Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Yellowstone, Tetons
 

Im leaving on a road trip soon. From Sac, up 5 to 97 @ Weed. Cutting through Klamath Falls to Bend. (night 1) On through Spokane and into Post Falls, Idaho (nights 2 and 3) Driving up through Sandpointe and Bonners Ferry, into Canada, barely. Back to PF for the night. To Three Forks, MT (night 4) staying at the Sacajawea Hotel. Dropping down into West Yellowstone and touring the park all day. Out south entrance and overnight at Teton Village (night 5) Cruising through Grand Teton park the first part of the day and over to Idaho Falls and down to Twin Falls before dropping south to Jackpot, NV for the night (night 6). South to 80 and into Reno (night 7) back to Sacramento. Is this doable or am I biting off more than I can chew? Points of interest, please. I don't want to miss anything super cool!!!!

I realize its a whirlwind kind of trip, but neither myself or my sis are hikers, so we just want to see mostly what we can see from our car....or short trails. Suggestions to good eating places and photo ops welcome. We already have the hotels booked.

Somehow you should be able to figure out how to drive through Glacier NP. It might force you to change your second night in Post Falls to a night on the eastern side of Glacier.

Michael, I know..after I booked everything and really started mapping things out, I discovered just how close Glacier NP is in proximity to everything else. I may do a little research and see what kinds of lodging I can find for that second night. Thanks for the tip :)

<<<Dropping down into West Yellowstone and touring the park all day. Out south entrance and overnight at Teton Village >>>

We were there last week of May, and had the same plan. Turned out going from West Yellowstone through the park and out the South Entrance was not possible at that time because of a bridge being rebuilt. There was no firm estimate as to when it would be complete. We had to go to Teton Village via Idaho rather than down through GTNP. I suggest you check with the park service at Yellowstone to find out if that route is now passable.

Yikes!! Thanks basingstoke2. I will check it out.

Looks good!! Nothing posted on either N.P. site about construction closures..just a few delays.

Best places for breakfast in or near Teton Village or park? Lunch, dinner in W.Yellowstone (lunch), or park? Dinner in Twin Falls? Places to see in Jackson, WY, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls?? I have a couple waterfalls to check out in TF area and hopefully see some base jumping. More??

There was nothing posted on the website when we went either, even at the time of closure. You need to call. We got it straight from the ranger station at the west entrance, and confirmed it with both other rangers in the park, and the front desk of where we were staying in West Yellowstone (3Bear Lodge). Please call direct to the park.

Again, thanks. I will

You really aren't leaving yourself much time for anything but driving and seeing things from the vehicle windshield. Do you have your passports? You will need them to cross into Canada and to get back into the US.

There is so much to see and do in Yellowstone that with your short period of time I head straight there. I'd head north to Bend, OR and then head east to Boise, Idaho and on to West Yellowstone. Drive the upper circle one day, the lower circle the second day and spend one day just going to all the geysers. They are so many short little walks to areas of great wonder like Mud Volcano, Mammoth Hot Springs, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and so many geyser areas, not to mention all the wild life you can see. Spend a day in the Grand Tetons instead of just driving though. Take the water shuttle on Jenny Lake and be there a dusk to see the moose. Then head back the way you planned.

Utahtea

What do you like to eat? Recently ate at several places in Twin Falls- best were probably coops bbq,twin beans coffee, and the buffalo (breakfast but NOT their Cobb salad, it was terrible). There was also a good sushi place but the name escapes me.


The trip looks crazy to me. No time for shopping or wandering around. But IF you are both driving and early risers, it's doable. A lot of the towns on the list I have been to stop serving dinner by 9. So if you like to eat, get to each place by 7ish, probably:) and particularly on passes or in rural areas, overestimate your road time. It will take you longer than you think. That day between bend and post falls is going to feel very, very long I think. I'd recommend eating lunch in Walla Walla at the Olive, or maple counter if you feel like going a bit out of your way (food options otherwise are a little grim until Spokane).

If you like to swim, lake of the woods near Klamath falls was beautiful and a lot of fun!

