Chicago to Glacier NP during Stugis

[DiamondDan]

So..... we have reservations 8/1-4 at the KOA on the east side of Glacier National Park. For our trip out there, I'm looking for suggestions/recommendations for one or two stops along the way. Since this vacation overlaps sturgis, i'm guessing the northern (I94) route will be a better choice than I90.

If anyone can share some interesting stops, maybe spending the day, along the I90/North Dakota route, I'd be very thankful.

[Airdaile]

You might check out US 2 across WI, MN and ND. Goes right to Glacier.

[DrewE]

rexlion wrote:

DrewE wrote:
Theodore Roosevelt National Park ... Havre, MT... In between the two I've camped at the Nelson Lake BRC campground, which has very limited ammenities, but is pleasant lakefront camping and the price (gratis) cannot be beat...

Nelson Lake, took me a while to spot it... just NE of Malta MT. What does BRC stand for?

I believe BRC stands for Bureau of Reclamation; the reservoir is managed by that particular governmental body.

Here's the Bureau of Reclamation web page about the lake and public facilities.

[DiamondDan]

Thanks everybody. I’ll update the post when we are back.

[jamesu]

akrv wrote:
Walls Drugs in Wall ND.

Wrong state: Wall is in SD.

[rexlion]

DrewE wrote:
Theodore Roosevelt National Park ... Havre, MT... In between the two I've camped at the Nelson Lake BRC campground, which has very limited ammenities, but is pleasant lakefront camping and the price (gratis) cannot be beat...

Nelson Lake, took me a while to spot it... just NE of Malta MT. What does BRC stand for?

The town of Malta also has very low cost camping, just north of US-2 a hundred yards or so. It's their town park, no amenities or hookups, but there were a handful of picnic tables and I think a water spigot. Pull in and park anyplace. There's a box for self-pay, something like $4 per night when I was there in 2013. They happened to be having a bit of a rodeo at the corral next to the park, so I got free western entertainment too.

[yr2017]

Al's Oasis in Oacoma, SD has the best walleye filets and pies - oh my the pies....

The Blackfeet Rez in Browning has the Museum of the Plains Indian. Well worth the $6 pp/admission.https://www.doi.gov/iacb/museum-plains-indian
https://www.visitmt.com/places-to-go/indian-nations/niitsitapi-blackfeet.html
The Going to the Sun Road can't be overlooked - length restriction in effect.
The Izaak Walton Inn in Essex - great spot to watch the trains and have a meal. Or stay in a caboose
https://www.usparklodging.com/glacier/izaak.php

Akrv: Wall Drug is in SD, not NoDak

[BarabooBob]

The bikers do not bother you during the rally unless you decide to hit the mega bars like Full Throttle. I have gone to and through the area probably a dozen times during the rally. Never had a problem. That being said, this fall we are going from Baraboo, WI to Glacier and we will be taking the northern route. We will be running parallel to I94 most of the way. I do not like driving on the I system. I prefer state and US roads because they are more laid back and less rushed.

[mowingman]

If you do go i90, there is a nice campground just across the tracks from Wall Drug Store. I doubt the cycle bunch will be that far from Sturgis.

[Tom_Barb]

no reason not to take I90

[akrv]

Walls Drugs in Wall ND.

[DrewE]

Theodore Roosevelt National Park comes to mind as one possibility. Pretty (badland) scenery, wild horses, prarie dogs, and buffalo are the main attractions. It's not in my opinion one of the top tier of our National Parks, but that doesn't mean it's bad.

If you cut up to US 2 somewhere, which I imagine you'll probably do, I rather enjoyed the Havre Beneath the Streets tour in Havre, MT. I think it's especially geared towards the younger (school-age) crowd, but it's fascinating regardless.

In between the two I've camped at the Nelson Lake BRC campground, which has very limited ammenities, but is pleasant lakefront camping and the price (gratis) cannot be beat.

Edit: Havre also has a very well-preserved buffalo jump site that I've heard is excellent, though I didn't see it myself.

[kknowlton]

Jamestown has a HUGE buffalo statue, and a rather interesting little museum. Farther west, Theodore Roosevelt NP is worth a day or two, IMO.