Going north to Alaska on route #89 questions?

[lakeside013104]

DW and I are planning an adventure to Alaska at the end of our 2015 snowbird season. We plan to start north around the first of April. Not sure if this is the correct forum for the questions I have, but MODs feel free to put this wherever you think is best.

For this Alaska trip we will be starting from Flagstaff, AZ and head northerly to Great Falls, MT before crossing the border into Canada around the second week of May. We were thinking about driving on Route #89 between these two cities. We are in no hurry and would plan to hit any attraction that is recommended. We like to boondock occasionally, are not against staying at State Parks & Federal Parks, and we would be happy to foot the bill for commercial campgrounds whenever this is the best choice.I noticed on Google maps that #89 goes fairly close to the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone NP, but am not sure if these attraction would be open or would be too far off #89 for a day trip.

So, my question is: Is #89 a good route to take from Flagstaff to Grand Falls to see the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and be an advisable route for hauling a 38’ fifth wheel RV?

Any pros and cons would be appreciated and your recommendations for places to see and camp at would be welcomed. Many thanks!

Lakeside


Ivylog replied:

I like 89 although I’d use 89A so you can go to the North Rim too assuming it’s open. I would probably camp (USFS) at Jacob’s Lake and drive down to the N Rim. Before you get to Bryce is Red Canyon USFS CG. As you come out of Bryce I’d take 22 straight ahead and stay at Otter Creed SP and then 62 and 24 back to 89 at I-70 briefly. 89 to Salt Lake is not that interesting so I’d take 28 over to I-15 all the way north to SLC. There’s a pretty good pull after Logan and then a good decent into Bear Lake but worth it. It’s going to be COLD that early and make sure the south entrance into Yellowstone will be open that early. I have not been north of I-90 on 89 so cannot help with that part as we usually go west to Glacier. We had snow on the Alcan at Ft Nelson on May 20 but fortunately they plowed it or it would have been interesting. Many places were not open yet and the road was excellent until after Whitehorse. Should be a great trip.


CaptainObvious replied:

If you decide not to go to Grand Canyon, note that 89 is closed prior to Paige, AZ. There is an alternate route 89T that is a newly paved Indian Road. Last I checked google maps has 89T but not Apple maps.
X2 on 89 being boring from about Spanish Fork, UT to Logan, UT. It’s all stop lights and urban city centers. You could skip Salt Lake by taking I89 from Provo and going through Park City. Provo Canyon is a little steep but not too serious. Going through Bear Lake to south Yellowstone is quite beautiful.

From lakeside: Thank you Ivylog and CaptainObvious, your information is helpful and much appreciated.

[lakeside013104]

Great information CloudDriver. Thank you for sharing.

Lakeside

[CloudDriver]

I would expect the south rim of the Grand Canyon to be open in April, but the North Rim usually doesn't open until mid-May. The North Rim is higher elevation and the gets more snow.

Just a few miles from Bryce Canyon is Kodachrome State Park. A day trip in the TV over route 12 as far as Boulder would be worthwhile as well.

From Bryce, 89 north to I70 is an easy drive and we also used route 28 to join I15 near Nephi. We enjoy route 89 between Brigham City and Jackson WY. There is a 1-2 mile downgrade at about 7% just before Bear Lake.

The Yellowstone Park roads info indicates that roads will be partially open in the third week of April, but the south entrance from Grand Teton not until at least may 9th. The only campground inside Yellowstone open all year is at Mammoth Hot Springs. Opening dates for the other campgrounds are here.

If you do take route 89 to Grand Teton and the south entrance to Yellowstone is still closed, do not take route 22 west out of Jackson (10% grades + switchbacks). Go south out of Jackson to Alpine Junction then west on route 26 to Idaho Falls then north on route 20 to West Yellowstone.

We drove route 89 from Yellowstone to Great Falls at the end of May 2010 on our way to Glacier. I recall that there was one pass in the Little Belt mountains to go over, but don't recall any issues. At Great Falls we visited the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and Giant Springs State Park. We also drove around to the base of the Ryan Dam, which was overflowing due to the Spring snow melt at the time.

[fanrgs]

I have used US 89 in both Wyoming and Montana, but think it would be much more rewarding on the trip home from Alaska than on the trip up in "early spring" (at the elevation of Yellowstone NP, that is still very early and possibly not even open yet if they have a late snowfall).

If you use it on the way home and are planning to visit Yellowstone Falls, I would highly recommend spending a few days detouring to Cooke City. Leave your RV parked there and take your TV or toad over the Bear Tooth Highway to Red Lodge. You will not regret the time or the drive, as it is one of the most exciting and scenic roads in the entire West.

But, DO NOT try to take your RV over it unless you have a pickup camper with the world's best brakes! Unfortunately, you cannot take that drive in the spring because the pass will not be open (the same goes for the Going-to-the-Sun Highway in Glacier, which usually opens in early to mid-June).