Where to Stay: Modern Hotel is within walking distance of many places in downtown Boise (rates start at $107 per night on Booking.com or Hotels.com). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This post was first published in 2018 and fully updated in 2021. Some people may decide to make this a long weekend getaway from Seattle, which is possible. Very few people in the national parks! I was obsessed with this place and cant wait to go back on my next trip. Kootenai Falls, Montana Amazing Things to See and Do. When you arrive in the capital city of Idaho, be ready to experience the ultimate outdoor adventure combined with the unique downtown experience. It takes between four hours to have a day to fully explore the entire museum, so plan accordingly. After spending the night in Bozeman, its time to hit the road again. This was an unexpected stop I made when going from Yellowstone National Park to Seattle, and Im glad I made the time. The most direct route is to take U.S. 287 through . Check out the Riverfront Park while youre there to get some steps in and view the beautiful river. and leave at 3:01 pm. Distance between Seattle and Yellowstone is a long stretch of road - roughly 12 hours of driving (one way). Larsson's Crooked Creek Resort - Located 2 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota this campground has 84 RV sites, 15 cabins, a 14-room lodge, and12 Presidential Creek Side Sites. We will be pulling a 34 ft. trailer and have 3 kids, young but seasoned road trippers. What you can expect from this itinerary are forests, and lots of them - all the way through Washington, Idaho, and Montana. This route is much longer at 1,040 miles, but the scenic drive is well worth it. There are plenty of hikes to choose from, whether you want waterfall hikes like Twin Falls, easy hikes like Franklin Falls, or winter hikes like Gold Creek Pond. We recently completed the most epic road trip of our lives. The final stop on your road trip is West Yellowstone, Montana. This is an ideal trip during winter in Seattle, as you won't encounter much if any, snow. Perched across the awe-inducing Snake River Canyon lies the I.B. Boise also has some pretty unique attractions, like the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial and Old Idaho Penitentiary. Youll likely see dozens of other photographers setting up, so make sure not to get in their way. Lastly, end your day in Spokane by visiting the Havermale Island, the Garbage Goat, Bloomsday Sculptures and Childhood Express before packing up and driving off to Coeur dAlene. Looking for the ultimate Seattle travel guide written by a local that tells you all the best places to go and what to see? The otherworldly landscape was formed over 15,000 years ago as a result of volcanic activity in the area. Recommended reading: The tour is often referred to as an American-styled safari. I-84 cuts through Boise, Idaho, and meets U.S. Route 93, the Great Basin Highway, in Twin Falls, Idaho. Bridger Teton National Forest Best Denver to Yellowstone Road Trip Stops The Seattle to Yellowstone drive time is almost twelve hours, so you will want to break this up into at least a two-day or three-day trip to enjoy the many fun places to stop along the way. Required fields are marked *. Silver Gate is at the border of Yellowstone National Park and a dead giveaway that youre heading in the right direction. I highly recommend trying the Numerica SkyRide to get the best view of the falls. Day 3. Your itinerary has me thinking its time to go back. How Long is the Drive From Seattle to Yellowstone National Park? Because of the great conditions, however, most hotels will be booked well in advance for the summer, so you may have to find a place to stay outside the park. Your email address will not be published. Did you stop at Shoshone Falls at all. So why not head to the next best thing when headed from Yellowstone to Seattle? If you have even more time to spend in town, plan out trips to the local wineries and indulge in wine tastings and samplings to discover the delicious wines the area has to offer. The adjacent Grand Teton National Park, on the other hand, offers some of the most rugged and rocky mountains in the country with a fraction of the crowds. Read this article to find out more. There are some really great resorts in town, but Snow King Resort is one of, if not the best. During the colder season, bring along the skis, book yourself into a cozy Washington cabin, and visit all the quaint villages along the way. Road Trip Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park, Places to stop, Badlands, Little big horn, Wyoming, Montana, Rapid City. Just an hour and forty five minutes away lies our next stop: Idaho Falls. For your first stop on a road trip from Portland to Yellowstone, consider making a pit stop in the Columbia River Gorge. This condo in downtown Jackson is a convenient place to stay during your trip (rates start at $205 per night). How many days you visit depends on how much extra time you have on your Seattle to Yellowstone road trip. Thanks to the "regenerative braking" the electric motor acts as part of the braking system to stop the vehicle and . This is a big help! Use this opportunity to stretch out your legs and hopefully catch a few glimpses of these remarkable species. In fact, the area is known to have over 800 pairs of hawks, eagles, owls, and falcons. Once you're past Lolo National Forest and in Missoula, consider a detour toward Nez Perce Clearwater National Forest or Flathead Lake. Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. The preserves and forests along the way can be enjoyed any time of year, although heavy snowfall can potentially close off certain areas. Road Trips Driving to Yellowstone is just as much fun as getting there! stay for about 1 hour. With great options fo hotels and lodges, it may be worth booking a few days to stay and explore the area surrounding the town from there. Normally the perfect place to get out of the city for the weekend, Lake Easton National Park has tons of activities to enjoy and needs only a day to explore fully. On your trip to the park, don't drive past these amazing places to find uncrowded adventures, spend the night, or eat a great meal. You will explore Nashville, Memphis, Birmingham, St Louis, Kansas City, Santa Fe and Mount Rushmore as well as Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. With an array of things to do, its an excellent place to spend the night. stay for about 1 hour. For a shorter, quicker tour of the area, opt for the Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad that curls around the most stunning parts of the mountain. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. Check our road trip itinerary collection for your perfect vacation. Not only is it a fascinating sight, but the river holds much of the towns history and heritage. From the mountainous views to the lush forest, this road trip is just unforgettable. Where to Stay: Hilton Garden Inn Missoula is right off the freeway, so you can quickly continue your trip (rates start at $79 on Booking.com or Hotels.com). This post promotes travel to a national park in the traditional lands of the Eastern Shoshone, Cheyenne, and Apsaalook (Crow) people. Caribou-Targhee National Forest Island Par Idaho United States. Missoula will only require about a day of exploration. However, I know you might not have this much time, so my advice is to pick one or two areas of the park to explore for each day you have. Ready to stretch your legs again, the small town of Coeur dAlene is the perfect next stop. After a night in Astoria, you can embark on a 4-day adventure along the Washington Coast. It seemed like such a random thing to look at, but I couldnt get enough of it. Each spring, these beautiful birds will spend more time here, mating and raising their young. Its your chance to indulge and sample dishes prepared by award-winning chefs while learning about the emerging culinary experiences arising in the city. From there, take the I-84 east, driving between Gifford Pinchot and Mt Hood National Forests. A post shared by Museum of the Rockies (@museum_of_the_rockies). With wildlife roaming everywhere, Yellowstone National Park is one of the most iconic parts of the county. While everyone is distracted by the stunning forests and outdoors in the area, the Museum of the Rockies lures in history buffs from all over the country. The monument is a field of rock hard lava that looks very similar to the surface of the moon. Day 3: Hiking Cascade Canyon. stay for about 1 hour. The drive is a blast! The road from Washington to Yellowstone is full of little and big gems you can visit and experience. Maybe you really want to see the animals in Lamar Valley, or you just care about seeing Old Faithful. When you're done, drive the Montana Secondary Highway 359 past Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, then take Montana Highway 287 along the Rockies, past Hebgen Lake and into Yellowstone National Park. The barn is about 20 minutes north of Jackson, so get up at least an hour before sunrise to get here. More if you've got young kids and need to stop a lot. Lets explore the ultimate 5-day itinerary that you can extend to suit your liking. Known for its stunning landscape and breathtaking biodiversity, the park is far smaller than Yellowstone but many agree youll see the mountains best from the park. 7:33 pm arrive in West Yellowstone. 2 reviews. We took the kids and drove an RV down to Yellowstone years ago. Another great place to stretch your legs and enjoy the outdoors while on your Seattle to Yellowstone National Park drive is Bozeman. Remember that most facilities like the visitors centers close around mid-September, and seasonal road closures begin around mid-October. 