I know..it's really pushing it. My sis NEVER wants to get out of the car except to eat and go to a the bathroom. Coeur d'alene is the main reason for the trip, so I can't cut that part out. I just told h er if we're driving THAT far, we might as well drop down through Yellowstone and Grand Teton N.P.s. That's why we're "just" driving through..plus last minute planning we couldn't get lodging in Yellowstone for under $300 a night....if at all. She also wants to take the extra day trip north into Canada. It's only a couple hours each way. Yes, we have passports. The first day is our longest driving day with 7 1/2 hours driving time. We've driven a lot of that route, so the first 5 hours are. will be direct. So, with gas and pee stops, and meals...we should roll into Bend before dark. Our second longest day will be through the vast nothingness of Nevada. Our other travel days are 4 1/2 to 7 hours of driving time. I know moving through the parks will be quite slow...I do appreciate the tips. I am hoping for suggestions on eating mostly. I'd hate to eat bad food when there's an awesome place next door! As for moose in GTNP...only at dusk? How about dawn? Is that the only place I might see them? Bears, elk, eagles???

There's always a chance to see moose, bears, elk & eagles in Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons.

If you can't find lodging in Yellowstone, try West Yellowstone. I'd also keep checking to see if you could get in on a cancellation.

Sorry, I really can't help with places to eat because we usually cook our meals.

Utahtea

Check out Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park near Three Forks.

Wheat Montana in Three Forks has cinnamon rolls the size of your head.

Nearby Logan has a great steakhouse: The Land of Magic and Manhattan has probably the best steakhouse in the state: Sir Scott's Oasis. They're both a 15-20 minute drive from Three Forks.

I've heard the restaurant at the Sacajewea is also good (new changes in management), but I haven't been there.

Thanks kureiff. Yes, I read the owners I'd the Sacajawea are the Wheat Montana owners. I will be looking for that cinnamon roll!! I am thinking we just might try the restaurant at the hotel. If not, your suggestions are top of the list. We will be heading down 287 (?) to West Yellowstone, along the Madison River... I'm hoping that route is worth it. Or is there a better way to go? ? We do plan on ice chest lunch at Old Faithful, once we get there. Is it fair to say it will take 3 to 3 1/2 hours from The Sacajawea to Old Faithful? Via 287:thru Ennis?

Oh, I didn't know that the owners of Wheat Montana bought the Sacajawea!

You could take 287 or go through Big Sky on 191. I think both are pretty drives. I'm partial to the Tobacco Root mountain views you'll get on 287 as I grew up there. But the Gallatin Canyon through Big Sky is also beautiful, and I think the distances will be virtually identical on both routes.

If you go through Ennis, the Distillery is worth a stop.

We also like Lone Peak Brewery at Big Sky.

The Good Food Store in Missoula is a great place to stock up on groceries and pick up a take away lunch on your way through from Post Falls to Three Forks.

Have a great trip!

If you stay over in West Yellowstone, the 3 Bear Lodge is an excellent choice. There are rooms in the lodge and also less expensive rooms in the attached motel like section. Those rooms do not look like much from the outside but once through the door, they are clean, spacious and well appointed. The Lodge's restaurant is quite good as well.

In Yellowstone, the restaurant at Snow Lodge was very good, but a bit pricey.

In Grand Teton NP there are we found the Peaks restaurant to be overpriced and the food not well cooked at all. Probably the most disappointing meal of the trip.

In Teton Village, we loved the Alpenrose Restaurant, part of the Alpenhof hotel. Everything about it was excellent (the hotel as well). If you eat there and they have the BBQ Bison short ribs on the menu, order it. The BBQ is not the standard kind but more of a glaze made from berries. Absolutely delicious. We also noticed there several tables enjoying fondue. It is not on the menu, but they will make it for you if you ask.

Thanks again! I am planning to go 287 to YSNP. Thanks, in fact I am looking more frwd to that than fighting crowds in the park. I will keep all suggestions in mind.
Again Thanks :)

I would spend one more night near the Grand Tetons. You can make it home to Sacto in two days. If Reno is just a stop for the night, I would alter my plans. We are driving next summer to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. We will leave GT in the morning and drive to Elko, NV. We have driven Elko to Sacto before (8A-3P) with a brief stop in Reno. Easy but boring drive.

We live near Sacramento (El Dorado Hills) and have a vacation home in Sunriver near Bend. It takes about 7.5-8 hours each time we drive. It can get slow if you get behind a motorhome on Hwy 97.

Have fun!