Glacier to Seattle, southern route?

[Rachaelkoske]

Hi! We are driving from Seattle to Glacier NP in July, staying 1 week, and then making our way back to Seattle.

I've got the route to Glacier mapped out, but wondering if there are recommendations for heading back a longer, more southerly route, including Mt. St. Helens before heading back up to Seattle. Dropping down to Yellowstone might be too much time for this drive (we are aiming for spending at least 2-3 nights each stop, driving no more than 4 hours a day -- 2 small children and 2 elderly travelers with us), so looking at going through Palouse region. We have 15 days for this part of the trip

Suggestions for stops? I have a horse-crazy 5-year old and anywhere with fly-fishing opportunities is also great. We will still be dealing with COVID, so not as interested in cool towns on this trip. More wide-open spaces and beautiful scenery.

Thanks in advance for any tips -- we are all Louisiana natives so this area is pretty foreign!

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

If you want this trip to be a bit 'off the beaten path' that's possible of course. You can certainly choose a 'southern' route if you like, that's what RoadTrips are about after all - the ability to go where you want when you want. But there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is that deviating much from the direct Interstate route, which is just about at the limit for what's reasonable to cover in two days at your stated pace, will cost you at least an extra day on the road.

The second is that the 'detour' to Mount St. Helens may be more than you think. Unfortunately, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, is not just a simple detour. There's only one road in or out, WA-504, so you'd have to drive past Mount St. Helens, then drive the entire length of the road in (25 miles) and out (another 25 miles). Just getting there adds about 260 miles to your trip. Given the nature of the roads, that's another full day spent.

Here's one off-the-wall suggestion that may appeal to you. If everyone has passports and COVID restrictions get relaxed a bit, you could take your children up to Canada. Vancouver is the obvious destination, but since you want scenery rather than cities Golden Ears Provincial Park probably appeals more. Still, since you're from the Deep South, your children might enjoy seeing the Great White North and it (the park) is only a bit over 3 hours from Seattle.

Personally, with your limit on driving time/day and the fact that you're going to see plenty of mountains in Glacier National Park, I think I'd go with an overnight to Canada, but again it's your choice'

AZBuck

[noFanofCB]

My neices had lots of fun with horses on a ranch near Cle Elum just east of Snoqualmie.

EDIT- Flying Horseshoe ranch.

My folks and my sisters family camped at Lake Easton State Park many years in a row. It was a nice place. (I joined them one year) The girls learned to bicycle going round the campground circle.

[Rachaelkoske]

Those are some great suggestions - and we did think about Canada on this trip for sure. Working on kiddos passports but don't have them yet. We actually have 15 days on the southern route I'm thinking of, so I think we've got time on our side. Mother-in-Law really wants to see Mt St. Helens Monument so I was thinking we would stay in Silver Lake? Maybe there is a better option near the Monument.

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I am trying to book at Flying Horseshoe! Great to hear they loved it. Thank you so much :)

[Southwest Dave]

If I am reading this correctly, you have 15 days after departing from Glacier NP ? If that is the case then you do give yourself a lot of options and Yellowstone could well be one of those as well as the Grand Tetons just to the south. You would really need at least 3 to 4 days to do them justice but what a wonderful experience ! If you broke your journey between Glacier and Yellowstone with an overnight stop (where would depend on from where you start out) you would have 10 days to return to Seattle. Twin Falls is a nice town to consider after Yellowstone/Tetons with the Snake river canyon and Shoshone Falls nearby plus Craters of the Moon NM a little further afield. You could then head towards Portland OR via Boise and The Dalles before travelling along the historic Columbia river gorge into Portland. Then north to Mt St Helens before returning to Seattle. There are lots of options open to you and these are just a couple of options so keep researching and as new questions crop up please just ask.

[Rachaelkoske]

Love these suggestions - digging in now!

If I am reading this correctly, you have 15 days after departing from Glacier NP ? If that is the case then you do give yourself a lot of options and Yellowstone could well be one of those as well as the Grand Tetons just to the south. You would really need at least 3 to 4 days to do them justice but what a wonderful experience ! If you broke your journey between Glacier and Yellowstone with an overnight stop (where would depend on from where you start out) you would have 10 days to return to Seattle. Twin Falls is a nice town to consider after Yellowstone/Tetons with the Snake river canyon and Shoshone Falls nearby plus Craters of the Moon NM a little further afield. You could then head towards Portland OR via Boise and The Dalles before travelling along the historic Columbia river gorge into Portland. Then north to Mt St Helens before returning to Seattle. There are lots of options open to you and these are just a couple of options so keep researching and as new questions crop up please just ask.

[Rachaelkoske]

We are starting from near Lake MacDonald Lodge area - any suggestions for a 1 night stop between there and West Yellowstone?

[glc]

Do you want to leave Glacier via the west entrance, or take the Going To The Sun Road to the east entrance?

[AZBuck]

Since the roads are going to be a bit slower on your first day (US-2/MT-206/MT-35/MT-83/MT-200/MT-141/US-12) than on your second day (I-90/MT-359/US-287/US-191), I'd suggest that you overnight a little bit less than half way. This still leaves you plenty of time to get to Yellowstone West Entrance by early to mid afternoon. If you use the outlined route above I'd suggest that you take a look at Salmon Lake State Park.

AZBuck

[Rachaelkoske]

Do you want to leave Glacier via the west entrance, or take the Going To The Sun Road to the east entrance?

We will be leaving via the west entrance - thanks!

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Since the roads are going to be a bit slower on your first day (US-2/MT-206/MT-35/MT-83/MT-200/MT-141/US-12) than on your second day (I-90/MT-359/US-287/US-191), I'd suggest that you overnight a little bit less than half way. This still leaves you plenty of time to get to Yellowstone West Entrance by early to mid afternoon. If you use the outlined route above I'd suggest that you take a look at Salmon Lake State Park.

AZBuck

Awesome - thanks!