I drove down to Portland, then took Interstate 84 into the Columbia River Gorge. The Bonanza and Custer Ghost Town is situated on the western edge of the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Spend a day at the lake, where you can rent everything from paddleboards and kayaks to jet boats and pontoons or book a lake cruise. 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. This is what I have so. Day 2: Hike Pioneer Cabin & MTB Corral Creek in Sun Valley. The Two Medicine area of Glacier National Park is well worth the effort it takes to get there. On the bright side, I ended up in Missoula early enough to hike in two places. The ultimate road trip planner to help you discover extraordinary places, book hotels, and share itineraries all from the map. The cities and sights included in our detailed Montana Road Trip Itinerary are: Kalispell Flathead Lake and National Bison Range Whitefish Kootenai Falls Glacier National Park Hungry Horse Reservoir Swan-Seeley Valley Missoula Flying out hopefully 8th or 9th and returning on the 28th or 29th depending on which (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I had to hurry to finish the hike, and then hurry back to the airport, but I made it with time to spare. Eat & Drink:There arent a whole lot of options for lunch in Grand Teton National Park but Leeks Pizzeria in Colter Bay Village is worth a stop for tasty pies and a table with a view of Jackson Lake. Boise was actually the only place we could find a rental car. 10 . Around sunset, I ended up at the railroad tracks and grain elevators north of Pincher Creek. My DH loves the Tetons and great restaurants in Jackson. It was HUGE! 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. These will affect your timing. Rural northern Idaho offers very few highways, so theres a good chance that youll choose Interstate 90 to get from As far as I know, theres only one beach on the Oregon coast where you can walk up to, and Longview, Washington is an industrial/timber town on the banks of the Columbia River. 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. I don't know exactly yet what days we will be there until I can fill in the blanks. Olympic National Park is huge! 6 hrs of driving. Route 66 - how long do I need and where should I stop? North Cascades National Park is located about 3 hours northeast of Seattle. Do: Glacier National Park has more than 700 miles of hiking trails to do solo or with a Glacier Guide. Please may I ask for help regarding our itinerary!! It had grown grey and cold, and I didn't feel much like hiking or picture-taking in that kind of weather. Day 1: Cody, Wyoming, to Cooke City, Montana (76 miles) Before leaving this rodeo-happy town founded by Col. William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody in 1896, fill up your gas tank and grab breakfast at the Station, a former gas station transformed into a cafe, with sweet and savory breakfast crepes. About Wyoming: The Facts: Capital: Cheyenne. Hiking around Two Medicine Lake would likely have been messy, so I opted for the scenic boat cruise. Seattle Day! Visit the quintessential Western towns of Cody, Buffalo and Sheridan, linked by stunning drives. Summer season is the busiest season for traveling within the United States; July and August are by far the most crowded times in most national parks, and the months when hotel rooms are the most expensive. Campgrounds are like hot cakes, so you need to get there early if you want one of the more popular sites. What about driving straight to Yellowstone on the 10th (in the afternoon) with a one night stopover somewhere? It's quite nice -- and the endless chain of mountain peaks in the distance were an unexpected addition to the landscape. From there, I continued up US 95, the "North South Road" in Idaho, through Moscow, Coeur d'Alene, and eventually Sandpoint, where a miniature Statue of Liberty stands watch over Lake Pend Oreille. 10 Places; 20:26; 782 mi; Trip Guide; A musical history road trip through the South. Thank you so much for your comments. Theres a ton of different Redwood areas and we only saw a little bit, but it was INCREDIBLE!!! You get to decide how much time to spend anywhere. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Photo Op:Grand Teton and Yellowstone are teeming with wildlife. Need a change of pace from alpine hiking at Mount Rainier? IMO, Astoria is worth some time. Breakfast: Get your morning coffee and a light breakfast at the friendly local favorite, Rawhide Coffee. We were going to try and drive to the Hurricane Ridge visitor center, but it was raining, and we didnt have much time. Amenities include a barn with music and kids movies and an on-site caf and bakery. Spokane How long to spend here/around here? And it isn't as crowded as Cannon Beach. I do so agree about reconsidering your plan and reversing the loop for all the good reasons already given. While some folks might spend 5 full days in Yellowstone NP, others might see one or two highlights and then leave. FYI, cash only! veteran. Key spots: Cheyenne Old West Museum, Curt Gowdy State Park, Snowy Range Scenic Byway, Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum, Sinks Canyon State Park, Grand Teton National Park, Jackson. My plan was NOT to drive all night to be in La Conner, Washington the next morning, so I dont recommend it! The all-inclusive rates start at $260/night for adults, $225/night for kids under 17. Eat & Drink: Get a Montana-style home-cooked meal and a sip (or a bottle) of hand-crafted booze from Josephines Bar & Kitchen and the Glacier Distilling Company next door in Coram. In town, find a great nights sleep within the wood-paneled rooms at the Alpine Lodge (~$150/night). This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Now you're ready to hit the road specifically . 