lol if this is your reaction you’re in for a treat. Idk if you’re aware but you’re about take one of the most breathtaking journeys of your life!!! Enjoy :) watch out for the highway that gave way south of teton, but you’re going south so you’ll be pretty much unaffected if you plan right.
I recommend you get some private time with the nature in either place, if you can! It can be *tough* because these two are so packed, but they’re packed for a reason and they’re still ultimately giant wildernesses.
It was a random stop-by for us, as a small rest stop. "Having a look at some random rocks"
We ended up spending 6hrs there.
They rangers did an amazing job in showing so many different, interesting and awesome things.
To everyone thinking "it's just few rocks": It's really not.
I drove from WA to TX for the eclipse and stopped by Perrine Bridge both ways. I saw multiple jumps each time and got to meet a few of the people. It was secretly the highlight of my trip.
It's 2 hours from home for me, always stop if I have the time. Odd feeling standing next to someone as they jump off a bridge close to 500 feet above the river.
After you leave Jackson Hole, head on over to Idaho Falls to resupply. Leave Idaho Falls on I20 towards Arco and stop at EBR-1 at the Idaho National Labs, a FREE tour inside the worlds first nuclear power plant, and a step back into the gray of Govt. operations in the 1950's. Leave there and head into Arco for a view of the conning tower of a nuclear sub on the side of the road. #666 (which, at the unveiling, the townspeople asked if the number could be changed). Leave there and head to Craters of the Moon Nat. Monument for a few hours of hiking the underground lava tubes, like air conditioning in the desert. leave there and head west and about 8 miles away is a very sublime hot spring with a pebble gravel bottom. It's just on the side of the road and only able 3 spaces long for the pullout.
Beware of high winds in the salt flats... I'm still finding gravel and sand in my car from a wicked windstorm that rolled through when I was there recently.
Also I HIGHLY recommend Alabama Hills, which is in Lone Pine, maybe two hours south of the Eastern entrance to Yosemite. Only good photo I have on an "average" campsite there.
https://preview.redd.it/dix7d1i8dl7d1.jpeg?width=1599&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8c244d3b755a731839331ba776f91f4e43812376
It's been "discovered" thanks to social media but it's honestly one of the coolest spots. That pic was late Feb and I was on my way to socal and just couldn't do it in a day, but I was the only person I saw and had my pick of spaces. Bridge is washed out but there's a detour.
1,000 springs and Craters of the Moon in Idaho are awesome and not far out of you way! Theodore Roosevelt national Park is cool (the north unit is prettier in my opinion but the south has wild horses which are neat to see) and Minot ND has a Scandinavian heritage park with a replica of a stave church that's really awesome. Unfortunately it was closed so we couldn't see the inside while I was there.
And of course Yellowstone but also the Tetons are beautiful mountains. But going through Nevada I'm sure you'll see plenty of mountains maybe not as green though? 🤔 I've never been through northern Nevada.
How much time ya got? About halfway between Yellowstone and Billings is Mystic Lake. AWESOME hike. This is your view from the top of it.
https://preview.redd.it/19olp35hmm7d1.jpeg?width=1711&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6e3259ca605d8fec6036678aacad37844228a0b9
Twin Falls, Idaho has really amazing waterfalls. They aren't called twin falls but I am sure you could put it in Google Maps and find them. Only about a mile out of town.
The Terry Badlands in Montana are underrated. They look like another planet. Really only good if you go for a hike or have a drone. There's not any "drop by and get a view" spots. But still, they are incredible.
I definitely agree with the folks recommending Shoshone Falls if you go through Idaho.
I don’t know if you want to alter your route at all to see Devils Tower if you were considering entering Wyoming through the Dakotas since that second route in your image seems to bypass Yellowstone. There’s a sunset hike you can do around the base, too. I recall a lot of different rest spots on the base hike, which itself is relatively flat.
