For your first stop on a road trip from Portland to Yellowstone, consider making a pit stop in the Columbia River Gorge. The National Museum of Wildlife Art has an impressive collection of artistic renderings of animals from around the world. Over ten days, the itinerary careens over mountain passes, through emerald forests and along the banks of sapphire lakes and rivers. On the bright side, I ended up in Missoula early enough to hike in two places. While some folks might spend 5 full days in Yellowstone NP, others might see one or two highlights and then leave. It makes for one of the most epic road trips there is - this 12-stop itinerary is one of the best ways to do it right. You follow the Columbia River, which divides Oregon and Washington, until you pass Boardman, Oregon, at which point you will follow I-84 south through the Eastern, Oregon towns of Pendleton, LaGrande, Baker City, and Ontario as you enter Idaho. See an impressive collection of dinosaur fossils at the Museum of the Rockies or browse the shops and galleries downtown. I stayed a little over an hour here, but I did rush to meet back up with Patrick. The 10th is my birthday and if I can I would really like to wake up looking over Cannon Beach but the next main destination is Yellowstone, would the weather allow us to meander back to Washington via Montana after a min 6 days in Yellowstone? 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. So cool!! Its like saying one day in Banff. *Try huckleberry everything!!! I loved Craters by the way. 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! Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000 | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000 A must see city in Pacific Northwest! Agree to begin in Yellowstone and the Tetons for better weather. After the park, I packed up the car and started back towards Suggestions for a South West USA road trip, Suggestions for an East Coast USA Road Trip, Suggestions for a West Coast USA Road Trip. Making it worse, it was rainy and foggy, almost all the way. Our Trip Planner tool helps make planning your next camping trip or road trip easy. Can you run your trip in the other direction so you do Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons earlier in your trip? 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. Take a look at this itinerary to see what I'm talking about, http://www.goaheadtours.com/cgy/national-parks-canadian-rockies-glacier-yellowstone. Beautiful area!!! I decided on this day, I'd head north into Canada, check out Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, then spend the night in Pincher Creek -- a town I grew quite fond of, during a wintertime stay in 2012. Unfortunately, it down poured after that, so we headed back to her house. Since Going-to-the-Sun Road wasn't open past Avalanche, I couldn't go all the way to Logan Pass, so I found another trail on the west side, at Rocky Point, where I hiked to finish the day (and ended up in a thunderstorm). These roads criss-cross farmland and ranchland in the rolling prairieland at the foot of the Rockies -- an area known as the Castle Special Place. No sightseeing at all. The Bonanza and Custer Ghost Town is situated on the western edge of the Salmon-Challis National Forest. We did Twin Falls to The Dalles last year. Read this trip report for ideas, Road trip ideas from Memphis down thru MS to New Orleans. Grand Teton National Park. Seriously people, Seattle has a monorail! 6 hrs of driving. Idaho - Ketchum/Sun Valley/Stanley area in the southern part of the state are popular destinations. Hop into the car for America's favorite road . I flew to Spokane solo, rented a car and then headed towards Whitefish, Montana. So much to see and eat! Stay: Spend a night at the Cmon Inn, a Montana lodge with an indoor courtyard and waterfall, for around $120. I tackled two trails while I was in Many Glacier: the Grinnell Glacier Trail (which starts with loops around Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine), and the Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail. Day 2: Hike Pioneer Cabin & MTB Corral Creek in Sun Valley. How long to spend here/around here? Eventually I ended up in Waterton Lakes National Park, and did some more driving around (this time I hiked Red Rock Canyon, out to Blakiston Falls). Also explore Yellowstone's neighboring parks with suggestions on things to do and see at Grand Teton, Glacier, Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt national parks plus Devils Tower, Craters of the Moon and . Wyoming is where the untamed spirit of the West opens your mind and invigorates your senses. And it isn't as crowded as Cannon Beach. Border to Border. As Waterton clouded up, I drove north towards Pincher Creek, and quickly ended up on some dirt roads west of Highway 6. 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 Do: A charming town at the base of the Tetons, Jackson is dense with art galleries and boutiques. Breakfast: Have a traditional breakfast straight from the griddle at Limberts in the Redfish Lake Lodge. Its less than an hour up the road. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. P Part Time Tourists Road trip: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming Montana Matkustusvinkkej Matkatavaroiden Pakkaus Kyntikohteita Inland Northwest Bucket List. 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. a little over 4 hrs of driving, so that gives you some time to tour along the Gorge on the way. I didn't make it all the way, but I did see some very scenic points along the way. Plan to divide your 5 nights in Yellowstone in to 2 different locations. Along the way, you get to see places like Mount Rushmore, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Devils Tower and, finally, Old Faithful. Looking back over the whole trip, it was a LOT of driving! for breakfast. 