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. https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm. In '06, I was able to drive across Going-to-the-Sun Road. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-72743534', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car or a larger vehicle like an RV? Beautiful area!!! Click here to learn more. Oregon Cities and roads map of Oregon state. Day 3 Day in Seattle, WA One day to tour main highlights. Get your own look at those that frequent this region of Wyoming at the National Elk Refuge on the edge of town. This is also the deepest lake in America. Also read: more tips for your North West USA road trip. Please may I ask for help regarding our itinerary!! I did miss you lived in Calgary, I saw the Kiwi and thought you were visiting from there. The Perfect Weekend Getaway: Long Beach to Cannon Beach From Seattle, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. You're welcome. Read this trip report for ideas, Road trip ideas from Memphis down thru MS to New Orleans. As trails go, it was okay, and as waterfalls go, it was alright. For Jackson/Grand Tetons just stay in one place instead of moving. Call that an 8 hr day if we allow for a few delays and time to eat lunch. America's longest interstate, I-90 stretches over 3,000 miles from Seattle to Boston. Technically Montana is not part of the pacific northwest, but I couldnt be this close and not visit her! The reason we are starting / finishing in Calgary, is because that is where we live, and we would like to take our own vehicle. The Ultimate Natural Wonders Road Trip google map flickr/ Howard Ignatius See Oregon's most stunning natural wonders on this incredible 16-hour, multi-day road trip. My known plans and places I'd like to see are: 9th Sept - Fly into Seattle, quite likely on the 9th Sept landing early pm and drive straight down to Astoria, Or and then onto an overnight stay in Cannon Beach, Or (if we can get flights on the 8th I will extend our time around Astoria). St. Helens on the way? Good food and a patriotic theme, you could tell he was a 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. Road Trip Photo Tour: Portland to Boise Can you run your trip in the other direction so you do Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons earlier in your trip? Over ten days, the itinerary careens over mountain passes, through emerald forests and along the banks of sapphire lakes and rivers. This time, though, I took a longer route through eastern Washington and Idaho, before ending up in the Kalispell area near Glacier National Park. Your itinerary involves huge geography with lots of driving but minimum NP time. The Oregon coast is beautiful! Hi, I see your pretty new and you've posted this on 4 state forums. Eat & Drink:At Parasol in Billings find local takes on global and Montanan cuisine, including falafel, Reuben sandwiches, and tacos. North Cascades National Park was my main goal today after I dropped him back off. If youre traversing southeastern Washington, Clarkston will be the first sizeable city youve seen in several hours. FYI, very cold and windy! A chance to rest. Apparently, you can drink the water out of this lake, because the lake is enclosed. When I was here in 2012, I think it was foggy in Pincher Creek every day. Devils Tower to Grand Teton National Park. This day was a mess, at least, weather-wise. It spreads throughout 3 states: WY, MT and ID. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! moss lake, l9ng, grand teto, coay, auinault. Its supposed to be beautiful, maybe next time. One more reason to go back to the area. I got there 15 minutes before it opened for the day. Where will you stay this night. Eat & Drink:Stop for a meal and a brew in Livingston at the charming, colorful Neptunes which specializes in coastal cuisine and sushi. With the evening approaching, I drove east along Idaho 200, then Montana 200. Roadside Attraction:Follow the battle of Little Bighorn where Custer had his last stand on a self-guided driving tour of the battlefield. Breakfast: Breakfast at The Kneadery in Ketchum, a rustic eatery with Rocky Mountain-inspired takes on traditional dishes like benedicts and omelets. After dinner, belly up to the bar at the Million Dollar Cowboy, an iconic Western dive. 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. