Recommendations for Montana, Idaho, Washington

Mt Rainier visitors center at Paradise, then go NW up Hwy 7, I-5, Hwy16 and finally to Hwy101 to hit Sol Duc Hot Springs just past Hurricane Ridge on the Olympic Peninisula. Then follow the Hwy101 loop around and down to Ocean Shores, keep going south with a slight detour to Westport, then stay on Hwy101 south along the coast as far as you want to go before getting off and heading back east.
Some other must-see's out here - Snoqualmie Falls, lunch at the Space Needle, Pike Place market, the EMP (Experience Music Project), and my place... ;-)

Reality Check wrote:
North Cascades might open early this year (Hwy 20)... the drive, views, campgrounds, incredible.

Avalanche crews plan to asses the situation on the 10th.
It's neat to keep an eye on this page, because the post weekly updates and lots of photos too.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/northcascades/

Palouse Falls. A bit out of the way off I-90, but the falls are worth the drive. And as already mentioned, Grand Coulee Dam, take the guided tour and see the laser light show at night.

http://www.parks.wa.gov/559/Palouse-Falls

In my opinion you will ruin your travel experience if you go anywhere near the I-5 corridor and Seattle. The place is mobbed with rude drivers, overcrowded roadways. Best to stay off interstates but esp. Seattle area and I-5.

covered wagon wrote:

Two Pedals wrote:
Drive through Sun Valley,Idaho, Stanley, Challis, Salmon, Idaho. North through Hamilton, MT and the Bitterroot valley to Missoula, then north to Glacier, National Park. The Lochsa River route (Highway 12) west of Missoula is also scenic. Visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Drive the high country route between Cooke City, MT east to Red Lodge, MT just NE of Yellowstone, NP. Lots of campgrounds or boondocking in these areas.

These are very good recommendations. Best compilation I've seen an awhile. Thumbs up here.

I will also second Stanley and the Lochsa River route.

Stanley Lake.

There are more nat'l forest and BLM campgrounds in Idaho than you can shake a stick at. Some are great and others marginal. I like Craters of the Moon, but I'm a geology nut.

custer battle field in mt

L/C Valley, do a boat trip up Hell's Canyon.

It depends on what kinds of roads you want to take, but I would do a loop through Yellowstone area of Montana then Glacier then Hwy 20 in WA. On the way back, I'd by Chinook Pass in WA then cut through Yakima to Boise and go through Utah into Colorado. If you want to go farther South, drive down the Oregon/WA coast, by Crater Lake in Oregon, and then through Utah/Colorado.

Welcome to the PNW!!! Use ferry systems to go /depart V Is. from WA. WA ST Ferry thru the San Juans (Anancortes/Sydney,BC) and Port Angeles/Victoria to cross the Straight. OR If going into BC mainland Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay crossing..not cheap...MAKE RESERVATIONS!!!!!