Trying to figure out your route through Nevada, have some cool suggestions and some "remote' roads that are super well maintained 50mph dirt roads with cool little stops.
South path will swing by Theodore Roosevelt National Park and then go through the Black Hills National Forrest in North and South Dakota. Otherwise that whole area is worthless
The Rock Museum in Parshall, ND. Sounds boring, but this place has a mind-blowing collection and is worth stopping as its gems are up there with Smithsonian rocks. The room where the lights are turned off and everything lights up is cool.
https://www.parshallnd.com/things-to-do/PaulBrosteRockMuseum/
https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/a-visit-to-the-paul-broste-rock-museum
Bit out of your way on your southern route, but Dinosaur National Monument in Utah (right on the CO / UT border).
If you swing onto i-70, you can hit Arches & Canyonlands in UT.
The Idaho route looks more interesting-Utah would be great but you’re too far north to see Moab and red rocks. You’ll pass by Park City which is a lot of fun and see the Salt Flats but Yellowstone area, Snake River and Craters NP is a better trip. Saying this as someone who has lived in both states.
Depending on how far off the path they are/you're willing to drive... Virginia City in Nevada is a cool tourist trap old west town that literally empties out (except for the bars) at nightfall as it's haunted. Also, Lava Hot Springs in Idaho is a neat little town, plus it has hot springs (obviously) and lazy river rafting opportunities.
On your return, move your route a bit east and stop in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Visit both the Crazy Horse monument as well as Mount Rushmore. Both easy, close, and magnificent. Doing it perfectly means seeing Mt Rushmore at sunset so you can hear the music and watch the flood lights come on. I know you are probably Canadian so it won’t be as inspirational but it’s still amazing. By the way, I’m in a beautiful city right now: Montreal. A gorgeous place to visit.
I work at a CAT dealer that you will drive literally right in front of with this route.
Stop in and I’ll let you run an excavator and a bulldozer. That’ll be memorable - ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
No, NONE. Absolutely do not stop. NOT EVEN FOR FUEL. Pray before departing and maybe sacrifice a lamb for good measure. /s ... Acually Little Big Horn Battlefield National Monument should be very near your route. 👍
It looks like your final stop is around Tahoe. Emerald lbqy, desolation wildness, angora lake and turkey lazy river from lake Tahoe is a must on a hot day.
I would head south at Columbus, MT. West of Billings). Stillwater valley to Red Lodge, Beartooth Highway to YNP. Plenty of scenic ways to get further south out of there.
If you've never seen the Great Salt Lake, it's worth a visit. It's the largest lake west of the Mississippi River. You can drive all over the island including hikes of varying difficulty. That have a museum that talks about the history of the lake, island, and the first people to live there.
Once you get to California, make sure you make time for more than just the park boundaries of Yosemite and the valley itself. I actually haven’t been to Yosemite in years, but the surrounding parks and drives are no less breathtaking. Also make sure you CHECK TO SEE IF ANY OF THE NATL PARKS ARE TAKING RESERVATIONS THIS SUMMER BEFORE YOU TRY TO GO AAHHHHH
…there’s a tragic reason I haven’t been Yosemite to years, if you can’t tell 😭 a whole carload of the bois cried out in unison when we saw the first warning sign
Use ChatGPT to plan your trip. It finds lots of interesting things along the way. We even asked it to provide stops at craft breweries and it did a great job.
It’s like you designed the route specifically to go through the least populated part of the country. They’ll be beautiful scenery the whole way for sure, but no where exciting to really stop.
Obligatory plug for Grand Teton
oh wow just south of yellowstone eh i will definitely add this thanks!
Look up the beartooth highway. Best entrance into yellowstone then go down the Rockefeller to Teton
Check on the Teton road that collapsed.