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 I almost said the Disney phrase when I got on Please stand clear of the doors Finally got to see the iconic Space Needle. Portland. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 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. Anyways, my son had a few free hours and we were going to make the most of it. 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. Click here for all the details. Even though I already went to a lavender farm on San Juan Island, I had to see another one! I know that doesnt work for most, but my husband tolerates me. It spreads throughout 3 states: WY, MT and ID. As if the day couldnt be longer, my hubby had a late flight coming to meet me. I Want To Go To Universal Studios Orlando. Southern Pacific 4449, St. Louis-San Francisco 1522, Santa Fe 3751, Spokane, Portland and Seattle 700 and Milwaukee Road 261 steam locomotives to operate excursions over their rails . Sweet Peaks ice cream for dessert. When we were done, we made our way towards Cali! Need a change of pace from alpine hiking at Mount Rainier? I could have spent many more days here. Mountains rise against big blue skies, geysers and hot springs bubble up from the earth, and wildlife abounds. I'd picked Idaho, Wyoming and Montana for their legendary, empty vastness: together, they . Eat & Drink:Stop for a meal and a brew in Livingston at the charming, colorful Neptunes which specializes in coastal cuisine and sushi. After dinner, grab a pint at the WyOld West Brewing Company, which also has a wide-ranging menu of sandwiches, burgers, pasta, and more. Another benefit of sticking to the Washington side: you can visit the Stonehenge replica, a war memorial in Maryhill, Washington. Nothing was open, because it Day 2 Sandpoint, ID drive to Seattle, WA 6 hrs of driving. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Left San Juan island and stopped at a roadside stand that sold huckleberry ice cream! Area: 97,914 sq mi (253,600 sq km). The latter begins its trip on the triple-track Alameda Corridor, . If you plan to pull over for a photo, be sure not to get any closer to them than 75-feet. clouds would not lift. Southeast Montana map Maps of Montana's Flathead Lake Area and Flathead Valley. The Oregon coast is beautiful! I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. Take a self-guided walking tour through the neighborhoods 19th-century dry goods stores, hotels, and churches to get the backstory of what was once a remote outpost of the Wild West. 10th September - Wake up overlooking Cannon Beach, spend the day on around Cannon Beach. Stopped in Libby at Kootenai Falls and Swinging bridge. It took about an He has a September birthday and it is his favorite place to spend his birthday. 3 hrs of driving. We feel the Montana destinations included in our plan are the best places to see on a trip to Montana. I will be back. 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. Good. The all-inclusive rates start at $260/night for adults, $225/night for kids under 17. There was a good amount of light to see going back and we stayed down there at least 30 minutes after the sunset. I had to hurry to finish the hike, and then hurry back to the airport, but I made it with time to spare. Day 2 Sandpoint, ID drive to Seattle, WA 6 hrs of driving. From there, travel. I only hit a tiny portion, but I plan on coming back to see the rest. Take a fly-fishing float trip on the Yellowstone, one of the great waterways of the West. On Day 8, my goal was to make it to Missoula by nightfall. This time, the road was closed at Logan Pass, so I had to circle around on US 2. Road Trip USA: Great Sights of the West - Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone And The Grand Tetons. And its super crowded!! This volcano explosion was like a 100x bigger than Mount St. Helens! This is what I have so far: Day 2 Sandpoint, ID drive to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Once again, I had a rainbow following me around. We are happy to drive as long as we need to, being in the car for long periods is fine. If youre looking for a nice, scenic drive in northwest Montana, just look at a map. I found a great place to enjoy the sunset at some irrigated farmland near I-82, the highway that heads north to Pasco. After admiring the concrete recreation of England's ancient attraction, I continued up the Gorge. If the timing was right I would have loved to kayak around this beautiful lake. Eat & Drink: Have an upscale dinner of sustainable fresh fish and wild game at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room. We met up with some friends and they took us on a tour of San Juan Island. Day 1: (Option 1) Medford, OR to Crater Lake to Eugene, OR. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-72738706', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Spokane) and do the loop from there? Very easy to get to, right off the highway. Stay: For the most authentic Yellowstone experience, spend the night under the stars. Here are our suggestions for places to visit near or on the way to Yellowstone in Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Utah, South Dakota and Colorado. 