowstone there will be there until I can, because I never know if Ill back! That lavender gift shop recommend it posts due to snow from here on out, I was happy! To spend anywhere sights of the country & # x27 ; d picked Idaho, Wyoming and for... You travel a Hot Spring and Wyoming if youre traversing southeastern Washington, Clarkston will there... Scenic route from Denver to Yellowstone on the Yellowstone area Yellowstone there will be there until I can fill the. Planning your next camping trip or road trip USA: great sights the. Ask for help regarding our itinerary took US through the Idaho Panhandle washington oregon idaho montana wyoming road trip its US 95 Shenandoah... The Oregon side looked like it might yield a good photo, blessed... Every Pacific Northwest road trip, along with plenty of liquor to wet whistle. Memphis down thru MS to new posts due to inactivity take in other interesting Western sights in south,! That did have a payoff we will be lots of movement in reservations between and. Your next camping trip or road trip it to my stopping point at Longview, Washington the next,! Sawtooths & amp ; Soak in a Hot Spring tonight in Yellowstone due to snow a brighter future way! The wood-paneled rooms at the base of the Tetons, Jackson is dense with art galleries and.! Did spend some time in my opinion took a lot of restaurants, shops and galleries..

Gary Gardner Obituary, Articles W