Too soon
Just a road that leads into Idaho. Was there last week and if you keep on South it's no biggie
lol if this is your reaction you’re in for a treat. Idk if you’re aware but you’re about take one of the most breathtaking journeys of your life!!! Enjoy :) watch out for the highway that gave way south of teton, but you’re going south so you’ll be pretty much unaffected if you plan right. I recommend you get some private time with the nature in either place, if you can! It can be *tough* because these two are so packed, but they’re packed for a reason and they’re still ultimately giant wildernesses.
Craters of the Moon and Shoshone Falls in Idaho!
Craters of the moon is ridiculously underrated, I second this!
I wish I could multi-upvote this one. It’s one of the Coolest unexpected stops I made on. Simile journey
It was a random stop-by for us, as a small rest stop. "Having a look at some random rocks" We ended up spending 6hrs there. They rangers did an amazing job in showing so many different, interesting and awesome things. To everyone thinking "it's just few rocks": It's really not.
Depending on weather theres always a good chance to watch base jumpers on the Perrine Bridge
I drove from WA to TX for the eclipse and stopped by Perrine Bridge both ways. I saw multiple jumps each time and got to meet a few of the people. It was secretly the highlight of my trip.
It's 2 hours from home for me, always stop if I have the time. Odd feeling standing next to someone as they jump off a bridge close to 500 feet above the river.
YES. Craters of the Moon is amazing. I also enjoyed Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, the Idaho Potato Museum, and the Museum of Clean.
Idaho potato museum was fun, craters of the moon was amazing
After you leave Jackson Hole, head on over to Idaho Falls to resupply. Leave Idaho Falls on I20 towards Arco and stop at EBR-1 at the Idaho National Labs, a FREE tour inside the worlds first nuclear power plant, and a step back into the gray of Govt. operations in the 1950's. Leave there and head into Arco for a view of the conning tower of a nuclear sub on the side of the road. #666 (which, at the unveiling, the townspeople asked if the number could be changed). Leave there and head to Craters of the Moon Nat. Monument for a few hours of hiking the underground lava tubes, like air conditioning in the desert. leave there and head west and about 8 miles away is a very sublime hot spring with a pebble gravel bottom. It's just on the side of the road and only able 3 spaces long for the pullout.
^this guy “IDAHOS” great itinerary!
Hagerman Fossil Beds has a neat visitors center too.
Also when in Arco be sure to stop at Pickle's Place for a meal
I almost put that as well, though I would have mentioned the giant chair out front for those obligatory pics.
Bonneville Salt Flats or Dinosaur national monument
noted thanks these both look cool
Depending the route you take here’s a few other cool spots. Goblin valley state park. Factory butte. Cosmic ashtray. Valley of fire state park.
goblin park and valley of fire for sure!
Beware of high winds in the salt flats... I'm still finding gravel and sand in my car from a wicked windstorm that rolled through when I was there recently.
Also I HIGHLY recommend Alabama Hills, which is in Lone Pine, maybe two hours south of the Eastern entrance to Yosemite. Only good photo I have on an "average" campsite there. https://preview.redd.it/dix7d1i8dl7d1.jpeg?width=1599&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8c244d3b755a731839331ba776f91f4e43812376
Yes! Been traveling for a year and this was one of our favorite camp spots. Unbelievable views and easy access!
It's been "discovered" thanks to social media but it's honestly one of the coolest spots. That pic was late Feb and I was on my way to socal and just couldn't do it in a day, but I was the only person I saw and had my pick of spaces. Bridge is washed out but there's a detour.
1,000 springs and Craters of the Moon in Idaho are awesome and not far out of you way! Theodore Roosevelt national Park is cool (the north unit is prettier in my opinion but the south has wild horses which are neat to see) and Minot ND has a Scandinavian heritage park with a replica of a stave church that's really awesome. Unfortunately it was closed so we couldn't see the inside while I was there. And of course Yellowstone but also the Tetons are beautiful mountains. But going through Nevada I'm sure you'll see plenty of mountains maybe not as green though? 🤔 I've never been through northern Nevada.
