Northern Utah and Idaho in 2020

Craters of the Moon and Arco and Atomic City.

It is so unusual to find someone taking a 35 day trip to only two states. That is good planning. Then you get to be there instead of doing all of that traveling. You will have time to see everything.

I like the interior Batholith of Idaho the central mountains and really like the panhandle up in the lake country north of Coeur d'Alene.

Powell Creek NFS N46° 30.781' W114° 43.157' Also the Pink House NFS near by




The best dirt road adventure in the lower 45 states. The road to Pittsburgh Landing Camp on Hells Canyon. I did NOT TAKE THE TT but some people do. Dry Camping on the river. N45° 38.068' W116° 28.631'


Click For Full-Size Image.

Bakers Hole NFS at the West entrance of YS is on the river and a number of people fly fish there.

We did the N. Utah and Idaho run last year. We stayed at a couple of forgetable cg in N Utah then up the Tetons where we had a fantastic boondocking site with a full view of the mountains from our campsite. Spend 3 days over the fourth and could have spent more time. Then west into Idaho.

Ditto on Craters Of the Moon. We ran up thru Arco to Challis where we stayed at Challis Hot Springs for a couple of days. OK park with hot springs on site but no sewer hookup. Then down 75 to Stanley which was socked in with rain and fog. Going down 75 stop at the Bayhorse Ghost Town SP. Boondocking all along the river.

Then west across the Banks-Lowman road, and very scenic drive along another river. Again lots of Boondocking in the area. Then north on 55 to the Cascade SP. Now be careful booking this park, there are separate units of this park. Some have FHU and others do not. So book what you need. Very nice park whichever unit you end up it.

We then took 55 up to the intersection with 95 then followed that all the way north almost to Canada. Took three days to Bonner's Ferry, I think and we stayed at various commercial cg.

Then East on US 2 to Kalispel MT. A good time was had. We were just sorry we missed the Sawtooths because of the weather. Maybe next year after the Escapade.

While waiting do a Google search for `_______ tourism' and put the city, state or area in the blank space and read what the specialists have to recommend.

"Then west across the Banks-Lowman road" How is this road for towing a 30' trailer? Any good campgrounds?

ekirkland wrote:
"Then west across the Banks-Lowman road" How is this road for towing a 30' trailer? Any good campgrounds?

Perfectly good two lane road, twisty but no big grades. And we were towing our heavy Arctic Fox 30 footer. My paper map showed it are as dotted line but I asked before we went on it and was told it is paved.

No commercial cg but lots of boondocking sites. It isn't that long. The last commercial cg that I recall were back in Stanley tho there are some FS cg. We did not check out any of them.

There's a great movie on fly fishing in Idaho - there are state parks and FS campgrounds all along the highway.

Fly Fishing Highway

At Hells Canyon, camp at the Idaho Power campgrounds and take the drive north to the visitor center (without your trailer).

Copperfield Park

We didn't get to the Hell's Canyon SP but we stayed there years ago, very nice park. You can take a boat ride thru the canyon from there.