Suggestions for WY/MT/Idaho good to ride region?

[canamjhb]

Suggest you not go to western National Parks at the height of the tourist season...

I agree. But that is the time of year we do our annual bike trip to get out of the desert heat. I think the OP was planning on going there during tourist season so just trying to give a heads-up. Maybe Yellowstone was unusually slow and crowded due to road construction. But then, there have always been road projects there every other time. I also heard that the park service was considering putting a quota and limiting the number of vehicles in the park at any one time. It was pretty out of hand last time we were there..... Glacier and Teton were OK and not at all as bad as Yellowstone.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Suggest you not go to western National Parks at the height of the tourist season...

In other words May 1 to September 30! :yikes:

 

[IgoFar2]

Here is a beautiful section of scenery, especially if you're traveling east to Jackson Hole. https://goo.gl/maps/ZFqhhLXTk952

If you are going to be traveling through Yellowstone I highly recommend this route: https://goo.gl/maps/c2HfacpbYLF2

Also, be sure to check out the Montana & Idaho road condition sites. MT: http://roadreport.mdt.mt.gov/travinfomobile/
ID: https://hb.511.idaho.gov/#roadRepor...rts,winterDriving,weatherWarnings,otherStates

 

[oldgoat]

If you do the Beartooth, you have to do the Chief Joseph Hwy as well.

You will not regret it. For us it is a day trip out of Cody when we are in that area.

 

[KX5062]

I saw Craters of the moon on the map, it's possible we'll be able to stop and take a look around. Still working out the details of the last few days. Amazing how booked up hotels get in many of the areas.

Overall, should be looking at about 2500 miles of road. I'm super excited. Thanks all!:clap:

For me, I'd pass on Craters and much if not all of Southern Idaho. I've ridden through that area 3 different times on my way to more northern parts of Idaho and elsewhere, and I was underwhelmed to say the least. Arco is a nice place to not travel through (only place uglier was Trona, CA). They put the national nuclear weapons research facility in that area for a reason. :thumbup:

Now Northern Idaho, all different ballgame. Lolo Pass. Beartooth. Chief Joseph. Sawtooth Range. More and more. All good and all winners! :firstplace:

 

[UtahPete]

For me, I'd pass on Craters and much if not all of Southern Idaho. I've ridden through that area 3 different times on my way to more northern parts of Idaho and elsewhere, and I was underwhelmed to say the least. Arco is a nice place to not travel through (only place uglier was Trona, CA). They put the national nuclear weapons research facility in that area for a reason. :thumbup:

Now Northern Idaho, all different ballgame. Lolo Pass. Beartooth. Chief Joseph. Sawtooth Range. More and more. All good and all winners! :firstplace:

:agree:, except SE Idaho is worth visiting.

 

[oldgoat]

Amazing how booked up hotels get in many of the areas.

My wfe always does the hotel bookings for our trips very early. Nov, Dec for the following August.

 

[oldgoat]

You'll need deep pockets to stay in Jackson.

 

[UtahPete]

You'll need deep pockets to stay in Jackson.

We avoid it for that reason, plus it's become too touristy for our taste. Pretty much any place that is a 'must go', we don't.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Arco is a nice place to not travel through (only place uglier was Trona, CA). They put the national nuclear weapons research facility in that area for a reason. :thumbup:

Actually it's the nuclear power research facility. The Nautilus sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in the Idaho desert during nuclear sub development! Nuclear weapons research is at Los Alamos, NM. And yes, the fact it is so much desert and the Government already owned the ground is why they established the atomic power research site there. Did you catch the historical fact that Arco is the first city in the world to be lit by nuclear power? The Experimental Breeder Reactor 1 site between Idaho Falls and Arco is a National Historic Landmark. Great place to visit if you like science history.

 

[easysuper]

I will need to disagree with some on here warning you to stay away from the "Tourist" places as for being to expensive and to packed or busy. We rode through Jackson Hole and Yellowstone both going to and coming back from the Three Wheel Rally in Dead Wood this summer and that could be labeled as the height of the Tourist Season and we had no problems finding affordable lodging and when we were going to hit the "Packed" places we just got our asses out of bed early and made it thru the Parks unencumbered. It just takes planing and Commitment. Jackson Hole is a must see and I have been there both summer and winter, I prefer the summer but the winter Elk herds are amazing. We camp and or stay in Hotels so it gives us the option of saving money to lengthen our trip when we can.

 

[UtahPete]

I will need to disagree with some on here warning you to stay away from the "Tourist" places as for being to expensive and to packed or busy. We rode through Jackson Hole and Yellowstone both going to and coming back from the Three Wheel Rally in Dead Wood this summer and that could be labeled as the height of the Tourist Season and we had no problems finding affordable lodging and when we were going to hit the "Packed" places we just got our asses out of bed early and made it thru the Parks unencumbered. It just takes planing and Commitment. Jackson Hole is a must see and I have been there both summer and winter, I prefer the summer but the winter Elk herds are amazing. We camp and or stay in Hotels so it gives us the option of saving money to lengthen our trip when we can.
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Jackson the City is not the same as Jackson Hole. I love that area.

 

[canamjhb]

You'll need deep pockets to stay in Jackson.

When in that area we prefer to stay in Alpine. It's just a little bit down the road but a lot less expensive. Great little town with great scenery. A bit more laid back and not as yuppified as Jackson. Last time there, we stayed at the Flying Saddle and Steak House Resort. I think it was around $120 per night. I would like to have stayed 2-3 nights. Beautiful place.

 

[UtahPete]

When in that area we prefer to stay in Alpine. It's just a little bit down the road but a lot less expensive. Great little town with great scenery. A bit more laid back and not as yuppified as Jackson.

:agree:

 

[bhern]

Been through Yellowstone several times the last of which was a year ago in July. It was so crowded we only got off the bikes at the lodge for Old Faithful. Very slow going with traffic and road construction. No place to park at any of the other major attractions. Stop and go traffic almost everywhere. Wife and I both agreed that we will no longer contribute to the Yellowstone congestion in future years.....

The key is to go early or go later -- in the middle of the summer, you're right. Insanely busy. We worked there for the season in 2015, and I highly recommend it to anyone who's looking to take a "gap year." What a great experience to have 5 months in such a beautiful place. But you're right about the crowds -- during the summer, you gotta hit the trails, not the road, in the park. We would get out early if we had a hike planned in the park, or head down to Teton, Jackson, Cody, or Bozeman.

We're going back for a visit during the Christmas season this year to see the changes winter brings to the park. I've been told by all of my former co-workers who worked a winter season there that it's a totally different experience. Definitely going to be colder!

 

[Big F]

Working a trip for next year, honey and I going on our week ish long trip. We've planned as far as Jackson, WY...from there we have a few days to get to Lolo pass then head towards home.

There's that 2 ish day gap where not really sure best route to take towards Missoula/Lolo.

Any suggestions? There seems like a lot of different places.


If you have not done the Blackhills of SD rides yet, I would certainly try to work those in. the riding in that area is awesome!!!!!! Like Iron Mountain Road, Needles Highway and Spearfish Canyon just to mention a few.
BIG F