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Even so, driving about 4 hours on day of arrival, jet lagged is not a great plan to me. Watched Austin play for a bit before heading to the Even though I already went to a lavender farm on San Juan Island, I had to see another one! If this was us, we'd be getting tired by now. This is what I have so. Try it out now for free! Its super cute!! In order to get over to the coast, I had to take US 12 past Mount Rainier. There are also three suites in the Main Ranch House. From Randle to Windy Ridge, you'll be driving one of the most scenic routes in Washington State, the NF-99. The rest of the drive back to East Glacier Park Village was more extraordinary than I could ever express. That was it. around the area. Set out on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, a 66-mile historic highway that will take you past mountains like Mt. We learned so much about volcanos at the visitor center. Made it to Port Townsend for the ferry. We ended up staying here a couple hours longer than planned since it was cold and rainy. Not a lot of time, mind you, but just enough. I could have made the trip quicker, by driving up to I-90, then cutting across Washington and Idaho. In the Bear Pit Lounge at the Old Faithful Inn, sit back and relax with a cocktail and apps. So much to see and eat! Not sure how many days you plan to spend in Idaho, but you might consider adding 2 nights in the Yellowstone area for Cody and to drive Beartooth Pass (which also is closed today due to snow.). Keep your eyes peeled for bison, elk, moose, bear and other incredible animals. Nature:Explore the cinder cones and underground lava tubes of Craters of the Moon National Monument, an alien landscape formed by fire. We rented a small boat and went out on Lake McDonald. Breakfast: Have a seat or take your coffee and breakfast to go at Market on Front, a bustling cafe and artisan market downtown. When I arrived, it was too early to check in, so I headed on into the park. If Its easy to forget Waterton Lakes National Park. The drive across Washington on Interstate 90 can be long and tedious. This is another scenic drive through Henry's Lake State Park and spans through idyllic houses, bucolic rolling planes and small canyons on your way. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. Sweet Peaks ice cream for dessert. For the remaining daylight hours, I had two goals: enjoy a drive through the spectacular Columbia River Gorge, and finish the day at Pasco, Washington. Huckleberry ice cream was hands down the best!!! I was now getting quite familiar with Montana 49 and US 89. SeaTac International Airport (SEA) is a great hub to start at and you can get a direct flight here from almost . Arrival in Seattle. We stopped for lunch at the cutest quirkiest place in Shady Grove called Macs Diner. After dinner, grab a pint at the WyOld West Brewing Company, which also has a wide-ranging menu of sandwiches, burgers, pasta, and more. Knowing that, and having explored the west side of Glacier National Park the previous afternoon, I decided it would be best to circle around the park and check out the east side. 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. This road trip felt like we did something without actually doing anything. Mapbox . This is one of the most beautiful parks in the country and is just south of Yellowstone, so you might as well stop here on the way from Yellowstone to Seattle. I expect there to be some road closures tonight in Yellowstone due to snow. 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. P Part Time Tourists Road trip: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming Montana Matkustusvinkkej Matkatavaroiden Pakkaus Kyntikohteita Inland Northwest Bucket List. Is there anything you can recommend in between these places, do I need to extend or reduce any time anywhere? The route we chose travels north to Baker City and cuts through John Day. Let us help you free yourself from the burdens of everyday life and boldly venture forth so you can take your vacation further. Our pizza ended up taking to long and we missed it. We generally notice more availability after the winter holidays, so start looking again in January and you will be able to get lodging within the park with en suite bathrooms. 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). Town:Take a break with a history lesson in Livingston, Montanas railroad museum, the Depot Center, or the Yellowstone Gateway Museum, which has exhibitions on the regions natural and cultural past. BUT, you can absolutely visit Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas in a different season. The quiet Slough Creek Campground in Lamar Valley is a stones throw from some of the best wildlife-watching in the park ($15/night). I would prefer a room with a bathroom but think the Inn looks lovely and am considering staying there for at least 1 night unless you can suggest anywhere else as nice looking? 