These are the roads on a map which are commonly colored blue. They are not freeways, but may be 2 lane or 4 lane or more. They get you into the country, where you can slow down and "see the roses". Of course, you will also see the cactus! Driving along on a 2 lane rural road often will give a better "feel" for the area than zipping along a freeway at 70 MPH.
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We spend quite a bit of time in Nothern WY and southern MT visiting family. I might suggest staying at the 7th Ranch while visiting the Little Bighorn Battlefield. http://www.historicwest.com/index.html. The ranch is only 10 minutes from the LBH, very clean and they offer you a little ice cream when you arrive.
While visiting Cody give yourself plenty of time at the Buffalo Bill Museum. Also try Cassie's for a dry aged steak located on the eastern side of town. The Irma has great prime rib and the WY Chop House as mentioned is very good as well.
Have fun, you have a lot of territory to cover in just 3 weeks.
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"Look at the KOA at Big Timbers (route between Great Falls and Billings. There is a water park that is right next to the campground. Call to ensure that the WP is open, but I've always thought that that would be a nice overnight place."
Well, I guess Big Timber (not "timbers") is sorta/kinda "on the route between Great Falls and Billings", but not really. It is on I-90, between Billings and Bozeman.
That water park was for sale, I don't know if it has been picked up yet or not.
It is "Deer Lodge", not "deere". There are some really neat museums there, including the Grant/Kohrs Ranch. The campground right by I-90 is fairly nice, but not enough shade. We have stayed there for a night or two several times, but I can never remember the name of the place!
scraig400 wrote: We are planning a 3 week trip to Montana late August to mid September. Departing out of Chicago with new 27ft TT (32 bumper to bumper).
We want to hit Rushmore, little big horn, glacier and Yellowstone. Any suggestions for the trip? Traveling with 2 dogs and 1 wife.
Steve
Devils Tower. I believe that there is a KOA with pool that is less then a mile from the Tower and would provide a some pretty scenery. Look at the area with Google Maps and you'll see what I mean. I believe that a overnight stop with either a morning or afternoon here would cover it.
Look at the KOA at Big Timbers (route between Great Falls and Billings. There is a water park that is right next to the campground. Call to ensure that the WP is open, but I've always thought that that would be a nice overnight place.
Going into Yellowstone, I would try to avoid the route between Yellowstone and Deere Lodge. The road switchbacks up a mountain. Its a well maintained road, but I wouldn't want to do it with a tow. Again google maps will show the route switch backing up the mountain. There is a bar/hotel in Gardiner that serves a terrific prime rib. Can't think of the name of the place, but ask the locals when you get there.
Great Falls has a very neat water park at the Mitchel pool along the Missouri, and a nice skateboard park. Giant Springs is worth seeing. There is a interesting park outside Great Falls below Ryan Dam.
Ft. Benton has some of the original fortifications still standing, a pole boat like the one that Lewis and Clark used, and a very interesting museum.
I grew up in Great Falls, so most of my knowledge is around there.
scraig400 wrote: Some very cool suggestions! If I had to chose between glacier park and Yellowstone so the trip is more leisurely, which would you do?
If you don't mind ALOT of people and the drama that comes with it, go to Yellowstone, but if you want a more leisure trip, I would do Glacier, now don't get me wrong, there will be people there, but not the crazy amount as Yellowstone...we did this trip 3 years ago and went to Glacier first then worked our way to Yellowstone...I wanted to go back to Glacier just because of the amount of people at Yellowstone, but thankfully we didn't have as much at Grand Tetons.
Water-Bug wrote: I did the trip back in '77. Boy does that date me. We left the Detroit area and went through the UP of Michigan and picked up US-2. Took it through Deluth, Grand Forks, Minot and all the way to Glacier. Dropped down through the Tetons to Yellowstone. Then on south to Idaho Falls and followed the Snake River to Twin Falls. South to Salt Lake City and west to San Francisco. We picked up the Bad Lands and Mt. Rushmore on the return trip. Had been to California via US-80 and US-40 previously and wanted to do something different.
How long were you on the road? Did it feel too rushed? Sounds like a great trip!
tevz32 wrote: I think trips should not be about destinations (although you need one) but about getting there. We have traveled extensevly in the west -for 12 months in 2004. Avoid the freeways, follow the "blue" roads, see the small towns, sample the local culture, taste the local food. The big tourist places are fine and you have to see them if you are there but so does everyone else. Here is a route you might consider: US 2- you can catch it in upper Michigan or Wisconsin and goes all the way across northern US. A two lane road but good traveling. Enjoy this great country!
What do you mean by "blue" roads?
I should have said RED roads - the roads colored red on the maps ie state and county roads.
I did the trip back in '77. Boy does that date me. We left the Detroit area and went through the UP of Michigan and picked up US-2. Took it through Deluth, Grand Forks, Minot and all the way to Glacier. Dropped down through the Tetons to Yellowstone. Then on south to Idaho Falls and followed the Snake River to Twin Falls. South to Salt Lake City and west to San Francisco. We picked up the Bad Lands and Mt. Rushmore on the return trip. Had been to California via US-80 and US-40 previously and wanted to do something different.
Water-Bug wrote: I did the trip back in '77. Boy does that date me. We left the Detroit area and went through the UP of Michigan and picked up US-2. Took it through Deluth, Grand Forks, Minot and all the way to Glacier. Dropped down through the Tetons to Yellowstone. Then on south to Idaho Falls and followed the Snake River to Twin Falls. South to Salt Lake City and west to San Francisco. We picked up the Bad Lands and Mt. Rushmore on the return trip. Had been to California via US-80 and US-40 previously and wanted to do something different.
How long were you on the road? Did it feel too rushed? Sounds like a great trip!
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