Recommendations for Montana, Idaho, Washington

[macdale4]

We are planning a trip out to Vancouver Island. Any recommendation on "not to miss things to see and do" in Montana, Idaho and Washington? We are planning on hitting Glacier on the way back.
Thanks.

[bricetribe]

I'd hit the N. Cascades, then the San Juans, then the slow trek down the coast, looping back through the Columbia Gorge hitting the Snake River for a trip through Hells Canyon.

[CSG]

Let me correct your post above:

Idaho - All of it

Love,

CSG (who lives in the southern part of Idaho)

[JoeChiOhki]

macdale4 wrote:
We are planning a trip out to Vancouver Island. Any recommendation on "not to miss things to see and do" in Montana, Idaho and Washington? We are planning on hitting Glacier on the way back.
Thanks.

Montana - All of it
Idaho - the northern half
Washington - All of it

😛

[spacedoutbob]

If you go to Vancouver Island, go visit Butchart Gardens, especially at night, it is very nice, The Royal British Columbia Museum is pretty good also.

Bob in Calif.

[whizbang]

I agree with the Hwy 12 drive from Missoula to Lewiston. Also, Hwy 20 from Twisp to LaConnor (Be sure to stop in Winthrop). Jackson Hole, the Tetons and Yellowstone of course. Our top tourist destination in Seattle for out of town guests is... The Ballard Locks. A ferry ride is a must, either Edmonds to Kingston or Seattle to Bainbridge, or both, make a loop (Best Seattle RV Park is Lake Pleasant in Bothell).

It really depends on what you like to do... site see, fish, hunt, visit museums, wine tastings, etc. You have options, plenty of them. Probably too little time like the first post said.

[pjay9]

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!!!!!

[jimh406]

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.

[Mike_Hohnstein]

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

[retiredtoo]

custer battle field in mt

[Ranger_Tim]

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.

[_DJ_1]

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.

[covered_wagon]

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.

[Pine5008]

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

[deltabravo]

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/