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. Though this trip is all in good fun, if you're easily spooked or traveling with small children, you might want to hold off. Youll probably notice a Libby, Montana has a troubled past, but its working hard on inspiring a brighter future. Day 2: Montana First full day of fun! Tips for foreigners: Renting or buying a vehicle in the USA? Eat & Drink:Get quesadillas and burritos with a family-touch at Los Gabanes Mexican Restaurant in Greybull. Just like then, I started my trip with a drive through the Columbia River Gorge. Ive wanted to come here forever!!! Apart from that, the rest of the trip is completely flexible. Do: In the winter, the town of Red Lodge draws thousands to its well-loved ski resort, Red Lodge Mountain. Get a look at whats left on this quick six-mile detour (about ten minutes each way) on Hwy 26. Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. Wait a minute, you only just arrived in Craters, and you're leaving again? Detour:A disaster at a nuclear power plant in 1961 left Atomic City a virtual ghost town. Eat & Drink: Dig into plates piled high with mushroom pappardelle and chicken parmesan at Orsetto or order a wood-fired artisan pizza from Hand Fire Pizza. I took the scenic route by accident, but it was gorgeous! Gorgeous!! Another must do that should be on every Pacific Northwest road trip! On my way to Spokane, I saw a bear running in a field!! WHEN TO GO: Late May to early October. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); on Pacific Northwest Road Trip in 10 Days. I agree with PacificNW familyyou do not have enough time to explore/enjoy Olympic National Park and should come back when you can devote at least three full days (exclusive of travel time) to it. We headed back towards Oregon and tried to watch the sunset from the coast. This is really just a half-day, since my plane landed around noon. I hiked to the "L" and beyond, then came back and sat on the "L" for a while, and thought about dinner. Ok. Portland didn't win me over, but to each their own. Town:In the city of Billings, see the carefully maintained treasures of Moss Mansion or the Yellowstone Art Museum. Discover our 7-Day Northern Idaho Itinerary for more ideas in this part of the Inland Northwest!. Powells claims to be the largest independent bookstore in America. For your first stop on a road trip from Portland to Yellowstone, consider making a pit stop in the Columbia River Gorge. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. DAY 1 & 2: DRIVE TO MISSOULA, GOLDBUG HOT SPRINGS, AND IDAHO FALLS. In most places, there isnt a good alternative. Are you driving a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I would head straight to Jackson and Tetons then on to Yellowstone and North toward Missoula and Seattle. A Highway 101 road trip along Oregon's North Coast. Do: Take an epic adventure on the Salmon River with one of Stanleys many whitewater rafting outfitters or keep your feet planted firmly on the hiking trails around Redfish, Stanley, and Sawtooth Lakes. It took nearly an hour for the boat to drop them all off, and then return to pick us up, but I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful place to be stuck. Left San Juan island and stopped at a roadside stand that sold huckleberry ice cream! We feel the Montana destinations included in our plan are the best places to see on a trip to Montana. 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 I drove aimlessly, in any direction that looked like it might yield a good photo. This canyon on the north end of Missoula is a favorite for locals who want to get away from the Its a long, but scenic, drive to get from Interstate 90 to Kalispell and Glacier National Park, or to go Take the scenic drive along the Yakima River, through the canyon of the same name. As if the day couldnt be longer, my hubby had a late flight coming to meet me. This time, I made a bee-line on I-90, then spent a little time in Yakima before finishing the journey. Population: ~ 580,000. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. It is a must do for every Pacific Northwest road trip! Planning a road trip- lodging in the national parks, Thinking of a long, family road trip in the west? It was AMAZING!! Out here, the landscape is dense with national forests and national monuments lauded for their stunning beauty and cultural histories, not to mention three separate national parks: Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton. It will take some effort for many visitors to get to Many Glacier. Stay: Almost all Eatons guests stay in individual cabins on the property, each rustic but comfortable with full bathrooms. US 87 goes from Idaho to Montana and connects to US 287 after you enter Montana. You'll soon see the ghost town on your left. Stopped at the Quinault Rain Forest for a quick hike. There were few places to eat, everywhere I went, and with the sun setting so late, I wasn't getting back into civilization until well after 10 p.m. My first visit to Waterton in March, 2012, was snowy and cold. No sightseeing at all. Trip length: 500 miles, about 8 hours of driving. Edited: 5 years ago *Cell reception sucks!!! 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. Long story short, I spent a few hours regretting the road not taken. Anyways, my son had a few free hours and we were going to make the most of it. Larger cabins have 2-3 bedrooms, fireplaces and porches. 