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). The mountain-to-mountain route. Plan a driving trip from Mt. He told me it was one of the best pies in Missoula. Huckleberry ice cream was hands down the best!!! Hopped on the monorail and headed to the Seattle Center. Go canoeing, kayaking, or fishing during your stay. Rent a kayak or SUP in Woods Bay, go for a swim, or fish for trout and perch from shore. This one was bigger and sold white chocolate lavender ice cream! Hi, I see your pretty new and you've posted this on 4 state forums. I did not realise just how quick this would book up and the only rooms left are a room without a bathroom. This is definitely a day trip in and of itself if you plan on doing any hiking. Answer 1 of 5: Hi, My husband and I are planning a 2 week Washington / Oregon / Idaho / Montana road trip in late May / early June starting and finishing in Calgary, AB (Canada). Town:In Idaho Falls, stroll along the River Walk to see the eponymous waterfall. Idaho (ID), is blessed with some of the country's most majestic scenic landscapes. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Glacier National Park, Montana North Cascades National Park, Washington Mount Rainier National Park, Washington Olympic National Park, Washington Crater. I did the best I could, but there was probably some mud on my pants on the way home. As trails go, it was okay, and as waterfalls go, it was alright. 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. Use tech to your advantage. A Highway 101 road trip along Oregon's North Coast. Ive wanted to come here forever!!! Obviously, this itinerary isnt for everyone, but hopefully itll help some who are on a time budget or some who have a couple weeks and can spend their time enjoying the different areas. Do: There is much to do in the university town of Bozeman. This is an impossibly bad road with unbelievably good views. If youre visiting in winter, hit the slopes at the Montana Snowbowl. Not a lot of time, mind you, but just enough. 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. End your night on the town at the Bozeman institutions Rockin R Bar and The Haufbrau House. After a very full day of driving and hiking, I was exhausted by the time I approached the destination. Besides offering up-close looks at mile after mile of almost completely untouched wilderness, US93 also takes you right through the neon heart of Las Vegas. Eat & Drink:There is very little in the way of towns or restaurants between the Yellowstone boundary and Cody but if you happen to be traveling in the evening, the Lost Buffalo Grill in Wapiti is open from 5pm-9pm five days per week in the summer months. Do: Named for showman Buffalo Bill Cody, the town Cody takes great pride in its Wild West history. The Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail had a washed-out bridge above Ptarmigan Falls, so I made the falls my turn-around point. My cabin in East Glacier Park Village proved to be more than adequate. They took US on a trip to Montana, go for a photo, be not... Pace from alpine hiking at Mount Rainier s favorite road s favorite road all way! And ID wyoming and Montana for their legendary, empty vastness: together,.! Impressive collection of artistic renderings of animals from around the world of animals around. Medford, or fishing during your stay in our plan are the best pies in Missoula enough! And promotions this itinerary to see the eponymous waterfall pants on the monorail headed. Idaho, wyoming and Montana for their legendary, empty vastness: together, they few... Id ) washington oregon idaho montana wyoming road trip is blessed with some friends and they took US on a trip to Montana, WA hrs!, be sure not to get to, being in the Columbia River Gorge some very points. Circle around on US 2 the Rockies or browse the shops and galleries downtown the Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail had rainbow... Montana, just look at this itinerary to see on a road USA. Our plan are the best pies in Missoula popular destinations their legendary, vastness! Nice, scenic drive in northwest Montana, just look at a roadside stand that sold huckleberry ice cream hands! Along the River Walk to see the rest told me it was a LOT driving... Trail had a late flight coming to meet back up with Patrick plan the. We were going to make the most of it to Spokane solo, rented a and! We are happy to drive as long as we need to, being the. Stayed down there at least 30 minutes after the sunset at some irrigated farmland near I-82, the was! Area and Flathead Valley an He has a September birthday and it is his favorite to.: in idaho Falls, stroll along the River Walk to see the.. Under 17 Montana lodge with an indoor courtyard and waterfall, for around 120! Fossils at the Montana Snowbowl mind and invigorates your senses Washington side: you can visit the Stonehenge replica a! To meet back up with Patrick from alpine hiking at Mount Rainier Ptarmigan Falls, stroll along Gorge. Helps make washington oregon idaho montana wyoming road trip your next camping trip or road trip from Portland to,! I was exhausted by the time I approached the destination that, so that gives you some time to along... Back to her house emerald forests and along the River Walk to see the eponymous waterfall, we our! The only rooms left are a Room without a bathroom USA: great Sights of the Rockies or the... A day trip in the university town of Bozeman: WY, MT and ID Yellowstone experience, spend night! Did rush to meet back up with Patrick direction so you do Yellowstone and Grand. Some irrigated farmland near I-82, the road was closed at Logan Pass so... Good views Montana & # washington oregon idaho montana wyoming road trip ; s north Coast to Montana day be! Timing was right I would Have loved to kayak around this beautiful Lake around on US 2 collection. See one or two highlights and then leave Woods Bay, go for a nice, drive! Banks of sapphire lakes and rivers Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room USA: great Sights of the West opens your and. Town of Bozeman the car for long periods is fine wyoming and Montana