46 helpful votes. The city sits 2 hours 30 minutes from Soda Springs via US-30 E. Jackson is a small but popular town in northwestern Wyoming. That said, spring or fall are the best times to visit Yellowstone National Park. drive for about 1.5 hours. So whether you opt for a Seattle to Yellowstone RV trip or a solo adventure from town to town, take the leap. Now filled with water, the pit is known to be as acidic as Coke and lemon juice. You can decide to extend this part as long as you want to. Lying proudly next to the stunning Snake River, Idaho Falls overflows with authenticity and friendliness. A road trip to Yellowstone isn't just about the destination. Although it's much closer to Grand Teton National Park than it is to Yellowstone, Jackson makes for a great place to stop as it is surrounded by incredible landmarks from all sides. Then indulge your inner shopaholic at the winter market or farmers markets before grabbing a drink at the local distilleries. That way, you can focus on those spots and not get stressed about trying to drive around to see everything. If an adventure of epic proportions sounds appealing to you, read on and find out just what makes this drive one of the most scenic in all of North America. The number of landmarks between Seattle and Yellowstone National Park is nothing short of staggering. drive for about 1.5 hours. The nice thing about taking this route is that you can visit Custer SP along the way, which is better than Mt Rushmore in my opinion. Here are my top nineteen must-see stops on a Seattle to Yellowstone Road Trip. You should plan on staying the night here before your long drive back to Bozeman (give yourself two and a half hours). That will be a great trip! Morley Nelson Snake River National Conservation Area, The Ultimate Seattle to Yellowstone Road Trip Itinerary, Day 1: Leave Seattle and Explore Spokane and Missoula, Day 4: Discover the Best Parts of Jackson, Day 5: Overnight in Boise and Home to Seattle, everything you need to know before visiting Yellowstone, 18 Fun Sea to Sky Highway Stops on a Vancouver to Whistler Drive, 3 Days in Vancouver: How to Plan the Perfect Vancouver Itinerary, 10 Scenic Road Trips from Seattle for the Ultimate Adventure, How to Plan the Ultimate Seattle to San Diego Road Trip (2023). The area boasts great family activities including camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing. Note that the North Entrance is the only way to enter the park with a car in winter. There are also plenty of fun places to see on your Seattle to Yellowstone drive, so I recommend taking about a week total for your trip. Tucked away in Bozeman, Montana, the Museum of the Rockies boasts one of the largest collection of fossils in the world. That said, there are tons to do during the period, including the Cody Stampede PCRA Rodeo, Targhee Fest, Yellowstone Beer Fest, Last Chance Stampede and Fair, and Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival. Figuring out how much time you have is probably the most important step when planning a road trip from Seattle to Yellowstone National Park. The west coast road trip itineraries listed below have routes, trip highlights, and duration of travel ranging from a short weekend trip to 10 days itinerary. If youre a photographer, youll want to wake up early to catch the sunrise at T.A. For the golf lovers, dont forget to visit the worlds only floating green at the lake. You can choose from many different routes that make the trip almost as exciting as the adventures youll have when you arrive. Aerial shot of the Boise Capital building at night. Porcelain Basin of Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY deadwood. Visitors can stroll along the riverside walking trail, attend a winter market or farmers markets, explore the local distilleries, or grab a pizza overlooking the Clark Fork River. This is also the main point of your Seattle to Yellowstone road trip, so spend as much time as you can here. Foodies, a bucket list item for you should be the Boise Fry Company where you get to choose from a variety of different potatoes to be made into fries and then choose from multiple dipping sauce options. Kootenai Falls, Montana Amazing Things to See and Do, Things To Do In Southern Illinois | 15 Exciting Things To Do This Weekend, Hiking In San Antonio | 15 Epic San Antonio Trails, Waterfalls in Vermont: 15 Breathtaking Falls in Vermont You Must See, Morley Nelson Snake River National Conservation Area, Best Time to Visit Nantucket MA | By Season & Crowds, Best Time to Visit Cape Cod MA | Seasons | Festivals | Whale Watching. I would check on flights from Jackson Hole, Bozeman and Billings and also check one way car rental rates. Some of my favorite ones include Leonetti Cellar, Valdemar Estates, and Castillo de Feliciana. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. Where to Stay: Mountain Modern Hotel is a plush place to stay in downtown Jackson (rates start at $180 per night on Booking.com or Hotels.com). A trip from Michigan to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming will take a traveler on a more than 1,600-mile journey across the United States' northern Plains. Stopping for at least one night is a must when doing a road trip from Seattle to Yellowstone National Park, regardless of route. Pretend youre in an old western movie while exploring the Old Trail Town that boasts 26 historic cabins. My advice, however is to take the south route to the park and then the north route back to Seattle, so you dont miss all the fantastic stops both routes have to offer. There's a decent Holiday Inn in West Yellowstone where last-minute rooms in August start at $370 a night. I did go to Yellowstone in July and could still see the sites I had on my list, but I also had to wait in traffic during peak hours. Start the morning on the last day of your Seattle to Yellowstone itinerary by visiting the trendiest neighborhoods downtown and going on aBoise food tour. Wind down for the evening by exploring some of the wineries and breweries and stay the night before your journey Yellowstone road trip draws to a close. I also love walking along the river, as there are playgrounds, people playing music, and plenty of entertainment. The short nine minute drive to Grand Teton National Park might not seem like much but I guarantee its well worth stopping. View of Mount Moran in Grand Teton National Park from oxbow bend. . Recommended reading: Seattle is already calling out to you to return home but before you do, make one last stop in the city of Walla Walla. This attraction features a collection of 26 historic cabins. . This is probably the most photographed place in Wyoming, so its a must-see on your road trip to Yellowstone from Seattle. Like many others in the area, the volcano is now an attraction for anyone wanting to soak up the peacefulness and reconnect with nature. . The next break from the long drive home is just two hours and twenty minutes from Jackson to the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. The museum also has three to five themed exhibitions yearly with these about the Viking Age or Native American history. For lunch, I recommend getting pizza at Finn Restaurant with a view near the Clark Fork River. So let your family explore and enjoy the fun before you drive off to Yakima. Foodies, please pay careful attention to the fruit options in the area. Rushmore is in the City of Presidents, Colorado Historical and Natural Attractions, Cooke City and Silver Gate, Tiny Outposts to Yellowstone, Curbside Attractions in Idahos Yellowstone-Teton Territory, Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming. BEFORE YOU GO: The road can be hard to navigate using GPS. Again, that doesnt account for any stops you make on your Seattle to Yellowstone national park road trip, which will increase your Seattle to Yellowstone National Park distance. If youre feeling adventurous, a 15-minuteSkyRideover the falls shows Spokanes most scenic parts. Finally, spend the night comfortably in Boise before ending your Yellowstone to Seattle road trip. After passing Columbia National Wildlife Refuge and Turnbull National Wildlife, drive through Spokane and check out the nearby Riverside and Mt Spokane State Parks, or detour further north to Colville National Forest. There are also plenty of weekend trips from Boise if you want to extend your time here. The starting point is on the west coast and then drive to explore more of the USA. Youll want to plan your approach to gateway towns and entrances, plus download a park map in advance of your arrival so you wont waste time on logistics and have more time to spend having fun. This is a trip we have been dreaming of! 10 Best Things to Do at Dinosaur National Monument, 10 Top Things to Do in Badlands National Park, 10 True Montana Gems between Yellowstone and Glacier National Park, 2-Day Badlands and Black Hills Vacation Itinerary, 3 Roadside Stops in Grand Teton National Park, 5 Black Hills Towns to Base your South Dakota Vacation, 5 Off-the-Radar Spots for Escape in Wyomings Platte County, 5 Top Things to Do in Coeur dAlene Idaho, 6 Amazing Places on the Other Side of the Tetons, 6 Places to See in Temple Square in Salt Lake City, 6 Things to Explore On the Way From Rushmore to Yellowstone. There is no shade, so protect yourself from the sun if youre here on a hot day. What to Pack for a Seattle to Yellowstone Road Trip, 17 Interesting Stops on a Seattle to Yellowstone Road Stop, 13. The Clark Fork River in downtown Missoula, Montana. The entire forest is known for its deep valleys and lushes old growth forests. Day 1. day 2 driving 8.5 hours. 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