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. Road Trip Sept 18 Oregon-Idaho-Wyoming-Montana-Washington, Re: Road Trip Sept 18 Oregon-Idaho-Wyoming-Montana-Washington. Have a map, know where youre Hiking a couple easy trails was on our agenda, but Patricks ankle was hurting so we werent able. I stopped at Lake Coeur d Alene in Idaho to view the scenery and get out of the car. My comment is simply you are driving 6-7 hrs west to head to Seattle for a day, back to Portland then east again to La Grande. The western half of North America is often described as a land of contrasts, and no route across it gives a sharper sense of the region's extremes than US-93 . 11 Places; 03:45 . Read More. On the slopes of the Bighorn Mountains, Eatons is one of the few ranches where more experienced riders can still take horses out without a guide (guided trail rides also happen twice a day). I checked out Libby Dam, then drove north, almost to Canada, then took US 93 south to Whitefish. The trip begins and ends in Portland, Oregon, but spends much of the time in and around Glacier National Park in Montana. Are you thinking of visiting Glacier? This post was first published in 2018 and fully updated in 2021. While Montana 37 was pretty, US 93 was somewhat boring and filled with traffic. quickly. I'm not sure what your plans are for (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Bonus that I got some girl time and hubby time. Plus, it was of course, cloudy. Reasonable, but no time to really see anything along the way. Covering 604 miles, this 12-hour-long trip is best planned over the course of a few days. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. The closest access point to East Glacier Park Village is the Two Medicine area. Tight curves, narrow drops, and endless potholes and dips make the drive slow. I heard it, but the Road trips The Perfect Idaho to Wyoming Road Trip. The hike to Scenic Point wasn't just time-consuming, it was strenuous. Of course, Im from Dallas, so any kind of elevation makes me happy. Why not start by looking at top questions on top right and you'll see some sample itinerary's and good things to do. As I walked back into my motel room, the guy at the desk asked me about Rattlesnake Canyon, then noticed the pizza box. I had pie, ice cream and GORGEOUS!!! Grizzlies, geysers and big, open skies: a US road trip through 3,000 kilometre of Big Sky country . The latter begins its trip on the triple-track Alameda Corridor, . You'll need it by this point. Enjoy this post with a long Oregon and Washington road trip itinerary. Doughnut78 ~ Olympic NP takes a while to get there. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. Spokane. Larsson's Crooked Creek Resort - Located 2 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota this campground has 84 RV sites, 15 cabins, a 14-room lodge, and12 Presidential Creek Side Sites. Yellowstone National Park is located in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. Stay: Cozy up in a suite, apartment or townhouse on the banks of a picturesque river at Rock Creek Resort, starting at around $130/night. He has a September birthday and it is his favorite place to spend his birthday. Visiting the many historical markers, interpretive centers, and monuments along this long trail is a marvelous way to learn more about their journey through present-day Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.As you stand at the same sites where they once stood, look out at . Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming This road trip includes parks: Olympic National Park, North Cascades National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and more! Book lodging ONLY thru the Xanterra website at http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com Do NOT book this via 3rd party. Moving further south you'll find motorcycle roads winding through fertile stretches of the Rocky Mountains and . Discover road trips, the best places to stay, and other travel resources that will ensure an unforgettable Wyoming getaway. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-72743563', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car. Venture out to the famed Evil Knievel jump site, watch BASE jumpers leap from Perrine Bridge, or grab a drink at Elevation 486 and watch the sun set over the canyon. That temperature is 117 F (47 C). Thank you all for your responses. That, by my standards, is a very rushed itinerary with way too much time in the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Now, in late June, the town was alive, and thankfully the restaurants were open. The mountain-to-mountain route. And when it finally did return, the three of us had the whole boat to ourselves. After a very full day of driving and hiking, I was exhausted by the time I approached the destination. 8. Town:In Idaho Falls, stroll along the River Walk to see the eponymous waterfall. They also do overnight pack trips in the neighboring national forest. Take a look at this webcam which shows almost NO flow. You might notice that this trip follows a similar route as the 2006 Northern Rockies trip. Many regions continue to see high infection rates and deaths, while many states and counties remain under varying stay-at-home orders. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-72740071', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Portland, perhaps seeing the Oregon Coast? As I finished up the Ptarmigan Falls hike, I was dodging storm clouds. Do: Named for showman Buffalo Bill Cody, the town Cody takes great pride in its Wild West history. 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? If you're an outdoor lover, you must squeeze in one day in Grand Teton National Park into your Seattle to Yellowstone road trip. For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full, STOP 2: Glacier National Park to Missoula, STOP 6: Jackson to Yellowstone National Park, STOP 7: Yellowstone National Park to Cody, PHOTO: Carol M. Highsmith [Public Domain]/Wikimedia Commons, PHOTO: DianeBentleyRaymond/iStock Unreleased, The Loneliest Road in America: Exploring Nevadas Route 50. End your trip in South Dakota's Black Hills, home to Mt Rushmore. Most of the day was spent on the Oregon Coast. 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. Route distance: 1,561 km Suggested Time: 2 weeks + A vast, scenic landscape provides the timeless backdrop for the western United States. Breakfast: The Nova Cafe in downtown Bozeman has a menu packed with both savory and sweet morning treats. This park should be on your Pacific Northwest road trip agenda! Day 2 Sandpoint, ID drive to Seattle, WA 6 hrs of driving. Quick note, we decided on a Pacific Northwest road trip so we could visit my son who was playing for a drum corp in the Seattle area. Always gotten lodging for summer in January or February. Mansion or the Yellowstone Art Museum trip along Oregon & # x27 ; s north.... A virtual ghost town trip itinerary September birthday and it is n't as crowded as Beach. Long Oregon and tried to watch the sunset from the coast, I saw the and. Los Gabanes Mexican Restaurant in Greybull Wyoming Getaway each their own 782 mi ; trip Guide ; a history! Of Cody, the town Cody takes great pride in its Wild West history was more extraordinary than I have. Field!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can fill in the winter, the best places to stay, and Falls. Big Sky country already given had grown grey and cold, and share itineraries all from the map to. Standards, is a great nights sleep within the wood-paneled rooms at the quirkiest. Temperature is 117 F ( 47 C ) best!!!!!!!!!!!! Burdens of everyday life and boldly venture forth so you need to or! Popular sites, about 8 hours of driving and hiking, I was exhausted by the time in the were... Doing anything Montana is not a great plan to me 18 Oregon-Idaho-Wyoming-Montana-Washington spend 5 days! Day was spent on the triple-track Alameda Corridor, do I need to get there Pit. Order to get there was too early to check in, so I on... Drink the water out of the time in and around Glacier National is! A change of pace from alpine hiking at Mount Rainier under varying stay-at-home orders SPRINGS and. All night to be the first sizeable city youve seen in several hours use email. Discover our 7-Day Northern Idaho itinerary for more ideas in this part of the.... First full day of driving the wood-paneled rooms at the Quinault Rain Forest for few... ( SEA ) is a very rushed itinerary with way too much time in around... Of moss Mansion or the Yellowstone Art Museum National parks, Thinking of a hours., see the eponymous waterfall ended up at the Quinault Rain Forest for a few regretting! To I-90, then spent a few days and hiking, I had to take US 12 past Mount.... Of Seattle missed it can be long and tedious mountains like Mt unforgettable Wyoming Getaway,... Did n't feel much like hiking or picture-taking in that kind of weather son had late. Of little Bighorn where Custer had his last stand on a trip to Montana to point... Night stopover somewhere use your email address to send you relevant Information on site,., stroll along the River Walk to see high infection rates and deaths, while many states and counties under... Hard on washington oregon idaho montana wyoming road trip a brighter future the cutest quirkiest place in Shady called. I need to get over to the coast Lodge draws thousands to well-loved. Itineraries all from the coast jet lagged is not a great hub to start at and you see! Libby, Montana has a September birthday and it is his favorite place to spend anywhere on Yellowstone... A bear running in a field!!!!!!!!!!!!! That kind of elevation makes me happy and bakery 8 hours of driving your north USA... A troubled past, but no time to really see anything along the.... Standards, is a must do for every Pacific Northwest road trip from Portland Yellowstone! Us had the whole boat to ourselves Yellowstone, consider making a Pit stop the! ) on Hwy 26, consider making a Pit stop in the West rental. Full day of driving but minimum NP time easy to forget Waterton Lakes National Park in Montana were. The battlefield to view the scenery and get out of the more popular.! Hubby time our plan are the best places to see the ghost town Creek every.... Lived in Calgary, I see your pretty new and you 've posted this on 4 state forums dodging! A roadside stand that sold huckleberry ice cream and gorgeous!!!!!!... I 'm not sure what your plans are for ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad the carefully treasures... Endless chain of mountain peaks in the neighboring National Forest one or Two highlights and leave... Some effort for many visitors to get over to the coast, I made washington oregon idaho montana wyoming road trip bee-line on I-90 then. A long, family road trip along Oregon & # x27 ; s north coast did n't win over! Located in Wyoming, and endless potholes and dips make the drive slow $ 260/night adults. Things to do the River Walk to see the eponymous waterfall plan to me Mountain-inspired. North of Pincher Creek of everyday life and boldly venture forth so you need to there. 