For the history lovers, remember that Boise is also home to the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial and Old Idaho Penitentiary. I spent weeks planning my road trip from Seattle to Yellowstone and finding all the best places to stop. This is when the weather is mild, and the crowds start to thin out so you can properly enjoy the trip. and leave at 7:06 pm. The Seattle To Yellowstone road trip is the ultimate bucket list adventure for a reason. 2 years ago. Not to say 1 week is ever enough time, but by following the itinerary below, you'll get a good taste of Utah and see why so many people . However, the route we suggest is 1315 miles long and should be covered over a week or so. A trip from Michigan to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming will take a traveler on a more than 1,600-mile journey across the United States' northern Plains. This spacious log cabin is beautifully designed and has three bedrooms and three bathrooms (rates start at $195 per night). Walla Walla vineyards ripen in the summer sun. Your email address will not be published. For those who can handle a few more hours on the road, continue on with your four-day trip from Boise to Yellowstone until you reach Jackson. The trip offers something for everyone regardless who or how you decide to road trip. Destination Expert. The park is well worth spending at least a day, given that there are manygreat things to see and do in Yellowstone. Flying from the UK in August next year, to Seattle. The route gets a little bumpy as you enter Montana, courtesy of the Rocky Mountains, but it mostly circumvents Idaho's high-altitude terrain by cutting through the state's thin northern strip. Although it's much closer to Grand Teton National Park than it is to Yellowstone, Jackson makes for a great place to stop as it is surrounded by incredible landmarks from all sides. Ready to stretch your legs again, the small town of Coeur dAlene is the perfect next stop. The seasonal road closures end towards mid-April, making it easier to travel towards the end of the month. Tacoma, Washington. The state park is between Seattle and Ellensburg on the I-90, so it wont take you too far off from your Seattle to Yellowstone National Park road trip route. 7:14 pm arrive at Yellowstone National Park. This is likely to extend your trip to a couple of weeks, if not more, but it's one of the most scenic drives you can make in the States. April to May is spring in the area, but the temperatures can be unpredictable, so make sure you pack warm clothes if you plan to visit during this period. Now, lets be honest, weve all dreamt of exploring out of space and floating along the moon and while I cant promise you an adventure across the surface of the moon, I can offer something that apparently resembles it. Missoula will only require about a day of exploration. Check their website to make sure they are operating before making plans. 6:06 pm West Yellowstone. Needless to say, as unpredictable as spring and fall can be here, they pale in comparison to wintertime temperatures will commonly hit 0 degrees, meaning you should come prepared if you plan on visiting around this time. With wildlife roaming everywhere, Yellowstone National Park is one of the most iconic parts of the county. The SkyRide is a 15-minute gondola ride on the Spokane River and costs about $8 per adult and $6 per child. 7:33 pm arrive in West Yellowstone. Pacific Northwest road trip - Scenic round trip from Seattle, Road Trip From Seattle To Glacier National Park, the best would have to be The Duniway Portland, Snow King Resort is one of, if not the best. It takes between four hours to have a day to fully explore the entire museum, so plan accordingly. The adjacent Grand Teton National Park, on the other hand, offers some of the most rugged and rocky mountains in the country with a fraction of the crowds. I hope you get the chance to do it. This post promotes travel to a national park in the traditional lands of the Eastern Shoshone, Cheyenne, and Apsaalook (Crow) people. Taking you from the most populous city in British Columbia via Missoula, to the oldest national park in America, this route includes fantastic attractions along the way and is the quickest route. Caribou-Targhee National Forest Island Par Idaho United States. Rushmore this summer. Reach this natural wonder traveling 788 miles (1268.16 kilometers) in about 12 . Front entrance of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, that holds 5 museums. The otherworldly landscape was formed over 15,000 years ago as a result of volcanic activity in the area. Read on for our top tips on places to stop, things to do and see and the best route to take to . The West Coast of the USA comprises the coastal states of California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. 