Redwoods NP to Glacier NP this July

[JakenJo]

3 weeks to make this trip in July. Planning to go to Bandon OR for a couple days then want to travel through OR/WA/ID. Route suggestions and stops along way appreciated. Don't like cities just low key outdoors stuff.
TIA

Jake

[twogypsies]

Well... to keep you off interstates and many nice public parks along the way (national forest/state parks) here's a route we like.... 1,000 miles and because it's secondary highways it won't be fast driving but worth it! I'd plan no more than 250 mi./day if that. Pull into the campground in the afternoon and relax and enjoy the scenery.

Bandon, OR on 101.. go north to Reedsport and pick up 38 to I-5.
I-5 a short distance north to Eugene to 20/26 to Sisters, OR
26 east (John Day Fossil Beds/Clyde Holliday State Rec. campground)
26 to 201 at I-84 Ontario, OR
Pick up 201North to 95 at Weiser, ID to Grangeville, ID.
Hwy 13 to Kooskia, ID to ID12 - a nice drive along the river to 93 to Missoula, Montana
to 35 along Flathead Lake to Columbia Falls, MT at Glacier Nat'l Park

Here's a good site to find public campgrounds:

https://www.campendium.com/

[TonyDi]

You could also come up to Coeur D'Alene and take 95 to 2 to Kalispell. I've done that route in reverse and loved being off the main roads. We were in a 43' MH towing no problems at all with that route.

[JakenJo]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Well... to keep you off interstates and many nice public parks along the way (national forest/state parks) here's a route we like.... 1,000 miles and because it's secondary highways it won't be fast driving but worth it! I'd plan no more than 250 mi./day if that. Pull into the campground in the afternoon and relax and enjoy the scenery.

Bandon, OR on 101.. go north to Reedsport and pick up 38 to I-5.
I-5 a short distance north to Eugene to 20/26 to Sisters, OR
26 east (John Day Fossil Beds/Clyde Holliday State Rec. campground)
26 to 201 at I-84 Ontario, OR
Pick up 201North to 95 at Weiser, ID to Grangeville, ID.
Hwy 13 to Kooskia, ID to ID12 - a nice drive along the river to 93 to Missoula, Montana
to 35 along Flathead Lake to Columbia Falls, MT at Glacier Nat'l Park

Here's a good site to find public campgrounds:

https://www.campendium.com/

Thanks for the reply. Thinking we will spend a week or so around Bend following your proposed path. Would then like to head north some though to see the Columbia River and or Hells Canyon. Then maybe work North towards Tony Di's route into Montana as we plan to leave Glacier area on your route South in the opposite direction after our stay in Columbia Falls. Thoughts on route from Bend area to Spokane area appreciated.

[JakenJo]

Originally Posted by TonyDi

You could also come up to Coeur D'Alene and take 95 to 2 to Kalispell. I've done that route in reverse and loved being off the main roads. We were in a 43' MH towing no problems at all with that route.

Thanks. Like the idea of taking 2 into MT and have some contacts in Cour D'Alene. Ideas on route from Bend area to Spokane Cour D'Alene area.

[twogypsies]

From Bend take 97 north to 26 to Portland, OR then east on I-84 in Oregon if you want to see the impressive area of the Columbia River which is between Portland and The Dalles.

Then to Hells Canyon take I-84 east to Hermiston, Oregon and pick up 730/12 to Walla Walla, WA and Hwy 12 on to Lewiston, ID

Lewiston has the very nice Hells Gate State Park to stay. It's on the river, has big shade trees and has big rig sites. In July it's going to be very, very hot in this area so you'll want shade. From there you can pick up a Hells Canyon tour boat taking you into the canyon.

Then take 95 north to Coeur d'Alene.

For a scenic drive take Hwy 2 across to Glacier.

[RRR]

Originally Posted by JakenJo

Thanks. Like the idea of taking 2 into MT and have some contacts in Cour D'Alene. Ideas on route from Bend area to Spokane Cour D'Alene area.

I would take US 97 north to I-84 east. Past Boardman take US 730 follow it to US 12 at Waulla Junction. Go east on 12 toward Kennewick. Watch the signage close. At the town of Burbank go east on WA 124. There is some COE parks near the dams if your ready to stop. (I enjoy Charbonneau Park)

Continue east on 124 to Waitsburg and rejoin US 12 toward Lewiston. At Lewiston you will then have about a 6-7 mile pull at 6-7% out of Lewiston. Once you get to the top you can toss a coin and continue up 95 to CDA or take US 195 into Spokane and I-90 to CDA.

Both 95 and 195 are decent roads 95 is better. More trees such on 95, 195 is dry farming country, depends on what you want to see.

There is some good alternative routes too, so ask away.

[Old Scout]

...all good suggestions--annual forest fires in the west notwithstanding.....