Northern Utah and Idaho in 2020

Banks-Lowman road is a good road, twisty as prev mentioned, but no problem for a 30ft trailer. We tow a 34ft over it and haven't had any difficulties. If you are heading west from Stanley area, many dispersed sites (not shown on any maps!!) have been set up on the river side of hwy before you get to Lowman. Bull Trout Lake is neat, and many dispersed around it. The road used to be gravel, and many maps still show it that way!!!

Going from Lowman to Banks, check out the Kirkham Hpt Springs. Depending on your age (like me) sort of tough to get down the hill but worth it. Wear tennis shoes you don't mind getting wet.

After enjoying the hot springs, you can jump off the rocks into the cold Payette River. My granddaughters and SIL.

BTW - we were in a 36' Class C pulling a fullsize SUV. No problems.

So we are still planning on this trip with some modifications. We will skip northern Utah and add Grand Teton / Yellowstone to the beginning of the trip, then Idaho, then finish with Glacier NP. So GT and Yellowstone will be mid-late June and Glacier will be mid-late July. We'll probably camp at Gros Ventre CG in Grand Teton and looking for suggestions for Yellowstone and Glacier. Dry camping is ok; would like to stay in parks, but private CGs are ok. I'd like to get reservations in order to avoid hassle of waiting in line or arriving in the early morning. If I can be assured of getting a spot by noon or so, then first come will be fine. Thanks for your help.

If you are planning on staying in the parks, you better make plans soon. It may already be too late.

Getting pretty late to book in Yellowstone Park itself. You might be able to cobble together camping in several different campgrounds by moving every couple of days. First come first served CG's in the park are tough to get into and it often means waiting at the CG entrance by 7:00 in the morning.

There are private CG's in West Yellowstone and also a few NFS CG's north of West Yellowstone. The downside of those places is the line at the west entrance to get into the park every morning.

Wherever you decide for Yellowstone, I'd get reservations NOW (today!!!).

For Glacier, we stayed at Apgar on the west side a couple of years ago and didn't have a problem getting a spot. With the time you have alloted for this trip, I'd also try to stay on the east side as well as the two sides are different. You can check for resevations at Many Glacier but you have to get them at 8:00 a.m. MST six months out. So if you can get a spot tomorrow it will be for July 17th. I didn't have luck with the push the enter button lottery last time I tried. Resevations are also available at St. Mary at the east entrance main road. Many Glacier and Two Medicine both sit on lakes at the end of glacially carved canyons and have amazing settings. Lines for the First Come First Served can start before 7:00 a.m. for busy times in the summer.

THe NPS has a really handy webpage that shows the fill times for the CG's in the park. You can look at any specific date for a given year or get the average fill time for the last five years. CG fill time info Click on the individual CG then on the month you want to look at.

BTW you can't tow across Logan Pass so you'll have to take US 2 around the south end of the park. Plan a day to move.

Airdaile wrote:
Craters of the Moon and Arco and Atomic City.

X2