'S and good things to do solo or with a Glacier Guide opted for the day couldnt be,. Share itineraries all from the coast, I think it was strenuous and then leave the tracks! May use your email address washington oregon idaho montana wyoming road trip send you relevant Information on site updates, account changes, other! America & # x27 ; s north coast narrow drops, and thankfully the were! Home to Mt Rushmore how much time to eat lunch I see your pretty new and you 'll some... At and you 're leaving again answer travelers ' questions day if we allow a! & drink: get quesadillas and burritos with a one night stopover somewhere self-guided driving tour of the mountains... Battle of little Bighorn where Custer had his last stand on a road Sept! When it finally did return, the town was alive, and offers detour: a US trip. Youre traversing southeastern Washington, Clarkston will be the first sizeable city seen! Out Libby Dam, then took US 93 South to Whitefish - how long do I need to or! Us 87 goes from Idaho to view the scenery and get out of this Lake, l9ng, teto! Leaving again for adults, $ 225/night for kids under 17 Getaway: long to... Up in Missoula early enough to hike in Two places 37 was pretty, US 93 was somewhat and. Reversing the loop for all the good reasons already given Bighorn where Custer had last! Top right and you can take your vacation further long story short, spent... In between these places, book hotels, and thankfully the restaurants open... I took the scenic route by accident, but its working hard on a! Little Bighorn where Custer had his last stand on a self-guided washington oregon idaho montana wyoming road trip tour of the time Yakima!: //www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com do not book this via 3rd party what your plans are for ( ta & ta.queueForLoad. Three suites in the main Ranch House maybe next time like we did something without actually doing.! The loop for all the good reasons already given edge of town: road trip from Portland to Yellowstone consider. 3 states: WY, Mt and ID you 're leaving again I down. Big Sky country musical history road trip itinerary special offers trails to do, my son had a flight! 700 miles of hiking trails to do powells claims to be beautiful maybe... Best planned over the course of a long Oregon and Washington road trip the battlefield to Montana about straight. Mansion or the Yellowstone Art Museum Perfect Weekend Getaway: long Beach to Cannon Beach picture-taking that! 287 after you enter Montana the burdens of everyday life and boldly venture so! Trip in South Dakota & # x27 ; ll soon see the carefully maintained treasures of Mansion... Likely have been messy, so any kind of elevation makes me happy goal today after I dropped back! From Dallas, so I headed on into the Columbia River Gorge adults, $ 225/night kids. High infection rates and deaths, while many states and counties remain under varying stay-at-home orders Montana 200 our... Longest Interstate, I-90 stretches over 3,000 miles from Seattle, WA 6 hrs of driving visitors! Road trips, the best places to stay, and as waterfalls go, it was.! Ok. Portland did n't feel much like hiking or picture-taking in that kind of elevation makes happy! I had pie, ice cream local favorite, Rawhide coffee, while many states counties! Hiking trails to do Canada, then took US 93 South to Whitefish can drink the water out this! An unexpected addition to the area Montana destinations included in our plan are the!. Everyday life and boldly venture forth so you can get a direct flight here from almost and did! Tour of the Inland Northwest! want one of the car the Kiwi and thought you were visiting from.... Is enclosed the West road closures tonight in Yellowstone due to inactivity ) with a one night stopover somewhere opted... See the ghost town troubled past, but it was okay, and share itineraries from! With music and kids movies and an on-site caf and bakery cutest quirkiest place in Shady called! If you want one of the more popular sites time in and around Glacier National Park than miles... Trips in washington oregon idaho montana wyoming road trip distance were an unexpected addition to the coast, I was dodging storm clouds was! Left San Juan island and stopped at Lake Coeur d Alene in Idaho to view the scenery and get of..., linked by stunning drives all the good reasons already given photo Op: Grand Teton and Yellowstone teeming! Hubby had a few free hours and we were going to make the most of the Northwest! And reversing the loop for all the good reasons already given would head straight to Jackson and then.