Hi everyone. I'm starting to piece together a western road trip this summer (shortly after 4th of July) from MN. Along the way, I hope to make it to the Badlands, Black Hills, Missoula, Calgary, Banff, Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, and Denver among my stops. Just wondering, are there any tips from you all on particular highlights/places to avoid/summer crowds as I head towards these areas? Thank you in advance for the help.

The rockies are beautiful, but Denver can easily be done in a day, and no great loss if you miss it. Also, as somebody else posted here recently, Rocky Mountain National Park is beautiful, but a) only worth it if you will at least do light hikes, and b) not particularly better than anywhere else in the Rockies, while in the negative it can be quite crowded and Estes Park is well worth missing. Don't get me wrong - I love RMNP and visit often, but not when its crowded. Get a book or directions from a local and go to one of the other million of scenic vistas in thhe Rockies.

Denver is way out of your way considering the other cities you are thinking about. Sounds like an idea for another trip. Denver is just a city pretty much like any other big city. If you were going to come all the way to Colorado, you need to take time to go over to the western side around Silverton and Ouray. That's the prettiest part of Colorado with a lot to do.

When you go through Montana, you might stop in Bozeman and walk around their downtown. Its a neat town. They also have the Museum of the Rockies. Eat a sandwich at the Pickle Barrel Restaurant.

Just down the road in Manhatttan, stop at the Big Sky Wood Carvers. They make a lot of the nice wood carvings of bears, etc you see in all the good gift shops in the Rockies.

Glacier National Park would be a MUST SEE for the area you are describing too.

calgary - july - calgary stampede. a lot of fun but if you are going to be there during it, make reservations now.
drumheller (badlands) is a very unique place to visit
banff - if you are camping, be there weekdays and plan on arriving early (morning) to get a spot. very busy place in the summer.

I agree that skipping Colorado is probably a good idea in view of where else you are travelling. I would especially warn against making Denver your only Colorado stop. If you are going to visit Colorado, I agree with other posters that the Southwestern corner shouldn't be missed.

Hello from Montana !!! Here is a really hot tip for a room in a 4 star Downtown Seattle Hotel. Go to priceline, tell them you want 4 stars, and bid $40. Everyone that has done it so far gets the Elliot Grand Hyatt, normally $365. We are going in Sept. When in Montana, be sure not to miss the Beartooth Highway that takes you down into Yellowstone park. It's south of RedLodge which is southwest of Billings. Have fun!!

Many years ago I took a cross country trip that followed some of your path. Crossed South Dakata (Badlands/Mt. Rushmore) into Wyoming where I visited Yellowstone NP. Then I headed north visiting Glacier NP before going to Calary for the Stampede. Then west in Canada to Banff and Lake Louise ending up in VAncouver. Then south to WAshington and MT. Ranier Np. From there I continued south all the way down the coast to Baja California. If you want to visit Denver can't help with a route from Portland to Denver but somewhere along the way you will wind up on I-70. If that is the route you will be following be sure to stop off at Moab, Ut to visit Arches/Canyonlands National Parks. No way to avoid crowds.