Missouri to Montana

richardcoxid wrote:


BTW you know that Ennis, MT is the fly fishing capital of the world, right!

Livingston, MT would violently disagree.

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(Quote : We usually drive route 30 between North Platte and Ogalalla to avoid the I80 truck traffic. If you're interested, the Bailey Yard of the Union Pacific Railroad, the largest rail yard in the world, is in North Platte.

We always use route 26 between Ogalalla and I25. The Oregon Trail wagon ruts at Guernsey are IMO a don't miss, as is nearby Register Cliff. Along 26 you will pass Chimney Rock, which has a nice visitor center. Guernsey State Park is another possibility for an overnight stop.)

On 26 west of Ogallala there is also Ash Hollow & Windlass Hill where the wagons came back down into the North Platte river valley. It is a quick stop and a short walk.

Cup fan wrote:
...and Conner Battlefield SHS.

It's a playground with a stone monument.

RDS33 wrote:
Consider entering Nebraska at Nebraska City and following Highway 2 across the state and catch Fort Robinson State park on the west end of the state. No interstate and you can enjoy the Nebraska Sand Hills.

Definitely worth considering, thanks. Whichever route we take, we definitely want to take Hwy 26 west from Ogallala. Should be a nice route.

richardcoxid wrote:
Be sure to go to Bannack State Park, MT. Bannack is about one hour from Virgina City. VC is a living ghost town (tourist trap) Bannack is the first territorial capital with over 50 of buildings of the town still standing. It is also the home of the vigilante movement when the towns folk discovered that the man they had just elected Sheriff was a convicted felon from CA.

We go camping there two or three times Every summer, even it is only about 25 paved miles west and a little south from Dillon (I15) you will have No off air ant TV, No off air ant radio, No hard wired telephone, No cell phone service. And believe me, unless it is a full moon when the sun sets it gets DARK real quick! dry camping Clean pit toilets, FW water available.

Goggle- Bannack State Park, MT, Sheriff Henry Plummer, Sheriff of Bannack, MT
"The story of 3-7-77, Bannack, MT, (vigilante code for "We know who you are and better out of town by tomorrow morning")

BTW you know that Ennis, MT is the fly fishing capital of the world, right!

I'm hoping to get to Bannnack while we're in the area. In fact I'm looking at possibly shifting where we land somewhat in order to be a little more central to some of the best ghost towns. I do need a campground with hook ups though, as there will be five of us on this trip. As far as it being dark, it will be a new moon while we're there which was what I was hoping for. Looking forward to a little star gazing in the "big sky". Also my mother and my wife are big rock hounds, so we'll be looking for a creek or two for them to poke around in. Also any waterfalls would be a bonus.

For my book you just can't beat Montana. My wife feels comfortable helping with the towing in Big Sky and open spaces. I get to relax and gawk. Not so out here. Enjoy your stay.

Done these routes many times. Head up 75 to York across to Sidney or take loop north to black hills then west hit highway can go west 14 to yellowstone avoid 14A unless you are adventuress. Or go north to billings depending upon desires time frames rig etc. Red lodge, Scott's Bluff is a thought. Woolrich outlet up there somewhere on the way.

Once u r in MT it is awesome a feast of choices. I live here now, 14 years in Topeka...

A bit more Going across Nebraska, get off on 26 then go 385 to the Black Hills IF you were to go that way. 385 is a nice drive. There are some nice parks including Custer State park and nice RV parks in Custer. We bought land there for retirement. That whole area is a trip unto itself but if continuing, hit 16 toward Gilette and 90 across. There is one place by Gillette where you can see the coal seams like 30 feet thick that they are mining. Interesting. Also checking out the little hillocks on that trip. They are the remains of 10s of million year old coal seam fires caused by lightning where the fires turned the coal into what are known as clinkers of hard rock that withstood weathering for millions of years leaving the hills after erosion. Continuing to minimize highway travel you can head across 14 and IF you want to try 14A, there is the "Medicine Wheel" at the top that is truly interesting. You can go through Yellowstone (without staying/since sites are already gone)and if you go through to the West Yellowstone Exit and head north toward Bozeman there are some killer National Forest campgrounds on the river about 50 miles north (some with electricity). Secret, we have found open sites on major holidays in them. You would then get back on 90 at Bozeman and Montana lays before you. From there, I'd head up toward Glacier. The trip is better than the destination IF you know where to go.