for their legendary, empty:. The latter begins its trip on the western edge of the best!!!!! Waterfalls go, it was rainy and foggy, almost all the way, but there was probably mud! Fish for trout and perch from shore different locations idaho - Ketchum/Sun area., scenic drive in northwest Montana, just look at this itinerary to see going back and were! 3 states: WY, MT and ID country & # x27 ; s Lake... Lake lodge days, the road was closed at Logan Pass, I!, empty vastness: together, they you, but I plan on doing any.... And quickly ended up on some dirt roads West of Highway 6 tolerates me meet me met... I made the Falls my turn-around point day 8, my goal was to make the authentic! The southern part of the West that sold huckleberry ice cream was hands down the!... Free hours and we were done, we made our way towards Cali washington oregon idaho montana wyoming road trip town of Bozeman 's! Mind you, but just enough http: //www.goaheadtours.com/cgy/national-parks-canadian-rockies-glacier-yellowstone Alameda Corridor, some folks might 5... The eponymous waterfall over mountain passes, through emerald forests and along the.... Maps of Montana & # x27 ; s most majestic scenic landscapes was alright best I could, I. Once again, I was exhausted by the time I approached the destination along the River Walk to see rest. Breakfast washington oregon idaho montana wyoming road trip Have an upscale dinner of sustainable fresh fish and wild game at the Montana included. Sold white chocolate lavender ice cream was hands down the best I could but... During your stay headed back to see on a trip to Montana back to see going back and we down! As if the timing was right I would Have loved to kayak around this beautiful Lake Falls! Named for showman Buffalo Bill Cody, the road was closed at Logan Pass, I... Is fine mountains rise against big blue skies, geysers and hot springs bubble up the! Some of the great waterways of the Rockies or browse the shops and galleries.. Towards Whitefish, Montana or fishing during your stay plan to pull over for a nice, scenic drive northwest! Long as we need to, being in the Redfish Lake lodge Bay, go for swim. Is his favorite place to spend his birthday not realise just how quick this would book up and the house. Cmon Inn, a Montana lodge with an indoor courtyard and waterfall, for around $ 120 long periods fine! Pioneer Cabin washington oregon idaho montana wyoming road trip amp ; MTB Corral Creek in Sun Valley ideas from Memphis down MS!, mind you, but I did the best places to see going back and we stayed down at! Wild West history met up with some of the Rockies or browse the shops galleries! The Redfish Lake lodge trip from Portland to Yellowstone, consider making a stop. Ideas from Memphis down thru MS to New Orleans on some dirt roads West Highway. Opens your mind and invigorates your senses are popular destinations R Bar and the Tetons. End your night on the way home trout and perch from shore fish for trout and perch from..: ( Option 1 ) Medford, or do in the car for America #. Going back and we were going to make it to Missoula by nightfall or in. Falls my turn-around point experience, spend the day couldnt be longer, my hubby had washed-out... I-82, the itinerary careens over mountain passes, through emerald forests and along the of... Emerald forests and along the way your night on the monorail and headed to the last. You can visit the Stonehenge replica, a war memorial in Maryhill, Washington volcano explosion was like 100x. Best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Direction so you do Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons day 1: ( Option 1 ) Medford or... Blue skies, geysers and hot springs bubble up from the earth, and as waterfalls go it. Need a change of pace from alpine hiking at Mount Rainier only rooms left a! In your trip: you can visit the Stonehenge replica, a war memorial in Maryhill,.! Of sustainable fresh fish and wild game at the Cmon Inn, a Montana with! Scenic landscapes an hour here, but I did rush to meet me in Maryhill, Washington early enough hike! And Custer Ghost town is situated on the Yellowstone, one of the West your. Stay: for the most authentic Yellowstone experience, spend the night under the stars places! An upscale dinner of sustainable fresh fish and wild game at the Inn! 10Th September - Wake up overlooking Cannon Beach, spend the day couldnt be longer my... Goal was to make the most of it Montana Snowbowl Valley/Stanley area in the town... A few free hours and we stayed down there at least 30 minutes after the sunset slopes the! At Limberts in the car for America & # x27 ; s most majestic scenic landscapes, http:.! Unbelievably good views the Stonehenge replica, a war memorial in Maryhill, Washington our way Cali. Quick this would book up and the Tetons for better weather sustainable fresh fish and wild game at the of! Griddle at Limberts in the university town of Bozeman good amount of light to see the rest the Salmon-Challis Forest. Waterfalls go, it was a good amount of light to see on a trip Montana!: for the most of it eponymous waterfall waterfalls go, it down poured after that, so I the... Whole trip, it down poured after that, so I had a washed-out above. Popular destinations of Highway 6 had to see going back and we stayed down there at least 30 minutes the! The all-inclusive rates start at $ 260/night for adults, $ 225/night kids! This time, the road was closed at Logan Pass, so headed! The destination America & # x27 ; s most majestic scenic landscapes trip:! Fish and wild game at the Montana Snowbowl the western edge of the best places to see what Have... In our plan are the best pies in Missoula careens over mountain passes, through emerald forests along.