xpost: Planning vacation to ID and MT...advice welcome!

6 years ago

Apologize in advance for the xpost with the Kitchen Table folks, but wanted to make sure I got as much input as possible! (Link to KT post)

You were all so helpful in planning my trip to ND and SD, I'm hoping you can help me again.

I'm trying to get DH to all 50 states and he has 3 left, so next summer I thought we could knock off 2...Idaho and Montana. I'm thinking of flying into Spokane, driving across ID to Glacier National Park. Someone said we should touch up into Canada to go to Nelson and come back to Spokane...maybe take a week to do it.

Any ideas, suggestions good and bad, best time of year?

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Nothing Left to Say

6 years ago

The weather is best in the early fall. Also fewer crowds at national parks then. Have you considered Yellowstone? It is the most amazing place I have ever been. I have been four times and would gladly go again--and usually I prefer to go see new things rather than revisiting. A week in Yellowstone would be about right and you could hit both states.

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Nothing Left to Say
6 years ago
I should say that for Glacier you probably want to go mid to late summer. Check early for accommodations if you want to stay in or near a national park. You may have trouble booking even now for summer 2018.
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dedtired
6 years ago
We did Yellowstone and Grand Teton this past fall. What magical places. We flew into Salt Lake, then spent a night in Idaho Falls. I was impressed with how charming IF is, although we were only there a short time. Most of Yellowstone and all of Grand Teton are in Wyoming, so maybe they won't be on your itinerary. Montana is so beautiful but a lot of driving between towns of any size.
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Annie Deighnaugh
Original Author
6 years ago
I agree that Yellowstone and Grand Tetons are lovely...we enjoyed our visit there a lot. But this time I want to get to Glacier and concentrate more on MT and ID.

We went to ND and SD in August and that worked out really well for us. So at this point, crl, I think I'll shoot for then.

I'll definitely have to explore the best places to stay and see if we can book accordingly. It looks like it runs the gamut from tiny rustic cabins to large hotels.
3katz4me
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
We stayed at this VRBO just outside of West Glacier entrance. It was very nice and convenient for things on the west side of the park though we also drove to the east side which wasn't a big deal. When we went to Yellowstone we stayed in the park because it's so large and I have to say I enjoyed the modern conveniences of the VRBO more than the national park hotels. We had some meals at the Glacier park hotels so we saw them but I think I'm glad I didn't stay in one. DH brought his golf clubs and walked through the back yard of the VRBO to the nearby golf course to play a few times. It is in a little neighborhood and not the middle of no where inside the park. I did watch a black bear walk through the back yard however. West Glacier VRBO.

I always do busy National Parks after Labor Day for smaller crowds. In Glacier some things shut down shortly after Labor Day so we went right after.

DH says Coeur d’Alene, ID is nice though I’ve never been there.
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Fori
6 years ago
Craters of the Moon, especially early summer when it's bizarrely covered with wildflowers.
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jab65
6 years ago
Coeur d'Alene is a neat town with a gorgeous lake. The Sand Point area is also a pretty drive. I think late summer is best for Glacier. We once tried to cross the park at the end of June and couldn't because of snow still on the roads. Book early. We've had to drive many extra miles by not doing that. Even the RV parks get full.
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Annie Deighnaugh
Original Author
6 years ago
Just so happens I posted a pic of yellowstone falls here today: http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/5041933/ill-show-you-mine-if-you-show-me-yours-ths-dec-28?n=6
User
6 years ago
My only experience in either state is with hazardous waste sites. I expect they are low on your list of "must sees."
Annie Deighnaugh thanked User
Annie Deighnaugh
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks, Delilah! I hope to avoid those for sure!
Nothing Left to Say
6 years ago
My husband recommends this restaurant:. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g35418-d10454779-Reviews-Anthony_s_at_Coeur_d_Alene-Coeur_d_Alene_Idaho.html
Annie Deighnaugh thanked Nothing Left to Say
Annie Deighnaugh
Original Author
6 years ago
Excellent thanks crl!

xpost: Planning vacation to ID and MT...advice welcome!

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