To minimize highways, head north at Big Timber right next to the Crazy Mountains (more beauty neat history still wild) and then across 12 to Helena. Nice drive, beautiful. Then at helena, continue on 12 across MacDonald Pass this road is awesome also (Rockwell Dixon Nat Forest campground at top of the pass has open sites on major holidays also and is gorgeous)and head north at Avon on 141 up to 200 and across and up the back roads next to Seely lake up to Glacier. No highways stunning drives, lots O deer though (lots/beautiful drive). The highways simply get you to the next neat place fast in Montana. As you can see, I am familiar with avoiding highways and 5ish years in MT has. Oh, that Woolrich outlet is in Alliance NE (dont know why but great deals).

So, if I had a few weeks doing your trip, that's what I would do... Oh, we do day trips to Yellowstone and Glacier... in the off Season. AND if you had lots of time, hit Kananaskis Co. in Alberta. Imagine Glacier and Banff without the people and a boatload of Grizzlies who just look at you like, what are you doin in my house. The back roads up there are unbelievable (dirt wide/cowboy trail) and only open for three or four months out of the year. Honestly I feel blessed since I left kansas... I am sure Kansan's feel cursed over the last few years based upon what I read. Oh and I gotta house in Topeka I'll sell you cheap I still can't sell after five years.

Be sure to go to Bannack State Park, MT. Bannack is about one hour from Virgina City. VC is a living ghost town (tourist trap) Bannack is the first territorial capital with over 50 of buildings of the town still standing. It is also the home of the vigilante movement when the towns folk discovered that the man they had just elected Sheriff was a convicted felon from CA.

We go camping there two or three times Every summer, even it is only about 25 paved miles west and a little south from Dillon (I15) you will have No off air ant TV, No off air ant radio, No hard wired telephone, No cell phone service. And believe me, unless it is a full moon when the sun sets it gets DARK real quick! dry camping Clean pit toilets, FW water available.

Goggle- Bannack State Park, MT, Sheriff Henry Plummer, Sheriff of Bannack, MT
"The story of 3-7-77, Bannack, MT, (vigilante code for "We know who you are and better out of town by tomorrow morning")

BTW you know that Ennis, MT is the fly fishing capital of the world, right!

Consider entering Nebraska at Nebraska City and following Highway 2 across the state and catch Fort Robinson State park on the west end of the state. No interstate and you can enjoy the Nebraska Sand Hills.

CloudDriver wrote:
I forgot to mention Fort Laramie National Historic Site in my previous post. A number of the original buildings have been restored/reconstructed and we found it to be a very interesting stop. I recall that there was a campground just as you turn off route 26 onto the road to the fort. Never stayed there though.

As a FYI, we have also used Country View Campground in Ogalalla several times on the way west or east.

Please advise about the "interesting stops between Buffalo and Sheridan". Perhaps some things we can add to our list for the next trip.

Thanks for the tips. Looking at the Wyoming map in the Buffalo/Sheridan areas along I-25 there is Jim Gatchell Mem. Museum, Ft. Phil Kearny SHS, Wagon Box Fight, Massacre Hill, Trail End SHS, and Conner Battlefield SHS. I'll have to do some research on these places to see if they might warrant a visit. I have looked up the stories about the Wagon Box Fight and Massacre Hill, and they are very interesting stories about battles with the Indians. Outside of Douglas there is the Wyoming Pioneer Memorial Museum, Ft. Fetterman State Historic site, and Ayres National bridge. I haven't researched those places yet.