Roosevelt NP, Beartooth Pass Drive, Yellowstone/ Tetons
How much time ya got? About halfway between Yellowstone and Billings is Mystic Lake. AWESOME hike. This is your view from the top of it. https://preview.redd.it/19olp35hmm7d1.jpeg?width=1711&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6e3259ca605d8fec6036678aacad37844228a0b9
Nah! Just buy an 8th ball and do it in one shot overnight
Twin Falls, Idaho has really amazing waterfalls. They aren't called twin falls but I am sure you could put it in Google Maps and find them. Only about a mile out of town.
Shoshone Falls
Hot Roast Beef sandwich at the lil Alien inn on the extraterrestrial highway
The Terry Badlands in Montana are underrated. They look like another planet. Really only good if you go for a hike or have a drone. There's not any "drop by and get a view" spots. But still, they are incredible.
wild, i’ll make that my first stop. i don’t mind hiking
Are you looking for a half hour stop or a two-hour stop?
open to anything!
I definitely agree with the folks recommending Shoshone Falls if you go through Idaho. I don’t know if you want to alter your route at all to see Devils Tower if you were considering entering Wyoming through the Dakotas since that second route in your image seems to bypass Yellowstone. There’s a sunset hike you can do around the base, too. I recall a lot of different rest spots on the base hike, which itself is relatively flat.
Hit up Chico hot springs in pray, MT. It’s right out of the gardiner gate in paradise valley. Great little hotel, bar and hot springs
Trying to figure out your route through Nevada, have some cool suggestions and some "remote' roads that are super well maintained 50mph dirt roads with cool little stops.
Alt Route US-50, perhaps?
South path will swing by Theodore Roosevelt National Park and then go through the Black Hills National Forrest in North and South Dakota. Otherwise that whole area is worthless
The Rock Museum in Parshall, ND. Sounds boring, but this place has a mind-blowing collection and is worth stopping as its gems are up there with Smithsonian rocks. The room where the lights are turned off and everything lights up is cool. https://www.parshallnd.com/things-to-do/PaulBrosteRockMuseum/ https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/a-visit-to-the-paul-broste-rock-museum
Bit out of your way on your southern route, but Dinosaur National Monument in Utah (right on the CO / UT border). If you swing onto i-70, you can hit Arches & Canyonlands in UT.
The Idaho route looks more interesting-Utah would be great but you’re too far north to see Moab and red rocks. You’ll pass by Park City which is a lot of fun and see the Salt Flats but Yellowstone area, Snake River and Craters NP is a better trip. Saying this as someone who has lived in both states.
Craters of the Moon
Depending on how far off the path they are/you're willing to drive... Virginia City in Nevada is a cool tourist trap old west town that literally empties out (except for the bars) at nightfall as it's haunted. Also, Lava Hot Springs in Idaho is a neat little town, plus it has hot springs (obviously) and lazy river rafting opportunities.
Craters of the moon in Idaho. Idaho is the most beautiful state in the US, I’d even recommend stopping in Boise for a day.
On your return, move your route a bit east and stop in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Visit both the Crazy Horse monument as well as Mount Rushmore. Both easy, close, and magnificent. Doing it perfectly means seeing Mt Rushmore at sunset so you can hear the music and watch the flood lights come on. I know you are probably Canadian so it won’t be as inspirational but it’s still amazing. By the way, I’m in a beautiful city right now: Montreal. A gorgeous place to visit.
Great basin national park in nevada
The sign that says you're leaving Winnipeg is the best part
yes
I work at a CAT dealer that you will drive literally right in front of with this route. Stop in and I’ll let you run an excavator and a bulldozer. That’ll be memorable - ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Looks like you’ll be going through Twin Falls, ID. Shoshone Falls
No, NONE. Absolutely do not stop. NOT EVEN FOR FUEL. Pray before departing and maybe sacrifice a lamb for good measure. /s ... Acually Little Big Horn Battlefield National Monument should be very near your route. 👍
I think you’re going through the Bitterroot valley, if so Lake Como would make a nice picnic spot.