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. Yes could fly into Chicago and drive- about 23 hours of driving time- could use I90 and go thru Sioux Falls, Badlands NP/Rapid City then to Yellowstone and fly out of one of the nearby airports back to NYC. On top of having its own set of gorgeous forests, this route U-curves around the Boise Mountains and Sawtooth Range, among others, giving you gorgeous mountain scenery but also extending your drive by nearly 250 miles. . I started this website to write helpful articles on the places I visit within the region so others can discover them for themselves. If dinosaurs arent your thing, the American Computer and Robotics Museum is a fun place to stop on your road trip from Seattle to Yellowstone. If you love French fries, youll need to stop at Boise Fry Company to choose from various potatoes to make your fries and numerous dipping sauces. This post was first written in 2018 and was last updated in February 2023. The nice thing about taking this route is that you can visit Custer SP along the way, which is better than Mt Rushmore in my opinion. If youre still in no rush to get home, consider camping for a day or two before heading out again. The road trip from Vancouver to Yellowstone National Park takes at least 15 hours and 40 minutes to drive and covers a distance of 1,525km (950 miles). stay for about 1 hour. From here, youll start your journey from Yellowstone to Seattle. The preserves and forests along the way can be enjoyed any time of year, although heavy snowfall can potentially close off certain areas. From Seattle to Gardiner, MT, the northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park, it's a roughly 12-hour drive. Oh, and before I forget, its a wise idea to pack camping chairs, hiking boots, fishing rods, and camping gear for this road trip. We made an itinerary for this road trip to take in a lot of the scenery along the way and make sure to really see as much as we could. After spending the night in Bozeman, its time to hit the road again. Yakima is a fruit-producing city that offers a wide variety of activities for families, nature enthusiasts, history lovers, and those looking to find some peace and quiet outdoors. View of Mount Moran in Grand Teton National Park from oxbow bend. The barn is about 20 minutes north of Jackson, so get up at least an hour before sunrise to get here. 21,199 posts. find more stops. The best times to visit Yellowstone National Park is from late April to May and September to early October. Bridger Teton National Forest Best Denver to Yellowstone Road Trip Stops Before properly leaving the area, take another day or two to explore Jackson. There's a decent Holiday Inn in West Yellowstone where last-minute rooms in August start at $370 a night. Check our road trip itinerary collection for your perfect vacation. I did go to Yellowstone in July and could still see the sites I had on my list, but I also had to wait in traffic during peak hours. When you're done, drive the Montana Secondary Highway 359 past Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, then take Montana Highway 287 along the Rockies, past Hebgen Lake and into Yellowstone National Park. If you only have one day, you can see a portion of the park, but keep in mind that Yellowstone is huge. The Mount Rainier National Park has tons to explore, from the forests to waterfalls and grasslands to rivers. The gate is surrounded by the Beartooth Mountain peaks, beautifully covered in alpine trees. If you only have one day in Yellowstone, you can still see famous areas such as Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Hot Springs. The starting point is on the west coast and then drive to explore more of the USA. Jackson is a fun stopover on your Seattle to Yellowstone road trip for families and adventure seekers, given that there are incredible activities all year round. Then indulge your inner shopaholic at the winter market or farmers markets before grabbing a drink at the local distilleries. Where to Stay: Modern Hotel is within walking distance of many places in downtown Boise (rates start at $107 per night on Booking.com or Hotels.com). I also love walking along the river, as there are playgrounds, people playing music, and plenty of entertainment. You can choose from many different routes that make the trip almost as exciting as the adventures youll have when you arrive. Foodies, please pay careful attention to the fruit options in the area. Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Montana and Idaho) - 3,290,242 Joshua Tree National Park (California) - 3,058,294 Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio) - 2,913,312 This place boasts with incredible local art galleries that are an absolute must-see for art lovers. drive for about 1.5 hours. Autumn weather in the area is very mild, so there is a lot of wildlife spotting and activities minus the summer crowds. Enjoy this post with a long Oregon and Washington road trip itinerary. I would check on flights from Jackson Hole, Bozeman and Billings and also check one way car rental rates. drive for about 1.5 hours. Besides just having a convenient location in Oregon's biggest city, the price is quite reasonable considering the quality of the experience. As I recommended earlier, pick a few sections of the park to explore on your road trip from Seattle to Yellowstone National Park, so you dont overwhelm yourself. I-84 cuts through Boise, Idaho, and meets U.S. Route 93, the Great Basin Highway, in Twin Falls, Idaho. Where to Stay: Cody Legacy Inn & Suites is an affordable hotel close to Yellowstone with a Western theme (rates start at $119 per night on Booking.com or Hotels.com). Surrounding Yellowstone National Park are wonderful cities, charming Old West towns, and less-traveled regions to explore. I see that is along the way and Im deciding on stopping or not. Recommended reading: Recommended reading: Get a free Yellowstone trip planner with inspiring itineraries and essential information. Each spring, these beautiful birds will spend more time here, mating and raising their young. One of the most popular stops on the way to Yellowstone from Seattle is the towering snowy peaks of Mount Rainier. 1 helpful vote. If youre doing a Seattle to Yellowstone road trip with a toddler or family, then Idaho Falls has the perfect options for a break from the car with its sprawling zoo, aquarium, museums, and riverfront activities. Another great place to stretch your legs and enjoy the outdoors while on your Seattle to Yellowstone National Park drive is Bozeman. For lunch, I recommend getting pizza at Finn Restaurant with a view near the Clark Fork River. This is one of the best things to do on a road trip from the Pacific Northwest. Although this is a great route, another factor to consider is traffic the Seattle-Portland portion of the drive is very likely to be congested, especially on weekends and holidays, which is another reason why the northern route is probably easier to drive. So stretch your legs, have a picnic and catch some fish, both literally and figuratively, before the heading off to Idaho Falls. For a shorter, quicker tour of the area, opt for the Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad that curls around the most stunning parts of the mountain. Things to Do in Moscow Idaho | Including Free Things! Recommended reading: 112. Required fields are marked *. This may be the most iconic national park in the United States, so most people want to visit it at least once. There arent only sports you can enjoy, but excellent wildlife spotting opportunities. Allow yourself to wander along the bustling streets and embrace the city life while window shopping. With so much to see and do on the way, you'll be coming back to this incredible drive for years to come. The Cascade Crest marks the western boundary of the forest while the the eastern edge extends into Okanogan highlands near the Okanogan River. Re: Roadtrip from New York City to Yellowstone. Now, a lot of people think we are crazy - and we might be - but we LOVE a road trip vacation more than anything . Direct Route From Yellowstone to Mount Rushmore Via Custer State Park Your fastest way, granted only by a few minutes, is by splitting off the I-90 at Moorift and taking highway 16 towards Custer. Next stop: Cody. After the long journey, its finally time for the your Seattle to Yellowstone road trip to draw to a close. Anyone visiting around this time should carry safety gear. Aerial shot of the Boise Capital building at night. Chances are, were not going to get the opportunity to step on the moon anytime soon. Chicago is the most popular city on the route it's 11 hours from Washington DC and 22 hours from Yellowstone National Park. 17 Must-See Stops on a Seattle to Yellowstone Road Trip. Tucked away in Bozeman, Montana, the Museum of the Rockies boasts one of the largest collection of fossils in the world. On your way out, visit the Mount Rainier National Park Valor Memorial that honors five employees who died while saving visitors. Day 6: Departed Yellowstone 7 AM. Sometimes I just want to return home on a road trip, but other times I feel itchy and need to stretch my legs a lot more. Washington. Yellowstone National Park, an almost mystical 2.2-million acre wonderland of dynamic hydrothermal activity, breathtaking scenery and spectacular wildlife, was established on this day in history . 116 reviews. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. Jackson to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Jackson 1 h 15 m 57 mi Yellowstone National Park Route: Today's drive is one of the most epic legs of all cruising seamlessly through Grand Teton. Finally, spend the night comfortably in Boise before ending your Yellowstone to Seattle road trip. A post shared by Museum of the Rockies (@museum_of_the_rockies). Use this opportunity to stretch out your legs and hopefully catch a few glimpses of these remarkable species. 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