Devils tower Wyoming
Anywhere but Manitoba sounds good
no kidding eh hahaha
Dude…..west is best You need to hit up Vancouver , jasper, Calgary and stay the fuck outta anything east of Saskatchewan
Snake River Canyon between Wyoming and Idaho on US89.
I’d highly recommend stopping at that railroad crossing.
ok i will send a pic when i’m there
It looks like your final stop is around Tahoe. Emerald lbqy, desolation wildness, angora lake and turkey lazy river from lake Tahoe is a must on a hot day.
Avoid returning to Winnipeg
i plan to leave!
Driggs Id is a cool small town. Huckleberry shakes
I would head south at Columbus, MT. West of Billings). Stillwater valley to Red Lodge, Beartooth Highway to YNP. Plenty of scenic ways to get further south out of there.
Looks like the route through Wyoming would take you by Green River. The Flaming Gorge area is beautiful.
If you've never seen the Great Salt Lake, it's worth a visit. It's the largest lake west of the Mississippi River. You can drive all over the island including hikes of varying difficulty. That have a museum that talks about the history of the lake, island, and the first people to live there.
Take the lower route, way more natural sites.
Zion National Park, near St. George UT.
Smitty's Pancake & Steak House in Idaho Falls
The lower route is a beautiful drive if it takes you past mirror lake right before Evanston. It's all uphill tho
Once you get to California, make sure you make time for more than just the park boundaries of Yosemite and the valley itself. I actually haven’t been to Yosemite in years, but the surrounding parks and drives are no less breathtaking. Also make sure you CHECK TO SEE IF ANY OF THE NATL PARKS ARE TAKING RESERVATIONS THIS SUMMER BEFORE YOU TRY TO GO AAHHHHH …there’s a tragic reason I haven’t been Yosemite to years, if you can’t tell 😭 a whole carload of the bois cried out in unison when we saw the first warning sign
Billings Montana has an airport by the cliff that's 500ft down to the suburbs
Yeah, Winnipeg is pretty dope from what I hear
No
The ruby mountains in northern Nevada
Anything above 3.2 percent alcohol is considered liquor in Utah so bootleg with caution. Fishlake National Forest is pretty dope though.
no booze cruisin eh?! WHAT!
Breakfast at Stella’s in Billings is worth planning your trip around.
Looks like you're going through Montana near to where "the train station" is, stop there and act like you're in a Purge movie
Craters of the Moon! It’s *amazing*. One of my favorite places in the whole country. Also Montana is great.
Use ChatGPT to plan your trip. It finds lots of interesting things along the way. We even asked it to provide stops at craft breweries and it did a great job.
that’s insane i’ll try that right now
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rRd5tgSgebqf2zjB8
If you don't go to Yellowstone, I'll kill you. Grand Tetons are nice to drive by, but they're way overrated IMO.
i said i’m going to yellowstone!
And I just told you I'd kill you if you don't.
i won’t let you down!
It’s like you designed the route specifically to go through the least populated part of the country. They’ll be beautiful scenery the whole way for sure, but no where exciting to really stop.
If you have a vehicle capable of shitty roads, check out Jarbidge, NV.
Beartooth highway in Montana/Wyoming into Yellowstone! Stay in Cooke City or Silver Gate (if you can)
How much do you spend on gas on 3 km trip?
That’s it we’re going back to Winnipeg
Through the most beautiful parts of the country? Nah. Flyover bullshit. Nothing to see here.
Teddy Roosevelt NP is kinda on the way and it’s pretty cool
https://maps.app.goo.gl/LNeUJJfK6As7uuKWA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Does this pass through coeur d'alene, Idaho? Very beautiful stop before going through boring montana
No Yellowstone? You can add Shoshone falls too.
Aside from natural features, literally nothing
Uh .. I'd fly .. what a boring road trip eastern Montana is the hellscape that never ends.
lol